THANK YOU!!!

We just wanted to write a little update about our Project Vehicle. We are so thankful for each one of you who supported us in this project. We haven't yet bought the van, but we have found a great one and plan to buy it as soon as the funds are here in Ghana - which should be very soon.

We are happy to say that we raised even more than we needed to. As of today, we have raised $18,500!!!! Thank you so much for all your generosity and for helping out Hands of Mercy in this very tangible way. Everyone here is so excited to soon have their own van. It is really going to make a difference in the work that is done here - I can assure you of that. So thank you from everyone here at Hands of Mercy! (one we actually have purchased the van, I'll take a few pictures and add them on here for you to see).

Since we raised more than we thought we would and more than we need for the van, we are going to put the rest of the money to good use. As of now, we are planning on creating a small 'maintenance fund' for the van, for oil changes, and anything that needs attention in the future. We will also put some of the money towards fuel for the van. Since after that there will still be money left over (how wonderful is that!!!) we want to use the money to send some of the newer kids to school for the year (since they don't yet have sponsors to pay for their school) and buy school supplies for them. We also would like to buy books, games, and toys for around the house, since there are none there currently. Then, after all that, if we still have money left, which we might, then we might put it to buying beds for the kids who don't have beds yet (some of them sleep on mattresses on the ground) or other necessities like that.

So again, thank you all for your generosity and we will certainly keep you posted with our purchases.

Everything else has been going pretty well. We finally got running water, which was a huge blessing. There isn't enough pressure to have a real shower, but we have gotten quite used to our bucket showers, so that's not a big deal. The nicest part about having running water is that we (by we, I mean Chad) doesn't have to go next door to draw water from the well everyday. He is very thankful for that.

We are also very thankful that we continue to be healthy - going on 3 weeks now! In Zambia one of us was sick constantly it seemed, but we feel great here. We are enjoying all of the fresh fruit that can be bought along the side of the road including pineapple, plantain, mangoes, oranges, etc.

We have been spending more time with the kids as well and that's been great. It took a while, but we are getting to know them better and figuring out how to give them the attention that they need and want. When we are there during the day, most of the kids are at school so there are just a few (maybe 10) children around the ages between 2 and 6 that we play with. They love to dance to music, kick a ball, or just run around and sing.

The older kids come home from school at around 4 pm, so then we help them with their homework or play with them in the home and in the yard.

Last Saturday we were able to take about 50 children to the beach, which was a great day. It was a bit chaotic, but it was fun. We rented a 15 seater van and then squeezed 55 people into it! That was amazing...we didn't think it was possible, but it was! Then we swam in the ocean, played in the sand, ate some lunch and then danced to the music (these kids can dance!)

The work side of things is going very well too, which is a nice change from Zambia. We have been able to make a few referrals already, so now we are just in the middle of figuring out the next steps in the process. Also, the babies haven't yet moved into our home, but I believe that is happening sometime this week. Life will get a little busier once we start living with 10 or so babies under 1 year old - should be fun!