Return to Enyan Abaasa - the Canadian Drama Team

All night, I tossed and turned, falling into a semi-sleep before startling awake less than an hour later and thinking to myself "Today is the day I see Ato Sam and Tahameena again!  Today we will see the library in person!"  This pattern kept repeating itself through the night.  When my alarm rang at 5:45am, I was more than ready to get up and get ready to go.  Tired, but ready.

Our van would arrive at the guest house at 7am sharp with Deborah, the Ghana Trips and Visits specialist, who would be our Compassion host for the week.

Our Compassion host, Deborah

I realized that I had slipped the 8x10 photo gifts for the Compassion Centers into one of the books so that it wouldn't bend, and that book might be in one of the 10 boxes that we would be bringing to the library.  I took a glance through each box before bringing the boxes to the entry way to load into the van.  Found 9 of the 10 books it could possibly be in, but not the 10th and final book that at that point I was sure contained the photos.

I told Jillian about the missing book, and she said "What about that book you placed in my carry-on?"

Of course.  I had packed it into her carry-on to ensure that it would reach Ghana, and then forgot that it was in her carry-on.  I'm blaming this fog mind on the heat and humidity.

We left the guesthouse shortly 7am and headed west in the direction of the Central Region. Other than Accra itself, it felt as though I was seeing the route to Enyan Abaasa for the first time .  Back in November of 2011, we drove these same roads, but straight from the airport after a 17 hour delay and no sleep.

I appreciated seeing the scenery all over again, taking the time to document it a bit through photos and videos, but seeing it through Will's eyes added another layer of perspective.  I spent more time watching him than I did looking out the window.  He had questions about the seemingly abandoned, half constructed buildings dotting the roads as we passed through.  Why were there so many empty, unfinished buildings?  Deborah explained to him that many people work in the bigger urban centers like Accra, but cannot afford to buy land in the city, so they save what they're able to save until they can afford a piece of land further out from the city.  Once they purchase the land, they start saving again until they have enough to start construction, and then over the years, little by little, they do a little more, and a little more...  until it's done.  It is common to take 15-20 years to complete a building, which can then be used as a house, or typically as a commercial property.

The roads near Accra were in surprisingly good condition.  In fact, Will, Jillian and I agreed that they were better than most of the roads back home.

About halfway between Accra and Cape Coast, we made a right turn and headed inland towards Enyan Abaasa.  I knew we were now less than 50km away.  I was getting so excited.  For me, it was as though I was a little child who had dreamt of going to Paris after years of waiting, and were not only flying over France, but could see the Eiffel Tower in the distance during the approach to Paris.

We soon came to a traffic circle indicating that Enyan Abaasa would be directly to the left.  As we turned, I could see Mando high school to my left, which I knew from his letters was the school he had recently transfered to.  The driver wasn't entirely sure we were going in the right direction, so he stopped to ask a few students nearby, and then turned around.  I kept thinking it was definitely the way we had first taken, and sure enough, after another quick stop to ask for directions, we drove back down the road passing Ato Sam's school along the way.

As we pulled up to the Compassion project, I immediately recognized it and saw the library slightly behind it to the left.  All these years, I knew what the library looked like, I just did not know where on the property they had chosen to build it.

Hundreds of people filled the church waiting for us to arrive for the durbar, a cultural and ceremonial gathering for dignitaries or honored guests.  Ghanaians are known for their warm welcome, and this was no exception.


There was a full band playing music as they waited for the ceremony to start, and just before the ceremony was to begin, someone came to me, leaned over and asked if I recognize the young man walking down the aisle towards me.  I barely had to glance, I knew.  I flew out of my seat and tackled him into a hug.  Oh, how good it was to see Ato Sam again!!!

I introduced him to Will, Jillian and Caitlin, and he proceeded to sit behind us to watoh the ceremony.

We were treated to an amazing display of dancing, both the choreographed kind, and the impromptu dances of joy and worship.  There is a reason I only dance in Africa.  I have no rhythm, no skills, and no coordination at all.  Their joy, though, was contagious.  Jillian was completely in her element, dancing with wild abandon.

I couldn't help but join in, hoping none of the evidence ever ends up public anywhere!  Wait... oops.

Anyway...



Even Will joined in.

Dancing.  In Africa.  With Will and people from Enyan Abaasa.  

It was the most surreal, strange thing.

We watched an amazing play prepared by the drama team, and were completely enthralled by the main character's charisma and acting skills.  This very regal, beautiful girl commanded a room with the same confidence and animation as the woman we had seen a few days earlier helping us find "bracelet man".  Amazing.

I was asked to speak to the people that had gathered, which I had also done on our previous visit, but this time, I was prepared in the event that I was somehow as incoherent as the last time I had addressed the people of this community.

