All Things New: Book Review

It was with great anticipation that I awaited Lynn Austin’s newest labor of love, her book “All Things New”, especially given the theme of the book – the Reconstruction Era.  I have read all of Ms. Austin’s previous works on the subject of American slavery in the 1800’s, along with other fiction and non-fiction books on the same theme, but had never read any works focused exclusively on the Reconstruction Era.  In short, this area followed the Emancipation Declaration of 1863, which declared it against the law to own slaves in the U.S.  

From the first few pages, the author transports us to the White Oak plantation in the deep south, owned by the Weatherly family in 1865.  The civil war had just ended after devastating life and land in the south, and both whites and their former slaves were left to pick up the pieces and try to adjust to a new reality.  Families could no longer own slaves or force them to work, yet they depended on the help as their large plantations could not thrive and survive without the labor they had been accustomed to.  Black slaves were free, but having been born into slavery and living in fear of their former masters, many of whom still held on to old traditions and beliefs, the blacks were not yet free in spirit.  Furthermore, without the resources to own land or rebuild their lives, the former slaves had nowhere to turn but to the people who held them captive by force and fear for generations.

All Things New follows the individual lives of several families following the war.  The main character, twenty-two year old Josephine, has lost her father and brother to the war, and is learning to adapt to the loss and dramatic changes in her life alongside her mother, sister and brother.  Her mother,  Eugenia, tries to deal with the changes by trying to bring back the grandeur of the past, controlling her daughters and the freedmen that stayed behind on the plantation, and clawing through her grief at anything that she believes will bring her happiness and social status back.  Meanwhile, her brother returns from the war dealing with his bitterness by plotting revenge on the Yankees and the former slaves.  Their attitudes and actions seems appalling to Josephine, who has befriended their former slaves and sees things through a new heart.  

Set in an era when women and girls are raised to submit without question to authority and elders and to defer all decisions to their parents or spouses, imagine the turmoil when young Josephine begins to question her family’s position on slavery and begins to follow God’s heart for the least of these?  

What does one do when she questions God in the midst of all that’s been taken from her, through the drastic changes in her life, and yet finds herself following a calling that’s against the grain, creating more challenges and changes than she’s ever known? 

This book not only has an invaluable and thought-provoking view on the realities of slavery and the transition as slaves gain freedom and their masters change their ways, but it also has some of the best answers to timeless questions such as why God sometimes seems not to answer questions, and why the characters who resisted change experienced such trials and challenges.

I appreciated how many unique characters were brought in to the story to give us a complete picture of the way our past, differences and personalities affect how we deal with change, as well as how God uses each one of us to redeem what's been lost.  There is profound wisdom and solid truth in this book, and it's beautifully embedded into a story you won't soon forget.  Although the author mostly focuses on the lives of three strong women -- a mother, a daughter, and a slave -- the author beautifully weaves in the stories of the men that surround these women, and the effect these men have on the lives around them.

Every work of Lynn Austin’s is impeccable in the way it transports us and causes us to really consider the lessons that can be learned from past generations and from the trials of life.  This book, though, takes it to a whole new level.   Whether or not you have an interest in history, slavery or even Christianity, this book is meant to be widely read and distributed.  The stories are as relevant today as they ever were – in terms of slavery, yes, but in terms of bitterness, hardened hearts, following God’s calling, questioning God, seeking revenge, wisdom through change, and loving one another as He loves us.

I couldn’t put it down.  I even found myself taking notes of some of the answers God provided through certain characters of the story, mainly the wise Mr. Chandler!

This book, although new, is already a timeless classic in my heart.  If Heaven has a library, this is surely in it.

Run, don’t walk...  Get.This.Book.TODAY.   

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin communications, Inc.  Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".  

Ghana Through His Eyes -- Guest Post

Meeting some of our Compassion children, encountering severe poverty for the first time, spending time with trafficked children and taking part in the negotiations to rescue child slaves...  not your everyday teenage boy's experience.  

Joshua and I were invited by Compassion International to share his perspective on his experiences in Ghana this past November, as well as how it felt as his mother to provide this experience to him.  

We shared in this post on their website today:  Changing One Teenager's Perspective

To read my other guest posts on their website, click here:  JD / Compassion 

Ghana Project Update

Earlier in 2011, we learned about the scourge of slavery in Ghana, specifically on Lake Volta... children being sold into slavery and forced to toil endlessly at the hands of their slave master, often losing hope of ever seeing freedom again. 

