Special Agent Update #5 - Ted & Jo in Mexico

Special Agent Skinny Santa:
Well there have been a number of Skinny Santa sightings in the Linares area of Mexico these days. On Christmas eve day he was seen riding thru town with his team of dream agent elves and making stops in the river district causing quite a stir with the kids who live there.

A word of thanks

We just wanted to take a quick moment to thank all of you everyday philanthropists for taking your time to volunteer at the Road2Hope Weekend. Without knowing it, those of you who worked in the food booth raised almost enough to help us buy a new fridge. Thank you so much. (Ours kicked the bucket this morning… RIP)

The hands that weave

Let me introduce Samuel. Samuel is 70 something years old and even though he has been affected by the dreaded disease of leprosy, he still has vision and passion to not let it break him.

Keep going ladies!

These ladies based in and around Petrolia, Ontario are making a huge difference in the lives of children and families in places like Guatemala and Kyrgyzstan.  They are knitting and crocheting up a storm!  PI will be taking blankets, baby hats, baby sweaters and more, with teams as we go.  Ladies....I just want to say, "Well done!  Keep up the great work.  Everyday Philanthropy making a difference.

The Simple Things Can Mean the Most

We met with Rhoda from the AOH Children's Home last week after all the supplies for the renovation of the inside bathrooms were delivered to the home and she was so excited. And honestly I personally know what joy she truly feels*... :-) 

What it is all About!

I remember a few years ago, we had two young boys from the orphanage come to our house on a day out and for some reason that I don’t remember, we had an extra box of about 50 ice-cream cones at our house. We weren’t sure what we would do with them so we decided to get the boys to take them around our neighbourhood and give them to the kids around the block.

Random acts of kindness on a rainy day in Kyrgyzstan

On rainy days like today, they have a Russian saying for " черный день" which means a dark day... but when you add a little hope into the day, life feels a lot brighter...and that is what happened for 20 students today.

Home again - Home again...an update from Ghana

Sometimes I feel a little like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz as I am walking in the streets here in Osu. I see signs and billboards that make me think I must be somewhere else!! I am sure I am not in Halifax but I wonder who has been, to come up with this name for their Pharmacy?

Day 4 & 5 - A bit of the culture...and then the STREET PARTY!

On Tuesday, we visited the Osu area as they were preparing for a big festival.  We watched as they prepared several traditional dishes and got to try using a mortar and pestle to crush cornmeal.  In the afternoon, we went to a local market and bought a few souvenirs.

Wednesday was a BUSY day as we prepared for the big street party!!!!

Day 3 - Painting at the children's home

We feel like we've been here for a week already cause we have traveled so much and been so busy.  Today we met the children and workers at the Assurance of Hope Children's Home in Teshie.  In the past several months, we have posted and fulfilled a few dreams for these kids - a pizza party at Christmas, new bunk beds (to replace sleeping on the floor) and we fixed the screens and louvres on the windows.

Day 2 - A visit to the Leprosarium

After our big shopping day yesterday (we picked up all the children when it was still dark...and didn't get them home until dark - long day!!), we went to visit them and their families at the leprosarium today. Because of a great currency exchange rate AND some great bartering at the market....we had some money leftover from the "dream day" sponsorships and were able to purchase some food staples for the leprosarium.

Our first Dream Project DONE...shopping with 66 children

We had posted a dream project on the website to take 110 children out for a "Dream Day" that consisted of shopping in the market (for the first time ever) and choosing their own clothing and shoes (instead of just 'hand-me-downs')...and then a pizza lunch at a nearby restaurant. Amazingly, our team of 7 along with a group of 14 fantastic volunteers from here in Ghana, managed to maneuver a busy market and buy 2 outfits, shoes and underclothing for the first 66 children!!! (the others will get their turn this Friday)

Day Eight in El Salvador...

Hola!  It's 8:30 pm here and we just finished supper about 20 mins ago.  Yet another full day : )  This morning, we went to a village area (poor area) not too far out of the city.  The YWAM staff run a weekly children's program there on Saturdays...so, we tagged along to offer our assistance. (We also brought along a few of our donated items -- a bar of soap and toothbrush for each child).

Day Seven in El Salvador...

Hola! Today we spent most of the day at the YWAM base.  With all the painting that we'd be doing all week (at the school and at the ballpark), we couldn't help but notice that the outdoor wall at the base was in desperate need of painting. We also noticed several other needs for various supplies etc...so we decided to bless these people who bless SO many others with the work they do on a regular basis...

Day Six in El Salvador...

We enjoyed yet another beautiful sunny day in San Salvador.  And, we tried to "spread the sunshine" by doing a little makeover on the little league ballpark in town -- a small act of kindness for the community.  (this is the same park where we played a game with the kids when we first arrived).

Day Five in El Salvador...

The day started with a one hour stop at a nearby artisan market (what's a trip without a few souvenirs?). It was a bittersweet morning however, because it also marked our good-bye to Kelly Deschamps (Kelly came down early with Sam as a leader/helper with PI).  Kelly was a valued part of our team and we are thankful that he took the time to serve with us. 

Day Four in El Salvador...

Yet another full and rewarding day. We returned to the school and house build site and split into two groups. The boys stayed and finished up the house build and got the BBQ's fired up for a BIG school BBQ (we fed 200 kids plus some mom's and siblings) The girls picked up the mom and kids (of the family we're building for) and took them to a nearby mall to buy them some clothes and shoes -- we let them choose for themselves!

Day Three in El Salvador...

What a FULL day!  Breakfast at 6:45 and out the door an hour later.  After a fairly long drive to a village near Sonsonate, we had a very warm reception from a group of school children.  The picture shows the "Welcome friends from Canada" poster and some dancers who performed for us.  They were SO excited to have visitors from far away.

Day Two in El Salvador...

 After a good night sleep, everyone seemed a bit more "chipper" today.  We went to a local church in the city (they meet at a Holiday Inn) and although the service was in Spanish, they had high-tech ear devices so we could follow along via a translator....

Team BCS El Salvador arrived safe and sound...

 The good news is that we arrived safely in San Salvador at the YWAM base....the not so good news is that 29 of our 40 checked bags DID NOT make it!!...