Time Flies When You're Having Fun!

Today we cherished the time we spent with the kids at the orphanage, knowing time is running out. Tomorrow we are going to Cape Coast for the day and then on Tuesday morning we'll stop in to say good-bye before catching the bus to Accra to fly home, so we hardly have any time left with them at all.

It has been so fun for me to reconnect with many of the kids I knew last year plus hang out with new kids. I wish they were just a little closer to me so I could pop in for a visit once a week or so! This trip hasn't been long enough to tickle the toddlers, rock the babies, hang out with the teenagers and sing with the elementary-aged kids -- too many kids and too little time! I want to find homes for all of them -- it's so great to see Emmanuel thriving at the volunteer house now that he's part of a family, and I want to see that for all of the kids!

The photo above is Kwesi, a little guy lots of you loved last year when I posted his picture. He's a charmer. The lower photo is our group on the gold mine tour (Obuasi, the city where we are staying, is famous for its mine -- it's where most of the people here are employed). We're carrying battery packs and emergency oxygen tanks on those belts -- it was quite the workout (and quite the fashion statement!). Mr. Peter said we couldn't come to Obuasi and not tour the mine, and you don't contradict Mr. Peter!

So that's the news from Ghana -- I'll let you know when we get home and hopefully make a slideshow to share on the internet so you can see all the adorable kids I love!

Short but Sweet!

It's hard to believe we've been here a week! Today we finished our five-day abbreviated VBS (there's enough chaos already without trying to do themed games and crafts -- we sing, have a Bible story, and then color for an hour!). They have enjoyed it immensely, and apart from the incredibly loud volume in the small room every day, so have we.

It's amazing how many new kids have arrived since I left in October. Mr. Peter, the orphanage manager, says more people come every week wanting to drop off their kids, but he says unless they are real orphans, they cannot stay. Destitute parents don't count -- as long as you've got a living parent, you're not an orphan! Some of the children are no longer there, which is good news. David, the little boy resting on my chest in everyone's favorite picture last year, had a member of his family come and take him home, as did another sweet baby, Gifti. My favorite from last year, Emmanuel, is now living at Mr. Peter's house as their foster son, so he hasn't been there to sing every day, but he's so happy to be in a house with a family and lots of food!

We went to the market yesterday and bought lots of food with the money we collected before leaving. It is so crazy -- nothing like Wal-Mart or Safeway! We went to Kumasi one afternoon and that was an adventure. Traveling in the U.S. is so much easier . . . and better smelling. :) We're planning to go to Cape Coast on Monday to see the slave castle and the beach, so we're getting to see some of the country, too.

Other than that, we're spending a lot of time holding kids (they all just want affection!) and just having fun. Jaqui and Brianne have played soccer, which the kids think is great, and one day Dolores got peed on much worse than I ever did in three months. Good times in Ghana!

Thanks for your prayers --
Tiffany

Back at Adullam Orphanage!

We spent the day at the orphanage, first for worship (SO not Lutheran!) and then just to hang out after lunch. The kids are as beautiful as ever -- some look really different from last year, but they still want to be held, play with hair, sing songs, and all of the same old things! :) They are adorable. I will write more when I have more time, but just wanted everyone to know we are here and safe and doing well! Thanks for the prayers!