We also learned that there are organizations dedicated to not only negotiating the rescues of these children, but also of providing for the children once they are freed from slavery.  A child can not be rescued without a future being secured for them.

Our goal was to offer financial support to increase the resources available to rescued children so that the maximum amount of children can be rescued and given the best opportunities possible. 

When we spoke to PACODEP to assess what would be the most effective way to realize our goal, we were told that their initial 3 classroom unit built at the Village Of Life was at max capacity, and that more classroom space was their greatest need.  They explained that more classroom space would help provide an education to more rescued children.

At the time, that seemed to us to be the most effective way to expand the available resources so that more children could be effectively rescued.

Touch A Life Foundation, a ministry focused solely on the needs of trafficked children, is currently supporting 28 of the 38 children at the Village Of Life.  They have worked alongside PACODEP for several years to collectively address the issues of child trafficking in Ghana, as well as the provision and support for rescued children.  TAL currently also supports 47 children in their temporary facility in Accra.  We spent time with these kids as well during our time in Ghana.  

(Photo by Touch A Life)

When Touch A Life contacted us at the end of September, we discussed the needs of the rescued children and the heart of our mission/goal.  They offered to help us implement these changes and also offered to match the donated funds to help us meet our goal.  We accepted their offer, based on their extensive experience, their integrity and transparency, as well as their ability to help us meet our goal.  The funds were transferred over to them at the end of October. 

In order to ensure our funds would be handled with the highest possible degree of responsibility and transparency, TAL conducted a thorough review of the current resources for trafficked children at the Village Of Life. 

Key points of their review, including but not limited to:

·  An additional two classrooms have been built adjacent to the original three classrooms at the Village Of Life, bringing the total classrooms to five.

·  Only 8 of the 28 rescued children sponsored by TAL at the Village of Life are receiving an education.  The majority of the children currently educated at the village of life are from the neighboring community.  Note:  We understand that there is a benefit to educating trafficked and non trafficked children together, and that there is great value in providing education to the community’s children.

TAL concluded that since roughly only half of the rescued children currently in Kete Krachi are receiving an education at the Village Of Life, there is sufficient classroom space for trafficked children at the Village Of Life within the five existing classrooms.

By comparison, all 47 formerly trafficked children in TAL's care in Accra are currently supported, sheltered, rehabilitated and educated by Touch A Life. 

In 2012, TAL will be transferring the 47 children from Accra to a permanent facility that is being established in Kumasi.  This facility will provide for up to 100 children in TAL’s holistic rehabilitation and care program, more than doubling their current capacity to provide support to rescued children.  Since there are well established schools in close proximity to the new Kumasi facility which will provide integration to the children with local non-trafficked children, no funds would be needed for constructing classrooms.  Instead, funding would be focused on the housing, care and development of the children.  This will make a tremendous impact on the children who were once enslaved, but have been released into freedom.

While classroom space is still an integral part of the program at the Village Of Life, with the classroom space already having been expanded to five classrooms, there is currently ample space for trafficked children to receive an education at the Village Of Life.  This ultimately changes the needs for the resources we have raised.

After much time spent in prayer, discussion and research, our team realized that in order to serve the best interest of the trafficked children, it is imperative that we reconsider our initial plan to simply expand classroom space at the Village Of Life.  We owe it to God, to the donors, but most of all, to the trafficked children, to protect the best interests of the trafficked children in Ghana.

We have carefully come to a decision that we feel will serve the best interest the children still awaiting rescue, as well as the children currently rescued.   PACODEP and Touch A Life, although two organizations operating separately and independently, both have the same goal at the heart of their mission -- to do what's best for these trafficked children.  Our decision will help these two organization meet their goals, while still maintaining the integrity of our mission -- to provide expanded resources to the trafficked children in ways that would help further the abolishment of child slavery in Ghana.

Out of the funds raised currently held in trust by TAL, $5,000 USD will be provided to PACODEP, to join the $1,000 we have already provided to them prior to our travels for construction materials.  These funds will be used by PACODEP to provide the construction and labor for one additional classroom.  This will help raise the amount of classroom space from the original three to a total of six.  This classroom will be equipped with sewing machines and other resources that can be used by the older children currently residing at the Village Of Life to gain necessary skills for successful employment. 

The remaining $24,000 of the funds raised will be used by TAL to establish the Kumasi facilities, greatly increasing the resources available to rescued children.  Full accountability and transparency of how these funds are used for the Kumasi facilities will be readily provided by Touch A Life.

