Ghana
Directly across the street from the main market in Ho, a middle-aged woman named Olivia manages a small shop. Although she works hard in the shop, her heart belongs to a program for street children that she runs. She did not seek to run the program but found that God laid it at her feet.
From September 2007 through June 2008, Young Adult Volunteer Kristy Miller helped Olivia with the children who participate two afternoons each week. Many live in the market by working for or stealing for others. At night they curl up to sleep under the market shacks. They come to the program as young as three and as old as eighteen for just a moment in their week when they can know joy, fun, and safety. They come to the program weary, and yet as early as the second day begin to show signs of trust, so hopeful that someone might care about them.
Kristy led lessons or games. More important to her than lesson plans was that she sought to be a visible demonstration of God’s love for these children. In that way she wanted to be a positive part of their lives.
Olivia says that the supporters of the program have been able to sponsor several children all the way through secondary school. The children currently in the program are able to learn a trade or have a chance at a job and a life more of their choosing. In the past, the number of kids they have been able to sponsor has depended on how much money could be raised and how much Olivia’s little shop made, but now the program is supported by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana. The German Bremen mission is seeking funds to construct a building in which to house the program.
Partners/Ministries
Presbyterian Church of Ghana: Rev. Dr. Yaw Frimpong-Manso, moderator, Rev. Herbert Opong, clerk of General Assembly Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana: Rev. Livingstone Buama, moderator, Rev. Frank K. Anku, synod clerk, Mrs. Lydia Adajawah, presbyter executive
Christian Council of Ghana
PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
Elder Ben Blake, PILP
Betsy Blocker, PILP
Loving God, thank you for the people of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana and the Presbyterian Church of Ghana. We ask your continued blessing on them as they seek to reach out to others in your name. Amen.
Ps. 56, 149 Ps. 118, 111
Isa. 46:1–13
Eph. 6:10–24; Mark 5:1–20
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