Beautiful

It is hard for me to update the blog because I love the video so much. I wanted to post this picture of the girls that live in one of our shelters in Vietnam and everyone will agree that they are worthy of replacing the video. These young women were rescued out of very hopeless situations and now are living as a family with plenty of food and receiving an education. They just returned from school and they look so precious in their school uniforms.

Watch these videos

When you get a minute, watch these two videos that our friend Patrick Cone put together about the Art Camp in Ghana...

Christian Family Services

Feb 5, 1988 meeting Crista Marie for the 1st time at CFS in St. Louis

Crista and I were invited to share at the fundraiser for Christian Family Services on friday night in St. Louis. Almost twenty-one years ago we adopted Crista through that agency. I opened by sharing the need we have for adoption agencies like CFS that operate with integrity and pure motives. I remember calling several agencies and getting lukewarm feelings about their programs. Immediately when I talked with the caseworker at CFS I knew I found the pathway for our family to grow through adoption.

Working on the speech for friday night stirred up some emotions that possibly have been buried for way too long. Processing all my emotions of gratitude that I feel for Crista's birthmother made me grow a new love for her. Crista's birthmother was a young, unmarried twenty-one year old girl who found herself unequipped to raise a child on her own. I thank this woman from the bottom of my heart for accepting the pain and ultimate sacrifice to do what was best for her daughter.

Crista came up to share after me and spoke from her heart. I was so proud of my daughter and I realize how far she and I have come to appreciate each other. I love her more everyday. Adoption is such a part of God's plan. I wish every child could have a forever family. I wish every orphaned chid could be embraced through adoption. My definition of World Peace is that no child lives on the streets or is dying a slow death through child slavery.

Can the church not start a movement to take in orphaned children? Every family has to take just one child. We will go around the world once and then if there are any children left we start over and everyone takes two. Until there are none. Sounds like GOD THING to me.

Great T-Shirt/Great Man

George Jr stands next to John Arthur who had been sold twice by his family to work as a slave. George is one of those guys you want on your team. Randy spent several day with him out on Lake Volta and he has earned Randy's respect. Thanks to George and his team John Arthur is safe, happy and living at Village of Hope where he has already advanced to the 5th grade.

Emmanuel and Cazarius

Below is a picture of Cazarius working the nets when Randy and the group met him.



George just sent this picture of Emmanuel and Cazarius embracing their new life. Everytime I talk to him on the phone he tells me how the boys are having so much fun playing and becoming good friends. I am so happy thinking about the two of them sleeping together at night and with each new day absorbing the fact that they will never fish again. George said they are eating plenty and love drinking minerals (fanta).

Emmanuel has been rescued!!

George called today to let us know that Emmanuel and one other boy have been rescued and are now safe and sound at his house.

He said that after they finished their first big meal he gave them each a piece of candy. They ate a portion of the candy and then put the rest away to save for later. Soon they will learn that they don't have to worry about their next meal.

He also said that they had made arrangements to rescue Kwasi and Moses (and one other boy), but was calling to see if we would be able to rescue two girls (8 and 10) who are also being kept on this island. We said of course, which means that soon six new kids from the lake will now be living a life they never dreamed existed.

Thanks to all of you who have helped make this possible.

As a reminder, here is Emmanuel's photo. I can't wait to get a new one of him with a big smile on his face.


- Randy

21 Precious Kids

Meet 21 precious children that have been rescued off Lake Volta. I think this picture speaks volumes for freedom and Village of Hope. I want to thank all the supporters for donating to Touch A Life who have made this possible.