Brilliant!

40 kilometers down the paved road toward Aflao and then a kilometer east into the bush to the Togo border to get to the Brilliant Academy.  The academy is really 3 roofs. One is tin and two are thatch.

When our van sputtered to a stop, we had the undivided attention of one sixty something young people who should have been paying attention to their studies.  Once out of the van, we were greeted by the proprietor and headmaster, John Doe.  We crossed the compound to visit the bore hole we commissioned in November.  I even actuated the pump to prove to Doug and Mike that it actually functioned and wasn’t just a lawn ornament.  The whole time, those beautiful little faces tracked us across the compound.

As we turned from the pump and headed toward the closest classroom, the nervous energy under the thatch roof was palpable.  It was at a fever pitch when we finally ducked under the tired thatch roof so we could enter the class.  As is custom, all of the children stood to acknowledge us and then returned to their seats sitting on stools, two to a desk.

As I was introducing Mike to the teacher, I realized that all of those “brilliant” faces we directed at me.  I said, “Do you know me? Do you know my name?”

A little boy with a giant grin jumps to his feet and shouts, “YES, You are Ken KAIZZZZA”

There’s a million reasons to quit doing what I do.  I seem to be able to find a dozen on any given day.  But just then like it says in Galations 6:9, “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”

What an amazing blessing!  When I close my eyes, I can still see that beaming smile and hear that angelic little voice.  Months of effort and weeks of preparation and the moment goes by in an instant.  I still think I got a good deal.  I’ll likely never see the problems of Africa fixed like my friends often teasingly remind me, but I’m making a difference in the life of at least one little guy.

 /Ken

Children of the King

It started after church with a group of children teaching me to say “What is your name?” in Ewe (it is something like “une cor enu n daa”) and ended with them teaching me a song -

We are the hands of God

We are the feet of God

We are children of the Kingdom

We are one.

God encounters in Africa seem always seem to come in unexpected ways.  After church we headed to a village named Kpordoave.  After stopping by the large pond that was previously used by the village for bathing (both people and cows), irrigation, swimming and drinking water;  we went to greet the village chief and see the new well.  As the clean water was pumped the people raised their hands and shouted.  The joy in their eyes and the laughter of the children as they scooped the water into their mouths brought back the words of the young children in the church.  We at EHBC have been privileged to be the hands and feet of God.  Soon there will be a church in this village.  We get to see the Kingdom of God.

From meeting a group of incredible pastors who give their life for the Kingdom to the children who sing that we are one, Ghana is a place where God is showing His love.

Thankful for the opportunity

Mike (guest of the Ghana team)

A Ghana presentation for Fay-El…

Fayetteville Elementary 3rd Graders

On Friday, December 4th,  Ken and I were able to go to Fayetteville Elementary school to give a presentation to the third grade classes.   Studying Ghana is part of the 3rd grade curriculum.  This was a special treat for us, as our son, Timmy is in Mrs. Zullo’s third grade class there!

We showed the children pictures and explained a little about life in Ghana.  We showed them pictures of the many types of homes, pictures of the city, of farming and of the schools. 

The Fay-El 3rd graders had written letters to the school children in Ghana, which we took with us on our trip in November.  They were so excited to see pictures of the Ghanaian schoolchildren holding up their letters!  The children asked many good questions, and seemed to enjoy the presentation.  We then took some time to show them some things that we have brought home from our trips to Ghana.  We showed them Kente cloth, beads, baskets, and our drum… which was definitely their favorite thing!

We look forward to seeing the Mott Rd. 3rd graders on Friday and giving the same presentation!!

~Julie

Kathy Schreiber’s reflections on the Lake Trip…

November 29, 2009

Kete Krachi/Lake Volta – 

If this was the only reason we came….. 

I find myself repeating that phrase over and over as I recall and recount our recent trip to Kete Krachi on Lake Volta.  