Any concerns or questions as to the distribution of these funds or how this decision was reached, please feel free to contact Touch A Life or our team, at Africa@beyondmeasure.me

Please note that I will be in Cameroon until the end of February, and will be unable to respond until my return.  

Emancipation of Robert Sadler

A year ago, I did not know what the word emancipation was.  A year ago, I might have passed this book when it was offered for review.  I would have missed out on one of the best books I have ever read.

The Emancipation Of Robert Sadler

The powerful true story of a twentieth century plantation slave

Although I had read many books on slavery and human trafficking, this true story of a child slave drew me in for three reasons.

1.  It focused on child slavery in the U.S. after the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863.  This was the first book of it's kind that I would have read to help me in my abolishment advocacy.
2.  It was split into three definite sections -- Slavery, Freedom, Ministry.  This implied that there would be much to learn as we followed Mr. Sadler's story from beginning to the eternal rest.
3.  Richard and the millions of children like him, still awaiting freedom.  I close my eyes, and I see him... I owe it to him to continue to equip myself with knowledge.


I must say, if it hadn't been for the flawless way this book was written, it would have been a story almost too hard to bear on the heels of our time in Ghana. There are times when I felt physically sick and I could feel my heart bruise deeply for the injustice  and pain inflicted upon these innocent, precious lives not only in the south, but everywhere that slavery has tainted mankind.

The writing was exquisite and did the story full justice in as much as a book can.You could literally feel yourself living Robert Sadler's experiences alongside of him as he painted the brutally vivid picture of his journey through slavery from the age of 5, to freedom, and then ministry.

As much as it was important to me to read about his life as a child slave and the realities of what life was like for not only him, but all those who served with their lives alongside of him, it was his later years that touched me the most.

The way that God protected the purity of his heart and led him straight into a life of ministry worthy of his own book in the Holy Bible left me closing the book feeling a different kind of pain than that of being exposed to the horrors of slavery...

The pain of the loss this world suffered at the passing of one of the most exceptional examples of Christ who had ever walked on American soil, and the finest example of a human diamond, born of extreme pressure and trials turned into beautiful and shining glory for God.



Easily in my top 5 favorite non fiction books, ever.


I strongly believe that this book needs to be read by all -- and as such, I would like to donate my copy of this book to one of my blog reader.  Simply leave a comment sharing how slavery has impacted your life, how you would benefit from this book, and how I can contact you if you are the winner.  


Draw will be made Wednesday, February 8th at 11pm EST.


Disclaimer:
"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Funding Freedom - Priceless Gift

Half a world away, and yet right here in our hearts, Richard still awaits freedom.

It's now been 33 days since we met him face to face in Ghana, time still of the utmost essence for this young boy whose life is fast fading.  His face and his plight has struck a chord in all of us, from the members of our team who met him face to face and desperately prayed through the negotiations, to the people we shared his story with.  He has, for us all, become the face of child slavery, the constant reminder that the work is not over.  He's not free, and he's not alone.

I sat in church last Sunday, watching with the rest of our congregation the video testimony of God's provision for our mission in Ghana.  Although the words from my interview were familiar to me, I had not seen the final video and was not prepared for the acute impact of seeing Richard's photo flashed on the large screens as I explained in the narrative that we had not secured his freedom.

Sobs immediately shook me to the core.

It wouldn't be the first time, nor would it be the last.


As I attended the second service, I thought the impact would have been cushioned, having known what to expect and bracing myself for it.

Not so.


I am not alone, not in having been moved by Richard's face, that haunting look in his eyes and his desperate situation...  nor am I alone in wanting to make a difference for him and the children still awaiting freedom.


It would be all too easy to feel completely overwhelmed and helpless in the face of such a serious situation, but that's simply the enemy's way of distracting us from what we CAN do.  The same was true in the vision of building the school -- those who struggled to see it as possible were perhaps simply focused on the seemingly impossible.  It's understandable.

What can we do?

Our first call to action has always been prayer, and it remains as such.  I recently shared in an interview that while on the island, one could feel "absolute darkness mixed with absolute light".  The primary battle when it comes to slavery is deeply spiritual, and to intercede with prayer on behalf of these children, even on behalf of the slave masters whose hearts need to be softened to the truth, is the most powerful weapon we can wield.

Our second call to action is prevention.  Compassion isn't merely a child sponsorship organization.  Their holistic child development approach impacts lives far beyond that of the sponsored child, and it ensures that these children and their families will be empowered against the dangers of slavery.

Our third course of action is to seed the fund that provides financial support and resources to those on the front-lines working toward the abolishment of slavery, negotiating and securing freedom, as well as supporting the rescued children through sponsorship until they reach adulthood.

