Loss

Including this tragedy on the blog isn't what I want to do but seems right. This blog has captured many of the highs, as well as many of the lows our kids and we have experienced in Ghana. Plus, a tribute should be recorded.

Our world is a little less bright of a place now, but God has brought home one incredible little boy, that if at all possible, just made heaven even brighter. Eyako passed away just a few days after Christmas. It was unexpected and is very hard to accept. Eyako is one of the twins. One of Bernice's grandsons and along with his brother, Ayrum, has been raised by Bernice since he was a toddler. One of our boys and a very special one to say the least. He was only nine. Eyako had sickle cell anemia. Something I am embarrassed to admit I didn't know that much about....at least I didn't know that it could pose such a threat at such an early age. Eyako was always very healthy and a 'normal' kid all my time in Ghana. He did take medicine twice a day for the sickle cell, couldn't always participate in the activities requiring physical exertion (i.e. swimming) and we knew he occasionally spent time in the hospital. I think the reason I never viewed him or feared him as sick was because of his attitude and amazing personality. He never acted like he was sick. When he was told he couldn't do something with the rest of the kids, he never threw a fit or complained (at least not around us) and would just come along and watch on the sidelines. He was always in the best of spirits, so respectful, wise beyond his years, personable, helpful and loving. He will be missed dearly.

Bernice is doing as well as can be expected. The kids are still home on break and, of course, very upset. They continue to be resilient kids. Regardless, please be praying for them all.

Eyako is on the far left in the blue shirt. His brother, Ayrum, is next to him. This is from our 2009 visit back to Sammy's village.

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…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! =)

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.

The Times They Are A Changing

I'm atempting to download pictures, but some things in Ghana haven't changed much since my first trip five years ago. That process remains painfully slow. But we're helping two of the older children with email right now and they aren't the quickest, so I have some time.

While downloading is still slow, many other things have changed or are changing. I saw it during the first trip and continue to see the impact of technology: TV, internet, facebook, etc. These things have been in Ghana and show just the truly small size of our world. You, our friends and family in the US, probably think we are so far away in 'the bush.' We are far away, the plane ride proves that point, but we see signs for Nestle, tons of items made in China, Christmas trees in the capitol city, email being checked on cell phones and many young girls choosing jeans over the African skirts and dresses worn by the older generations. We are also hearing Akon and Christmas songs on the radio It is interesting and sometimes sad to watch.

There is also incredible inflation in Ghana. That helps our money go further, but isn't good for the Ghanians. Prices seem to change each time I'm here, keeping me on my toes!

The past two nights we've had friends come visit us. Richard, who runs the internet cafe where we're sitting and gave my mom that beautiful African dress during her first visit, has conitued to be a huge blessing for us as he helps Sister Bernice and the children quite often. We joked with him that he probably screens Sister Bernice's calls! I'm sure he does. Yesterday, our friend Sylvester came over after he was finished teaching for the day. He just started teaching this September, third grade and says he loves his students. He is teaching and now living in a small village about 30 minutes from Sokode/Ho that doesn't have running water and no internet cafes. Luckily he isn't too far from Ho. My mom and I were originally going to travel to his school yesterday during classes to meet his students; he really wanted us to meet them. He told me the trip wasn't far and we could just catch a tro tro in Sokode. No problem. Upon talking with Sister Bernice about how exactly to get to the school, she told us we could not go because we would take a tro tro only part of the way. We would have to get off the tro tro and then travel the remainder of the trip on a bumby, pothole-filled dirt road on the back of a......MOTOBIKE (a motorcycle)!!!! Ha, ha, ha....I just cracked up, as did Sister Bernice and my mom! My mom on the back of a motorcycle....in Ghana, with no helmet, on the bumby roads, with a complete, random Ghanian that could easily highjack us! Yeah right! Oh, my dear friend Sylvester....what were you thinking? I asked him that when he came to see us at Sister Bernice's. He also cracked up and said he just really, really wanted us to come see him. I'm up for the adventure! =) So I told him I would come to see him, but Momma Carol would be staying home that day AND that he would have to come meet me at the junction where we get on the motorcycles. I don't want to be highjacked!!!! Just kidding, I don't really think that would happen....I don't think...

We're off to see little Awoenam this evening to take her new dresses, shoes and a baby doll. We've seen her twice already. The first time we saw her, we were walking near her house to the taxi junction in Sokode with some of the kids and she came running to the street straight up to my mom (who she hasn't see in two years) with her arms extended outward for a big hug! No surprise my mom was in tears! It's amazing that she recognized her (especially since she was being watched by a neighbor, sister Pat wasn't there prompting her) and she wasn't shy or scared; she came running quite a distance to the road! She looks WONDERFUL! She is almost five years old and quite tall, which is a miracle given her previous small size and malnourishment. She is thriving!

