Who would have thought? Not me.

We’re back home after relatively easy traveling. Door to door, it took about 28 hours, but I think my mom and I both didn’t feel the full weight of that; we’re feeling well (just a little tired).The kids had a holiday from school on Friday, so our last couple of days were filled with kids morning to night! We celebrated their day off school with a trip to the AWESOME hotel at the top of a huge hill (we didn’t climb this one, took a taxi (two in fact) up this time) to enjoy some soda, ice cream and music!


Coming back is always a little strange; it is comforting and sad all at the same time. Before we left Sokode on Saturday, Sika asked us when we were coming back. While that question isn’t as difficult as the first time they asked, it is still choked me up. My mom and I both feel more confident than ever that we will be back (God willing), but it is 1) hard to say for sure when, 2) you say a month and those kids remember it and expect you to stick with it and 3) it always seem so far away! Even being blessed enough to go once a year, it was hard to say ‘okay, see you next August (maybe).’ That’s hard. But the fact that is difficult is actually really amazing. On our ride to the airport I tried to intentionally soak up the beauty and culture of Ghana. I love that place! Sometimes it can be a difficult place to be: physically it is hard on the body (the heat, the food & water [and subsequent stomach issues], the smells [burning trash, diesel exhaust and sewage issues], lack of sleep, tight quarters, little privacy, etc), emotionally it fills us, but can also easily drain us if we try to take it all on ourselves (as this blog has demonstrated, caring for 16+ kids is not always easy) and spiritually we’re in battles we don’t even see! But regardless, Ghana is a beautiful experience! As we drove through the gorgeous landscape and little towns along the way, I took a step back and realized just how unbelievable it is that my mom and I were in that exact spot.

Six years ago, for the most part, I was really self-absorbed (ok, I still am….just not as much some days) and would never have thought I’d ever be so committed to a group of kids halfway across the world that I would be willing (let alone desperate) to travel each year to be with them and on top of that, do it with my mom. It is crazy what happens when you let Jesus in your heart and ask him to start showing you what he cares about and what he is doing. It’s crazy, because I don’t really feel like we’re doing anything. It’s more like we’re the ones receiving. And that is because this is all from him. I’ve heard many times from people how they think that my mom and I are ‘good’ for what we do and that we bless the kids. I have to confess, I (we) can’t take any of the credit nor do we want to. This is truly a God thing. Trust me, neither of us are that ‘good.’ Not even close. This is something way beyond our doing. God put his love for and perspective on those kids in our hearts. If we were left to ourselves, we undoubtedly would have given up in 2008 or never have been there in the first place. But he is good and keeps giving us the strength and support to carry on. We get to see it in those kids. Their lives. How they are growing. How they’re improving in school. How they’re personalities have developed. How they love. They’re compassion. They’re hugs. Even now, I still find myself in selfish moments when we’re there. For example, I hesitated for a moment around some of the village kids this past week. I was tired, they’re not ‘our’ kids and they were super dirty and had runny noses. So, I was tempted to blow them off quickly and then go inside. I feel bad saying that, but it is true. But then in an instant God was so good and gracious to remind me of his view on these kids and how Jesus lovingly treated the children the disciples were quick to dismiss. My heart panged, I was about to do the same thing! Then I let go of my earlier thoughts and gave those kids exactly what they needed. Something so little and easy: love and attention. I held their hands, let them hug me. By focusing on them and not on myself and my petty worries, I was actually filled.

Six years ago I could not have even imagined loving a group of people on the other side of the world this much. My heart aches for them, but it is so full. I am the blessed one. I am privileged and so humbled that God led us to those kids. And he did just that. He gave me a desire to volunteer in Africa. He presented the perfect timing. He provided just enough savings to go for three months. He led me to Ghana and to the Volta Region. I didn’t seek those kids out, I didn’t even want to work with them when I first went to Ghana. Working with kids was the last thing I wanted to do. I thought it was like babysitting. I thought they were dirty and exhausting the first couple days. But he changed my heart quickly. They became my passion while I was there and after. So much of a passion that my mom’s heart opened to them without even meeting them and so much that she changed her thoughts of traveling to Africa and now is just as much in love with Ghana as I am. He led us to those kids…actually, I think he led them to us. They have been such a blessing in our lives. We don’t give up anything to go there, not really, not anything that truly matters. Yet we get so much in return! We get what really matters! We’re the lucky ones!

Thanks for being part of this adventure and playing a role! We pray you're blessed as much as we have been!

Slideshow of pics is on the way.