Four days prior to our departure for Ghana I received an email from Kofi Achibra asking permission for a couple to ride with us to Kete Krachi.  Without hesitation I said yes, not knowing who they were.  A young American couple, Ben a 4^th year medical student spending the next 2 months at the Kete Krachi Hospital and his wife Laura a consultant for Touch A Life that would be researching and writing a grant for federal funding from the US Department of Human Trafficking to support and expand the work being done on the lake, would join us on our journey.  The hours spent in conversation with them and the 4 Ghanaians we brought about culture, churches in Ghana, the Ghanaian Government and Social Work system, foster care and rehabilitative counseling were beneficial to Laura in her work.  As she put it, the time spent with all of you gave me insights that would have taken weeks otherwise.  My work here has been helped greatly by your presence and collective wisdom.  If this was the only reason we came… 

A conversation with Victoria late Sunday afternoon about what she had seen both on the lake, in the foster home and with the Achibra family and their work culminated with the following paraphrased response – The work that the Achibra family is doing here, we should and must support and encourage.  It is a good work.  But I too must go home and in my own area begin doing something.  I can make a small meal and take it to the orphanage near by.  I can share some of my own clothing, though I have little, with the women in prison that have none. –  Developing a heart of giving even in the midst of poverty. If this was the only reason we came… 

Albright was adamant while visiting the foster home, Jantsen’s House, that the children needed a “mother”, someone who was there fulltime to love them, care for them, provide rehabilitative counseling, a good role model and life skills.  He felt so strongly he even suggested that he might have to come to do this himself if no one else could be found.  When we returned to the rest of our travel team in Ho a woman who had attended the conference told me about Agnes.  Agnes told her she had retired from teaching but felt called to teach again but this time, at an orphanage.  When I relayed this information to Albright a grin spread across his entire face.  “I know Agnes.  Her application is on my desk to attend a training program.  The very program I said was so vital to the children.”  Albright interviewed Agnes earlier this week.  She has been trained in full time ministry, teaching, counseling and was Regional Coordinator for the Christian Mothers’ Association, the very thing he had said was so needed.  If this was the only reason we came…. 

A delicate, personal and intimate conversation between 2 Americans who had just met on a van 5,100+ miles from US soil occurred during the long bumpy road to Kete Krachi.  It ended in tears, prayer and the declaration from one to the other “God has a plan” for you.  If this was the only reason we came…. 

32 children that had been trafficked, beaten, mistreated and abused all gathered together with the 7 of us, the 3 people that care for them and the American couple listening together to a retelling of the story of Joseph.  Joseph, like them, had been sold into slavery by his family, mistreated, falsely accused and yet was right in the midst of God’s plan for him.  God has a plan.  This was repeated over and over, if not for the children, then for each of us.  The children were encouraged to thank God for their rescue, to forgive those who had mistreated them and then pray for those who were caring for them now.  The collective prayers were loud, intense and sincere.  If this was the only reason we came…. 

God has a plan for each of us.  For me, I want to live daily with the realization that He is ordering my steps just as plainly here in CNY as He did in Kete Krachi.  And if that was the only reason we came – it is enough.  

-Kathy 
 

http://picasaweb.google.com/kasokie/LakeVoltaKeteKrachi?feat=email#

Ghana get together Sunday Nov. 22 @ 12:30 in Building 10

Please join us at 12:30 on Sunday November 22 @ 12:30 at EHBC’s building 10 (Next to the administration building) to see pictures of our trip and ask questions.  We are excited to tell you all about it!!

Day 9, Nov. 20… Home, safe and sound!

We all received wake up calls at 5:30am… and met in the hotel lobby for breakfast at 6am. 

Packing the bus to head to the airport... saying good-bye to our friends.

We piled all of our luggage back into the bus and headed to the airport around 7am.  We quickly said good-bye to our Ghanaian friends and headed inside.  After checking our bags and numerous security checks, we climbed the stairs onto Delta flight 167 heading to JFK.  We left the Accra airport at 9:55am, Ghana time, and arrived at JFK at 3:45pm EST. (almost 11 hours!) We retrieved our bags, rechecked them and then headed to gate 23.  We all boarded at about 6:30pm, and arrived safely in Syracuse around 8pm… to a huge crowd at the airport waiting for us!

Thank you all so much for all of your prayers and support.  This trip would not be possible if it were not for you!!!

