God's Open Door

            

God's open Door -

      When Connie and I began the process of pursuing our orphanage license, we were confident we would be embraced by the government of Ghana, specifically the Regional Dept. of Social Welfare in Kumasi. We were wrong. Instead, we were soundly denied! Ouch!

As the Regional Director sat across from us, our ears heard this emphatic word of denial, and the shock was written all over our faces. He then added the statement, "If you don't believe me, I will give you the name of the National Director. She will tell you the same thing." So, we took the number for the National Director, and we were on our way. We were now on the long journey to the National level for confirmation of our denial. Undaunted and believing God, we met with the National Director. We were again told that no orphanages or children’s homes were being approved in Ghana. In fact, they are closing many down for legitimate reasons. 

     BUT!  In the same breath the director told us no, she said, “But, if you would consider taking care of Children with Special Needs, I will approve you right now!” I gripped Connie's hand and my spirit was stirred. Where one door was closed, our faithful God opened another! He personally spoke to us through the Director and revealed His great plan to us! What an awesome God! We are being given the privilege of caring for children with Autism, Down syndrome, and various Physical disabilities.

At this time, we are in the process of documentation with the government and it is just a matter of time before we open. We are waiting on our heavenly Father to give us our first children, and more specifically, Children with Special Needs. It will be a full-time commitment of God's love and extra special care.

As our Pastor has told us, "Jesus never said it would be easy; but He said it would be worth it." Yes, we know it will be difficult. Yes. we know it will be a 24/7 commitment. But, watching over us, we have a God of limitless possibilities, a God of infinite love, and a God who is personally present and involved. Yes, it will be worth it!

We ask that you would please join us in prayer that God’s will would be done, and His dear children coming to live with us would find  A Home, A Hope, A Future @ Step By Step Worldwide Ministries. If you are willing to help us in any way, or even be a permanent part of this great call of God, please contact us on our webpage www.stepbystepworldwide.org or on our Facebook page at "Step By Step Worldwide Ministries - A Home, A Hope, A Future."  - Papa John

SPIRIT CHILDREN -

SPIRIT CHILDREN -

     In recent weeks, after hearing first hand some saddening stories about the plight of "Children with Special Needs" in Ghana, I began researching past and present news articles, blogs, and commentary to gain understanding on why many parents make horrific and desperate decisions affecting the lives of these beautiful children. I found some unsettling stories that helped me understand why God has directed Step By Step to this area of need. 

     In Ghana, traditional views and superstitions within the family, along with a government infrastructure that has no programs, resources, or services to offer, has left the parents emotionally and financially "burdened" with these children. Sadly, many parents turn to evil and have resorted to extreme solutions to ease their plight. Many children, even newborns are abandoned, but in one article I read from 2013, it was not uncommon in some rural areas of Northern Ghana to see parents label their children born with deformities and mental disabilities as "spirit children" and as a result, the children would be put to death. [Since the publishing of the article, leaders in Northern Ghana publicly abolished the practice of ritual killings for children with special needs thought to have an "evil spirit".] But, the problem still exists in the shadows and what instances there are, they are spoken only and not reported.

     This group of children with disabilities are the least of these, the throwaways, the burdensome, the imperfect. There are spoken but undocumented cases of these helpless infants and children, where the families label the deformed, the disabled, or any child with special needs as a "spirit child", and in secrecy, kill the infant or child to spare the parents of a supposed curse.       

     These parents are faced with the possibility of being stigmatized in the community. Most killings were done privately. In many cases, traditional "fetish" priests were called upon to carry out the act in the name of delivering the family and home of an evil spirit.

"We cannot take care of children with special needs or disabilities so the best option is to do away with such a child at birth." - Brekum Kosie (2013 article source)

     According to one article, law enforcement is not officially notified and those who are involved or have knowledge of the barbaric act, speak anonymously.

After being “labeled”, these "spirit children" are discarded as worthless and evil, and families just move on after the child's life is taken
     Even though "Spirit Child" killings have been exposed and addressed, the abandoning of these special kids is increasing at an alarming rate. Just recently, an article on firstdigitalghana.com stated the Kumasi Children's Home was receiving abandoned disabled infants or children at a rate of at least two every week, since January of 2015. I was told of one abandonment where a five day old baby was just left at their gate.

     Even now, since there are no government programs or resources to care for children with special needs, and in the most developed communities, these special and beautiful kids and babies are being abandoned under cover of night, at police stations, orphanages, and children's homes, with no record of where the child came from, or whom the child belongs to.

The Children's homes and orphanages who are relying on private donations and offerings from the public are ill-equipped to handle the additional children since donations are not keeping up with the influx. Yet beyond the difficulties and burdens of the institutions shouldering the crisis, the ones who are suffering the most are the abandoned ones who never make it to the doors of these refuges; and these children are living without the most basic need, love. 

Oh Lord, help us!

     As God establishes Step By Step Worldwide Ministries in Ghana, and He gives us these "special Kids" to love, please join us in prayer for the children, the "least of these" that we will gain continued understanding on how to provide them with a Home, A Hope, A Future.

- Papa John

www.stepbystepworldwide.org  

On Facebook - Step By Step Worldwide Ministries "A Home, A Hope, A Future"

quoted sources:

http://thinkbrigade.com/africa/special-needs-children-killed-in-northern-ghana

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-22335634

http://rawgist.com/authorities-at-kumasi-orphanage-decry-influx-of-abandoned-children/

http://www.firstdigitalghana.com/kumasi-childrens-home-turns-dumping-ground-for-mentally-ill-children/

The Favor of God

     Thursday February 25,2016  was a day of divine encouragement. Michael and I both prayed that the Lord would bless our day with His favor. It was a day filled with different unique circumstances that showed God's hand upon Step By Step Worldwide Ministries .


We had the favor of God.

     While on our way from picking up an important document at the Court House and mailing it out, we began receiving  comments on our Step By Step t-shirts. We really thought that was great! As we continued our journey, we met a man who had a small clothing kiosk. He stopped us because of what he read on our shirts. To our surprise he said he would like to give us some brand new clothes for our children! We thanked him and explained that we are still in the process of opening our children's home. He said when we are ready that we should come and see him again. We were so amazed at what was happening!

     Continuing on our days journey, we went to pick up some things at the store. A man who worked there approached us because of what he read on our t-shirts,asking if we have visited any churches to let people know about the purpose of our ministry. We explained to him that we have not started speaking in churches at this time. He said he would like talk to his Pastor and ask him to invite us when the time was right. Wow, we were blown away! Just moments later, when we were checking out at the cash register, the manager told us that when we were ready to buy items for the children's orphanage that he would give us a discount! We were floating at about that time.



Michael wearing our Step By Step t-shirt.

     Well it was getting later in the day and we decided to get a little bite to eat, so we walked over to our favorite little eating spot. While we were sitting there, a man next to us was getting up to leave. He walked over to our table and asked about what was written on our t-shirts, so we explained it to him. He then said that he would like to pay for our lunch! He gave us much, much, more than our lunch had cost. We couldn't thank him enough. We were in shock! We never got his name but we will never forget the hand of God's favor demonstrated through him. As the man walked away Michael and I just looked at each other in awe of what God had just done. We gave thanks. It was a very important moment where we recognized the favor of God. What a day of encouragement! To God be all the glory! Thanks for coming along with us on our journey... Connie