Landon and Kate + 8!: Our journey's end

Eighteen months ago, when Kate and I left our home in Missouri, we had no idea what we were getting into. Now it is hard to believe that we are about to return to start a new life in America. Living in Ghana has been both challenging and rewarding in ways that we could never have expected.

Its hard to properly convey how far the girls have come. Since the girls were brought to the home over a year ago, they have been attending school and receiving private lessons at home. They spoke no English at all when they arrived, but, through Kate's lessons combined with their schooling, they are able to communicate almost anything without translation. Several of them are already reading simple books. Godsway could not do simple addition when she came but now, it seems, her math skills have surpassed my own... It is amazing how quickly children can learn. It has been great to see the girls catching up to the other children their age who have been attending school for years. We are very proud of them for their hard work and now they are starting to see it pay off.

Apart from that we have had the privilege of seeing the girls become healthy and strong. In a little over a year they have collectively gained around 2 ft. of height. Their bodies are stronger, their eyes are brighter and their energy level has increased (shot through the roof, actually). We didn't think it possible, but we are seeing the girls laugh more and play harder than ever before.

Best of all, we have witnessed the girls, along with Mercy and Helen, come to think of each other as family. They look out for each other at school, care for each other when someone is sick, help each other with their work and share everything they own.

We are sad to leave them, but we know that Helen and Mercy will make sure they are well cared for. We want to thank Teddy and Ellie for choosing us to help in making their dream into a reality. We want to thank friends and family who have supported us in every way imaginable.

We want to thank Riverwalk Church of Christ whose support has been indispensable. We have been spared a great deal of worry and hardship because of Riverwalk's incredible generosity.

Thank you all for coming on this journey with us-we couldn't have done it without you!

We are excited to see you all very soon!

Landon and Kate