Well, tonight is the night that I will sit in my room, look at all my pictures from the summer and make sure I have everything packed up. I cant believe it is Friday the 22nd. It really does feel like yesterday that we finally made it to the Ghana airport and saw the big AKWABA (welcome) sign above the door. This summer was a blast and I am so thankful I got to spend it here with these kids again in this beautiful country. This time around I got to see alot more than last year. I was able to visit lake volta and actually feel the water with my hand as we were rowed across. How many hands i've held that has grown up in that water made it so weird yet gratifying to be there. In my mind I've always had such a negative conotation with the words 'lake volta'. After being there, though it is a beautiful lake surrounded by lush moutains, the conotation was still there. Every child I saw on the shore line when we made it to the other side, which were many, just made me hope for them, that they weren't being treated as badly as some of the stories I have heard from the kids here.

Also another highlight from this summer was going back to Nkwatia. Yes I honestly was dreading going up there again but when we got there and the teachers remembered me by name as well as some of the kids really made it worth it. Many of the kids ran up to me and stared for a second and said, 'Ah! I remember your face, very familiar! Then they brought me into the computer room and pointed to a picture on the wall. A picture of Brittany, Laci, and myself as well as all the teachers. I don't want to say I made an impact on any one there or here for that matter, but just hearing them remember who I was even though I was there for only 2 weeks last year made it really special. I feel like all in all, this summer was a little bit better than last. The homecoming I recieved when I got here I will never forget. Kids stopping their football game to run and give me a hug will forever be one of my closest memories. True Happiness. You know I let the kids just use whatever I bring, i.e my iphone, camera, video camera, etc. The other night I was looking through all my videos and ended up watching one from the first week. A boy whom I got close with last year, had my video camera and was just filming random things. I didn't hear it the first time I watched it because the volume is not really loud on my camera, but when I put it on my computer I heard what Edmond was saying while filming. He was giving a 'tour' of a certain part of the village when he starts to tell his story. He said I thank the Lord for the Village of Hope, my mother died when I was 2...then towards the end he said I want to thank Shelby's mother and Shelby's father for letting her come here. God bless Shelby's family. So to my family, even though you are not here, you are making an impact on these kids. Hopefully someday soon you will finally be able to meet the kids I talk about all the time!

*Very little is needed to make a happy life. It is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.*

-Marcus Aurelius

That quote stuck out to me very much yesterday when we went to the Liberian Refugee Camp. It was like a whole other world from the Village of Hope. There are guards at the front that only let you in if they know you or you are with someone they know. You walk in and it's just like any other small town. Very runned down, houses made from scrap metal, kids running all over the place. We went and looked at the school those guys we met are helping start. In the front of the school there were alot of kids just hanging out doing nothing. Then they started a football game, and they used an empty bottle as the ball. They were still playing hard and having the time of their life from the expressions on their faces. They made something out of nothing...Little things bring them joy, if only more people thought that way. As we were walking through we found out that this place used to be the definition of a refugee camp. Everyone had tents as houses and now it looks like any other town. They made something out of nothing.

Last night I was in Joy Barnett House, suprise suprise, and I was watcing ma Victoria cook jolloff rice. I was talking to Vida about how its getting closer for me to go and I hope I don't cry like last year. She said I wouldn't, Lebene said I probably would haha. Anyways she said one is greater than zero. Lebene just looked real confused and told her to stop talking because she isnt making sense, and Vida snapped back with a 'yes it does you just don't understand!' She continued telling me that one is better than zero...and I said im not following you. She said what if you had never came here last year. You would have never met any of us...one is better than zero. You coming one time is better than never coming at all. I've always wondered how the kids respond to people only coming once and for just 2 weeks, that kind of answered my question. Everyday I am thankful for these kids and they are a living testimony to what God can do. They have gone through SLAVERY, through beatings, some have seen people not come up after diving down into the water, and yet they are here making an impact on me. Yesterday when we were driving to the refugee camp, someone asked Chelsea about her tattoo on her foot and what it ment. It was some tree, im not sure what kind but it is mentioned in the Bible in, I think, Isaiah. Anyways God had it as a symbol that he is there to help those in need. And she said she got it as a reminder to her to be a symbol of Gods love to the needy, the poor, and the depressed. I thought that was amazing. Tonight we are having her going away party. She knows there is something going on for her but doesnt know any details. It is going to be alot of fun, and really sad because she has been here for 2 years. She said this time saying goodbye is going to be the most difficult.

