I was given the opportunity this year to travel to Ghana, Africa with the non-profit Feeding the Orphans and other local church pastors. Though others on the team were visiting to teach Ghanaian pastors, my role was a bit different. After learning about the children who have been through adverse experiences, Feeding the Orphans asked me to join the team to share my knowledge about caring for traumatized children with the caregivers in Ghana. What started as a virtual connection across the ocean has grown into a beautiful partnership of learning from one another.
Traveling to Ghana my hopes were set on meeting new people that were in the business of healing broken hearts, just like me. And wow, did I find those people! Upon arrival in Ghana the first place I was able to visit was Pastor Paul and his ministry NDM (Nyame Dua Madina), a home for over 50 children. I was (and still am) astonished by the quality of the caregivers and the environment the children live in. I have interacted with, trained and visited countless facilities in the United States and by far NDM is more caring towards the children in need than any facility in the United States. I was encouraged that everyone at NDM was willing to learn and partner for the betterment of the children. The children at NDM were happy and playing and had good food to eat. This is a big deal to see as the foundation of caring for traumatized children is caring for their biological needs first — just like Jesus did time and time again for His disciples, community, and followers. I saw God’s heart on full display at NDM. Even the way the caregivers talked about the children showed me that they see the preciousness of God in every child.
In addition to meeting with aunties and caregivers, I also had the opportunity to travel with pastors and learn from them. I was able to meet young, future ministry workers who are passionate about the Gospel, each one using the gifts given to them by God to share the Kingdom work. It was beautiful to see the next generation not fighting and jealous of one another’s gifts but opening their hearts and their homes to share their gifts with one another to spread the good news of the Gospel.
Overall, I think I’ll say that what Feeding the Orphans is doing in partnership with NDM, Saving a Sinking Soul, and Esther’s Hope is beyond anything I could’ve ever imagined.
I have witnessed many non-profits from the United States go to other countries with their western ideas, and try to help without talking with anyone from that country. These nonprofits, though well intentioned, often end up failing because they are trying to solve issues without the input from the local community. What I witnessed was the complete opposite. Feeding the Orphans has come alongside wonderful Ghanaian partners that are already doing the amazing work of being the hands and feet of Jesus and they have labored tirelessly to support them in that work. This is the sign of a healthy nonprofit. A nonprofit that is not out for its own purpose and gain or awards and legacy, but a nonprofit that is interested in the well-being of a community. Feeding the Orphans is focused on what matters most – caring for the poor, the oppressed, the widows, and children – working with God and not for God.
While understanding that this blurb is only scratching the surface of all I experienced while visiting Ghana, I hope that sharing my personal experiences will help you join the movement of caring for children who are in need. Even across the ocean we can come together and be the very hands and feet of Jesus in a fallen and broken world. I hope that someday soon you will join me in feeding the orphans. Maybe that looks like a visit to Ghana yourself. Or maybe that looks like praying for the children at NDM every morning. Maybe that means you begin donating monthly or you sponsor a child who needs an education. There are so many ways to get involved and I hope that you will open your heart to hear from the Holy Spirit guiding you in how you can help bring God’s kingdom to Earth today.