As the ceremony was nearing the end, the choreographed dance group was asked to stay up front, and I was caught off guard (even though I should not have been) by being asked if I could identify Tahameena within the group of dancers.  It was harder than I would have thought, and feeling the pressure not to take too long, I gave up before I should have...  she was right there, beautiful as always!  I hope she didn't feel too disappointed that I hadn't been able to recognize her.

When the time came to make our way to the library for the ribbon cutting and unveiling ceremony for the library, Tahameena and Ato Sam accompanied me to the front steps of the library.  Ato Sam carrying my camera bag, and Tahameena bringing my water bottles.

I had seen the outside and a bit of the interior through photos, but the library looked even better in person than in the photos we had previously seen.  It was so much bigger!  It was great to finally be able to envision the layout, and what each section of the library would be used for.   The main area of the library was twice the size than anticipated from the photos, and to the left off a small hallway was the future office for the Compassion project, as well as the bathroom and washrooms that did not yet have plumbing or fixtures, but would eventually be finished once the funds became available.

We then stepped back outside, and into another door of the library just to the right, and entered what was by far the biggest portion of the library.  It was still in the construction stages, with rough concrete floor and concrete block walls.

Ebenezer, the Project Director, explained to us the importance of this particular room in giving the students an edge in terms of skills and academics.  To pass the national exams, the students have to complete the information technology part of the exam, but when they are compared nationally to other students, especially those in more urban areas, they score much lower.  The lower scores are due to the children's lack of access to the technology they can only study from texts.

Simply put, without access to a computer to use, it is very difficult for them to be tested on how to use one, much less learn computer skills that are very marketable in this day and age.

Just as he was answering some of our questions, Jillian came up behind me just inside the entrance and tapped me on the shoulder.  As I turned to face her, I knew something wasn't quite right before she even said anything, and that was quickly confirmed as she tried to speak.  Her words were slightly slurred, and her face was whiter than Ato Sam's teeth.

"I   uh   feel         light              headed....  "

As she began to turn around to face the door and exit, I reached out to steady her, but it was already too late.  The simple turning motion she made to head out the door gave her more momentum than she was prepared to control in her weakened state; she spun and fell against the frame as she blacked out and crashed backwards onto the ground outside the open door.

Let's just say none of us quite expected that.

I lifted her into a sitting position, and when she began responding, we poured cold water on her, then stood her upright and brought her to the library room, which was much cooler than the rest of the library thanks to the ceiling fans.  She was still a little weak, but we gave her water and some snacks, and she started feeling a little better.  The Compassion staff brought a first aid kit and helped clean up her foot, which had received some cuts when she fell.

Knowing how bad the Compassion staff felt and how concerned they were, once we knew Jillian was OK, we do what we usually do, and cracked some jokes...  Will was the first to start with "First you showed us the Ghana Drama Team, now we showed you the Canadian Drama Team!"  I quipped that we hadn't seen that on the schedule for that day.  That seemed to break the tension a little and put them at ease.  I knew Jillian was recovering well when I saw her roll her eyes (and this time, not from passing out!)

We guided Jillian back to the air conditioned van to cool down a bit more, while the rest of the group returned inside to bring the ceremony to a close.  A handful of children brought the 50lb boxes of books for the library from the van...  balancing them on their heads like they were lifting a box of feathers.  Where were they when we needed them at the airport, ha ha!

To close the ceremony, the Compassion project surprised me with a plaque bearing a Citation of Honor in recognition of the contributions to the community of Enyan Abaasa on behalf of Ato Sam, Tahameena and their families, the church leadership, and the entire community.  It was really touching to see their perspective on our partnership through the past 7 years.  They also presented our team with traditional Ghanaian footwear, jewelry and clothes.  Jillian rejoined us in time to receive hers.

More dancing ensued, more joy, more laughter, and more love than the room could contain as we proceeded towards the exit and made our way back outside so we could head out to lunch with Ato Sam and Tahameena, along with Deborah, Ebenezer and the district manager.

I sat sandwiched between Ato Sam and Tahameena at lunch, asking them questions and answering theirs, and letting Ato Sam try out my Nikon.  He enjoyed taking photos of everyone around the table, even though it's a 105mm lens, making each photo a close-up of faces.  I loved to see him laugh as I made jokes, and to get to hear him speak English.  Tahameena, as usual, was a little quieter.  Her English isn't as strong just yet, and our accents made it difficult for her to understand us.  I showed her some photos of the snowfall we had recently received back home, as well as Ginger, Jillian, and a few other photos.

All too soon, it was time to head back to Accra, so we walked back to the van, passing by a friend of Ato Sam's along the way.  I asked if I could take a photo, and they both agreed.

