Hello all once again!
I want to wish you all a Happy New Year as we embark on this 2021 together in Christ. I wanted to send an end of the year review of my time in Ghana from Feb 10th-December 1st. It is truly humbling and overwhelming to look back at all the Lord accomplished with close to zero plans when I first landed back in February. Then, a world pandemic hit that changed everyone’s plans. My heart in this newsletter is to be completely transparent in how any financial support was used during my time in Ghana. My prayer from day one has been to be a good steward of The Lord’s money because that is what it comes down to, everything belongs to Him! I hope the information I am providing is clear and easy to understand so that God may be praised for how He can literally stretch a penny when it is given with a sincere heart!! Thank you all for being such special brothers and sisters in Christ. Please reach out to me if you have any questions or even suggestions! I would love to hear from you.
EXPENSES WHILE SUSTAINING THE LOVE OF CHRIST IN GHANA
FEBRUARY - DECEMBER 2020:
*All calculation are based off the Ghana Cedi exchange rate to USD to be 5.7
TRAVEL EXPENSES: This consists of cost to travel to and from town while in Aflao via taxi or motorcycle. Also, it includes travel to further away places such as Ho, Keta, or the nation’s capital of Accra for certain medical needs such as doctor appointment or search for medications for myself and the people in the village of Zuime. It was also necessary for me to travel every 3 months to the immigration headquarters of the region I lived in to renew my visa. Sometimes I needed to stay in a hotels or guesthouse during these travel times.
Total: $1,077
THE HOUSE IN ZUIME: This figure is the total cost of renting and renovating a house in the village of Zuime. We had to do some work to make the place livable such as: drill a well for running water, a tower, water tank, pipes, run electricity to house, finish bathrooms, add toilets and shower, put a kitchen sink, paint wall, laminate floor, and a put a safety gate at entrance.
Total: $5,165
FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMUNITY: After the COVID-19 lock-downs started hindering the already struggling families economically, we were able to do 5 food distributions among the village to the most vulnerable families. Each family we delivered to was able to receive a month’s supply of the country’s staple foods of corn and beans. The costs include the purchase of food, packing of food, gas for transportation, and food for volunteers.
Total: $2,154
MEDICAL HELP FOR PEOPLE IN COMMUNITY: Most families within the village of Zuime do not have enough money to get adequate medical care for themselves if they become ill. These expenses covered hospital visits/admissions, scans, tests, medications, wound care supplies, and payment for wound care.
Total: $2,837
COMMUNITY OUTREACH: These funds were used to provide household items for families, as well as food or hygiene products for single mothers/grandmothers, widows, and church donations to host gatherings for the community. These funds were also used to provide odd jobs for local youth to earn some food money, which ended up in some youth planting corn where I lived to share with our neighbors. We also used funds to sponsor a few people who never finished their education to learn a trade or start a small business to make some money. These funds helped to build a bridge of love for those who do not know the love of God to better understand how much He loves us and is our ultimate sustainer!
Total: $ 1,678
EDUCATION OUTREACH: As soon as the pandemic became worldwide, Ghana shut down all schools in March. This left most children, especially within a village setting, vulnerable and neglected because parents or guardians left the children at home to go find work for food. We were able to purchase a printer to print off schoolwork for the children so that they would not be tempted to wonder aimlessly and unsupervised among the village. Later, we were able to begin classes from 9am-12pm every day for some of the local children that lived near my house. Some days we had up to 60 children. We purchased tables, school supplies, and white boards. Some local teachers helped with the classes, so with the funds we were able to appreciate the teachers each week for their service. We were also able to end each Friday gathering with a snack for the children to go home with.
Total: $1,339
SCHOOL SPONSORSHIPS: Even though schools shut down in March, still many students looked forward to school to start again but knew they could not go unless they had the funds. We have been able to secure sponsorship for several children, teenagers, and adults to continue their education. Currently, 9 primary students, 1 high school student, and 5 university students are being sponsored through these generous gifts of financial support.
Total: $4,260
HOUSE MAINTENANCE: This is how much was spent on cleaning supplies, water filters, light bulbs, and other household items. Some were one-time purchases, and some were required every few weeks.
Total: $397
PERSONAL EXPENSES: This is how much was spent on my phone minutes/data, personal items such as clothes, shoes, bags, cooking supplies, food, and water.
Total: $2,139
PERSONAL MEDICAL EXPENSES: In September, I was diagnosed with a medical condition, so I needed tests, labs, scans, medications, etc. I was able to take care of everything because of the financial support given!! Praise The Lord!
Total: $726
The pictures above are evidence that there can be peace amid suffering. We all go through difficult times in life, but how we choose to respond is how we can experience the peace that surpasses all understanding and joy that only comes from knowing the love of Christ! I thank God for all these people I have lived life with while in Ghana. We have laughed and cried and grown together. I also thank God for all of you who have kept up with these updates and sent me encouragement, prayers, and financial support. As I am currently in the States, I am seeking and waiting upon what is next. This world we live in is getting increasingly difficult to travel and maintain a foreign ministry, but I do not worry for my brothers and sisters there. Whatever the future holds, God is the ultimate sustainer!!
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