It's not enough to simply rescue these children.  The need does not end there.  Once rescued, Touch A Life Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Texas, commits to providing for the children residing at the Village Of Life in Kete Krachi, as well as a second refuge close to Accra.  This includes but is not limited to food, shelter, clothing, education and medical care.

Many of the children we met at the Village Of Life are not yet sponsored.  Their needs are provided for through fundraising efforts and general donations made to Touch A Life.  At $150/month, sponsorships are often done through "Find Your Mark" chapters/groups, based on the story of Touch A Life founder Pam Cope having been touched by the plight of one young child slave on Lake Volta named Mark, and providing for his rescue and care.  Touch A Life foundation encourages everyone to also find their "Mark" and make an impact through sponsorship.

We found our Mark.  His name is Richard.

For those who are unable to commit to sponsorship, a general donation can still be made to Touch A Life for the care of children like our beloved Samson*, one of the most delightful children I have ever met in my entire life.  Samson* was one of 116 children rescued in May as part of a large anti-slavery crackdown on Lake Volta.  At five years of age, he is currently the youngest child at the Village Of Life.  The joy of freedom shines so bright through him.

This year, during the holidays, every donation made to Touch A Life until the end of December for the care of these children will be matched by a generous donor.  This helps provide children like Innocence, Patrick, and all the others currently at the Village Of Life with all that they need to overcome their past and live their future to their full potential.

Remember the classroom space?  The Village Of Life was at maximum capacity and without more classroom space, it hampered their ability to release more children.  The same holds true for the financial support given to Touch A Life.  The more financial resources Touch A Life has to care for the rescued children, the more rescued children they will be able to support.

We strongly encourage you to give to this amazing ministry before the end of December in order to make the most of the matching program, but we also encourage you to give to this organization at any time throughout the year.

Last but not least, each and everyone of us can continue to share and spread awareness on modern-day-slavery.  If I had a dollar for every person that told me they did not know that slavery still existed today, let's just say a very large donation could have been made to Touch A Life foundation.  Information leads to transformation.




As for Richard, although we're somewhat limited to prayer and financial support, there is great news:  A sponsor has stepped forward for Richard, committing to sponsoring him in full should his freedom be granted.  This is nothing short of an amazing answer to prayer, and such a beautiful, priceless gift.  

I spoke to a member of PACODEP's team a few days ago, and was told that they are preparing to return shortly to the island where Richard is in order to continue the negotiations for his release.



As we prayerfully wait for an update, let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Gal 6:9)


Let's show the enemy that we are not giving up.  The harvest belongs only to Him.

The Weight Of Slavery -- A Letter To Richard

My Precious Richard,

When dawn breaks gently from the east, it will have been twenty full days since we met face to face on a desolate island of Lake Volta, where you are enslaved.  Dawn is still hours away, it is nearly 4am and sleep can’t reach me.  My bones are aching, my soul is weary, and yet when I close my eyes, all I see is you, halfway across the world, paddling a boat as the dawn breaks, bones aching, soul weary, and I ask myself, how does rest reach you, and what do your eyes see?

They play like a broken reel on repeat in my mind, the brief memories of standing facing you, my heart trying so hard to grasp the overwhelming reality of what my eyes were seeing, my legs trying not to crumble under the weight of your world, my eyes searching yours for a spark of life...  

Surrounded by a group of boys your age, the quietest of the group, you silently spoke volumes about the brutal effects of slavery on a boy of such tender years.  Our attempts to bring a smile to the boys’ faces and convey that we were not a threat was met by curious smiles, laughs and relief by all except you. 

It was as though you weren’t there, your spirit long ago having checked out in the face of such perpetual darkness.

Did their laughter feel painful to you as you continued to feel invisible?  Did your surroundings cause you to further attempt to disappear into another dimension where nothing could reach you, not pain, joy, or the concept of hope?  I knew all too well that in that situation, feeling nothing was an involuntary defence mechanism...  numbness prolonged survival.

It was in those moments that I realized that we weren’t seeing you, Richard, we were only seeing the shell of the boy whose heart, mind, body and spirit could no longer bear the weight of slavery.  How much longer before the sins of this world crushed you, as they crushed our precious Savior on the cross?  How much longer would you have to endure the darkness man had pulled you under?

From your seat on that wooden bench, what did you hear?  How many times had someone come and attempted to set you free, only to leave empty handed?  How many times had someone come, expressing concern over you, perhaps causing you to grasp on to hope by the little strength you had left, only to lose that grip as the negotiations were thwarted once again by the enemy?  Did hope even flicker this time around, or was it too painful to contemplate that hope was even possible?  