We drove the children back to the crossroads, and we prayed together and said the easiest goodbye, knowing we would see them again the next morning when we returned.

Not surprisingly, given the heat and the excitement of the day, all three of us dozed off in the van as we drove back to Accra.  We stopped by a grocery store in Accra to pick up groceries to bring each child's family the following day during the home visits, and then headed back to the guest house, full of memories and experiences to process and cherish.

Obruni Cowboy & Bracelet Man

Ghanaians have a common name for anyone who is Caucasian.  We hear it yelled from all directions as we make our way through different areas;  "Obruni!  Obruni...  Obruni, you buy this, you buy it form me, Obruni!"  Obruni, literally translated, it means "White man".

Once you get to really know someone in Ghana, you might receive the honor of being given a Ghanian name.  While the people from the area we went to earlier today did not know Will enough to give him a Ghanaian name, as he was walking through the main street in Osu, vendors were quick to try to get his attention.  

"Cowboy, hey, Cowboy!  You need this!"  Apparently they thought he needed sunglasses, wooden sandals and a belt...  well, he did need a belt, but didn't want to buy it under pressure, so he politely refused.

He felt proud of his new nickname.  Rather than to simply call him Obruni, which he probably wouldn't have responded to, they took note of the hat he was wearing to protect himself from the sun, and went with it.  It worked, it got our attention, and we got a good laugh.  It was not a cowboy hat.

Although he grew up on a farm, he is far from a cowboy.

Other than the airport, today was Will's first taste of being set loose in Ghana.  We were hungry, so we figured out where we wanted to go and how to call a cab and negotiate a fare in advance, and then we set out to explore.  

When we were here in 2011, Joshua was approached by a very persistent street vendor in an area of Accra known as a hot spot for visitors. The same area called Osu that we traveled to earlier today.  This vendor had a very ingenious sales tactic, making it a memorable cultural experience for the whole team, but especially for Joshua.

I blogged about it here in 2011:

http://compassioncan.blogspot.com/2011/11/ghana-in-pursuit-of-joshua.html?m=1

When we ventured out earlier today in search of food, the taxi brought us to the exact same place the taxi had brought us to in 2011, right in front of a popular local restaurant named Frankie's. As soon as we pulled up, I knew where we were. Before I had a chance to warn Will, the same vendor from 2011 pounced on Will on the same steps that he had approached Joshua in 2011, and started by asking his name, not once letting Will know it was anything to do with a bracelet. He just seemed friendly  *Intensely into-your-personal-space kind of friendly*. As Will answered him, I stepped in and said we were not interested in a bracelet. Jillian was behind me, saw the vendor's expression and later told me that he registered a look of pure shock when I mentioned the word "bracelet". He was likely surprised that we knew what he was trying to do, as most Obrunis (Ghanaian term for white people) wouldn't have known unless they'd been there before.

As we ate, I shared the story about Joshua and the bracelets, and as we talked about it, I said we should look for the vendor when we are done in the restaurant and see if he'd make a new one for Josh.

When we went back out, he was nowhere in sight. Normally, if he thought he might have a sale, he would have waited and approached us as we left.

We went to a few shops, I kept my eye out for him, but did not see him.

As we were about to take a taxi back to the guest house, we asked an older woman who had a roadside vendor spot if she knew where to find him. She did not know his name, but knew exactly who I was talking about because he's the only one that makes bracelets on the spot in that area. She left her shop without any hesitation in pursuit of "bracelet guy". This woman worked it like a boss on a mission, yelling commands up and down the street to the local vendors, and within minutes, Bracelet Guy was coming our way. He was SO surprised we had specifically asked for him, he asked me about it, reminding me that I had clearly told him we weren't interested earlier.

I asked him how long he has worked in this area. He responded that he had worked in that area for 8-10 years. So I began to tell him the story... "In 2011, we came here and you approached my son about a bracelet, but we did not buy it the first time. Later, we came back and you saw him, and yelled his name, and he was amazed that you remembered him." Bracelet Guy studied my face, and said "I had thought you looked familiar, like I had seen you before... Joshua ... red and white... Canada, but then he wanted Ghana colors and strange name!" He remembers!  He was the same one who yelled "Joshhuuuwaaa!" from what seemed like miles away.

I told him we had written a blog post online, had photos of him and never forgot him, and that we still tell that story when we talk about Ghana. I shared that while we were eating earlier, we decided to ask him to make a bracelet to bring home to Joshua as a souvenir, this time with our nickname for him (Jotz).   This would be a perfect and inexpensive souvenir for Jotz, since there was already a personal story and connection.  Laughing, I told Bracelet Guy that we looked for him when we finished eating but couldn't find him... so we asked for help. He seemed so happy that we made the effort to find him and told him that story.

