On Monday July 15th our day was planned. Gloria, my guide for the day, and I would go to Kumasi, pick up provisions for the “Step By Step” mission house, then in the afternoon we would rendezvous with friends from church for a tour through two local orphanages.
Soon after arriving downtown in our taxi, we hopped out into a busy section of town and just started walking. It is a constant game of dodging people and cars as you weave back and forth to your destination. The roads are jammed with people, cars, buses, and motorbikes.
And even as we walked I knew within my heart, that in all the busyness, God had something to show me today. Everything has a purpose. My heavenly Father wanted me to see what He sees.
The closer we got to the bustling market area, the more densely populated it became. People were going to and fro, buying, selling, shipping, and delivering. It was the market district. It is an incredible experience; everything you would ever need or want, available along the way, on the sidewalks, small boutique-like shops, street vendors and even department stores.
As we were moving briskly toward our destination I came upon an old man, sitting on the pavement, no mat, barely a shirt on and no coverings on his feet. His spindly legs were gnarled and twisted to such a degree that as he sat with legs folded, the bottoms of his feet faced skyward. He was all by himself, ignored by everyone going about their day. This was his day, “everyday.”
I began to walk by just like all the rest but that “still small voice” said, "Stop for him" So I turned around went back and sat beside him. He didn't understand English well but when I put my hands together "palm to palm" and asked him if I could pray for him he understood and nodded his head. I had such compassion and love for this man. As I prayed for him, he nodded his head again in support and with the whimper of a “yes-yes” in his voice agreed with me in prayer. I gave him a hug, left him some money and I was on my way again. I made a decision today to stop for them all. This is my people. It was the beginning of a day of seeing things through God’s eyes.
As our errands were completed we made the phone call to rendezvous with our friends who would escort us to the two orphanages. Our first destination was a government run institution overseen by the Dept. of Social Services. We decided to make it a casual visit and just ask questions about their day in/day out experiences and some advice on how we can succeed at Step By Step. It was “open to the public” as a sign read at the entrance.
As we entered, we saw a sprawling complex of buildings, barracks, football field, and playground. The campus was well laid out. We parked the car and went into the administration building to check-in. As soon as we entered the office I knew God was showing me something important. The receptionist was sleeping at her desk head down and the administrator or “supervisor” was sitting on a couch watching T.V. We pushed aside our dismay knowing our purpose was to seek knowledge and information for our own children from the staff. Well, we introduced ourselves and without much of an explanation, were referred to the Dept. of Social Services. Confidential information they told us rather abruptly.
We said our goodbyes and left the office. While outside, we met some people who were friends with Mavis Kodua, who with her husband, brought us to the orphanages. As I was just standing there, the Lord said to me, “Look around and see what I see.” Well beyond us was a group of American teenagers interacting and playing games with a group of Orphans from the home. There was a group of staffers being trained in a gazebo down the hillside from the offices, and then, there was this one mentally challenged boy sitting all by himself on the ground. While everyone was occupied, this boy sat in his own little world with no one to be loved by or interact with. Immediately, the LORD spoke to me. “Do you see what I see?” I looked at the boy, very much like the man I saw in Downtown Kumasi earlier, contorted and lonely, just sitting there excluded, completely distanced from anyone. Then a young girl walked by him. Following behind her were two cute little puppies. She walked by the boy with not as much as a glance. The puppies had her eye. Looking at the boy I caught his attention. He looked at me and I waved to him. He was delighted and as he could, waved back with excitement. As we finished our time there, Mavis apologized to me about not being to gather information. I told her, I saw much today. God is here. We got back in our car and headed out. It was late afternoon and we still had one more stop. As we backed-up to pull out of the lot, I rolled down my window and looked back at my young friend. He was still alone. But again I caught his eye and waved. With the biggest and happiest smile, he made his best effort to wave back. I kept waving as we left until he couldn’t see me any longer. We were on our way to a Muslim orphanage. As we drove off, Mavis was still apologetic about our failure to receive any information. I told her, God showed me what He wanted me to see. It was more than I could have hoped for.
It was approaching dusk when we arrived at the next orphanage. This was a Muslim institution and we were not sure how they would receive us. As we approached the entrance, children rushed the gate and opened it wide for us. Their smiles said it all. There was something different here. We pulled in and were greeted with a huge smile by Ibrahim, the administrator of the orphanage. He is a tall lanky man, originally from Iraq, and he and his elderly father live on the grounds. His infectious smile just put us all at ease. We made our introductions and stated our mission that we wanted to see how they operated the orphanage. I looked around, and again the Lord spoke, “Do you see what I see?” The children I saw were happy. They look loved. They smiled and continually waved to us as they went about preparing for their evening prayer time. Ibrahim walked us around the entire complex, showing us the dorms, school, dinner hall and residence houses for the staff and his family. They have a school right on the grounds and provide free education for all. Since there were one-hundred twenty-three boys and twenty-one girls, the girls live with mothers off campus. They join the others every day for school, and fellowship. The older ones mentor the younger ones as big brothers and sisters. Even with this info and seeing the various buildings, this is not what God was showing me. He said, ‘See what I see.” I immediately saw it! My Father was here with me. He was here with the children. There was joy, a childlike atmosphere as they interacted and freely enjoyed each other. I looked at Ibrahim with tears in my eyes and told him I loved him. We embraced. This man loved his children. He was not just an administrator with a 9-5 job. These were his children. God said to me, “This is what I wanted you to see. You are to do the same. Love them all with My love. Let not one be missing from your sight. Be a shepherd and father to all my children and love them unconditionally. This is My will for you.”
I realized today that God met me as that man on the pavement, and he met me at the orphanage as that boy alone on the ground, He met me and walked with me as He showed me around the second orphanage. He met me as a man named Ibrahim. He showed me it is all about loving the children He puts in front of us. Whether they are young or old, they are precious in His sight. I will love them all my Papa. I will love them with your love. – John Michael (Papa John)