Oh succes, the pictures loaded! Here are a few:

Awoenam. My posts from 2008 show her when she was first brought to Sister Bernice.

Wallasy (Frank)-the first day we went to see him this is what he had on, a Cardinals shirt! He had no idea of the significance, that the Cardinals are a baseball team, etc. Wow, I think this was just a little playful arrangement from God.

Sister Bernice relaxing in the afternoon (on a mattress outside in the yard =) with Delalia, the son of one of her friends...he is a serious chunker!

Momma Carol passing out little toy dinosaurs to the kids.

Fish and Loaves

Jesus multiplied the small amount of fish and loaves, available to his followers out in the countryside, into an overflowing amount of food that resulted in everyone being filled and having leftovers and that is exactly what he has been doing to our energy levels, strength, love, toys, and treats for the kids! After an incredibly taxing and extended time of traveling to Sister Bernice's, my mom and I 'should' be experiencing jet lag exhaustion and slow to get going and we are tired, but luckily we're supplied with more than our own strength! We also received an outpouring of kindness and support before we left for our trip with donations of items and money for the children. Those donations already seem to be going so far!

Our travels from the airport to Sokode on Friday took about three hours longer than usual but we got there in time to still enjoy the birthday dinner Sister Bernice so kindly prepared, a little Ghanaian beer (a special birthday treat), several birthday cards (one from the kids), and a gift of beautiful Ghanaian fabric! The past two days have been full and productive. School is currently in session with seven of the kids in four different boarding schools (all of which are in different towns and none in Sokode or Ho)-yikes! The rest of the kids go to school during the day and stay with Sister Bernice, her mom or Sister Constance. We spent the weekend gathering and visiting the majority of the children and meeting some needs of the neighborhood children (many of whom are very dirty). We've already traveled to the closest boarding school (~30 minutes away) to see four of the children: Noble, Patricia, Emmanuel and Edem. They have strict visiting hours, so we can't bring them home for the weekend, but we were prepared for that reality and really enjoyed our time with them. We took treats, backpacks, clothes and games. My sweet, sweet Noble who has grown into such a handsome young man (he's 15!) paraded my mom and me through the school grounds, while holding our hands, to meet one of his teachers and the two priests that run the school. This was touching because one, he is a teenager now and is still so affectionate and two, the fact he is associated with two white people could result in more questions and expectations of what he 'has' than its worth. But he didn't care. He was proud and we were blown away.

On Saturday we took Elolo and the twins to Bernice's mom's house to pick up Sika, Wallasy (Frank) and Selasie (who I haven't seen since my first trip...she'd been with a foster family, but they could no longer take care of her, so they sent her back to Bernice). Wallasy (12 years) did not know that we were coming to Ghana. His reaction and hug would melt anyone's heart. Actually the greeting received from both he and Noble brought tears to my eyes. These boys are getting big. But their long, loving hugs, wow....the only way I can describe the way they looked hugging my mom and felt hugging me was like when I'm sad or struggling and go to my mom for that all comforting, protective hug (yes, still now). I felt like we were that comforting, protective place for them. A friend from church prayed that we would get to see a little of the seeds that we're planting in these children's hearts. He showed us those seeds in those hugs...such a beautiful gift to see and feel. Thank you, Lord. 

Wallasy, Sika and Elolo somehow convinced me (it doesn't take much, just a little excitement in their eyes, a please and I say 'of course we can') to take them and eight other children (four of which were random neighborhood kids) to a trade show that was in town for the weekend. It was a huge market! After my mom, 11 children and I peeled ourselves out of one taxi (totally legal....and really safe...), we had to institute a buddy system and emergency 'if you get lost' plan...we're insane! But we all stayed together and saw lots of cool Ghanaian crafts. Each kid got 5 Ghana cedis (about $3.50) to purchase whatever they wanted from the show. All eleven kids went to the first toy stand we saw and bought everything from just this one man! Ha, he made out well that day! Actually two of the girl we're very smart shoppers and still had money leftover for snacks!

There's much more as usual: all the kids stayed with us last night and we had a big family dinner with fried chicken for all (thanks to the contributions we received), made jewelry (which the boys took over), passed out toys and food to the neighborhood kids, a big grocery shopping trip to the market this morning, and even bathing a dirty boy! After two days of seeing a little two-year old boy coming to Sister Bernice's filthy, in the same dirt-filled clothes with a runny nose and cough and just wanting to be held and loved by us, my mom nor I could resist. Sister Bernice sent him home the first day for his mother to bathe him. She sent him back the same way the 2nd day. So we picked him up and took inside with us to the bathroom, scrubbed him down and bathed that little baby. His big eyes just watched and he held on. We took him to our room and, by God's grace, we actually had clothes small enough for him. So he got a clean shirt and shorts and an oatmeal pie.That's what led to feeding the neighborhood kids. If that boy is that dirty, who knows if those kids get good meals. I was very impressed with 'our' kids (Sister Bernice's kids), they helped me buy bread, nuts, and chicken, cut if up and distribute to the neighbor children, even though they knew they weren't kidding any. It was a beautiful opportunity to teach them about helping others. Even though they don't have much, they have enough and they can share with those that have even less. I think they actually taught me with their willingness and quickness to embrace that idea with no push back. They are great kids!