I asked if I could take a photo, and he insisted on taking one with "Cowboy".  Apparently, he too had gotten the word on the street that there was a cowboy in their midst.

Jotz, Ghana misses you right back.  This one's for you  

P.S.  The vendor's name? Joshua.  Not kidding.

Awkaaba to Ghana!

Akwaaba!  Welcome!!

The process of getting the library built can be compared to pregnancy -- exciting, yet long and increasingly difficult and uncomfortable.  Along those lines, traveling overseas as we wrap up the library portion of the project is much the labor that comes after a 4 year long pregnancy.  You generally know what to expect - it's long and uncomfortable, (although thankfully nowhere near as long as it takes a giraffe to labor!), and at times painful.  I remember being thrilled and thankful to be pregnant years ago but as labor approached, just like when traveling begins, I'd ask myself "what was I thinking?"  

There are few places I would willingly want to spend over 20 hrs traveling to by plane.  Ghana is one of them.  It's worth everything we have poured into this, and we've barely begun our overseas portion of this journey to the library. Being here just brings 'why we do this' into focus and makes it even more real, even though it is already very much real to us.

We left for Ghana in the evening of March 3rd, and after three flights, landed in Accra the evening of March 4th.  Our team member from the U.S., Caitlin, arrived a few hours later than we did.  Out of her 5 boxes of books for the library, only 1 arrive.  We were thankful that all 8 of our library boxes arrived.  We've been told by British Airways that her missing boxes would be delivered on the next flight to Accra.  Praying this is the case, as we need these by Monday so we can prepare what we've brought for our two trips to a Enyan Abaasa on Tuesday and Wednesday. While most of the boxes are books, some are personal gifts we have brought for the Compasdion Centers and Compassion children/families. We are scheduled to give all the library books to the library on Tuesday morning in an official presentation which will be attended by most of the village. We don't want to be unprepared. The personal gifts will mostly be given Wednesday.

After a four hour delay at the Accra airport, we made our way to the guest house and attempted to get settled in. My feet/legs did well on all three flights but the airport wait in Accra set me back some. I'm laying down with my feet up on the wall to ease the swelling, but I won't be able to sleep that way, so for now, I'm just journaling about our experiences. It's my way of processing the journey and sharing it with you as we stumble along.

The guest house is familiar to me, and it's like home away from home. Imagine a college dorm, but much quieter, like a convent, with families or adults who are also doing mission/humanitarian work. It works on an honour system, which is beautiful to see. You make yourself at home and pay as you leave. There have been many upgrades since I stayed here in 2011, not the least of which is air conditioning in the bedrooms. The hallways and the common areas are like a sauna, but the rooms are Canadian  I didn't expect we'd be blessed like this, but it is SO appreciated, especially as we adapt to the heat/humidity. Thank you Jesus!

The guest house is gated and very safe. This is especially important for Will so as to ease his culture shock, since it provides him a place to retreat as he processes what he experiences each day. Please keep him in your prayers this week as he adjusts to being here. He has never dared step foot outside North America until now, and he openly admits that he never had any intentions to do so until he met me, and even then it took him a while to embrace the idea (he would also openly admit that 'embracing the idea' is a stretch). This is as far outside his comfort zone as it is inside my comfort zone. He's here because of God's calling on his life, but in the few months since God made it clear he was coming, God had transformed Will's heart and gave him a boldness for what He has called us to do here, the likes of which I prayed for even before meeting him. It is one of my most precious prayers, and I am seeing it come to life. I am in awe of how involved he has become - beyond being supportive and encouraging, he has dug deep within himself and made it his own. I am so thankful to have him really partner with me in this. What God can do through us together is 10,000 more powerful than what I could ever do without his involvement.

When we stayed at the guest house in 2011, one of Joshua's favorite things was the "Coca Cola Cooler", filled with glass bottles of local sugar cane Coca Cola for 2ghc (roughly 50 cents).  Even though I hope to drink more water, I have definitely missed the Ghana Coca Cola.  Petreople from Touch A Life Foundation are staying here this week as well.  We partnered with TAL Foundation back in 2011 for the child slave rescue mission.  It was unexpected to run into them here.

Earlier, we ventured out and tried to find a place to eat as the guest house doesn't serve meals on Sundays. That gave us a chance to experience the culture face to face a bit more and to get accustomed to the rhythm of the language/accents. Once the the last 4 bags arrive tonight, we will pick them up so that we will be able to prepare everything tomorrow before we travel to Enyan Abaasa on Tuesday to deliver the books to the library. 

We will do our best to keep this blog updated regular in the next few weeks so that you can follow along if you choose to do so, or so that years from now, when we return to Ghana for our next project, we can look back through our experiences, much like we did this time.