OH! the president deal...almost forgot to tell yall about it. Well he didnt come...so after the kids and pretty much everyone here at the village got EVERYTHING ready, signs got painted, flags got hung, he couldn't come and had all these other important people come in his place. LAME. I did get to see some cool tribal dances and what not but yeah. After the program I was hanging out with Raul and funniest thing ever. All the kids had to dress nice so he was wearing dress pants and a white shirt and the big ole dock martin type boots. I was chasing him around and the way he ran made it obvious those shoes were heavy. It was SO funny I wish I had gotten it on film. I finally caught him and he laughted and screamed so loud people turned around. haha I had to make him be quiet but at the same time I couldn't help but laugh. Oh im going to miss that kid.

But I think this is going to be my last post in Ghana! I hope for who ever has been reading this you have enjoyed it. Today's was pretty long but I just had so much to say :] haha. Anyways I am really excited to be home and see everyone. see you all in 2 days!

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another; for he who loves his fellow man has fullfilled the law... and whatever other comandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: ''Love your neighbor as yourself" Love does no harm to it's neighbor. Therefore love is the fullfillment of the law.

-Romans 13:9-10

 

 

Shelby

All hands are on deck today getting everything in top shape for tomorrow. The president is in fact coming here because it is his birthday and he wants to spend it with children. Trying to get the votes up is what I see it as but whatever works for ya right? Tommy has been running around trying to make sure everything is ready. The 'secret service' came yesterday to check out everything. No one has any idea when he is going to arrive, I think it has to do with security and what not, which is understandable. Last I saw the kids were all out weeding and picking up trash and putting together some big tent thing and stage. Apparently when the president comes you go all out! haha

Tomorrow's post will inform you guys all about the events that occur. Hopefully it will be entertaining.

3 days until we leave. so crazy.

So this morning at breakfast Tommy, who is the american missionary here, comes in and tells us he needs a huge favor. Obviously we say yes absolutely what do you need. Well there is a seminar going on this week for the teachers, which means all teachers will be gone from the school. Who would schedule a seminar on the week their students have exams, Lord knows. So today I was assigned a classroom and was told to go review them for their english exam tomorrow. HA! Thankfully Tommy gave me their exam to look over and to get a feel for what they are learning in class. We didn't have to start teaching until after lunch so that gave us a few hours to get prepared. When I got to my room, grade 6B I walked in and found out that some of my favorite boys were in there- Mawuli, Edmond, Seth, Knowledge, Gladstone...so all my troubles were left at the door! I wrote stuff on the board and they answered pretty much everything right so I think they wont have any problem on their exams which is good. I wasn't in there 45min until Francis came and took them to go weed. So I spent the rest of the afternoon going from class to class seeing if anyone needed some help.

Tomorrow exams start so the kids will be kept busy so I wont have to do much except sit in there and make sure they do it. English is tomorrow, Math is Wednesday, Citizenship is Thursday, ICT is Friday and then there are some more subjects next week.

***HUGE NEWS! The President of Ghana is coming to the Village of Hope on this Thursday! The kids said its his birthday or something and he is celebrating it here. Not sure how accurate that is but he is most certainly coming here. So Thursday will be quite interesting with all the people coming. It's obviously a big deal for the Village because this will be getting their name out to people who have never heard of this place. The kids are all excited and were getting me to say his name over and over again so I would know what to say when he gets here. It is also been said that this is the first orphanage that has been visited by a Ghanaian president, I may have completely put that out of context so don't quote me on that one, but im sure most of this is for campaining. Still awesome that I will be in the presence of someone really important.

And besides that life is good. Its really quite hot today, it rained pretty hard this morning and then the sun came out and has been bearing down on us ever sence. All the kids are out weeding right this moment to get everything looking just right for Thursday.

I will be home leaving this beautiful country in 5 days. Holy Moses I will be home in 6...I know you are all excited to see me! haha just kidding. In all honesty, last year around this time I was not in any means looking forward to the day we left. This year however im getting excited to go back home. Who would of ever thought I would say that...not me. But I think after spending two full summers here, the next times I come I think I will be alright with only staying a few weeks. I know I've made relationships here that will last forever. And if the good Lord doesnt let us meet again on this earth these kids will be the first ones I look for when I reach those pearly gates!

