September Update

Hello again to all,

I still can’t believe I am writing to you from across the Atlantic. Things over here don’t seem much different than home, apart from the accent of course and maybe the architecture. The children have adjusted very well and I don’t think the new countries have fazed them at all. They have been enjoying the different foods and learning new accents. One of the great things about seeing the world with African children, is that they have such a humble look on life. We have been able to do such exciting things together that I would have had fun with, but seeing everything with these children has opened my eyes. They have done things that they have never heard of before. Ride on cable cars and seeing the Stadium of Light in Sunderland. At least most of us have heard of such things.

These children had never heard of cable cars, and at home, they would have

had no chance of riding one. No bucket list to experience before they die, because they never thought they would leave their village. Now, what a treat, their minds have been lifted to new ideas and possibilities. If a glass bubble can be lifted up the mountain by a wire, what other things can be invented? The children just want to know everything and they are constantly asking questions. How does this work? Or, what is that? It is fascinating to watch their minds grow on tour.

We have also been fortunate to see Sunderland v. Manchester City at the Stadium of Light. What a great experience. I was sitting next to some of the loudest boys, who could shout the whole game and one of the quietest girls who still went wild at the end. I must admit, I am not the most excited person when it comes to football “soccer” but what an experience. We first took pictures on the field “pitch” with John Mensa, one of the players on the Ghana World Cup Team. And then later in the game, we watched him score the

winning goal at the net by our seats. We were in the action. The whole game nothing happened, but people getting hurt and being carried off the field by stretchers until the very last minute. During that last minute of overtime, Mensa scored the only goal on a penalty shot to win the whole game. That quite little girl sitting beside me was not so quite when that goal was shot. She jumped from her seat and began yelling and screaming. She became a completely different person.

We have been having great fun, but those joys don’t come without our service to God. Recently, we have been able to reach out to the communities of Balham, London and Easton, Bristol and several others. These places have not only been a blessing to us, but I hope we have been able to change their lives in a small way. Both of these communities are very multicultural and some places we’ve been in really need God’s love. As chaperons even coming in from the bus to setup for a concert, we have been able to talk to the homeless. I pray that joy has come from our faces as we tell of the concert that night and the strength these children have. Only God knows the true impact we have had, but isn’t sharing the gospel what Jesus was saying in all of his lessons?

Lastly, I want to thank all of you for keeping these children and this team in your prayers. Thank you for supporting me, even just during talks. I cannot begin to explain all the ways I have been encouraged just by talking with friends during this tour. God has a plan for Africa. He will not let these amazing people go.

May God bless you, now and forever

“Auntie Jamie”

First few days in England

Oh my word have we been enjoying our stay in the UK. Upon arriving in England we were welcomed for a five night stay in Hartlepool. There they treated us like Kings and Queens. Everything fun was planned and the children did not have one boring moment. We saw one of the oldest ships in England, the Trincomali. This ship was built for the British Navy in the 1700s. During that time, people would not enlist in the Navy, so the sailors would come into villages and capture men. Once on the ship, these men were forced to work for little pay, if any at all, and would be fed maggot infested food and rock hard bread. It was a very good example of how far we've come.

That afternoon, we sang the half time show for the Hartlepool Football Club. And then the next day went to see the Sunderland Football game against Manchester City. Before this game, we were invited on the pitch to take pictures with John Mensa. Mensa was one of the players on the Ghana World Cup Team. What a first impression at that 30,000 seat stadium. Sunderland even won with one goal during the last minute, in over time, on a penalty shot. The crowd went wild. It was so great to experience all of this with the children. During the Sunderland game I was sitting with Rebecca who did not say one word the whole game until that last minute when the goal was made. At that sight, she jumped a foot from her chair and screamed. Thank you Hartlepool for a great five days!!!!