We are very much looking forward to March 7-10th, when we begin to experience what we were called to do while here.

Thank you for all that you've done to bring this library to life for the precious people of Enyan Abaasa. Every prayer, every dollar, every word of encouragement, every bit of support in person or virtually... every single act matters a hundredfold, and it continues to matter. By investing into their lives and futures, you've helped break  the cycle of poverty for generations to come, and in the process, you've also invested into our lives. We will continue to re-invest ourselves right back into this.

Meda Ase - Thank You

It has been nearly 7 years since we began sponsoring Ato Sam, a decision that changed our lives and continues to.

He is one of five children we sponsor in Ghana, and our most prolific writer by far.  In fact, it was through Ato Sam's letters that we were inspired to action in 2011 for the child slave rescue mission, and again in recent years for the provision of a library in his community.  

Over the course of the last few photos that Compassion has sent me of Ato Sam, I noticed a growing disfigurement in his left jaw area.  At first, I brushed it off as the possibility that he'd had a tooth pulled and was experiencing some swelling, but as I continued to receive photos from time to time, it was apparent that something was seriously wrong.  He was reluctant to mention it in his letters (I suspect he didn't want to worry me) so I called Compassion and asked for a report on Ato Sam's health.

We received the report a short while ago.  Compassion Ghana has officially confirmed that Ato Sam's disfigured jaw is in part due to a tumor and a growth/enlargement on his jaw bone. 

He has been brought to the teaching hospital in the capital city of Accra several times for tests, scans and consultations. His family and Compassion leadership are very concerned.  To proceed with a surgery in Ghana this point would completely disfigure him without guarantee that his health would be restored, in fact, the doctors are not willing to operate on such a complex case.  The doctors are instead consulting specialists from outside Ghana in order to form a plan of action if at all possible. 

We booked our flights a few hours after we received the news.  Although we were awaiting for confirmation about flying to Ghana to see the library progress in person, this provided all the confirmation we needed.  We look forward to spending time encouraging Ato Sam, praying over him, affirming his value and the love we have for him, his family and the Compassion leadership team who are doing an excellent job advocating for his needs.

He has nicknamed me "My lovely mother I love you" in his native Fante language, to which I respond by calling him "Son of my heart".  He truly is like a son to me.  My mama heart just aches for my boy. 

Please pray as we continue to prepare for the trip, for Ato Sam's strength as he endures the ongoing health crisis, for the funding to complete the indoor plumbing and other needs for the Greater Grace Community Library, and for God to provide the doctors with the skills that Ato Sam desperately needs.

Greater Grace Community Library

It has been a long, long journey.

For years, I have prayed until my knees were raw and my prayers turned to groans, fully feeling the weight of this library on my heart and in my spirit, all while wrestling with feelings of inadequacy and loneliness more times than I can count.

At times, I have crawled, weary and tired and poured out until empty for this, and at other times, barely been able to sleep from the consuming passion in my heart to see this through.

Can I also lean in close and confess that I have also felt out of my mind more times than I care to admit?  Mostly because I felt that's what people's perception might be.  Really, what kind of person signs up for this, empty handed and against all odds?  I still don't know the answer to that question, and I may never know.  It doesn't matter -- all that matters is hearing the invitation, and responding.

For every time I felt as though I had lost my mind, I felt a hundredfold more certain that this was the path that was chosen for me, regardless of how it felt or how it looked... and that's what kept me going.  I didn't choose this as much as I was chosen for this, although I'm half convinced that I was only chosen because I was the only one crazy enough to say "Yes!!".  


For all that He has provided, in spite of my shortfalls and failures, my inadequacies, my limitations -- and for all that is yet to come -- I am grateful beyond measure.


Had I known how hard and sacrificial it would be, and how long it would take, would I have still said yes?   Even knowing what I know now, I have never been able to imagine saying no.  I would have been whimpering and on my knees, mind you, but the yes would have been there, because I know deep down that the cost of saying no would have been immeasurably higher than my yes every cost me.

The people of Enyan Abaasa would have missed out on this blessing...

And none of us could have watched this unfold out of His mighty hand and into reality.

He has done the seemingly impossible.  He has built this out of dust and dreams, mercy and grace, prayers and faith, sacrifice and surrender.

Dust and dreams breathed into life have never looked so beautiful.


It is an honor to introduce to you the Greater Grace Community Library, nestled in the heart of Enyan Abaasa...

The Grand Opening was held February 2nd, with the assistance of our friends from Books For Africa Library Project, who helped provide the more than 2200 books that currently line the shelves.  These God filled people with servants' hearts have been a tremendous answer to prayer, not only for books, but for support, prayer, encouragement and for bridging the communication gap between Canada and Enyan Abaasa throughout the past few months.