African Saying:

If you think your too small to make a difference, try spending one night in a closed room with a misquito

Okay so these night continue to get better and better! Since we had the prayer night last night, it was pretty obvious today was going to be a lazy day for everyone. I spent the day uploading pictures and downloading music from David's computer to mine. I know have 8 new albums for free...awesome. Also when the group came a few days ago noticed one of the ladies brought a hair straightener and I have been itching to ask her if I could use it ever since I saw it and today I did. I feel as if my hair forgot how to be straight because it took me a good 35 min to straighten it all. Now the kids have never seen me with straight hair before because its naturally curly and Its Africa...so I really dont care that my hair is a mess most of the time. Anyways after I got it all straight, still a bit poofy from this humidity, I went outside to take some pictures of the kids. It was as if I made a DRASTIC change. Some didnt notice at first but when they did it was like AYE Shelby! Is that your real hair?! When did you do this? Its so nice. A boy named Daniel came up to me and was like Shelby you look beautiful! haha I really should straighten my hair here more often! Another boy Gideon ran up to me and was like oh shelby I just love it! The best responses were when kids came up to me from behind and tapped me on the shoulder as if I was someone new they hadnt met because when I turned around they were completely surprised it was me. Lebene's reaction was pretty awesome too. He walked up to me and I dont think he really noticed till he got close...he opened his mouth wide in awe and just gave me a big hug and twirled my hair. It's funny how amusing changing your hair can be to these kids.

So tonight there was supposed to be another prayer night. But someone, I think it may have been Fred Asare's father in law, anyways someone in relation to this place came here to celebrate his 60th birthday. We had chairs set up all in the courtyard and we had music blasting. I went up to the guys doing the music to find out that it was my iphone they were using to play! The older guys put alot of popular ghanian songs on it earlier this summer so that came in handy tonight. Anyways I went up there just to take some pictures because it was more a kind of party for the kids and parents, or so I thought. They gave me food and drinks, which I gave to the kids since we had already eaten and then we had a full on dance party. Now I was wearing a thin underarmour sweatshirt and shorts and I think I could ring it out I am so sweaty. I carried around this little girl elizabeth for awhile dancing with her so I know my arms are going to be super sore in the morning. But it was a blast...those kids could dance all night long if they were given the opportunity. I wish so bad I had rhythm to dance with them and not feel like a fool, but even though Im sure I looked like one I still danced the night away. It was alot of fun and some of the kids were really good and some of them were hilarious. I mean if you cant let loose and have fun with a bunch of little kids than come on....But tonight was most def a good ending to this week! Cant believe we leave in exactly a week. Goodness Gracious.

**Preach the gospel always; when necessary use words**

- Saint Francis of Assisi

So the past few days here have been quite entertaining...Thursday I spent all day out at the beach, which was awesome. It started out just me and David planning on going...than sarah,megan and zach came along so it ended up being a fun time. Got a little sun burnt but it's already going away.



Yesterday I went into Kasoa to go to the market. It was me, zach and ashton and one of the house moms- ma matilda. Well we went with her to just go get away for the day. She is one of those real girly ladies, always dressing up and always has her hair done. This is not a touristy kind of market that they take us before we leave to the airport, this is where all the ghanaians shop. These people sell some of the weirdest things. One lady had all these huge slugs, another was selling animal intestines...sick. Alot of dried fish and eel, thats what it looked like anyway. It was a whole different shopping experience. One of the main things we went there for was to get some fabric. They had tons and tons of beautiful fabric. Ashton got some for a lady to make her a dress, I hope it turns out good, we go back thursday to pick it up. Well a few weeks ago I took my earings out because one of them was hurting my ears and I just have never put them back in. Now this relates to my statement earlier about matilda being a big girly girl. Well we are walking and she sees that me and ashton both dont have earings in. So she just goes oh my goodness, buys us some and then the lady pulls me over and puts them in my ears as if I am fully incapable. haha. It felt like she pierced my ear again, oh it wasn't pleasent. Then she put the back on way too tight and it pinched real bad. But we just smiled and said ohhhh thank you and matilda was like and now you look girly. Oh you just look so good now. She is wonderful.