God on the Move

Our days here in 2012 are coming to a close much too soon. It has been wonderful to have a couple more days than usual, but we're still not ready to leave. We'll head to the airport around 1pm on Saturday (8am CST) and will be back in St. Louis at noon on Sunday.

The past four days have been a roller coaster of emotions, but as always, God is with us and works all things together for his good. There are some pictures below of Awoenam. Hopefully they show how great she is doing! She is in her first year of kindergarten, super smart, a chatterbox, very tall and healthy, everyone's friend and mainly a wonderful example of what God is doing in these children's lives. She has come a long way in the past three years! She is the little girl who would not smile or talk and was very small for her age when she first came.

We've had to deal with some issues with Frank's (Wallasy) living situation over the past few days that have tested us and required humbleness and partnerships with everyone involved. For those of you that I emailed for prayers and know more details, I am happy to report that Frank is going to be joining Elikim at his boarding school this year (in the next week) and living with Elikim and the headmaster's family. A situation that all parties feel good about and finally agreed upon. And thanks to generous donors to the One by One Foundation, there is money for the boarding school fees. As far as the relationships and reconciliation issues, please continue your prayers for the truth to be revealed to all and that we all always keep the kids' best interest in mind.

There are also a few pictures below of Sika, Frank and Marissa being little servants. We prepared small bags of cookies, candy and words about God's love to hand out randomly to some strangers in the neighborhood! We're trying to intentionally teach the kids about blessing others. Honestly though, they already get this and always have. They've been blessing us so freely for many years.

Awoenam loving her Dora backpack!

We brought all the kids several photos from the past couple years. Awoenam was enamored with one of her and her Momma Pat!

Helping me freshen up!

An African lady! This is the outfit our friend, Richard had made for my mom the first year we met him.

Enjoying a drink and some music. Awoenam didn't sit long...she was dancing all around this place and talking to everyone around.

Momma Pat makes us look like giants!

Making some notes for our blessing bags of treats.

Sika's note. She did this all on her own...the Lord is my shelter and the Lord loves.

Heading out to hand out little bags of love.

Come, come sea! You will NOT take me away!

The start of last weekend's festivities. We had all the kids (except the kids back at boarding school) out to Sister Bernice's for the weekend, so we enjoyed many meals together, including yam fu fu on Sunday afternoon to celebrate the Yam Festival currently underway in Ho.

Preparing 20 ground nut butter and jelly sandwiches for a road trip!

Bernice's grandson, Joshua, taking a bath!

Road trip time! We all piled into a VERY nice tro tro (we splurged for a/c even) for a road trip on Saturday. Here was are preparing to leave the house at 8am. We headed out for a three hour trip to visit Elikim and Peace at their schools and head to the ocean!!!! Almost all of the kids have never seen the ocean (or the sea as they refer to it).

Mom gets the front seat with Wallasy! That's our driver, Labista. He was fabulous! Not the typical crazy tro tro driver and very patient with all of us and our many stops!

Here we are stopping at Elikim's school. The boys used the opportunity for a restroom break! The girls at least went behind the building. Momma Carol and I were only slightly better off. 

We picked up Elikim on the way (2nd to right); unfortunately he wasn't feeling so well (but we stopped and got him some medicine). This is at Peace's school in Keta. Notice how the boys and girls separated?

Eating our PB&J sandwiches and drinking some cokes! Aluminum cans is a new luxury these days!

Peace looking through her school bag of goodies, which included some new shoes, dresses, books, and this fun mirror from Tasha (the girls have been loving these and the lip gloss and polish, Jenny)!

Now, to the beach! This is some HOT sand!

The girls slowly approached the water. Patience is one of the only ones that has been (we took her last year), so she is the brave one up front.

Looks like none of them are that brave now! They're running from the incoming wave! They're boldness increased quickly.

The boys were a completely different story! I had to beg them not to get too far in the water (1. they don't know how to swim and 2. the waves were really rough). There were many fishermen along the beach pulling in nets that were far out in the water. So, of course, the boys jumped right in and starting heaving in these ropes!

Playing

Elolo is the reason for post title. Mr. Courage. He would take my hand, have me walk out with him to wait for a wave, dig his feet into the sand, then say Come, come sea! You will not take me away! When that wave approached, both of his hands were squeezing my arm really tight! =) Yep, Mr. Courage! Though I look more surprised by this wave than he does!

Now we're both running from it!

Where are those fish?

We're waiting for the big wave!

Dried off and time to go. =(

Hours later. We're stilling pulling in the nets.

Seriously, are those fish ever coming in?

On the way home. A sweet moment between brothers. Sammy and Elikim.