We will be bringing 600+ children's books with us when we travel to Enyan Abaasa in early March to see the library in person, meet Collins the librarian, and obtain a full progress report on what's been done and an assessment on what there is left to do (running water, washrooms, technology lab).  Stay tuned.


On behalf of Ato Sam and the people of Enyan Abaasa...  Thank you... thank you for your support and prayers.




Your will, Lord, for Your glory!

The Lord HAS Built The House

OK, technically, the Lord has built the literacy center!

Where were we? 

A few weeks ago, the literacy center exterior was done, but nothing else, and we were struggling to qualify for a free shipment of books. 

Qualifying meant that we had to get the interior mostly finished, including furniture/shelves and flooring by Christmas. We didn't know how long it would take for the people in Enyan Abaasa to receive the funds we sent at the end of October and November. Would they get the funds on time to purchase the materials and labor they needed to qualify, would they know what the priorities were in order to qualify? It seemed nothing short of impossible, to say the least, since we had no way to communicate this to the people in Enyan Abaasa efficiently.

God provided the idea of hiring a messenger to deliver the message to Enyan Abaasa in person about the opportunity for books through Books For Africa, and within a week, the people of Enyan Abaasa had risen to the challenge and fully qualified to receive the books. Nothing short of God's hand, there's no other way to explain it!!    

It is true -- so true -- "Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain."  Psalm 127:1 God did in a mere week what we struggled for THREE years to accomplish.  Nothing is impossible for Him, and all is done in His time, not ours.

The literacy center construction is quickly wrapping up. The exterior is done, the interior has seen more progress in the last 3 weeks than I ever thought possible, including a cement floor, wall paint, bookshelves, finished ceilings and furniture.  The reward was worth it -- the books arrived in Enyan Abaasa last week -- 104 boxes totaling 2200 books, sorted and Dewey Decimal labeled!  We are SO thankful for the tremendous work God is doing through Kirt and Hilda Bromley and the Books For Africa Ghana Library Project ministry.  

The board member are preparing for the grand opening that is scheduled to take place February 2nd 2017. 

Less than a month, and the literacy center will be OPEN!!

The books they received did not have many children's books, so we are preparing to bring children's books with us when we travel to Ghana in late February or early March. God knew we would need children's books in large quantities, though, He prepared us! We had been collecting books since our return from Ghana in 2011, and had over 350 children's books collected. So far, with some skilled and strategic"Tetris Style" packing, that falls within our checked luggage allowance.

A glimpse of our collection of soft cover fiction books, not including chapter book collections for more advanced readers.  

We are currently working with a travel agency to see if we can obtain a humanitarian/mission airfare in order to save some out of pocket costs or increase luggage capacity.

We still need a bit more funding to finish the interior -- running water, indoor plumbing and a few odds and ends, and for the attached computer literacy center, but anything is possible -- it's astounding all that has fallen into place the past 3 weeks. God has provided beyond measure, in terms of funds, books, people, encouragement, resources, communication, and more.

Please continue to pray as we prepare to travel. We will use this blog along with a FB group (email Ghana@beyondmeasure for access) to post major updates and to share while we're away IF we have access to internet, or to post the stories from our time in Ghana when we return.

Specific prayer needs:

• Praying for travel logistics/planning - discernment, funding, team building, travel visa, immunizations, safety.
• Funds to completely finish the interior and provide for a librarian.
• Pray for Ato Sam's medical needs, as they look into the possibility of having him travel outside Ghana to receive the surgery and medical care he needs.
• That we will fully follow God in this, and not run ahead, or stray behind.
• Pray for the outreach ministry this literacy center will provide to the church in Enyan Abaasa as they serve their people's needs.

Your Will, Lord, For Your Glory!

If The Lord Does Not Build The House

From the beginning, although I knew that God would provide for the literacy center construction, I have to admit that when it came to filling the literacy center with books once the construction was completed, it felt as though I was staring at a blank page.  

I couldn't imagine it, couldn't visualize it, didn't know what we would do to obtain the books, what He had planned, how He would provide...   it was a complete mystery.  All I knew was that He was asking me to simply focus on the construction, and when the time came to fill the library, He would reveal His plan.  Well, maybe that's not all I knew -- I also knew that I felt completely inadequate for the task ahead and that was perhaps why He chose me for this yet again.  Like I said, a complete mystery.

In reality, it wasn't any different than any other callings He has placed upon my heart.  The child slavery rescue mission in 2011 was much the same -- I came to the table empty handed aside from my belief and understanding that God had promised it in full, and that it was my calling, my purpose.  I had no idea what we could do, individually or as a whole, that would ever amount to enough.  Picking up recycling bottles wouldn't be enough.  Neither would mowing lawns or selling photo sessions.  That's because the only "enough" was Him.