Peace only finds me when my mind takes me back to where you are, and this time, I do what I failed to do the first time we met...  I take you in my arms, gently lift your face until your eyes see mine, and I do everything in my power to pour Christ’s love into your spirit.  There are so many things I failed to share with you, precious boy...  that you are loved and treasured far more than the heart can ever imagine, and that the Lord made you not by the word of His mouth as He made the entire world, but by the work of His hands...  you are Handmade, special, unique, and His beloved, and not one of your tears has fallen outside of the Creator’s care and concern.  

Understanding all too well that these words would have stung and fallen empty on this side of freedom, I would have gently told you never to lose hope, that our only hope is in Christ and Christ alone, that God knew of your suffering and that He would watch over you until the day of your rescue...  knowing in my heart that your first taste of freedom could very well be your first breath of heaven.  Having known the desperation of abuse, we both would have understood all too well if this blessed mercy was all we had the strength left to pray for.

Beyond the eternal Living Water that I would have shared with you, it pains me to know that I had little to offer your immediate physical needs...  to have quenched your thirst and satisfied your hunger would have helped me teach you of the One who sustains us all.  Such things wouldn't have needed translation; feeding His sheep needs no familiar words as it is done through the universal language of love.

Richard, not having held you breaks my heart more than my mere words could ever express.  As a mother of sons who have never outgrown the joy, safety and comfort of a gentle snuggle, a mother’s touch, I long to know that in this lifetime, you have known this kind of love at least once.  Knowing that as a human, a mother and a Christ follower, I failed to share that love with you keeps me awake night, after night, after night.  I can't help but wonder if you even know to dream of such things -- when was the last time you were held, Richard, and do you know a mother's love?  

Where is your mother as you continue to languish here on this island, and does it tear her up to be apart from her son like it tears me up to have had to leave you behind?  

While it's crushingly painful to see you and carry you with me everywhere I go, I pray that pain never lessens, never heals, never becomes numb by the world’s endless pressure to fit subtly in the deceptive trap of the middle ground.

I simply and ever-so-complexly can not choose to return to the life I once knew.

No, I beg the pain to remain, the pain that serves to remind me that Jesus calls on us to live radically, to eschew the world’s dangerous blindness and to open our eyes to what breaks His heart.  

You are now mine, Richard, not having grown in my body, but having been indelibly engraved upon my heart...  you, chosen for me, and I, for you.

You have become, to me and to many, the personal, heartbreaking face of slavery.   

Even though my words may never reach you on this side of the veil, your voice has been heard, Richard, your voice has been heard around the world, and it will not be extinguished until every man, woman and child you represent has been set free.  

May God deal with me ever so severely if I should fail you again.

Love, beyond measure,

JD

"It is the children the world almost breaks who grow up to save it."  -- Wess Stafford, Compassion International

Ghana: Day 10 -- Bittersweet Rescue

As we came around the gentle bend of the island's shoreline, recognition hit me -- I knew where we were, even though we had only been there once before, just two days prior.  Then again, how could we forget?

The last time, we had walked to the shore from within the island, but this time, we approached the shoreline by boat, praying that this would be the day that the slave masters would agree to release the child slaves whose freedom we had fought so hard for.

At first look, we didn't see them, just a few adults.  Would they cause issues?  Were they waiting for us?  The woman kept looking to the trail behind her.  Had the children hidden from us?

Then, a flash of turquoise moved from beyond the tall grass...  it was him, it was Patrick*, one of the three child slaves we had negotiated for.

Two more children followed, along with their slave master.  Who was the third child, a girl?  We hadn't seen her when we were here on Saturday, why was she here this morning?

The three children waited quietly, staring at us while we continued the negotiations for the release of Patrick and Innocence*.  Given that the other girl had come with a yellow bucket, we were surprised not to see her working as her slave master continued to talk with George Jr. and our team.

Looking into those children's faces broke my heart.  The uncertainty, the mistrust, the inability to communicate with them and ask them what was going through their minds right in that moment... all we could do was comfort them without words, through kind eyes and a compassionate demeanor, until, God willing, they were released to us.

Still aboard our own boat, we were too far to reach out to them.

Without warning, the tides turned to our favor...  we were asked to find paper and something to write with, as the slave master was agreeing to provide us with the children's information -- their full names, their ages, where they had been trafficked from, their parents' names.