Momma Carol had a special request from her boy, Wallasy. He asked her specifically to take him for a haircut....I was not invited. Uh??

About to be bald!

Time to make yam fu fu! They're taking boiled yams and pounding them into a almost dough consistency.  It was delicious!

This is Joshua's little sister. Joshua lived with Sister Bernice for a little while last year when his parent's needed help. He comes over to play every day now. His little sister, Christine is 8 and can't hear or speak. She also has a disability that affects her walking. She walked into the yard on Sunday and I almost lost it. She is so precious.

Joshua is taking her back home. He'll carry her on his back for a faster trip.

Sights from the last week

Sister Bernice has diabetes and needs help managing her diet. We're trying to give her ideas for healthier ideas here where the traditional diet is high in starch and carbs. We bought her some more veggies from the market and she wanted to learn how to cook in an electric skillet (she received one as a gift from someone from Spain and she has been scared to use it so it has been sitting in it's box. She doesn't know how to use it and she is scared of hoe much electricity it will use).

Here I am cooking inside in the main hall...on the floor. Yum! =) My mom helped too and we just kind of winged this vegetables dish since we were limited in our ingredients. All the Ghanaian women were sitting on the other side watching. Happy to report that they loved it! Sister Bernice said she would love to eat it every day! =)

Joshua (he stayed with Sister Bernice last year, but is now back with family members, but he comes over every day to hang out with us) and Emmanuel. They just selected these soccer balls for the boys.

Sika, Edem, Rina (Sister Constance's niece), Marissa (now also lives with Bernice's mother) and Princilla

Sister Princess (Bernice's friend and neighbor) helping prepare jollof rice for dinner

Our whole crew, plus some, enjoying dinner from Mama Dorles (my aunt)

Noble. See how big he is getting. A teenager. =( They've begged us each night to play bingo, which includes prizes. Noble and Emmanuel have been the jokers. Here Noble is trying to 'hide' several of the game prizes under this hat and sneak off. 

The boys were ready right on time for church (not a typical thing in Ghana). This is mainly because Noble is the 'director' according to Sister Bernice and he is very serious about church, so he made sure we arrived on time. But notice....there are no girls in this pic. They were stragglers. Left to right: Ayrum, |Joshua, Elolo, Emmanuel and Noble.

Elolo decided to carry his new backpack on his head. Show off!

See how lucky we are; we get to receive this love firsthand. That's Wallasy (aka Frank) lavishing me with a really good hug. All the kids loved their backpacks! Again, thank you to Joe and Lynda!

Some of the girls selecting clothes from the ones we brought in our suitcases. They each got a dress and a skirt and top.

More backpacks!

Emmanuel and Noble (the jokers and criminals) being Vanna White with more Bingo prizes. Julie and Ericka-the girls (as well as the grown women) LOVED the jewelry box!!! Little Princilla was the first girl to win BINGO and she jumped for that! I think the boys secretly wanted it also.

Momma Carol has relished her role as BINGO announcer!

At the start of our trip up Adaklu Mountain. Our two tour guides are up front.

Adaklu. We went to that spot at the top righthand side.

The girls climbing. They didn't make it much past this spot.

Romeo making it up the rocks.

The true champs that made it all the way. I look way worse at the top this time than five years ago! I was drenched head to toe! =) Romeo, me, Noble, Edem (my tough girl), Emmanuel up front and Cornelius (one of the guides).

We're cooking yams over the charcoal pit like true Ghanaians.

Shoe shopping with Sister Constance. We went to one of the nice stores this year.

Hanging out with Sister Bernice separating out the bad rice kernels.

Some of the provisions the kids take to the boarding school with them for the term. Soap (body and laundry), pomade, tp, etc)

Edem, Emmanuel and Noble preparing to leave the house and return to their boarding school. Again, we were so blessed to have them in the house with us for several days before returning. I woke up this morning very sad not to see them.

At Bernice's mother's house. We were taking the shoes to the kids. There's lots of neighbor kids here too.

Loving some new shoes and Momma Carol.

We got some time to go around town on our own yesterday. So we ate lunch out at one of my favorite places from when I was here for three months. The stand up front is where they sell the food and then there are these nice, cozy benches and tables behind some sheets to enjoy your food in privacy! My mom had some plantains and I enjoyed salad and rice (yep, I can't pass up the yummy salad...so far, no problems!).

Ayrum and Joshua with new shoes and backpacks!

These random kids ran up to attack Momma Carol with hugs! While she loved it, she was also nervous they would knock her in that drainage ditch/sewer on the left! She really dislikes those things and makes me walk on that side!