A note to the parents at home from Randy...

Parents, your kids are great!
I know that you already know that, but I think it should be said out loud on this blog. They have been the best to be around, and without fail they have each or collectively stepped up when needed or asked to.
For example, Brennan presenting to the Methodist Bishop Elect of all Ghana … Jessica presenting to the Ankaase Hospital … Mallory and Emily delivering a sermon … Megan, Ann, Lindsay saying the prayers at devotionals and dinners … Colin presenting to the Methodist School And all of them dancing with and in front of the school kids, singing their favorite, “We Are Marching In the Light of God” in church (some first learning and then singing),. Devin knowing more choir songs and words than the girls when the group is singing on the bus. Matt presenting chalk and pencils to the other Methodist school kids.
For us as chaperones, they have been a delight to be around. Blogging, obviously. Making decisions on how to present, asking questions about how we are spending money on the orphanage, making mature decisions, involved in all the shopping process details. We have heard the next day that several of them were staying up late talking about the next big plan for The Penny Project. Hearing them talk about what insights they are getting, and about why this project is so important to them.
And of course, they’re funny. They talk over each other in waves, and are constantly saying witty things back and forth. Several discussions go on at the same time. And enthusiasm abounds, for every event, for life.
So, the boys in the back of the bus becomes the “man-cave”, they love the bargaining in the market stalls and tell stories, they all get Junior Twum to try fruit leather and wait in silence as he takes a bite. Which ones have bigger rooms and better television, which ones have better snacks, just being kids, but at the same time being adults. No drama, no tension and, knock on wood, no upset stomachs. We find ourselves listening to one school’s version of a talent show, and they each listen attentively and clap actively, things like their first Pierce Elementary talent show, and not one complaint or snappy criticism. They have each personally “adopted” at least one child from the orphanage. We did go shopping for ourselves some parts of yesterday and today. The kids had a riot, they were not intimidated by the busy, small markets or the minor hassling of the vendors. Don’t worry, the Twum family was with us at every moment, at least one per group. Some were better at the bargaining (always start with half of what they say it costs) and ate it up, the others used Boat or Jayzee or the Reverend to get the price down. We stopped by the orphanage briefly again today with more supplies, and it is difficult for us to leave after only 20 minutes.
Please know, your kids are great…
Randy