from terry s heart
Transcription
from terry s heart
Volume 3, Issue 8 Africa has its own unique beauty…sometimes dramatic desert and sometimes thick, lush green tropical wonderlands teeming with all kinds of life. Ghana has its own unique beauty too— its people! From the moment I arrived, I was struck by the childlike warmth and the contagious smiles of everyone I met. There were no walls, no masks, no agendas, just open hearts and an invitation to engage. They are lovely, lovely people! We (OP) are a part of a wonderful partnership with Project Nyame Nsa’s Village of Hope; CBN International’s Africa teams on the ground; and the Ghanaian government’s child protection ministry. I have come to help cut the ribbon to This is a residential project that OP has helped fund and will continue to support on an ongoing basis. We work with the government vulnerable situations and in need of help. Though residential, this is not an orphanage. There are 6 family apartments in this structure. Each one has parents, and there are 6-7 children placed in each home. It’s very well designed and inviting. Some of the children have come from abusive situations and others family, structure, consistent schooling, and spiritual nurturing. OP supporters, for making this miraculous transformation possible. It is your gift to the children of Ghana. Gratefully, Terry Meeuwsen blessings, opportunities, and healing. Imagine for a moment though, how scary it might be to the arriving child who has no idea of any of that. They come frightened, timid, and emotionally closedup. My heart is so touched by their complete vulnerability. Because this home Four sisters with their new foster mom at Project Nyame Nsa’s has just opened I have Village of Hope. watched children arrive and have marveled at their transformation. Within three days, smiles are bright, feet are skipping, and hands are reaching out to be touched. Each of these children came here with nothing to their names. They will leave here with everything they need for a good life and a future With our operations director Nataliya Khomyak and two precious children at the Project Nyame Nsa dedication. August 2016 Meet Richard Richard Lomo knows all too well father became ill and died when he was just a baby, and his mother was sick and died when he was 12. He fully believes if they had money to receive proper medical care, his parents would still be alive. He could have let poverty take away his talents and goals as well, but he refused to do so, deciding instead to pursue education, which was only made possible through an Orphan’s Promise scholarship because of our generous donors. In fact, Richard says the scholarship was a turning point for him that has brought him to the place he is today—educated, with a good job and the ability to help children. Richard has come full circle from farm manager and he is now giving back to at-risk children through his work at the newest OP-sponsored project in Ghana, Project Nyame Nsa’s Village of Hope. “When I see the children, I remember who I was,” alluding to his orphan past. “I feel I am part of them. And I have a fatherly affection and want to do everything to help them.” Orphan’s Promise Senior Producer Shirl Catindig shared her experiences in Ghana through a series of blog posts featured on our website. She provided a glimpse into the incredible work that God is doing through Orphan’s Promise and our donors. I dipped my hand in orange paint today and pressed it onto a concrete wall in Ghana. It was part of the celebration as we dedicated Village of Hope, a housing project started by Project Nyame Nsa and supported by Orphan’s Promise. The name, “Nyame Nsa” means “God’s Helping Hand” which is quite appropriate. The children and adults joined in decorating the wall with orange hand-prints. Of all the things these children can grasp here, one of the most important is that God’s hand goes before them and is upon them. During the ceremony worship time, we sang the song “Good, Good Father” from popular Christian artist, Chris Tomlin, The chorus was very inspiring for all of us: You’re a Good, Good Father It’s who you are, it’s who you are, it’s who you are And I’m loved by you It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am It’s one of my favorite songs and as I sang it, I thought, wow, what an awesome concept for these orphaned and at-risk children to learn in the coming days and months—that God is a good good Father, and that their identity is found in the love He showers on them. That’s the stuff that can break through years of woundedness. It’s the stuff that can enable these kids to rise to the levels walking in their destiny. Today I put my hand-print on a concrete wall at a foster home in Ghana, not because I want people to remember me, but because I want to remember these children and their foster parents—and I want to remain connected to them. Today will stay with me for a long time. To read the entire Through the series, visit our website at www.OrphansPromise.org/Blog