Also when we first got to the market, we were meeting a girl named Alayna up there. She is here at the VOH doing seminars for the teachers. She's 28 and comes to help the teachers with their lesson plans and things like that. So we are meeting her up there and when we find her she is with two white guys. They introduced themselves..Gary and Ben. Gary, who is getting his PhD in education is from California and knows Alayna because that is where she is from as well and apparently they work together. Ben actually goes to A&M and is a special ed major and met Alayna last year. Those two guys are in Ghana staying at a refugee camp. They came here in the hopes to start a school within the camp. Super cool! Alayna and Gary left for Accra and Ben decided to stick around with us so we talked for a good while about this place. He said the best way to describe the type of living it is is gypsy like. Some people are born and raised there, some come and go. He also said since none of them are ghanaian citizens, so they cant get jobs outside the camp so they have made up their own currency and stuff like that to get by. Insane...He also told us to come check it out some time next week before we leave, and i most def. want to go do that...go see a different way of living because we all know the VOH is like paradise compared to many places of refuge here.


That was my market experience. Twas alot of fun and im super glad I went.


Since I was gone all day, I didnt see any of the kids until dinner time. Michelle had stayed here and she came up to me once we got back and was like, if I could tell you the number of times Lebene has either asked where you were or what you are doing...I would be here all day. Haha so I went and found him, he flagged me down from across the lawn and ran and gave me a hug saying he was worried because he hadnt seen me all day. I dont know if he thought I would really of left without saying goodbye or what. Crazy boy. Last night we had a prayer night from 8 until 12am. It was a night of a few songs than an extremely long prayer. Almost every kid in there was doing the head nod falling asleep thing. It was pretty funny, Gameli was sitting next to me and kept dozing off then he'd get hit in the head to wake up--thats how kids get waken up at church or what not. But we made it through it and when you've been so used to going to bed around 10 everynight, 12 is late! at home I woulda thought that was a joke. I think they are continuing it again tonight so I may have to get a nap in sometime this afternoon.

7 days until we leave here && 8 until I arrive in American soil. Ohhhhh it makes me sad. But last night I had a dream that Gay Walters told me I was going on some medical mission trip with her on spring break....so Gay lets make that happen! haha

Missing everyone back home. Hope everyone is doing real good and are all staying healthy!

Sending LOVE from Africa.

"But you will recieve power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Acts 1:8

I feel like being here is making my decision to get out of the education program at ACU the best idea ive made yet. I can only be in my classroom for so long until I want to pull my hair out. Granted I am in an African classroom and I am the 'sub'...we all know how we were when subs came to class, but goodness. Today I didnt even teach, I let Sarah do it and I graded homework. I could do that everyday and be just fine. Late last night a group from Oregan got here. One of the people with them was Chelsea. She has been teaching up here for the past 2 years. She left before the summer started because she has decided to start grad school and wanted to be home and get settled back into American living. Anyways she's here with her church visiting the kids and they were all super excited about her coming back. Tommy has been getting the kids to write appreciation letters to her and is going to make a big scrap book to give to her before she leaves. She leaves the day after we do, so on friday we are having a big going away party for her and im glad we will still be here for that.

10 days until we are TEXAS bound

  Even though Ive been counting down, it still blows my mind its coming so soon. It will be bitter sweet thats for sure. I told everyone just get ready for it. You think you'll be fine and wont get too upset than BAM it hits you!

  So exams are next week for the kids so this week up at school they have been preparing and reviewing so I feel like I am a burden when I go up to the classrooms. Alot of the teachers, Mr. Otu is the worst at this, will see you and come up with some excuse for you to have to teach his class, then will go hang out in the library. Im like any other day thats okay, but not when their supposed to be reviewing for exams! --which determines whether they pass to the next grade or not--Anyways in the evenings after dinner the kids have 'study time' in their houses and as always I go up to Joy Barnett and help out. Last night Peter had my ipod on some of these speakers he found and was singing along to Brad Paisley. I told him that made me oh so happy and he just got the biggest smile on his face, he's quite reserved and quiet most of the time. I helped the kids draw teeth for their notes and made little quizzes for Lebene. I drew out different things for Science(chemistry) and I made him label them. He did really good which made him feel better about it.

*Raul update. Today he came and found me at the school and we were walking around. Earlier before I went up to the school I found these fake raybans in the guest house so I've been wearing them around. Well Seth got them during break and he disapeared. Well Raul came up to me and wanted me to walk him to his class and I said I needed to get my glasses from Seth. He started yelling something up into the courtyard. At first, since he is very hard to understand, I had no idea what he was saying. Then I realized he was yelling Seth's name and telling him to bring me my glasses. Haha I had to get him to stop and tell him its okay I can get them later, but he continued to yell. He is precious. 

