As many of you already know, Sarah and I just got back from Ghana Africa. It was a great trip filled with lots of unforgettable experiences; let me share some with you.
Ghana is 5 Hours ahead of us, so when we arrived it was already late night. We stayed with a missionary family in Accra (Ghana's Capital) as it’s not a good idea for tourist, missionary's or anyone visiting to travel that late at night especially the route leading to our focus of travel.
We arrived the next day in Cape Coast, in a small town call Abrua. We went to the Orphanage where we met some of the Orphans that were present. Right away we established some grounds to what would be some key people and relationships we later established.
There are two Orphanages 1 all male and all female. The age range goes from as young as 3+. As the days went by we got to meet more children inside and outside of the Orphanage. I must say Ghana is a beautiful place, with lots to see and experience. Although it is one of the more developed countries in Africa, there is still a great need, and cry for help when you get into the villages.
It broke my heart every day we went through the towns and saw young children selling items in order for their family to support them and also to support themselves. I can recall a very hot day, a little boy drenched in sweat approaching me asking me to purchase a water from him. I purchased two water, and paid him for three. I gave him one of the water and told him to drink it. He refused and looked at me as if he thought I was setting him up. I encouraged him to drink the water, as it was a very hot day, and he looked quite dehydrated. He thanked me, then walked away with the water in his hand, looking at the money smiling. He then reached up above his head with the water and placed it back into the container. I thought wow, these children just wanted a chance to be children, but yet at a young age they have to take on the role of a provider for themselves and also their family.
As you drive down the streets you are flocked with children demanding you to help them, also adults. I remembered a day we were driving down the street and saw a little girl selling coal, at the same time taking care of her little baby brother as he was strapped to her back. Very rarely you see a child smiling, unless you've given them something. The children are the heart and soul of Ghana, and because of the current situation where families cannot afford to support and take care of the children; single mom's with no income, desperation sometimes result in a child being born un-welcome and un-wanted and at times will be left on its own, with hope that the child will be rescued. Not always are those little babies rescued, many times they are found in someone the worse spots such as a pit toilet, the bushes and more.
As we became familiar with the culture and started understanding abit more, both Sarah and I got more involved in the planned activities, and utilized the many opportunities we were given to Minister in love to these children.
Our purpose became clear, and it started making sense to us the reason why God wanted us in Ghana. I started meeting more of the young men, involved in the Orphanage and in the community. They are very wise and smart young men that have lost faith in what they have and can do with what they have. Many of them think the only way for them to succeed is to get away from the country. I saw their hearts, but I still believe that as difficult as it might be in Ghana, they are still in a great position to have great impact and make a difference in their lives and others. Both Sarah and I realized our call to Ghana, and have seen the opportunity that has been opened up for us to Minister and help these children. God has given us a heart for these children as well as the people of Ghana, and we were now in the process of returning back to Ghana in September.
WE don’t expect it to be easy but we believe in a God that is able, and can do all things.
While we are in Ghana we will be supported by families, Church family and Friends. If you would like to support us, whether it’s on a month to month, or a onetime donation by all means, just request the information you will need and we will be more than happy and grateful to provide you with. There is allot of work to be done, as our focus first is to work with the children in the Orphanage, developing programs that will assist them in coming to know who they are as an individual and not a Orphan.
Ministering to their daily needs, through Bible studies, Mentoring, Encouraging, and more, our hearts desire is to see these children Confident in who they are, with what they have, and what they are capable of accomplishing.
Training: Provide resources to assist in the development of practical daily living skills, Gifting and more.
There is allot of work to be done, and we are honoured and know that it will be done. God has blessed us with so much already and your support in anyways or form will impact these children's lives positively.
The next phase: while we were there for the two weeks, a baby girl was brought to the Orphanage, she looked unhealthy, and well behind where she should be for her age. Her stomach was swollen and she was very hungry. We was not wearing any clothes, and her mother had brought her to the Orphanage seeking financial help in getting a birth certificate so she could give her up for Adoption. The Administrator of the Orphanage inquired on what she had been feeding the baby, and she replied nothing because she had nothing. I had some Oatmeal I had brought with me, which we heated up and gave it to the baby. She became very aggressive towards the food, and went after it as if she'd never had food before. Sarah and I being on the same page asked the mother if she would allow us to take care of the Baby for the 5 days we had remaining in Ghana. she agreed, and were very happy and relieved that she did not have to leave with the baby. After signing the papers, Sarah gave her a bath. She then took her out and bought her some diapers and clothes, allot with formulas, baby bottles, medicines, vitamins, and tonics. We assumed she had worms. After 2 days everything started functioning normal for the little baby, she gave us a difficult time at night, as she would shriek very loud. Her and I became best of friends during the day, and no so good friend at night.
After nurturing the baby, my wife worried about giving her back to her mom, because she would end up back in the same position, and would even die. She decided that we needed to meet with the mother to inquire of her plans for the baby, and the only thing she wanted to do was to give her away.
My wife and I then asked if she would be okay with us starting the process to adopt her; She said yes, and thanked us, and pretty much stated that from that day on she wanted nothing to do with her.
We asked her to sign a letter of release, and also a letter clarifying our intent to be presented to Social Services.
That baby's name is Kayla and she has been placed in the Orphanage. We have hired a nanny that lives in the Orphanage and take care of her. She has come a very long way to being the healthy and energetic little girl she is today. Our plans and intention is to start the adoption process when we do return to Ghana. I share this with you because I came to realize that she was a very important part of our trip to Ghana. We did not think our first child would come this way, but we are very excited and honoured.
I hope in reading this you are able to see our hearts; it's in Ghana, for the people and the children, so we ask for your help in making it happen.
For more information: sadrblessed@gmail.com or please contact WOM
Damion & Sarah Riley's Ministry
Lighthouse International Ministries