Ghana

Ghana is a country in West Africa and is slightly smaller than Oregon.  President Obama recently visited Ghana after the G-8 Summit.  Ghana is home to the 4th largest reservoir in the world, Lake Volta.  Ghana has a very stable democratic government.

So, why do I care about Ghana?  It is very exciting, really, and something we have been dreaming about for a long time.  Chris will be making a trip to Ghana this month!  Chris and I have talked and conspired about getting involved with some kind of overseas mission since we got married, and our hearts have always been drawn to Africa.  We didn't know how God would work it out, but we have prayed about it for a long time.  About 3 months ago, we caught wind of a book, Jantsen's Gift by Pam Cope.  Chris quickly got a copy and read it in about 2 days.  After he read it, he said, "we have to get involved with this."  {Jantsen's Gift is an amazing book about grief and redemption, and I would highly recommend it.}  Pam began an organization called Touch A Life Foundation after her 15-year old son died suddenly of an undetectable heart defect.  Through her organization, she has helped countless children in Vietnam, Cambodia, and now Ghana.  In Ghana, her organization is working to rescue children that are in slavery on Lake Volta.  These children work long hours every day and sometimes only get one small meal, so Pam and her team come to the men that "employ" these children and offer them better nets, to repair their boats, or even to teach them a new trade in exchange for the boys.  The next step in this process is to build an orphanage where the children can go after they are rescued because the Village of Hope, an orphanage they have taken a few of the rescued children to, is very full.   

So, Chris {my go-getter husband} got in touch with Pam and asked how he could help and how we could get involved.  It just so happened that a group of people was taking a trip to Ghana this month, and they had room for Chris to join them!  Seriously?!?  If you know Chris and I, you know that this is a dream come true!  So, Chris will be in Ghana, Africa for 8 days during the month of August where he will travel to Lake Volta to meet some of the boys fishing and will also be involved in the Children's Art Village at the Village of Hope where he will get to interact with hundreds of orphans.  We are so excited for this opportunity and feel so blessed that God has provided us a way to help His children.  And, maybe even more thrilling, our church plans to begin an annual mission trip to Ghana to work with the Touch A Life Foundation beginning in the summer of 2010.

Isn't God just so good?!?!  So, if you think about it, say a prayer for Chris and the group that will be in Ghana--for safety and that God will use them to help the kingdom break out in that small corner of the world.  And, pray for me--that I won't be too jealous :) or too worried about my sweet husband.  

Here is a video Chris made about his upcoming trip to show to the church.  Enjoy!