Visit to see Brenda

About 10 years ago I went to a Women of Faith conference in Billings, Montana. If you have been to one of these you know that they sponsor and support World Vision. So I decided to sponsor a child through World Vision and stopped by the table during a break. I said a short prayer asking God to direct me to the right child. As I browsed through the mounds of pictures, there was a mother staring out at me. She had children about the age of my children and she was looking directly at me. This was the one, a family, not just one child. On her lap was a little girl with small pigtails all over her head and standing beside her were three boys and another girl. I picked up the packet and wrote Akua when I returned home. Who would know that we would ever meet. But, if you know me, I seem to dream big, or believe in the "possible". So five years ago, my son Charlie and I went to Atebubu, Ghana is West Africa to meet the family. At that time, Charlie and Matthew were 16 and became friends even though they could not converse. And I knew that Akua and I were friends and sisters. Her eyes, the same eyes that looked out in the pictures, spoke a universal language of friendship. It was a wonderful visit. I fell in love with the girls especially, as girls always seem to open up and befriend faster. Adwoa was about 13 and Afua was a sweet little 4 or 5 year old, who cried when we left. I also fell in love with the Ghanaian people. Their friendliness, laughter and beauty captivated me. They want a better country. They believe and hope for a better world for themselves. And they believe in education. But they are very poor. So I decided that someday I would return to help them in some way. I had in mind a few weeks or even a month or two. God had in mind a year. So here I am.

Last weekend I made the trek back to see Akua. The vehicle broke down and I was stuck in a small town hotel with a 7 year old friend. World Vision came to the rescue and got myself, my principal and his 7 year old daughter safely to Atebubu. We traveled the "back roads" to the village and there they were. The village people gather for a celebration and all the leaders and ourselves were introduced. Then they asked me if I could pick out the family from the crowd. I walked directly to Akua, with little Brenda on her back. Akua had gotten remarried soon after we left and a couple of years ago had a baby girl and named her after me! When I approached Akua, she reached out and hugged me, which is very uncommon here in Ghana. So you see here the picture of that moment, that thankfully someone captured. Afua was also there, and two of the boys. Afua has grown up! She is no longer a little 5 year old, but a big 10 year old. Matthew was in Accra, and Adwoa was in Atebubu with her new baby girl, whom I met the next day. And of course, like a grandma, I thought Brenda was the cutest little girl I has ever seen. She was sick the days I visited, probably Malaria, and I am sure she did not understand who I was, but I hope to see her when she is more cheerful.

It hit me as I sat there that I am in the middle of Africa and God has permitted me to see my sister and friend again. The people were amazed that I came. No other sponsor has ever visited that village, and to visit twice was a great compliment to them. But I can only thank God that He provided the means. And again, I looked into Akua's eyes and knew she wanted so badly to communicate our friendship... but Akua, I understand without words.

The next day, I traveled down very rutty, muddy roads for 50 kilometers, which took over 3 hours, to visit another boy, who is sponsored by a friend of mine. Again we were entertained by dancing and singing by the school children and the community members. Kofi was overwhelmed. I am sure that most of these children have never seen a white person, much less had one visit them. He was very quiet, but towards the end of the visit was smiling at me, and just like Akua, trying to communicate gratitude. Here is these remote villages, it is subsistence farming only. They are hours away from any town and almost no means of transportation. They eat what they grow. They may sell just enough to purchase a little clothing and necessities. As I said we traveled across very rough, muddy roads in a 4 wheel drive vehicle to reach Kofi. The only contact most of them have with the outside word is when the market comes to town. But there are schools here. And as one of the World Vision staff said, "Anywhere Coke can go, the gospel can go." So World Vision is also here, spreading God's love and the gospel.
World Vision does wonders here and around the world. Many live miles away from families as they work in remote areas. The road we traveled is the only way in or out of the town where some of the staff work. They may or may not go home for the weekend to see their children. But they love the children they help. They know them by name and they work very hard to meet the needs in numerous ways. Here in Ghana, they build schools and clinics; they educate adults in health, business and agriculture; they immunizes children; help with small businesses and farming ventures; build boreholes and much more. I asked what would happen if this area experienced a drought since they are subsistence farmers and they said, "We feed them." So, rest assured, if you support World Vision, they are working wonders and they are an oasis of efficiency in this area.

Happiness

Pics: Village children, Kyaba, Israel

God has been speaking to me alot recently about happiness. I wonder why I am not unhappy here. I do miss home and family and friends. Once in awhile the loneliness hits. But for the most part I am very happy. This morning (Sunday), I read this quote: "Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude" by Denis Waitley. Luci Swindoll says, "Decide to accept the path God has given you with courage, grace and humor". Even before I came to Africa I had people tell me they could not do what I do, that is work with students with special needs. I remember thinking then, "You haven't tried it!". I assumed everyone would love it if they just gave it a try. Today, as I sat in church and watched the people dancing I thought, "''Father, I wish they could be with me where I am so that they could see Your glory'" (John 17:24) Last Friday Kyaba fell asleep on my lap on the bus ride home. I wanted to capture the experience and share it with all of you. It was one of those moments of pure happiness. He is a very big, tough 4 year old, sleeping like an angel.

Other things here certainly are humorous. The student that asked me if white women flatulated. The same student, after we had read several stories or seen pictures of animals, at which I would say, "We used to have one of those" (due to the many pets we have had), saw a picture of a gorilla in a phonics book said, "Madam, do you have one?". Israel with the plastic lips or Israel trying to march to class like the other students. Sherifa, my 'special student' was trying to tell me that her behavior was due to her illness (a seizure disorder). I said that seizures do not cause bad behavior and explained that I have had many, many students with the same illness she has. She responded, "God will bless you, Madam". I'm not sure what she was thinking, but I wanted to respond, "I certainly hope so"(It was a rough day for us both). Almost daily there is humor, maybe even hourly!

As I look back at my life, the things that make me smile are not the big days. It is not when I purchased a car or a house. I remember funny things my kids said, them swimming in the backyard as kids or going out to Taco Treat when they were teenagers. I remember trips with my students on the transit or bowling with them. There are times when you are just living and your soul seems to say, "This is happiness remember it". I have felt that many times here.

I have also watched the people here. I won't say that they are always ecstatic, but they are as happy or happier than many of us Americans. The children I believe are happier than our children. Which really makes me think about what we do to pursue happiness and how we fight, struggle and work to get it. And I wonder sometimes if I have missed the happiness God has for me at the same time I am trying to earn or buy it somewhere else. I saw a sign once that said, "When my ship comes in I will probably be at the airport" I wonder if our blessings aren't right there waiting for us and we are "at the airport" trying to find it.