When Paul's parents died, he was in the fourth grade.  His father had died a year earlier and his mother who was taking care of him and his brother also fell sick and died.  Paul and his brother, Eric, were left without any caretaker and without any hope.  They had to stop schooling because there was no one to pay their school fees.  Paul said that even at that tender age, he began to have doubts about all that he had heard in Sunday School about the love of God.  If God was love, as he had been taught, why were all these bad, sad and miserable things happening to him and his brother?  "Why us?  Why now?" 

 

That was when the Village of Hope had just began and we were taking in orphaned and abandoned children.  As Paul and Eric's mother was a member of the Nsawam Road church of Christ in Accra, we were contacted by some brethren to help the two orphans, and we did.  Paul and Eric were among the first eight children we began with in January, 1996.  That was almost ten years ago.  Roland and Gladys Bulley have been excellent house parents to Paul and Eric and other children placed under their care.  They took them as their own and nurtured them in the love and admonition of the Lord. 

 

About a month ago, Paul entered college.  He is now a freshman at the Valley View University in Accra, Ghana.  There is no way he would have made it this far without the love and care of Christians who gave their means for his upkeep and those who took care of him.  Note that only one percent of those who begin elementary school in Ghana ever make it to the university.  Many drop off at the end of the ninth grade because there are not enough high schools to absorb all those who write and pass the national exam, at the end of the ninth grade.  Many more drop off after the twelve grade national exams because there are very few universities and not enough vacancies for even those who pass the national exams with good grades.  Only the cream, the very top students, make it to the university.  That is why we were all so happy that Paul got admission to the university. 

 

Today, Paul is a Christian and not only is he sure of the love of God, he actually preaches it.  He is a wonderful songs leader and preacher for the church of Christ that meets at the Village of Hope campus.  He is a wonderful example to the other younger children who are growing up at the Village of Hope.  All this has been made possible because of your sacrifices.  Please continue to help so that we can raise up more young Christian men (and women) like Paul. 

 

By the way, Eric, Paul's older brother, is now in his second year at the Kumasi Polytechnic, studying engineering.  Praise the Lord!