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