Well it looks like its about to start raining, kind of puts a damper on my spending the rest of the day at the beach plans. Oh well...Im sure I can go find something else to do to make my time go by.

PS family...everyone keeps asking why you did not come this year. So you may have to make an appearance next year...And Morgan, there is a boy named Francis here that just thinks you are wonderful and really really wants you to come next year! haha He apparently saw your picture on my phone and has been rantin and ravin.

Well still praying that everyone is happy and healthy back home. We will be seeing each other soon enough!

Sending my love from africa

Shelby

The weather here has been surprisingly cool these past few days. The rainy season this year started later than normal so I assume thats why. This weather is also leading to alot of the kids getting colds...which is quite humurous, not that they are getting sick, but that they are gettings colds in weather that is in the low 70s. Last night I went up to Joy Barnett to see Lebene because he wasn't feeling good and I found him outside next to the cooking fire wearing 3 shirts! I couldn't help but laugh and he just smiled and said 'I am feeling cold'. I think he may of been running a fever because his head was pretty hot.

 Besides this wonderful weather for us, not too much has been going on here at the village. I had to break up two fights the other day. One of the boys, Ebenezer is really a loose cannon and can just turn mean at a snap of a finger. Apparently he insulted one of the boarders mothers. Haha they are a mess, but after the first hit to the face I pulled them off and stood in between them while they yelled at each other in twi. Lord knows what they were saying. Also we have a wonderful cook here, his name is Reuben and he is just in charge of cleaning the guest houses for new people and cooking for the guests. Well after that huge group of 56, Tommy thought it would be best if he gave him a few days off. Tommy Drinnen is the american living here, has been for about 8 years now I think. Anyways it's actually worked to our favor because for dinner tommy is cooking for us and the first night we had fajitas and last night we had cheeseburgers...delicious! Reuben starts back up tomorrow because there is a group coming in tonight from Portland.

  Last night at dinner I asked Tommy about Raul. He said he needs every bit of help he can get. I knew he was behind but goodness. He's about 8 or 9 and doesnt know the alphabet, his colors, anything. I was in the library yesterday working with the reading program and he was in their with tommy and tommy had a little childrens book and would point to things like snakes and ask him what kind of animal is that and he had no idea. I wish I would of found him sooner because I would love to help him learn. There is a guy coming here from ACU that Tommy said is going to have to meet Raul and work with him because he needs the most help. Raul has been starting to yell my name when I walk by his house and wave with a huge smile on his face. Makes me happy!

Well 11 days until I leave here, and 12 days until I am back home. Unbelievable.

Thanks for the prayers not only for me but for this place and these kids.

God is good ALL the time.

Shelby

Well the huge group of 56 left yesterday morning around 10 and ever since than its been pretty quiet...and its also been really nice being the only people here. We got to move back into the guest house and now we can take a shower whenever we want and not have to worry about getting in the way of the people actually staying in here! Last night I spent my evening on the porch of Joy Barnett with the kids listening to music on my ipad and playing uno. It was alot of fun, mainly because that house has some of my favorite kids and their house parents are new as of 2 weeks ago and i really like them as well. Anyways the weather has been really cool here. Last night no one was outside around 8 on because the weather was too cold to them. I was LOVING it. it was in the mid 70s with a breeze, so i got to wear long sleeves and it was perfect. Last night the Lipscomb people -- Sarah, Megan and David got in. They were the ones with us in Nkwatia while we were there. They are here for a week than going back up to Nkwatia. I missed having them around so im glad there here for a bit.

   Okay so two posts ago I talked about a boy named Raul. Well Ive still made an effort to go talk to him everyday and today he came and grabbed my hand after church and had me walk him home. Michelle even mentioned that hes interacting with everyone more which is really making me happy. Not saying that im the reason he is but I like to think im helping. He's been teaching me that just because there is a language barrier doesnt mean thats an excuse not to reach out to him. He's been smiling more and i dont know, its just good to see. I wonder about his past and what hes been through but i know that he's where he needs to be now. He's in a reading program after school to help him with his english and pronunciation so im going to start helping with that as well.

