That's a wrap

I'm delayed as usual in posting post-trip...I wrote this post right before Christmas and it has taken me this long to figure out how to link to my album (it says I posted this 12-21, that's when I wrote it, I didn't finish until today 1-5-12. The photo album still isn't complete...oh well. Also, I've been delayed because of the sad news above. Like I said, I wrote this before Christmas, so thought I should still post now. 

Here's a link to the photo summary of our two weeks: https://picasaweb.google.com/102934649291112231874/Ghana2011#slideshow 

Up until October, we had no idea if a trip to Ghana in 2011 was going to happen. For over a year and a half, my mom and I both have been hoping and praying that everything would come together so that we could once again spend precious time with our African family. It had been a long year and half (two for my mom) away, but filled with big changes and celebrations in our family (relocation, new jobs, Jeff and Jenny’s wedding). We were fully dependent and waiting on God to show up and provide, if we were suppose to return. Obviously He did. Thank you Lord! He didn’t stop there though. We had the funds for the trip…but what He really gave us was some amazing friends and family that generously provided donations of items and money to use directly on the children! We were able to give, give and give to our children, to other orphans Sister Bernice works with, to the kids in Sokode village, to the school nearby! THANK YOU! I’d say we felt like Santa, but it is more accurate to say we got to be the hands and feet of Jesus because we were able to give so openly and lovingly with little worry of not having enough. THANK YOU! Thank you to everyone that has supported us in one way or another through these trips!

Here are some of the ways the donations were used (aka: How WE ALL showed love):

·         Impromptu meal for twelve Sokode kids: bread, chocolate spread, ground nuts and chicken (best part- some of our kids helped make it happen and distributed the food)

·         Two pairs of shoes (sandals and tennis shoes) each for 18 kids, one pair of cute pink sandals for sweet Awoenam, and a new pair of shoes for Sister Bernice

·         Meat purchased for 18 kids for three meals

·   A Christmas party for 18 kids: a special dinner cooked and cleaned up by someone else (i.e. not the kids or Sister Bernice), drinks, Reggae Christmas music (we found this CD at the market) and dancing on a patio overlooking the town at a new hotel in Ho

·         Soccer balls, books and treats for Christmas Day

·    Holiday transportation money for all the boarding school kids

·     Extra food/snacks for exams week for all the boarding school kids

·     Backpacks for 19 kids with pencils, washcloths, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and snacks

·     New clothing for 19 kids

·         Complete new outfits bought for three kids

·     Fabric and sewing costs for two new school uniforms

·         Vitamins for three children

·         Crayons, flash cards and candy for local elementary school

·    Swimming at the pool and dinner out in town for 23 people

·         Breakfast of porridge, bread with peanut butter and hard boiled eggs for 40 plus kids.

·         Dance competition with books and toy prizes

·         Bingo with prizes

·         Kids’ shopping spree at the Trade Show

·         And of course, ice cream and lots of candy and cookies!!!

It’s amazing what God can accomplish in two weeks and with some loving friends!

Happy New Year! My prayer is for 2012 posts filled with even more praises! =)