Last but not least, we had to obtain the price that had originally been paid by the slave master to "purchase" them -- oh, how my heart wrings itself sick just speaking those words...  one should not be able to purchase a child as though they were a dishwasher, a machine, a piece of property...  Lord, what has humanity come to, that precious children should be bought and sold like commodities?

The price paid for these children by the slave masters?

150 Ghana cedis each, which is the rough equivalent of  $100 USD per child.

My heart further broke... knowing that these children provided labor for these slave masters for at least three years...  14+ hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, no sick days, no time off, no rest, no love, no nurturing, no education... nothing received in return but pain and suffering...  and the price placed on this was less than $33 a year each.


My head was swimming, my stomach was turning, and had it not been for the fact that things were happening so fast and I did not want to miss one moment, I would have leaned overboard and proceeded to throw up.


All of a sudden, a set of strong arms grabbed Innocence and swiftly lifted her into the boat.  The sudden move took us by surprise, leaving us stepping back to make room so that she wouldn't be overwhelmed.  Debra grabbed her and held on to her, and she began to cry, understandably afraid and overwhelmed.  The relief of freedom is never immediate for children released from slavery.  It is a process, a transformation, a healing.

We continued to watch to see if Patrick would be released to us as well.

It didn't take long for them to finish negotiating his release, and he, too, was freed onto us.

Tia, holding Patrick's hand.  He seemed more at ease.

As we thanked the slave master and pulled away with both children on board, my heart couldn't help but think of the third child, a girl, having been left behind.  

Her situation was just as desperate, yet, this was not the day she would be released.  Would she now do the work of three?

Although I know that this is a long process that must be handled sensitively as to be sustainable and successful in breaking this cycle rather than simply putting a bandaid on a fatal wound, it still hurts to the core to leave a child behind, much less the estimated 7000 children still held in slavery on these islands.

Looking into her eyes then, and even now in this photograph, I can't help but ask questions I will never know the answer to on this side of heaven:

What is going through her mind, seeing two children granted freedom, while she isn't lifted "over the fence", as Shaun Groves so aptly put it...  

Jesus, come quickly.  These children...  please come.

Our boat returned to where we had initially came ashore two days ago, the place where we had seen children scramble into the woods in terror.

Since we now had two rescued children on board, we volunteered to stay behind with them, as it was not wise to walk back onto the island with them, placing their rescue into jeopardy.  Tia and the German lady opted to stay behind to continue to comfort the children and keep them safe.  

We had come prepared to minister to even more children we made our way to where Richard* was being held.  This precious little girl received one of our dresses, and while she was a little timid and perhaps afraid of us, she clutched her dress tightly, and we hoped that the cheerful design would brighten her days a little.

Since I remembered where Richard was being held, I hung back from the rest of the group until all children had received either new shorts/boxers or a pillowcase dress.  The mothers made sure each child was tended to -- at least this way, we were able to leave no child behind... every child was made to feel special and receive something.  Several older girls walked along with me as I left to rejoin the rest of the group, where the negotiations had already begun.  

The team sat in the shade, surrounded by curious onlookers, as they sat across from the man in the pale striped shirt, Richard's slave master.

At first, I sat in and observed the negotiations going back and forth, back and forth, back and forth...  

Seeing that it would take longer than usual, I turned my attention to the children who had begun to surround our group.  One particular baby, with her naked and dirty body and her big curious eyes, made me wish I had a bucket of clean water to gently wash her with -- I so would have, right then, right there.  

I could have gotten lost into her beautiful dark eyes, so shiny, so alert, so attentive.

We had smaller dresses, so I handed her one, and she clutched it in her arms, never breaking her intense gaze.

As other children saw the dress being handed out, they quietly but persistently and curiously gathered closer to us in hopes of receiving one too.

We handed out candy to waiting hands, as well as dresses and shorts to children whose clothes were either threadbare, or missing altogether.



This little naked boy was so sweet and precious, he grabbed his shorts, showed them to all his friends, and rather than put them on excitedly as the other children had, he continued to walk around, baring it all.  


So thankful that these children don't suffer from sunburns...  :o)

The negotiations continued as the children continued to warm up to us, but it did not sound very promising.  So many lies being told to us, so much deceit, so many tangled webs to untangle.

All the dresses and shorts having been handed out, I stood up in search of the little naked boy, so that I could help him put his new shorts on.  It seemed too late, he was already wandering off with his friend -- still unclothed.  

