Pastor Abraham reported the following to the trustees about the work at the Redemption Children’s Home: There are presently 53 children at the orphanage. They are grateful for the continuing support from ALC as the orphanage is dependent upon the generosity of donors for its on-going operation. Pastor Abraham was happy to report that they have been busy too, in making improvements and building a broader base of support. Volunteers, mostly from the Netherlands, have been giving hands on help. A group from Scotland recently visited the orphanage, painted buildings and held a fund-raiser for the orphanage upon their return to Scotland. Our previous pastoral intern is planning on serving for a month in January at the orphanage and our present pastoral intern was able to meet with Pastor Abraham and make tentative plans for a visit later in 2009.

“I had a dream, but God’s vision is bigger than my dream.” With tears in his eyes Pastor Abraham Lermu Saaka (photo) described the incredible progress that has occurred in the building of the Redemption Children’s Home for orphans in Damongo, Ghana. On a cool Sunday afternoon on August 26, 2007 the newly built orphanage was dedicated and celebrated by the entire Damongo community. The new facility consists of five buildings, a boy’s and a girl’s dormitory with separate bathhouses, and a cafeteria and multi-purpose hall. This facility has been made possible by the American Lutheran Congregation of Oslo, Norway in cooperation with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and private donors in the United States and Norway.