Shopping, traveling, playing and serving....we don't want to leave!

A photo recap of the last several days.

Shoe shopping in Ho. This picture is one of the many shoe stands. While it doesn't look like much, she has a ton of shoes in all the bags. We just tell her the size and she pulls out a variety.  We had to first get all of the kids' shoe sizes, then shopped around town for different prices. Bernice's son struck a deal with this lady. Thanks to him and a coworker's generous donation, all the children will receive two new pairs of shoes: tennis shoes and sandals. Buying two pairs of shoes for 19 children will ultimately take four shopping trips (hopefully that is it)!


A coworker of my mom's sent us with new book bags for the kids and we filled them with goodies (school supplies, tooth brushes, tooth paste, new clothes, their new shoes, and sweet treats). Here are some of the boys being silly while showcasing their new items.







Shopping at the market for new (used) clothes. Bernice's mother experienced a fire in her home earlier this year, which destroyed most of Elolo's clothes. So we headed to the market and picked out many new clothes for him. So many, in fact, that Sister Bernice started calling him King Elolo. These are actually used clothes made in other countries that the Ghanaians say are more durable than their own.

King Elolo.
















The kids' beloved trip to the pool! They also got to go out to eat afterward. Thank you Amy! My mom is with a new boy that Sister Bernice is helping, Joshua.








Saturday morning we made and served breakfast for the kids nearby in the Sokode village to show some extra love. Over 40 children, including our kids, were served porridge (not the most appetizing, but common here), bread with ground nut butter (like peanut butter), hard boil eggs, and of course candy afterward. We played music outside, had a dance contest complete with prizes and sang worship songs.

Passing out candy. 




The kids lining up for their food. The clear bags have the porridge inside. They bite a hole in the corner and drink from it.

Getting ready.













 We took a stroll behind Sister Bernice's house into the village and passed by this elementary school (I think it is only for preschool-first grade), the kids happened to be on recess so this is what we saw running at us yelling yevu, yevu! When I pulled out my camera to take a picture, they all actually stopped in their tracks and waited. Once I was finished it was full speed towards us! While all were trying to hold our hands and surrounding us so we could only move our feet an inch at a time, they slowly led us back around the school to their playground where we had the lovely opportunity to teach then the wheels on the bus go round and round! We may have made up several of our own verses....we were kind of put on the spot! Several of the kids just wanted to be hugged! =( We're heading back there this week with candy for all of them!

 The sweet neighbor boy we bathed. When we see him he walks up to us saying 'me, me' and hold his hands up wanting just to be held and then lays his head on our shoulders. So precious. We also bought him some new clothes at the market and will be leaving behind vitamins with his mother.

 Saturday afternoon we returned to Have, the location of the first boarding school we visited. Unfortunately we're having to deal with some issues at this school that aren't pleasant. But as my mom reminded me, just as we have been here before in times of troubles and when we are needed most, God coordinated our trip to be at this time for a reason. 

We’re with Edem, Emmanuel and Noble. They’re growing up! 

 

Sammy (left) and Frank being their usual silly selves.

Yesterday we traveled to the coast and visited two of the boarding schools. Elikim and Peace are both by themselves at two different schools, but seem to be doing great! We took both of them their backpacks and shoes. The headmaster at Elikim's school and his wife gave him many compliments, saying that he was above average in his school work and that he was a hard worker at home, volunteering to help with chores before having to be told or asked to help.  

Peace’s school is an all girl school…probably best for her! It is right on the ocean, which is awesome! Patience traveled with us so she could visit her sister. Both of the girls were scared to come down to the water with us and put their feet in. I made them. =) Peace stood there waiting for a wave and then ran away from it as it approached! Hilarious! They warmed up to it once they saw that we weren’t washed out to sea and then loved it and didn’t want to leave!

 Peace (left) and Patience.