More pictures are posted on the picasa link…

http://picasaweb.google.com/jakaiser8/GhanaNovember2009?feat=directlink

~ Julie

Day 8, November 19, 2009

Today we woke up, had our last breakfast at the Freedom Hotel Restaurant, and packed up our bags to head to Accra.  We said some tearful good-byes to our Ghanaian friends who would not be traveling with us.

We packed all of our belonging into the back of the bus, and loaded up bus and van and headed out.  I was in the van, behind the bus and it was funny to see a large bright orange “Syracuse Lacrosse” duffle bag in the back of the bus!

Ken, Kathy, Francis and Albright headed directly to Accra in Francis’ car for a special  meeting with The Great Commission Movement of Ghana, a ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ, Intl.

The rest of us drove “very far” to the town of Keta to see Fort Prinzenstein, an old slave fort on the coast of Ghana.  It is crumbling and 2/3’s of it has been washed into the sea… but many of the dungeons where slaves were kept are still intact.  We had a wonderful guide who explained the journey of a slave from the fort to the slave ships.  It was very sad, and very humbling.

One of the walls at Ft. Prinzenstein that is still standing.

 

A story written on the wall....

 

2/3 of the fort has been washed away by the sea.

We also had a brief visit with Pastor Daniel’s daughter, Rejoice, who attends school in Keta, and stays with extended family there.  She is a beautiful, intelligent girl, and I was so happy to have a chance to see her again.

Julie with Rejoice, Pastor Daniel's oldest daughter.

We then continued on to Accra, and arrived at the Shagri La Hotel close to 5 pm.  We quickly checked in and piled on the bus to go to the market.  Darkness was quickly approaching, so we only had a few minutes to make purchases.  As soon as we entered the marketplace, we were surrounded by shouting salesmen and salesgirls pitching their products and banging on drums to demonstrate.  It was very overwhelming!  With the help of Johnny and Wilson, we quickly made a few purchases and headed back to the Hotel.  We ate a quick dinner at the Chinese Restaurant there, and piled back in the bus to head to Pastor Thomas’ church (right in Accra) for our farewell church service.  We returned to the Hotel around 10pm.

Dressed in our Ghanaian garb at the church service in Accra

~ Julie

Day 7, cont…

After visiting the villages of Sanyi and Worta Eta Kope, we arrived back at our hotel in Ho for a brief swim.  We then piled back into the van and bus for a quick ride to Pastor Francis’ home.  It was already dark when we arrived.  Several tables were arranged in the front yard, lit up only by the electric lights on the front of the house.  We were served a wonderful dinner of rice, chicken, vegetables, potato fries and goat meat.  It was delicious and served with love by our Ghanaian friends.  After we ate, we mingled with our friends and enjoyed playing with the children and babies.  We were excited to meet and hold 2 month old Kobla Francis, Pastor Francis’ first grandson.

Julie with baby Francis, Pastor Francis' first grandchild

 

Lizzy and Kelsey with babies wrapped on their backs.

We were all given gifts… beautiful dresses for the women made by the sewing school students… and shirts for the men, also made by the students.  Some of us put on our dresses and modeled them for our friends… they were thrilled.  Perry and Linda sang a beautiful hymn… and we sang our Ewe songs that Pastor Samuel had taught us.  It was a wonderful time of fellowship.  We returned to the hotel to prepare for our long journey to Accra in the morning.

Kelsey, Lizzy, Rachel, Amber, Jes and Julie model their new dresses

~Julie

Sybil, November 17, 2009

(Sybil spent the first few days of our trip at Kete Krachi with Kathy, Scott, Felicia, Victoria and Pastor Williams and returned Monday Nov. 16th)

Greetings to all of you!

I was not going to get into a boat and go out on Lake Volta, but Gearge Achibra from Jantsen’s House had a different idea.  I went.   It was awesome!

We returned to Ho from Kete Krachi on Monday, and Tuesday we visited Felicia’s school and gave the books to them that were made by the FM school children.  We also gave them school supplies and letters written by other FM school children.

Then Kathy and I met with women who had received microloans.  We were enthusiastically greeted by Keaka at her business at the market.  She was among the first group of women to receive loans.  She has done well.  Bernice has expanded to three locations.

