Faith – Page 196

… and truly He is! This fact lends itself as being the most perfect name for a special place. The “God Is Great” orphanage is located in the village of Amoussoukope, Togo, West Africa. It is a special place, in a personal way, to our family because we were privileged to spend some time there. The photos will tell a story that is all too familiar in our world. But allow us to share a little of this particular story.

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

James 1:27

When we arrived in July 2011, this was the orphanage facilities.

In America, clean water is often taken for granted. It is a part of our everyday living. Thousands of people, mostly children, die every week in our world from diseases born from contaminated water. Our former pastor and visionary, Phillip Ellen, who now resides in heaven, had a passion to do something to change this for as many people as he could. His heart for people and burden for the nations led him to begin “Clean Water for the Children” with a vision to provide suitable water for thousands. After a God-ordained meeting with a family from Togo, the door was opened to take this new ministry on a journey to Togo to drill wells.

Brother Phillip Ellen pumping clean water with Mamma Yayra

Women in Amoussoukope who were caring for more than 30 orphans, were walking miles daily with dirty buckets to get dirty water in an effort aimed at survival. When “Clean Water for the Children” drilled a well at the orphanage, it was life-changing and life-saving. But still, it wasn’t enough. Everyone who has been to Amoussoukope leaves with a burden in their heart, knowing that more must be done.

The children ate from communal bowls with their hands

Sleeping accommodations for approximately 35 orphans

Bathroom facilities in 2011

The kitchen used to provide food for the children. ToGo Missions is currently raising funds for a kitchen to be built

Feeding children everyday from this kitchen

Seth with some of the children enjoying their clean water!

“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Two teams made back-to-back trips to Amoussoukope in 2011. The purpose was to build a house that would provide the children a place to sleep and gather. This was accomplished, but again, it was not enough. There were still no restrooms or kitchen. God touched the hearts of two ladies who were a part of the first team in a way that called them to action. And because of what God has done through Jennifer East and Daphne Littlejohn, the “God Is Great” orphanage has an even better house, bathrooms, and a plan for a kitchen. The children are also provided for monthly through sponsorships of $35 for each child. This provides three meals a day, school supplies & uniforms, and basic medical care. There are currently 60 children in the orphanage, a few of those still needing sponsors.

We sponsor Modeste (sitting in my lap) and his older brother, Yao (camera left)

Building future housing quarters

Two teams had worked for approximately 10 days and this is how the building looked when we left in early August of 2011

Bathrooms were added in 2012

Work continued after the teams had returned home and this is the orphanage today!

I am honored to serve on the Board of Clean Water for the Children. Before the sickness and home going of Brother Phillip, Clean Water had entered into partnership with the Global Aid Network (GAiN). With their long term presence in Togo and other African countries, GAiN has drilled numerous wells with their well drilling equipment. That partnership remains strong and Clean Water continues to drill wells in Togo. We were able to sponsor new wells just last week. Our prayer is to see the vision and work of Clean Water for the Children continue and grow. Be on the lookout for a celebration and fund raising event early in 2015!

On a more immediate note, a fund raising event will be held this Sunday, August 24, at 3:00 PM at the Coosa Christian School gym in Gadsden, Alabama. The “God Is Great” orphanage kitchen project will be the focus of this event called “Hoops of Hope.” All funds raised will go directly to build the kitchen. If you live in our area, please join us there. If you aren’t able to attend but feel led to give, or if you are interested in sponsorship, please fill out the contact form below.

The Coosa River runs near our home and is one of the biggest attractions in our hometown in northeast Alabama. Bountiful and beautiful, the river provides a wide variety of recreational activities and brings diversity to our Appalachian foothills ecosystem. Riverfest–a two day outdoor concert, numerous fishing tournaments, boat races, fireworks, and unique competitions for various charities are just some of the events that take place here.

It is very ordinary to witness people by the river, on the river, and in the river on any given hot summer afternoon. But I must say that last Sunday I witnessed something on the Coosa that in all my years, (and that’s quite a few now) I have never seen. I’ve heard people speak of it, and suppose at one time it was somewhat common, but what happened this past Sunday along the banks of the Coosa was indeed unordinary.

Eight people asked to be baptized by immersion in the river, and a crowd gathered to witness this event. Reminds me of what was going on so many years ago at the Jordan River. The scriptures record in Matthew 3 that many people were coming to the Jordan to be baptized by a man named John, and there was quite a crew hanging out, curious to see what was going on! Shortly thereafter, we see that Jesus himself is there and, at His request, is also immersed in the river by John. What occurred last Sunday on the Coosa will be an unforgettable experience for all who were present!

Eight souls identifying with Christ. Eight hearts obeying the command to be baptized as a public confession that they have trusted in Jesus. Eight lives trusting in His death, His burial, and His resurrection as the only true way of salvation. Buried with Christ in baptism, raised to walk in newness of life.

Now, we all know that a picture can paint a thousand words. I noticed a particular portion of the crowd on Sunday: the children. As they sat on the pier with feet dangling and interests peaked, these children were seeing a real life picture– a picture that painted more than a thousand words. A picture better than any storybook that had ever been read to them, one with eternal significance. The other onlookers may not remember specific details, but I venture to say that for these children, this past Sunday afternoon will be one of their most vivid childhood memories — one that will echo into eternity.