I have vivid memories from 2011 of how it felt when we were scheduled to leave for Ghana in 53 days and we had only managed to raise 12% of the $30,000 needed, not including travel costs.  

It looked impossible.  If we'd had a dollar for every person who had told us that we'd never reach our goal, well, we would have been much closer to reaching our goal!  We all felt it.  The pressure, the weight of the calling, the awareness of what stood in the balance for the children who were waiting to be rescued, and those who had been rescued and needed the resources we were gathering for them.  

The only reason I didn't get discouraged is because I knew from experience that God works best when we've come to the end of ourselves, when we've exhausted all other possibilities.  When the only success possible is the kind where He steps in and does the impossible.

He did just that in 2011 by providing the funds in full before we stepped foot on that plane, as He had promised, and in ways we can't explain to this day.  I still choke up when I think back to what we experienced that year when we simply said "Yes!" to whatever He would do through us and in spite of us.  

Before we left Ghana to come home, I gave Him that "Yes!" again, this time for the literacy center, and once again, I'm finding myself in that place where we are up against a wall, and the only success possible is the kind where He steps in and does the impossible.

I feel the pressure, the weight of the calling, the awareness of what stands in the balance.  I refuse to get discouraged, as I know that what He has started, He will finish, but I feel weak in the knees just trying to wrap my mind around this.  Maybe that's part of the problem -- I should stop trying to wrap my mind around this, because I know I can't.

Remember when I mentioned that at first, I did not know the logistics of getting the literacy center filled with books?  I didn't know, but now I do, and that's what has me completely bursting at the seems with excitement, and trembling at the knees when I see the gap between where we are, and where we need to be to receive these books for the literacy center.

A short while ago, I came across a book that caught my attention.  It was a book about a Christian couple whose calling was to create a non-profit that would provide books to rural communities in Ghana.  (I know, I was speechless for a good long while as I read this book and could relate so much to their ministry!)  The communities interested in receiving books had to fund and construct a library with certain specifications, including having a minimum of 300 linear feet of bookshelves, a board of directors to oversee the library, the library being available to the entire community, and someone that could be trained to become the community's paid librarian.  Once the community met those qualifications, they could apply on a first come, first serve basis, with preferences given to rural libraries, and if accepted by this non-profit organization, they could receive a large shipments of books all sorted by the Dewey Decimal System, with a variety of books from all the different categories, and proper training.    

As I read the last page, I felt as though I'd been holding my breath.  

FIVE YEARS.  

FIVE YEARS, I prayed for God to provide a way for the books to be brought into Enyan Abaasa somehow.  

Five years of not knowing how God would provide, and as I finished reading this book, I knew.  

I flipped to the beginning of the book again, and realized that since the book had been written in 2013, there was a possibility that they were no longer providing books.  I pleaded with God as I did some research, "Please, Lord, if there is any way..."  I found some information, and reached out to them, providing information about our calling to help provide a literacy center to the community of Enyan Abaasa, and received the confirmation that they are still in a position to provide for one last library this coming spring while they are in Ghana.

To be clear, after years of providing books to libraries throughout Ghana, they are only planning on providing books for one last library in the foreseeable future, so that they can focus instead on supporting the libraries that have already been established through their ministry. Having read about their experiences, I completely understand and support their decision to focus on the libraries they have already established until the Lord directs them otherwise.  

When they received my email about the literacy center, they encouraged us to apply as soon as possible, preferably by December, since this will be their last library provision.  However, in order to apply and qualify, we must include with our application photos of finished bookshelves, along with the list of board of directors, and plans on how the librarian's salary will be provided for. The first community to apply and qualify will receive the last of the book resources they have at their warehouse.  They have confirmed that they have just what we need in terms of books (and exactly what we prayed for!!!), and that the literacy center has many things going in its favor in terms of being well supported, but until we provide proof of bookshelves being completed and fulfill the other requirements, we are at risk of losing our opportunity to receive this immense blessing, this precious shipment of books. 

The challenge is time, funds, and, well, bookshelves.  Bookshelves?  Why is that so complicated?

Given that we're in the midst of fundraising and haven't reached the required funds yet to start the interior work, we're simply not ready - the bookshelves haven't been started yet.   I can probably guess what you're thinking -- how long does it take to build bookshelves?   It may not take long to build bookshelves, but it takes a lot longer to raise the funds to provide for the bookshelf material and the labor, it takes 4-6 weeks minimum for them to receive the funds and our instructions, and if they understand that we need photos of the bookshelves and they send the photos to us, it will still take another 4-6 weeks for the photos to reach us.  