Lord, keep multiplying!

...you did for me

We leave tomorrow for my fifth and my mom's third trip to Ghana! Wow! We truly are blessed! Thank you to everyone who has supported us with love, prayers, encouragement and donations!

Last week I started reading 'Kisses from Katie.' If any of you know this book, you know I probably really shouldn't be reading it....because it is exactly what I am suppose to read. The book found me and just a few days after buying it (I had never heard of it before but saw it on a table at Barnes and Noble and fought the urge to walk away from it), a friend asked if I had ever read it. Yep, so I'm reading it. It is joyful, but it hurts. Katie makes a really good observation in her book (she went to Uganda in 2007 for the first time to work with orphans, the same time as my first trip to Ghana); it is so good in fact that I am just going to steal it and copy it here. It's about the least of these...like from Matthew 25:40....“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

From Kisses from Katie, by Katie Davis:

'The truth is that there are children like this all over the world, sick, starving, dying, unloved, and uncared for. The truth is that the 143 million orphaned children and the 11 million who starve to death or die from preventable diseases and 8.5 million who work as child slaves, prostitutes, or under other horrific conditions and the 2.3 million who live with HIV add up to 164.8 million needy children. And though at first glance that looks like a big number, 2.1 billion people on this earth claim to be Christians. 

The truth is that if only 8 percent of the Christians would care for one more child, there would not be any statistics left. That is the Truth.'

“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ Matthew 25:45.

To the ends of the earth......again!

Dear Family and Friends,

We are truly blessed to once again be able to return to Ghana and share love with our kids at the Save Widows and Orphans Development Centre (December 1-15). We would like to share our blessings with you by inviting you to be a part of our mission. While we get to see, firsthand, the joy and appreciation on the kids’ faces when they feel loved and seen, you can be the one that helps them feel that joy. You can be a part of making these kids feel special, safe and loved. There are several ways to get involved and any help is greatly appreciated. Here are some things that would be very helpful and loved by the kids.

*Wish list items to take with us (we’re now restricted to only one suitcase each, but we’ll still pack them full!):

·         Children’s vitamins

·         Kids projects (self-contained, light weight): LEGO models, model airplanes, jewelry kits, etc

·         Arts & Crafts: construction paper, scissors, glue, markers, scissors, etc

·         Games (simple, i.e. Connect Four, Chutes & Ladders, checkers)

·         Kids/Preteen DVDs

·         Worship CDs, music

·         Girl clothes (age 2-4)

*While the age-level guides and interest of kids in Ghana do not correlate exactly with kids in the US, all the children are over the age of seven years (except one three-year-old girl). There are 15 kids.

Due to tighter luggage restrictions, the majority of our gifts for the kids will be bought in Ghana. In past years, several friends and family have blessed the children with monetary donations allocated for specific items or activities during our trip. Below are some examples of on the ground purchases. If you would like to help in this way, we’ll provide specifics on the use of your donation (what, how many and pictures of the kids enjoying your kindness). 

*Wish list purchases in Ghana:

·         Shoes (~$6-8, nice school shoes)

·         Clothes (made specifically for each child, ~$10/each)

·         Fish/chicken for meals at home (protein foods cost more, which means they’re offered less often; ~$20-one meal, all kids)

·         Sweet treats (ice cream; ~$1.00)

·         Pool fun day out ($30 all kids)

·         Special meals out (~$30 all kids)

·         Hiking trek in nearby village (~$40.00, travel to/from included)

·         Soccer balls (~$5.00)

*School costs remain the number one major fundraising need for the children. Currently, the school needs are just barely being met on a year-to-year basis through the One by One Foundation (started by our good friend and fellow volunteer, Josephine Hopkins; formerly named the Hopkins Foundation). School donations are greatly appreciated and can be made directly to the One by One Foundation online at www.hopkinsfoundation.org. All donations are used specifically for our kids’ boarding school fees and supplies.

*Most importantly, we ask for your prayers that we have a safe, healthy, joyful, and purposeful trip.

Happy Holidays and God Bless!

Carol and Alicia

Carol’s contact information:

cjmj2002@yahoo.com

314-954-6961

Alicia’s contact information:

aliciamjohnson@yahoo.com

217-418-0070

One by One Foundation

www.hopkinsfoundation.org

208-455-8144

2922 E Cleveland Blvd, Suite 322

Caldwell, ID 83605