Friday January 15, 2010

Mixie writes:
Today we became children all over again. We visited the King Jesus Orphanage this morning, promising to return after we did their shopping. They met our bus with their usual euphoria, grabbing at our hands the minute we disembarked. Jill Monahan from Pittsburgh made a few phone calls at home and got 15 soccer balls donated and my son, Geoff Hockman made 50 uniforms available for an extremely nominal fee. The adrenaline was beginning to hit a feverish pitch and then we brought out the uniforms. The children were beside themselves. Teams were selected by Pastor Kofi,the boys ran to their rooms to put on the uniforms. Fred's special guy Isaac was holding his hand so solidly fearful that we would run out of uniforms before he got his; when they called his name he had a smile that lit up the courtyard. I've never seen a kid so happy over receiving something he never dreamed he would have.
Eventually there was the team in white and the team in green. They stood in the courtyard, double file lines. Each child was holding the hand of their "Rival". The adrenaline was measurable. Then the Piece de resistance was when Pastor Kofi came running out in his green uniform. Every one cheered and the children began to file to the soccer "Football" field. They began to sing a song and I believe every one of us, got their breath caught in their heart. The children played their hearts out and we all sat relaxed and watching this miracle unfold. They have not had soccer balls in a very long time and they have never had uniforms. It was an image that is burned in my heart forever. Eventually the game was over and the children ran in and exchanged their uniforms with others and the fun began all over again. As if this was not enough for one day, we were all over the orphanage grounds when we heard this sound and the look on the childrens faces was incredulous. We all ran to the front by the gates and Fred had begun playing his bagpipes. He started out with the 92nd Gordon Highlanders and the children stood with rapt attention. We all rushed to take pictures of the wonder on their faces. Fred invited a little guy to play the notes while Fred inflated the bag and kept the drones going.
Don't know how you could have ever had a more wonderful day, but then who knows what tomorrow will bring.
We are being blessed by "God moments" at every turn. It is something special,this land of Ghana.