Once we arrived, we were greeted by Samuel “Baffo” who joined the Hand In Hand Community in 1998 and used his entrepreneurial skills
to help establish many amenities in the village and nearby town. He gave us an
amazing tour. As he led us around, Connie and I were in awe of the warm and
peaceful surroundings. The residents and devoted caretakers have a
paradise of sorts where they can live and thrive in their abilities and newly acquired
skills.
We met many of the children and older residents along the way, and they
beamed with delight at our presence. The smiles and hugs were full of love.
We were in the midst of 97 angels!
As Ineke and Bob shared their experiences and opened their life up to us,
we knew we were in a special place establishing a lasting relationship with two
very humble and loving people.
Connie and I came away with so much more than we expected. We overcame
fears and a lingering doubt in the back of our minds. We now understood we
cannot rely on our abilities. We must cling to and trust in God's limitless
abilities. It is the availability of our hearts that matters to God. So instead
of giving place to unbelief, we received a resounding confirmation from Him
that we’re right on schedule. His will is being accomplished.
He is preparing us for His plan, implanting His own love in us for the children to come. He has gone before us. We believe. His timing is perfect.
1 Corinthians 13:7-8a, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” ........Never!
As Connie and I continue to take the steps of faith God has given
us, we are moving confidently through the processes and requirements given to us by the government of Ghana.
We are believing soon, God will open the door for our own children and the future He has waiting.
While there, we were honored to meet the founder, Dr. Ineke Bosman, and her
wonderful husband Bob Maram. We sat with them and gleaned wisdom from their 25
years of caring and loving "The least of these" as Jesus spoke in
Matthew 25:40. Not only did we fall in love with the children, but our love for
these two genuine people who have given their lives to the Hand In Hand children,
cannot be adequately expressed.
As Ineke and Bob shared their experiences and opened their life up to us,
we knew we were in a special place establishing a lasting relationship with two
very humble and loving people.
For most of the afternoon, but not nearly enough time, we heard testimony
of their beginnings, the rough road of challenges and the joy in ultimate
victories. We witnessed the love they had for their children, and the love their
children had for them. It was an experience Connie and I will cherish forever.
As we made preparations to leave, there was a longing to stay. The Hand In
Hand Community that Ineke and Bob cultivated over the years does that to you.
When the time came, our dear new friends invited us back and walked with us
to the front. As we got into our car, fastened our seatbelts, and prepared to drive out through the gate, I almost hoped the car wouldn’t start. But,
deep inside I knew my God had something good for us to wait for.
Connie and I came away with so much more than we expected. We overcame
fears and a lingering doubt in the back of our minds. We now understood we
cannot rely on our abilities. We must cling to and trust in God's limitless
abilities. It is the availability of our hearts that matters to God. So instead
of giving place to unbelief, we received a resounding confirmation from Him
that we’re right on schedule. His will is being accomplished.He is preparing us for His plan, implanting His own love in us for the children to come. He has gone before us. We believe. His timing is perfect.
1 Corinthians 13:7-8a, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” ........Never!
As Connie and I continue to take the steps of faith God has given
us, we are moving confidently through the processes and requirements given to us by the government of Ghana. We are believing soon, God will open the door for our own children and the future He has waiting.
With God’s love,
Papa John
A Home, A Hope, A Future…
