This Took Some Time to Write

Canaan Children’s Home holds a special place in my heart. Which is why it took me some time to write. I hope after reading this blog, this home for “the invisible children of Africa” will have a place in your heart as well.

The first time we visited Canaan Children’s Home is was for a lunch break and a short tour by Pastor George. As soon as we got out of the van, hands were grabbing ours and kids were bouncing around singing “Muzungus! Muzungus!” They walked us to the outdoor chapel where we had to let go of their hands so we could have lunch (they weren’t allowed to be in the chapel while we ate). Lunch was peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, bananas and granola bars that everyone “loved.” While we ate, Pastor George told us about Canaan, the school and the kids.

While we were eating, the kids had spotted the animal cookies container that someone accidentally brought. Unnoticeably, we were slowly surrounded by kids of all ages starring at the animal cookies like a groom stares at his soon-to-be bride on their wedding day. It took some deceiving, but Shelby got the animal cookies back in the van; both Shelby and the cookies were unharmed during that mission. We were taken to a nearby building to wash our hands and use the bathroom. When I realized that the toilet was a hole in the ground, I confidently said “I can hold it.”

The kids always loved wearing my sunglasses

Some the team members bravely went to the bathroom, the girls and I waited outside with the kids. I began to put my sunglasses on kids and take their picture. It was a great “ice breaker” as it was hard to give attention to all the kids at once. In doing this, I was able to give each child attention while the others waited for their turn. One boy was very ticklish and when he wasn’t looking I would surprise him with tickles. He would burst into a fit of laughs and always end up on the ground or in my arms.

The ticklich boy doing "diamonds"

The sign for Alpha Delta Pi is the diamond and I tried to teach this little boy how to throw diamonds up. He caught on but not as fast as one of his friends who threw diamonds up like a champ. I was so happy to see the kids doing diamonds because it was like two worlds were coming together. My heart swelled greatly at this sight.

I taught him well :)

Pastor George then took us on a tour of the Children’s Home. Once again, we had to let go of the hands of our friends as they were supposed to be on the playground at that time. We were shown the sleeping quarters and classrooms.

After the tour of the Children’s Home, we went to Canaan Primary School. We had already had an exhausting day and I was very tired but as soon as we pulled up at the school and the kids started shouting “Mama Tina! Mama Tina!” I was not tired anymore. Tina is like a rock star there. When we walked into the first classroom the kids burst into song. It was so sweet!

Claire and I with some school kids at Canaan

We introduced ourselves and Tina told the kids the importance of staying in school. Many of the students live at Canaan Children’s Home and they have sponsors but some do not have sponsors but are still able to go to school they just can’t afford a uniform or school fees. Check out Canaan’s website to see the kids, the school, read the amazing history and how to support a child there; www.canaanchildrenshome.org.



As part of the ministry supplies we took, we took a whole suitcase of sanitary products for the young woman there. Some of the young women were at school so we placed the products on their bed under a blanket so when the young ladies returned from school they would have a surprise on their bed! The young ladies were so thankful and happy to as us questions and learn about us. After we hung out with them, we went down to the yard and many of the younger kids came out to see us. Shelby and Claire began rapping and dancing while the kids laughed and danced too.



Carrying the sanitary products upstairs to the girls



Claire and Shelby "rapping"

I met Sarah, one of the young ladies we passed out sanitary products to. She liked to ask questions and I would ask her to answer the same questions she asked me. Sarah is a very smart young lady and I can’t wait to see where her journey with God takes her.

Sarah, Jane and I

Jane was a girl who I also met. She liked to hold my hand and observe everything around us. When Shelby and Claire were rapping and dancing, Jane, Sarah and I sat on a stump and just talked. Jane sat in my lap while Sarah sat beside us and we just talked. Jane loved to lean back against me. That was the best part of the day for me.

The kids at Canaan don’t have much. They have food, shelter, friends and school. But most importantly they have God. Canaan Children’s Home is not a typical orphanage. In fact it’s really not an orphanage. The kids at Canaan are being raised in a Christian environment so that when they go out into the “real world”, they are strong and able Christian men and women. These kids are being raised to be missionaries for God in their own country. This is inspiring to me. Kids who are in a Children’s Home, are being brought up to help others and show God’s love to a country that needs more people like those kids at Canaan. I can hardly put into words the joy, peace and happiness I saw at Canaan.

Canaan was built from prayers; answered prayers. Please pray for Pastor Isaac, who started Canaan Children’s Home. Please also include in your prayers the children at Canaan, the men and women who dedicate their lives to raising the children in a Christian environment and the teachers at Canaan Primary School. Please pray God blesses those children, men and women who are working missionaries, showing God’s love to a country they are proud to call home.