A few of the girls stood by, eating the candy we had given them.  The girl on the left recognized me from Saturday, and followed me around everywhere.  Her skin was flaky and dry, little spots covering her entire body.  I wondered what would cause that, and whether or not it caused her any discomfort.

Nearby, in the shade of a home across from where the negotiations were taking place, a few mothers and a group of children had gathered to observe us.  They talked excitedly among themselves while tending to their babies and young children.  This girl wasn't too sure what to think of us "obruni".

This mother was so gentle spoken with her children, and spent most of her time breastfeeding her little girl while we interacted with her and the children.

This sweet baby did not take kindly to us being there, and proceed to burst into screams and tears each time we approached, which sadly made the mothers burst into laughter.  It was bittersweet entertainment.  I had hoped that in time, she would grow a little more comfortable with our presence, but short of coming toward me as I extended my water bottle to her, she kept her distance.

Meanwhile, her brother sat quietly nearby, watching everything calmly as it unfolded.  

This baby was watching us too, but unlike the other babies, she was gazing at us without an ounce of fear.  Dare I approach?

Much to my delight, the little girl reached back as I reached out to her.  This time, the tears were mine.  See her tiny, beautiful toes?

Her mother graciously allowed me to hold her.  Ahhh, bliss...  she melted into my arms like butter.  Nothing quite like a tiny, precious baby content in our arms.  The only thing missing was Tia, she would have loved to have a turn holding baby Leah.  I wondered how she and the rescued children were doing back at the boat, waiting for us all this time in the heat.

The negotiations were still under way, but it looked more and more as though we wouldn't be taking Richard with us this time.  Lord have mercy on these children...

After what seemed like an eternity and yet just the blink of an eye, the negotiations were over and it was confirmed that they would not yet release Richard to us this time, asking us to come back once more.  

So frustrating.

We said our goodbyes to the children and mothers we had spent time with.

The little girls, now wearing their dresses, smiled for us as we began to leave.

The boys, no longer sceptical of us, began to pose for the classic silly photos all children love!

The girl we had seen cleaning fish when we had first arrived was still hard at work... such endless work for these children, both girls and boys...  such a hard life all around, for everyone here.

This smiley boy was the sweetest, most gentle boy I came across on the island.  He tenderly held my hand and smiled at me constantly with not only his smile, but with his eyes, as we walked back toward the boat.  I gave him the longest hug.

I got to hold a few more babies as we walked across the last of the group of mud homes.

Back on the boat, Innocence was resting quietly in Tia's arms, while the boat operator waited for us.  

Tia has such a comforting mother's touch, all children gravitate to her for comfort, calm, and playfulness too.

Nearby, Patrick watched us quietly, deep in thought.

We stopped by George Sr.'s home on the way to the Village Of Life to introduce the children to him and celebrate their freedom together.

Back at the Village Of Life, we offered the children lunch.  Innocence quietly ate two bananas, but barely touched the rest of her food.  She was warm to the touch and didn't seem to be feeling well.  We suspected she had a fever, her tiny body fighting off something.  She was lethargic and unresponsive.

Patrick ate a little more, seeming more and more to come out of his shell.  We saw him smile once or twice... a hesitant grin, but one nonetheless.

Although the children were now in the arms of safety, they were not yet out of the woods.  Healing would take months, even years.  What they'd been through would have to come to the point of peace, and that process would be long and difficult.

Providing for the rescue was one thing, but providing for the children financially for the rest of their childhood was another entirely.  Each rescue is a commitment and a responsibility to that child.  Children at the Village Of Life are provided for through sponsorship, and all sponsorships are done through the Touch A Life Foundation in the U.S. at a cost of roughly $150 / month.


By the time we were ready to leave the Village of Life mid-afternoon, we felt as though our day had lasted a lifetime.  We were emotionally spent, exhausted, but also overwhelmed with gratitude that these two had finally tasted freedom and would now have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Still, our joy was bittersweet.

We couldn't forget this face.

The celebration, joy and peace won't be complete without his release and that of the other 7000 children like him on Lake Volta...  not to mention the 37 million modern day slaves currently in captivity worldwide.




What can you do?


1.  Pray.  
2.  Respond.  

• Prevent slavery by sponsoring a child through Compassion International -- simply click on the Sponsorship Photo in the header of this page.
• Send a donation to Touch A Life Foundation in the U.S. 
• Support those ministering to the needs of these children.
• Research the products you buy (chocolate, for example) ensuring that they do not perpetuate the issue of human trafficking.  How many slaves are working for you?  Find out more by taking the Slavery Footprint Survey today.
• Spread the word.  So many people do not realize that slavery is worse today than it's ever been.
• Get involved.  Knowing is not enough -- act on what you know.  Be the hands and feet of Christ.

