Live Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV

  Each step to fundraiser has been small, but small things can add up. Since this all really began in June we had a few opportunities to serve and gifts given to get is to the point of covering the costs of passports. The time came to ramp up our efforts to raise funds. I can't begin to say how grateful I am for each family member's willingness to go out of thief comfort zone to advertise our efforts, talk to people, and work hard! I've overheard our children say that we want to work for this to make it more meaningful. Honestly there are days were that feels beyond our ability with the time frame we have, but so many have been so generous. We have seen miracles and feel that when we do all that we can that God makes it all work and be enough. We  have: had a yard sale; picked plums; done lots of babysitting; cleaned homes; done yard work; hosted a free movie night and sold concessions; had raffles and silent auctions; washed trash, recycling, and green waste barrels...

We became invested at a new level on August 15th and 20th when we submitted applications for 7 of our 8 passports. Our oldest will be doing her passport soon. She was living back east with family for the summer, when we did these. Since the 5 children we were doing passports for are all under 18, both parents had to be present.  If you have ever had to schedule appointments for 5 people with back to back time slots it can feel next to impossible; since the location within 20+ miles of us aren't open on Saturday's anymore we needed a location  near my husband's work. Most locations are only open 9:00 a.m.-2:45 p.m. We anticipated it could take 4-6 weeks for them to be processed so we knew we needed to get started. I could only get 4 appointments on the 20th. Then I found 1 on the 15th so we took them. When we arrived on the 15th we had 2 of the girls with us. The clerk asked if we had paperwork ready for both children. I had our family emergency binder with us so everyth...

            I LOVE learning and cooking foods from around the world. I rarely get to find out if they turn out "right". We usually like what we try but have not idea how authentic it is. One thing I look forward to in Ghana is being taught by navies how to correctly make their foods. Ashley invited me to their home so Micheal could teach me how to cook authentic Ghanaian dishes. We made 3 incredible dishes: Tomato Stew, Fried Chicken, and Jollof Rice. There were a couple unexpected experiences of the night -trying to eat the chicken bones and eating with my hands. The second isn't too new but not something I usually do in front of others. We had no idea that a tradition we started 18 years ago would be preparing us for Ghana. Years ago I wanted to make sure our children learned proper etiquette, so I suggested an occasional "delicate dinner". My husband, being the more fun parent, suggested something to offset this formality and came up with "s...

Less than 2 weeks after meeting Becky for the first time, via Facebook video, Ben and I were meeting her and her husband in person, in our home -half a world away from Ghana. We met with one other couple that night. The time flew by as we got to know each other; talk about the work both couples have done in Africa and getting answers to LOTS of questions. We could have talked for hours longer but it had already been almost 3 hours. I felt so connected to people I had just met. We are all part of a much bigger work than we can explain yet we feel a similar draw and power to and in Ghana at this time. Strangers and a world apart one day and then we recognize that we are on a similar path together with even more of our Father's children. We are not alone. He is guiding us.  

                                                                                                    If you could talk to my new friend George he would confirm that I am not the quickest to reply to messages on Facebook. Somehow, on August 2, when he messaged me asking for the name and location of the orphanage we are strongly considering; I replied that is in Santasi and its name. Later that day he sent picture of it. And said, "I just happened to visit the orphanage today." From past conversations I suspected he lives near Accra, which is almost 5 hours way. The next day we talked on video chat. He confirmed he lives near Accra but that when I messaged him he happened to be just 45 minutes from the orphanage and decide to drop by and...