13 days until we leave, pretty surreal! Though I am getting to the point where im getting excited to head home and see everyone. Hope everyone is still happy and healthy. OH i read that a man was at the Rangers game the other day and fell to his death, he was at the game with his 6 year old son. No idea who the man is or where he is from, but say a special prayer for that family, ecspecially the boy, you know that had to of been traumatic.

Ye Hirya Me

Short post but have been wanting to write about this since last night!

Last night I was over at the Touch a Life house and Pam Cope and her group was over there. Some of the people brought their guitars and what not and they had a mini concert. The kids were singing...screaming...along with the music. It was awesome.

**Now remember, all the kids in Touch a Life house have been rescued from Lake Volta**

Okay so one of the house parents brought out two big african drums and set them down in front of some of the kids and they just went to town on them. It was amazing. 10 others got in front of them and did this tribal dance. After that was over they did this dance and I had Hagar explain to me what they were doing. It was all about being out on the lake and mending the nets in the boat and selling the fish when they were done. I just kept thinking how some of these kids, not even a year ago, where doing exactly what they were acting out and now they are here singing and dancing and loving life.

But my all time favorite part of the night was a song they sang. Hagar is going to sing it to me tonight so i can write down the words but it goes along the lines of this::

We will never have to be on the Lake again

Now we are going to express our rights and be free

God bless mama pam

and thats all i can remember but i about cried. It was the SWEETEST thing i've ever heard, ecspecially coming from the kids it was coming from. Later tonight or tomorrow ill post the real words for the song!

&& im super excited, Im going to try and teach Hagar how to ride a bike this next week! haha should be really fun. Okay well the school day has begun and i am off to my football field!

With God ANYTHING is possible.

Shelby

Well the big group of 56 has arrived. They got here tuesday morning while we were gone. We went to the Kakuum Rain Forest and did the canopy walk as well as the slave castle tour in Elmina. It was alot of fun and I think everyone really enjoyed it. Well this big group, we found out, is really a few different groups that all came here at the same time. Some people are from Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas...just everywhere. Pam Cope is here with some of the people. They came to do a health fair for the kids so I kind of in a sense get the rest of the week off because I am usually up at the school helping but they arent really having school now. It's really cool what they are doing and I really hope its beneficial to the kids. They have turned many of the classrooms into stations. I went into one yesterday and it was the oral hygiene(sp?) station. They made the kids eat this purple tablet that turns their mouth purple then they were given their own new toothbrush and toothpaste to brush with. When they were done the purple that was still in their mouth showed them where they needed to work on brushing more. It was actually pretty cool haha and really funny to see their faces when they saw that their mouths were all purple. Some of the other stations at the school was yoga, first aid, malaria prevention...just things like that. While different classes were at different places, a class at a time would go to the clinic and get a checkup then to the dentist to check their teeth and so forth.

    While all that was happening...I was out on the football field helping this guy Andrew with his station...which was just playing soccer. There are like 5 guys here that are about 24 and went to peperdine, 2 of them actually go to ACU right now. I've hung out with them since they've gotten here because their doing the 'excersise' stations. Last night when we were sitting around this girl named Rachel came up to me and said she heard i had quite a power shot...I was really confused about what she was talking about and she said her brother was Andrew and had been telling her about me and apparently compared me to this girl she used to play soccer with. She said it was a pretty good compliment. heyyooo! haha.

So yesterday Karli left to go back home. Me, Michelle and Zach went with her to the airport and to the market because I didnt want her to have to go alone. It was a fun day. The market was as crazy as I remember, people swarm you pulling you into their shops. Its a bit overwhellming. I kept telling them im not here to buy anything because im coming back later so they kept saying well come and look so you can remember to come buy from me next time. I did meet this vendor named David. He was super nice and walked around with us, showed us his shop which had a ton of cool stuff in it, so i will be sure to go back and visit him! We also ate at Frankies before we dropped her off at the airport. It was soooo good. I actually ate a burger and fries. The first burger and fries in 5 weeks. It may have been really awful, but since i havent had one in so long it was extremely tasty!