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Other Updates:
Day 1 -- Ticket Revoked?
Night 1 -- Altitude 0m
Day 2 -- The Adventure Continues
Day 3 -- (Pre-Posted) Dear Ato Sam
Day 3 -- Enyan Abaasa (Meeting Ato Sam)
Day 4 -- Precious
Day 4 -- (Pre-Posted) Double The Joy
Day 4 -- George & George (Meeting the twins)
Day 5 -- Back To Accra
Day 5 -- I Like Tacos!
Day 6 -- "Bobble Boobs"
Day 7 -- Breaking Ground
Day 7 -- Life In Kete Krachi
Day 7 -- Beyond The Surface
Day 8 -- Face To Face With Slavery
Day 8 -- Rooster Boy
Day 10 -- Bittersweet Rescue
Day 10 -- Tasting The Joy Of Freedom

Ghana: Day 7 -- Breaking Ground

Coming to Ghana has been much like giving birth...

In March of 2011, we had an expected due date for this miracle... November of 2011.  The wait was long but filled with wonder and amazing experiences as we prepared for what was to come.

Perhaps our "labor" (sans epidural, alas) was the passage to Ghana via United Airlines.  Or, more fittingly, stalled labor.  United needed a massive dose of virtual pitocin, it seems, because the miles we walked through the airport didn't seem to be helping!!

Learning that we had reached our fundraising goal for the school was much like seeing our miracle on ultrasound and hearing the heartbeat for the first time... it made it all the more real.

Arriving in Ghana was like a beautiful birth, the receiving of the miracle.  Our days spent with our Compassion children seemed like such a time of welcoming and celebration, fitting for the journey we were on.


Now, the hard work begins -- we raise this miracle to the full potential it was created for.

The bricks were awaiting, the sand piled and ready.

We held a ground breaking ceremony for the new school construction at the Village Of Life on November 11th, 2011, the day we aptly remember and appreciate not only our freedom, but the cost of that freedom and all those who have given their lives to secure it.

The older children came out to mark the occasion with songs and drumming.  The sound of their rich voices blending together with the African drumming was glorious.

The smallest of children were invited to take a break from their class work and join in the celebration.  They did not need a second invitation as they began to gather around us, breaking into joyful dance.

We have a video of one of their songs, but until we have a more stable internet connection, we will simply share the photos.  

The priest of the local church, Father Joseph, blessed the site of the future construction with water -- water in Africa signifies life.  Blocks were set with strings to outline where the building would be constructed.

.

We took turns breaking ground with a pick axe we had been provided.  What a feeling it was to dig into the soil that would soon provide beyond measure for the children's futures.  

While plunging the axe into the soil three times, I'm trying to imagine having to work with one of these axes in the blistering heat of the mid-day sun, as it covers the feet in the dirt and dust that it is kicking up.  All with limited access to running water and showers.  Sure puts my office job in perspective back home, in the comfort of cleanliness and air conditioning.  These people work SO hard.

Soon, the ground we broke together will give way to a building much like this, where children fill the classrooms, laughter can be heard, learning is prized and attained and the cycle of poverty will continue to crumble under the weight of hope.

 First set of classrooms originally built at the Village Of Life.

The inside of one of the classrooms.

 Current lessons on the board.

 Seeing all these children gathered in the classes was incredibly beautiful.

As much as we wanted to stay, we were too much of a distraction to them at that moment, so we left them in their teachers' hands so that classes could resume in peace.

Joshua, who enjoys Minecraft, a video game that includes the use of this tool (virtually, of course), begged for a turn with the axe when the ceremony was finished.  George took pride in teaching him how to do this...  he is such a great father figure in the lives of all the children he encounters, even mine.

"Hey, mom, this will make a great Facebook photo for my friends to see!"  :o)   -- Joshua, 13



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Previous Updates:
Day 1 -- Ticket Revoked?
Night 1 -- Altitude 0m
Day 2 -- The Adventure Continues
Day 3 -- (Pre-Posted) Dear Ato Sam
Day 3 -- Enyan Abaasa (Meeting Ato Sam)
Day 4 -- Precious
Day 4 -- (Pre-Posted) Double The Joy
Day 4 -- George & George (Meeting the twins)
Day 5 -- Back To Accra
Day 5 -- I Like Tacos!
Day 6 -- "Bobble Boobs"
Day 7 -- Breaking Ground