Bright

December 25th, 2013 was a big day for us. It was our first outreach to the homeless, fatherless children living at one of the major markets in Accra. Since we were doing the outreach in a market on Christmas I was expecting everywhere to be silent, barren…almost like one of those western movies when everything is quiet and a tumble weed comes rolling through town just before the big shoot 'em up scene…anyways I was wrong! In this market you would have never known that it was Christmas…talk about crazy busy!


So we made our way to the area, where we had prearranged with the young men who live at the market…in this crowded and loud market our kids made their way out of the bus…we set up our game plan and started handing out food to the children who found themselves calling this home…home?


JJ was with us. It was his first time ever going out on an outreach with us. He witnessed these children, who own nothing and if they do it will soon be stolen away from them, alone, living in constant fear, where lying is the common language and stealing is the currency.

JJ was close to my side as we made our way through the crowded sidewalk. There we saw him, obviously sick, alone and crying out without making a sound…we stopped for this one. Right away JJ and I went and bought him some malaria medicine and ibuprofen. I gave him his first dose and then found someone to give him the next dose…the young man that I was pointed to to put in charge of the medicine was drunk and just smile and nodded ( this is the universal sign of "I have no real clue what you are saying to me") as I talked with him about the importance of the little boy receiving the next dosage I knew that this little boy was in real trouble. JJ and I prayed for him and we walked away.

There were two young ladies at the market who were pregnant and in need of a place to stay for a few weeks, so JJ and I went in search of them. After finding the ladies and getting their things together JJ and I saw the little boy with Robert, more love and prayers being poured over him…he was already in our hearts.
As we were getting all of our kids back into the bus I checked one last time with the young man who was to give the boy his next dose of medicine in just a few hours from then…there he was sobbing, sick and weak…I was then told that he was sick all of the time…he needed our help…more than just a round of malaria medicine…he needed a family.


Johnbull and I decided right there…this boy will add to our family…no longer an orphan, no longer homeless, but our son! So he piled into the bus with everyone and we grew in number by three! Yes, this was quite possibly the best Christmas ever!

That night we had a huge celebration, my boys welcomed Bright home. JJ made sure he had everything he needed. Since moving to Ghana JJ has been very particular with the things that belong to him…he has not given out his things freely and usually will opt to not share his things at all. But I saw something change in his little heart…as soon as we got home JJ went through his things and gave Bright his favorite shoes, shirts, and shorts…I was so blown away…look at God move not only in Bright's life but in my little JJ's life…beautiful!
We had a party that night, we all ate in the canteen, chicken, rice, stew, fufu, goat light soup, coke and fanta…until each had their fill. The girls who came home with us were happy but very tired. Bright appeared to be feeling a little better but his eyes still showed just how sick he was. Then the dancing began…a good dancing competition is the main event to any good CORM party. We danced…then Bright danced…while he was dancing it was like he danced off all the sickness, fear, doubts and danced right into his understanding that he was home…it was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. He danced so much that our older kids ended up picking him up and putting him up on their shoulders, cheering him on and welcoming him into our family.


Four months later, Bright is fully home with us. Loving life at the Children's Village. Completely well, he hasn't been sick since that day. He loves school. He loves his brothers. At times we see signs of the market life coming through his actions and behavior, but more often we see what is to come…his future is so BRIGHT!