**We have 16 days left here until we head back to the good ole USofA. Cant believe it, though these past few days have gone by extremely slow, not that im complaining, but i think its because I am awake for so long during the days. I wake up when the kids get up...because they are SO loud in the morning. So im up at around 4:45 and dont go to sleep until about 10. It's a bit rediculous. The other night I was hanging out in Joy Barnett helping (doing) Lebene's notes. He somehow got me to copy his notes into his notebook anyways Hagar told me she loved my smile. She's precious and not a lover of everyone so when she said that it made my day. ALSO fun little fact, at the market yesterday I got a Black Stars (Ghana's soccer team) jersey for Lebene with his favorite player on the back. Im going to give it to him when I leave. Im super excited about it, I just hope he likes it. Zach told me he's going to love it merely because im the one that got it for him, so i hope he's right. **

*So there is a boy here in the touch a life house that I really want to learn more about. I feel a weird pull to him. His name is Raul and he is really quiet. He's that kid that is off to the side watching all the other kids play. When you look at him he seems as if hes just in la la land and not with it mentally. He just stares.When ever im around him he'll come stand in front of my and put my arms criss-crossed around his chest and just hold my wrists. It's really hard to understand him because his english isn't well and he talks funny. I dont know what it is but I really want to learn more about him. I've made it an effort to go give him a hug and ask him how he is everytime I see him. Hopefully if that's all I can do it is making him feel loved.  

Today during breakfast I was sitting in the guest house and one of the ladies was talking to her group and said God put something on her heart to tell them so I listened...and she said that God is sculpting us to fill a certain nitch. Being here, we are filling the gaps in some of the kids hearts. She said some of the doctors here have worked years to finally fill their nitch here. I thought that was really cool and worth sharing.

::Leaving y'all with this::

You have the opportunity to be that one person to someone who needs what you have to offer. And what you have to offer is never small & insignificant. Again, the great picture of what God is doing in our world is incomplete without your unique puzzle piece -- the one that only you posses. But you must choose to place your piece in the puzzle. No one has ever lived the same life as you...and that is one of the things that makes your 'puzzle piece' extraordinary!

Missing everyone back home!

Love you all

Shelby

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

Sadly I wont be getting to set off or see any fireworks again this year! Hopefully some of yall will save some and we can set em off when i get home! haha. Well I am feeling better today, I don't really have much of an appetite which scares me a bit because that is another symptom of malaria. Still banking on in just being something I ate is what made me sick. If I dont feel better ill just go get corrin to test my blood for the parasite. SICK who wants parasites in their blood...def not me. Oh another fun little fact. I said that the water in our bathroom in the kids house isnt working, well we were right but we found out how to flush the toilet. It's called a bucket flush. They have this huge trashcan full of water in there for us, we just assumed it was for showers and what not. Well what you do is you fill up a buckett of water and pour it real fast into the toilet and the pressure makes it flush. Crazy huh. wish we would of known that the first day instead of having to walk down to the guest house everytime one of us needed to use the restroom. && we found out that is why Rexford, the house dad, kept asking us if we still had water. all makes sense now

Today the group from Waco left so we are now the only visitors here. its actually quite nice. Tomorrow, however, there is 56 people coming!! Since the VOH cant sleep that many, 24 of them are having to stay at Tills, which is a pretty nice hotel, for here anyways, just down the road. Its right on the beach so thats where we go when we want to hang out at the beach. Anyways this group is a big medical group that is coming for 5 days to do checkups on everyone here. So that will be quite beneficial since quite a few of the kids have been sick lately. Tomorrow we are going into town to Cape Coast and Elmina. We are going to the rain forest to do the canopy walk and then to the Elmina Slave Castle. Both was really fun last year so im excited to go again! Tomorrow is Ashton's Birthday so i think tonight we are going to try and bake her a cake without her knowing. Hopefully we can be as sneaky as we presume we are.

haha last night i was hanging out in Joy Barnett house with Lebene, Seth and Asamuoh watching 'Who Wants to be Rich?' Sure is the african version of 'Who wants to be a Millionaire' The questions were bogus. One was,' Which is a popular fruit? - Watermelon, whiskeymelon, beermelon, or vodkamelon. Seth said he was going to be on this show one day and he would call me for his lifeline. haha it was very entertaining.

Well I hope everyone has a very fun filled day and stays safe! I wish i was there to watch fireworks and eat good ole fourth of July food with all of yall!

