I was in the USA last year. I was able to travel a lot to visit supporters, churches and anyone interested in what God is doing in Ghana. I love getting to share. I also shared about the project that I was able to start through SIM. I wrote about it: Vulnerable Women's Project; you can check it out.
People have donated. I have even told people if there is something specific you would like your money to go to, let me know and I will try my best. One donor, who is a farmer, gave money asking me to give it towards giving women animals. They did say cows, but that is not really a thing here unless you are a herdsman. So, talking it over with my friend Samuel, we thought through our options and the looked at the money, and came to agree that for my Bible study women, which are more than 20, a goat for each one would be a great gift. Goats are helpful in that they can be a source of financial security as they can be easily and quickly sold for cash to meet needs in their family. Goats also are used for food. (MMMMM, Imagine a Goat Kabob! Yummy!)
I gave the money to Samuel and he and church leaders and friends went to several different markets. Ghana has had 54% inflation and so animal costs were more than we thought. After a couple days, times of bargaining, and numerous trips they were able to get 26 goats for the 26 women in the study!
I went to the church to meet the ladies and Samuel’s team (and the goats haha). We had a time of prayer and thanksgiving.
Samuel had numbers on all the goats, and we had tiny pieces of paper with numbers on them so the paper they chose corresponded to the goat that was for them. That way people cannot grumble about the goat they get; they chose that number.
But no one was in a grumbling mood! I felt a bit like Oprah when she gave away all those cars, except mine were goats. “A goat for you! A goat for you! A goat for you!”
It was a special day. It is great that people from one part of the world can help people in other parts of the world. God’s family and blessings spread wayyyyyy out!