Second Chances

Uncle Charles (middle far right) and some of the boys.

Today I visited Koforidua, capital city of Ghana’s eastern region.  There I met a group of young men all seeking a second chance at life.  Most of them came to the city because they were unable to finish their education, and they were hoping that somehow they could try again in a new place.  But city life for a young boy is hard, and with no home and no family, it is an almost impossible struggle.  That’s where ECM worker “Uncle Charles,” as he is known to the boys, comes into the picture.  Charles started meeting with the boys on Sunday mornings about six years ago, gathering a handful to hear God’s word.  The number kept growing until there were more than twenty hurting boys gathering amidst the closed shops early on Sunday morning, their only day free from the burden of their tasks as human pack mules, carrying goods all day from one place to another.  The boys not only heard but accepted the good news, and many of them found new life in Christ, and a new hope for living.  Isaac, though now 23, was inspired to go back to school, and will soon finish junior high!  It is amazing what a little hope will do, especially when that hope is based on the truth of God’s word.  Other boys are following suit, and though life is still hard (many of them don’t even have a place to sleep at night), they keep coming, week after week, to hear those words of hope and grow in their fledgling faith. 

Thank you for all you do to help provide second chances for children and young people here in Ghana and throughout the countries where ECM serves!