I contacted Mary (the director of the orphanage) last night to give her an update on how things are going with finding education sponsors for the 4 senior high students (see Education Sponsors: Part 1 and Education Sponsors: Part 2). I let her know how much had been contributed so far, and how much more we're hoping to raise before we wire the money to her account on Friday.
This is the first email that I received from Mary this morning:
THIS IS A REAL SURPRISE FOR ME. WOW. I ACTUALLY DONT KNOW WHAT TO SAY. ALL THAT I CAN SAY IS MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS ALL OF YOU. EVERY ONE OF YOU. MAY HE BLESS EACH AND EVERYONE THAT HAS CONTRIBUTED AT ALL. AND YOU ALSO. MAY HE BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ALLIE.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
MARY
Then a few hours later:
DEAR ALLIE,
I AM REALLY VERY VERY HAPPY FOR THE CHILDREN. IF I AM ABLE TO GET ALL THE PAYMENTS TO THE REGISTRAR BEFORE I LEAVE FOR USA THEN THE CHILDREN CAN START SCHOOL IN MAY WHEN SCHOOLS RE-OPEN. THANK YOU!
MARY
Then again, a few hours after that:
ALL PRAISE BE UNTO HIS NAME. AMEN. THANK YOU AGAIN.
MARY
I just love that God's blessings (through you!) first made her speechless, then logical and joyful, then humbled and in awe. Anyone who knows Mary knows that her excitement comes right through in those emails. She is usually very brief and to-the-point and never emails more than once a day. She loves these children like her own and it's obvious that she is thrilled for the opportunity to be able to send them to school! What an honor and a privilege we have to be able to help with that dream.
Here's the newest breakdown - and gameplan:
Instead of focusing on getting all of the kids sponsored through graduation right away, we've decided to focus on getting the 4 kids enrolled as soon as possible. The next term begins in May. Mary could be leaving Ghana to bring Eli home as soon as next weekend. She will be staying in the US for a month when she comes, and she needs to pay the school fees before she leaves the country. That means that the race is on! The sooner we raise the entrance fees, the sooner the children begin attending high school.
- In order for all 4 children to enter high school next month, we need $2,200 total.
- We have currently raised $1,830.
This is the first email that I received from Mary this morning:
THIS IS A REAL SURPRISE FOR ME. WOW. I ACTUALLY DONT KNOW WHAT TO SAY. ALL THAT I CAN SAY IS MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS ALL OF YOU. EVERY ONE OF YOU. MAY HE BLESS EACH AND EVERYONE THAT HAS CONTRIBUTED AT ALL. AND YOU ALSO. MAY HE BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ALLIE.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
MARY
Then a few hours later:
DEAR ALLIE,
I AM REALLY VERY VERY HAPPY FOR THE CHILDREN. IF I AM ABLE TO GET ALL THE PAYMENTS TO THE REGISTRAR BEFORE I LEAVE FOR USA THEN THE CHILDREN CAN START SCHOOL IN MAY WHEN SCHOOLS RE-OPEN. THANK YOU!
MARY
Then again, a few hours after that:
ALL PRAISE BE UNTO HIS NAME. AMEN. THANK YOU AGAIN.
MARY
I just love that God's blessings (through you!) first made her speechless, then logical and joyful, then humbled and in awe. Anyone who knows Mary knows that her excitement comes right through in those emails. She is usually very brief and to-the-point and never emails more than once a day. She loves these children like her own and it's obvious that she is thrilled for the opportunity to be able to send them to school! What an honor and a privilege we have to be able to help with that dream.
Here's the newest breakdown - and gameplan:
Instead of focusing on getting all of the kids sponsored through graduation right away, we've decided to focus on getting the 4 kids enrolled as soon as possible. The next term begins in May. Mary could be leaving Ghana to bring Eli home as soon as next weekend. She will be staying in the US for a month when she comes, and she needs to pay the school fees before she leaves the country. That means that the race is on! The sooner we raise the entrance fees, the sooner the children begin attending high school.
- In order for all 4 children to enter high school next month, we need $2,200 total.
- We have currently raised $1,830.
If we can raise the remaining $370 by FRIDAY (44 hours from now):
Baba, Lordina, Priscilla, and Abigail will finally be able to join their peers and begin high school at the beginning of the next term in May! Praise God!
Baba, Lordina, Priscilla, and Abigail will finally be able to join their peers and begin high school at the beginning of the next term in May! Praise God!
As citizens of a country where education is viewed as a right and not as a privilege, I think it's more difficult for us grasp what an enormous blessing it will be for these children to be able to attend school. The gift of education will allow them to experience independence, success, fulfillment, and pride - some for the first time. It will open doors to opportunities and possibilities that, as orphans, they never knew existed. As a teacher, I firmly believe that education can equip and empower these children to break the cycle of poverty, realize their full potential, and make an impact on our world.
I have long held the {often controversial} belief that God did not create too many people and not enough resources. These children do not deserve to be forgotten. Scripture {and good old fashioned generosity} commands us to love, share, give, and even sacrifice. Will you please join me in praying about how you may be able to help meet this immediate need? Honestly, every little bit helps.
I am praying confidently and believing boldly that, by Friday, we will have the money that we need to send all 4 of these precious children to high school next month.
In the words of Mary,
ALL praise be unto His name. AMEN!
I have long held the {often controversial} belief that God did not create too many people and not enough resources. These children do not deserve to be forgotten. Scripture {and good old fashioned generosity} commands us to love, share, give, and even sacrifice. Will you please join me in praying about how you may be able to help meet this immediate need? Honestly, every little bit helps.
I am praying confidently and believing boldly that, by Friday, we will have the money that we need to send all 4 of these precious children to high school next month.
In the words of Mary,
ALL praise be unto His name. AMEN!