Count your blessings :]

Shelby

Well God has quite the sense of humor....In my last post i ended with letting everyone know that i am the only one in my group that hasnt been sick with anything so far. Well this morning i woke up around 4 feeling like death. We are staying in the kids houses for awhile because there is a big group from Waco in the guest house. Well the water in our bathroom in the kids house isnt working, so we have to take showers and all that stuff in the guest house. Well this morning I woke up at 4 and was extremely nautious. It was still dark out so I knew no one was probably up in the guest house for me to go over there. I went back to sleep hoping I would wake up feeling better. Well when I woke up I only felt worse. Long story short I spent most of my morning throwing up what felt like half my weight. I absolutely hate being sick...and being sick here is just that much worse. Im not sure if I just ate something bad last night or what. Tommy had gone into Accra and brought everyone back some pizza, that may have made me sick but no one else seemed bothered by it. 

  Instead of going to class at 9 I hung out next to the fan and then decided to go to church at 10. When I got there Seth came up to me and said 'i heard you are sick...and that you have been vomiting' haha word travels very fast here. Soon enough the house parent in the house im staying in came up and asked if i was fine. Its 6:20 pm here and im feeling better but still not back to normal. Thankfully it poured today for a good 2 hours so I didn't feel bad going inside and taking a nap. Anyways thats what has been going on here for the most part. The group from Waco is leaving tomorrow so we sang to them tonight and i asked Lebene if he was sad they were leaving...he said nope, ill only be sad when you leave. Already NOT looking forward to July 23 but in a sense i am because ill get to come home.

Well hopefully tomorrow when i wake up i will feel normal again. I told zach im really bad at this whole being sick thing since it very rarely happens to me.

sending my love from Africa :]

Shelby

WE ARE BACK AT THE VILLAGE OF HOPE!!!!

Oh it is the best feeling ever being back here. We got back last night at around 7:00 and was welcomed the best way ever. First off, the drive here was absolutely awful. I think we went a different way or over the past 3 weeks more pot holes were made. I don't ever get car sick but I almost asked our driver to pull over 3 times. He would speed up by pass cars than slam on the breaks to try and avoid random pot holes. It was terrible...I guarantee at one point he was pushing 95 and then swerved to the right to not hit something. Needless to say when i saw the gate to the village I was more happy to be here than ever before!

   Before I get to our homecoming here, I just want to give y'all a little story about the driving here. When we were driving to lake Volta, we went in a big old greyhound type bus. Now were trekin along and then bam, or driver slams on the breaks but doesnt stop...just keeps going and we all hit the seat in front of us but eh its Ghana. I am sitting in the back of the bus next to a window and right after the break check, I see, and I am not exaggerating, a sheep flying through the air with its legs up facing me. He lands on his back and rolls down the hill...and thats when we found out why we break checked. haha Also almost saw someone run over a dog in that same outing. If your not watching where your going you WILL be hit or run over...whether you are human or animal.

OKAY so we have been here for 4 weeks so far, insane. The first day we got here was absolutely heart warming, but last night was almost better. We got in at night so it was getting dark and the kids were inside eating so no one saw us drive in. Well I started my walk up to the different houses and kids literally ran and jumped on me giving me hugs and yelling my name. I almost fell over twice. I think alot of them completely forgot we were coming back that how suprised/excited they were when they saw me. Lebene was the best one though...I was walking down the road toward his house and I could see him sitting on the steps but I didnt think he could see me cause it was dark and he was under a light. Somehow he did and he came running full speed, i had to move out of the way or i guarantee you id of been on the ground. But he gave me the best hug ever. Oh words really cant describe the love i have for some of these kids. They all expressed how much they missed us and some had said they'd been counting down the days till the 30th :]

  Leaving Nkwatia was bitter sweet, as much as i was ready to get back here, i held back some tears. I went and gave my favorite boy godfren a hug buy and then we were saying bye to the teachers and the ones that remembered me from last year held my hand a little longer and said some sweet things. And Richmond made it clear that if we dont see each other again on this earthly world, we will be seeing each other again in Heaven. That was super sweet.

3 weeks left in Ghana. It blows my mind but I wouldn't honestly want to be anywhere else than where i am right now. Ive already been asked what day im coming back next year and if it could be in January. Haha. They want me to come twice a year and stay long, so in other words I just need to make the VOH my current residence.

Well just wanted to let everyone know we are doing good and we are all healthy. Well I take that back, Michelle and Zach have a sore throat and hopefully it doesnt turn into anything. I am the only one who hasnt been any kinds of sick! Thank you Jesus.

Thanks for the prayers and thoughts...they are working :]

God is good, all the time

Lovetoall

Shelby