The Little Mango

I look out my window every morning and I have been watching one mango that dangles high above all the others. I can see it when I am laying in my bed and comment about it often. Everyone says that is grandma’s mango.  It has been there for so long and is the closest to the top of the tree, the sun, the wind and the rain .  I struck me this morning that is is also  the farthest from the  roots waiting the longest to receive water! I have watched as the other Mango, closer to the root of the tree, have ripened and fallen.  This one will have to hang on a little longer than the others. 

I believe we are all like that little mango at different times in our lives, having to hang on a little longer than others through storms in our lives while it seems to us that we are not receiving what we need like others that we see.  Oh if we could only realize how we are being ripened in the Lord.  That He is leaving us long enough to produce in us character that is worthy and necessary for children of the most high God. 

John 15:2
Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

I pray that I will wait on your perfect timing for pruning and for ripening so that I may bear more fruit in my life and bring glory and honor to your name!

Race Chair Derby

 And they're off!  Fully equipped with race chairs

 and oil cans the races got off to a great start today.

Nor sleet, hail, wind or rain will stop these race enthusiast, not even wheels!

CAPE COAST AFRICA FIELD TRIP

 CAPE COAST, AFRICA FIELD TRIP

                                                                                   

Kakum National Park

 The children of Assurance of Hope Orphanage, Teshie Ghana, would like to go to the Slave Castle in Cape Coast and Kakum National Park.  The slave castle is rich in the history of their people and the park is a beautiful rain forest with seven canopy bridges that provide an outstanding view.  I remember taking them to the swimming pool at the Ramada Hotel in Teshie and how excited they were. Some of them had never been to a pool before.  I cannot imagine how excited they will be to actually take a trip outside of their town. I know this is asking a a lot and I also know we serve a God who if it is His will for these children to go on this trip He  will make a way!  Thank you in advance  on  behalf of the kids!

                     

The fees are as follows (per child/3 days):
Meals: $ 40 (60 ghcd)
Boarding $ 38  (52 ghcd)
Castle Entrance Fee $ 10 (15 ghcd)
Rain Forest Entrace $22.50 (30 ghcd)
Misc (drinks, etc.) $ 8 (15 ghcd)
Bus$40 (54 ghcd)
Approx $160.00 U.S.


CHILDREN/Boys
Daniel 14 yrs. old
Ebon 11 yrs. old
Soa 12 yrs. old
Obed 10 yrs. old
Isreal 13 yrs. old
Gideon 11 yrs. old
Lawrence 13 yrs. old.
Clinton 12 yrs. old
Prince 11 yrs. old
Adams 11 yrs old

Girls
Caroline 14 yrs old
Gloria 13 yrs old
Angel 13 yrs old
Grace 12  yrs old
Charlotte 11 yrs old
Sandra 11 yrs. old
Florence 13 yrs old
Abagail 9 yrs old
Rebecca 8 yrs old

Chaperones
5 adults $450 U.S.

Baby Johanna and Fan Ice

Me and Baby Johanna eating Fan Ice (ice cream in a sachet). She is the daughter of John and Irene Nyavor, owners of GMI Orphanage.  She was so funny!

Every time I tried to pull it away so she wouldn't get a headache she would grab it and pull it back to her mouth squeezing it out all of me and her both.

I am not sure if there was more on her dress and my skirt or her mouth!  So cute.

A Hard Days Work

Gideon didn't even have time after shopping to change his shoes before he started cooking.  

Climbing for Coconuts

with a lot of effort he did make some progress,

This man had a little trouble climbing but...

He made it look so easy.

This man climbed like he'd been climbing his whole life.

 The kids wanted coconuts and the men working on our new shed were more than happy to help out (above).  The children laughed hysterically as one of them fell.  I heard them from my room and went out to see what the commotion was. We all enjoyed coconut milk (they call it natural water) and coconut. 

Yvone

Martina

It is so strange to think that only five months ago, Ezekiel, Bless, Bernard, Jerry and Baby Kai were all sitting in my floor watching videos, color, playing singing and dancing and they have all gone to their forever families.  The new faces belong to Gideon, twins Aquilli and Aquaqua and Emmanuel who is at the beach today.  We have been blessed with two volunteers, Martina from Austria and Yvone from Italy (who is living in England).  They have taken six of the children to the beach today and will take six more on Friday.  The other children are at school and will get to go to the pool on Saturday.  God is so faithful to these children and to me.  My heart aches sometimes missing the ones who have left but the joy I feel knowing they are with mommies, daddies, and sibling who love them  far surpasses any aches.                   

 

African Blackberries

I was so excited when they said they had blackberries.  I could not wait to dig in.  Their blackberries however are a little different than ours. They grow on trees, have a black velvety shell and a soft chewy inside with a nut in the center.  They take a lot of work to eat.

Funny Faces

I found a fishbowl setting on my camera and the kids and I had so much fun and laughed so hard taking these pics I thought we would share a few of them.

Pillow Case Dresses

We had a modeling session in my room tonight.  The girls did the walk and everything.  It was so much fun.

Feeding The Orphans

The founders of FTO visited
this week and brought play dough, goodie bags, shoes, clothing and lots of love for the kids. Thank you so much for way you all keep giving to these children.  Thank you FTO for walking in obedience to His call and blessing these children.