Elizabeth told us that in her village, women who received loans… even small amounts of $150.00 or less… divided their money with other women so that more had opportunity.

Dora just received her loan.  While very thankful, she expressed the need for a larger amount because it is a very  small start.  I asked Dora if there was $10.00 more to be split between herself and two other women, what would she do?  Her response was that she would give it all to them so they they would also have opportunity.

You, as you have given, have made a difference in these women’s lives!

Akpenawo (Thank you!)

Sybil

 

Day 7, November 18, 2009

Well we woke up this morning and it was hot and sunny and humid.  Another beautiful Ghanaian day.  We left the hotel at 9am or so… hey, this is Africa so no one watches the clock too closely.  Our agenda for the day was to stop at a village to visit and give meds, then on to the village of Worta to dedicate a bore hole that EHBC funded from the Advent Conspiracy last Christmas.  After that it is dinner at Pastor Francis’ house in the evening.

The first village we stopped at, Sanyi,   was not full as it was market day… so many people were not there.  We exchanged introductions, had some drum music, handed out meds for parasites, and mosquito nets.  We were only in the village for about 2 hours.

Next on to Worta eta Kope,  this village was one of 5 bore holes funded by EHBC from last Christmas fund-raiser.  As we pulled into the village there was a grass shelter (which was a temporary shelter) constructed in a square with the center open for sunlight and dancing.  The music and drums were all ready rocking.  The children met the bus at the very entrance to the village.   I have spent most of my time at the conferences and not in the villages, but this village looked different from any other I had seen.  The houses were farther apart, and there were more cement houses and fewer mud houses.  It looked cleaner in some way, although everything was clay?  The bore hole was roped off with a ribbon and the pump sat ready to go into action. 

We entered the shelter and found our chairs as the women danced to the amazing rhythm of the drums.  You just can’t keep your feet still with those drums.  The next major thing was the entrance of the Village Chief and other Chiefs of the village and the villages around Worta eta Kope.  They were led in by what looked like a VooDoo witch doctor.  He had a hat of small skulls and horns and stabbed at the ground with a large knife as others danced around him.  They said he was clearing the bad spirits away so the Chief could walk.  They sheltered the Chiefs with two large umbrellas that were bright red and orange.

 

We went through the usual introductions and prayers to start of the meeting.  Then they picked the Chairman of the Meeting, which is a great honor.  Then Doug Bullock, gave a short speech and scripture lesson on “living water”.  He also told how this village was selected after a visit by Ken and Kyle Pipes two years ago.

"Chief of Developement" Doug Bullock, along with the village chief and Doug's newly appointed advisors... Kathy Schreiber, Mark Hebert, Ken Kaiser and Mick Keville

The next exciting thing was that Doug was made a Chief of the Village, Chief of Development!  They took him around the building and he dressed up in the typical African robe and got a crown and came back into the shelter led by the village soccer team (which was wearing Cazenovia soccer jerseys).  At this time now Doug sat with the Village Chiefs and not with the rest of the mission team.

There was a lot more dancing and even I got up and into the middle to dance to the drums (Doc Reed made me to it!)  As a part of the celebration, Perry Morgan and Lynda Morgan sang a song and as soon as Lynda sang out and they heard her voice they all reacted and it was soo nice!

Then the Chief of Development and the Chief of the Village went to cut the ribbon and dedicate the well.  We pumped some water and Kathy Schreiber was the first to drink from the new well.

Cutting the ribbon...

Then we handed out the medicine and nets and this was the first time for me to do this.  What a feeling of giving life to someone?  It is too difficult to explain but I feel blessed to be a part of it.

On the drive back to the Hotel, a Ghana friend asked what I would tell my friends back in the US about Ghana.  I said I would try to tell them everything, but knowing I cannot tell it as richly as I have lived it.  This is truly an amazing experience and has enriched my life greatly.

We got back to the hotel (after rescuing a woman and her child from a motorcycle accident) in time for quick swim before dinner.  We ate at Francis” house with all the other FIGA Pastors, wives, and church members that wanted to come.  Again we prayed, we had singing and we enjoyed each others company.  Gifts were given to everyone to end the night.

What a great day in Ghana, God is Good!!!

Perry Harvey