As of today, October 12th, we have raised 8.25% ($751) of the funds needed to finish the interior of the literacy center.  

In order to get the shelves started so that they can be built and photographed for the application process, we need to have at least $2000 raised and sent without delay along with instructions for the bookshelves and the need for the bookshelves to be built first.  Sending $4000 would be even better, as they could make more progress as we raise the rest, and work on the tables, benches, floors, plumbing and electricity.  (We always try to send the funds in $2000 increments, since $2000 is the limit per transaction for this project, and we are limited to two transactions per year).

I feel so utterly overwhelmed by the sense of relief at the answer to our prayers, the gratitude in being called to do this, all while all at the same time, the sense of the impossibility of it all.  With one simple communication or transaction taking 4-6 weeks or longer, and with us not quite having reached the initial $2000 for the first transaction... the timing looks nothing short of impossible.  

Have I mentioned that it's October?

This is the point in which my kids would say "can't.even".  I'm tempted to join them, but I can't, and won't -- this is not impossible for the God we serve, the God who has promised us that He would see this through.  In fact, my heart knows that place that seems impossible is typically when God shows up in all His glory and everything falls into place at the touch of His hand.

So, yes, I know that God's got this -- He alone can do this...  but it still requires something of me, and I'm willing, if only I knew how!

I know from His word that if the Lord Himself does not build the house (or library, as it were), then those who build it labor in vain.  Psalm 127:1 

The Lord HAS built this literacy center.  He IS finishing it.  We have NOT labored in vain.

That being said, I have reached the end of me -- I honestly do not know how to take the next step, in which direction, what to do or how...  and so I am doing the one thing I know to do...  ask you to join me in prayer and in action.  Prayer for the Lord to light our steps as He promises to, for me to have the clarity to see the ways He lights my steps (because sometimes I don't see too well!), for the funds to come together miraculously and in time, for communication to be fast and efficient, for Him to provide His people to come alongside of us, help us on this calling, and help see this through.  

There's room at His table -- won't you join us?

 

JD

Ghana@beyondmeasure.me

Ghana Community Literacy Center - 2016

As of January 10th, 2017:

62% of the funds needed to complete the library have been provided!!  If you would like to help us reach our goal, please join us -- details below!

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When we began sponsoring Ato Sam through Compassion International in 2010, we would never have imagined how much impact he would have on our lives. 

Ato Sam, although he was barely 10 years old at the time, compelled us through the many, many letters he wrote to us to consider helping his people in Ghana beyond the impact we were already making through sponsorship.

Through our love for him and through his encouragement and strong leadership, we embarked on a journey in 2011 to partner with humanitarian organizations that had a holistic and sustainable approach to rescuing children from modern day slavery in the Lake Volta region of Ghana.  

By the time we traveled to Ghana in November of 2011, God had provided $30,000 towards long term rehabilitation and care for rescued child slaves.  

While in Ghana, we not only met Ato Sam and his family, along with 3 other children from his area that we sponsored and children sponsored by friends as well, but we also witnessed the unforgettable rescue of two children from slavery.  To this day, 57 children reside in the facilities we helped provide for in Kumasi, Ghana.  

We have since shifted our focus to Ato Sam's own community needs, by providing for a community kitchen at his local church in 2012, as well as some instruments for the children to learn and use as an income generating activity in 2013.  

In Ato Sam's letters over the years since 2010, the lack of access to books and literacy resources in his community was a recurring theme.   Through discussions with his community leaders, we knew we had to make this a priority, not only for Ato Sam and his family, but for the entire region.  

That is how the dream of a Community Literacy Center was born, a center where the entire community can gather to gain access to books, literacy skills, a computer skills and research lab, and more. 

The construction of the Community Literacy Center began in the spring of 2015, and is nearing completion. This has very much been a community effort both here in North America, and in Enyan Abaasa.  The people of Enyan Abaasa have inspired this project and have designed the center to fit the needs of their community.  Having witnessed the entire community working together on the construction efforts has been amazing. 

Everyone in Enyan Abaasa. yound and old, has contributed to it, making it entirely their own.  Even the village chief has given it his blessing, declaring that all the tall trees in close proximity to the literacy center should be cut to protect the literacy center from falling trees in the event of a severe storm.


We are in the final construction fundraising phase before we begin to fill the library with books, with computer equipment, and before it is filled with joy, laughter and wonderful Ghanaians eager to benefit from this resource center.

To help us complete the literacy center, 

donations can be made 

in person, by mail, or online 

(Paypal or EMT).

Your support, prayers and encouragement are welcomed and appreciated!

For more information, or to be added to our FB group, please don't hesitate to email me at Ghana@beyondmeasure.me