By Beth Berman

I am back in Ghana at the Bishop Forson School Complex for my second year in a row. Last year I was focused on the work I had to do and to just getting a lay of the land, so to speak. Little by little over the 10 days in Kpando, I started to get to know some teachers and students to the point where I felt I was developing a relationship with them.
At the end of the trip, I decided to sponsor two children, Kpebu Bright, age 11, and Khaly Richard, age 15. When I said goodbye to them last year, my heart was divided. It was joyous for the time we had spent together but sad for having to take my leave. This past year  I wrote each boy and sent packages to let them know they were in my heart and in my thoughts, even though we were miles and continents apart. I reminded them in my letters that we always were looking at the same sun and the same moon, even though from a different vantage point.But the perspective we shared was a love for each other.

As we drove toward BFSC this year, I could barely contain my excitement over returning and upon seeing Richard and Bright walking toward me across the school field, my heart just burst with glee. After spending the first few days with them at school and working in the classroom, I decided to take them out to lunch in the town, an opportunity they never get.

As I was traveling in the cab with Richard and Bright, I felt a deep sense of contentment spread over me. I was back with my African children, back with their sweet smiles, their gracious ways, and their deep searching eyes and inquisitive minds. Those beautiful eyes reflected back to me my ever present searching for what my purpose on this Earth is. One clear answer is the raising and loving of my three children, Leslie, 24, Ali, 22 and Jeffrey (who came to Ghana with me last year), age 18. Secondly I know the work I do as a psychologist is also my calling. But sitting there with Richard and Bright and soaking in the amazing experiences I had last year and was again having this year, I knew that my third purpose on this Earth was to form a partnership with this community in Kpando, and specifically at BFSC, and particularly with Richard and Bright.

The opportunity to serve through Pagus and to sponsor through Pagus is an honor. I am grateful for this chance and all sponsors must know that these children need you and love you, whether they have met you or not. Your financial support to them provides them a future they might not otherwise have and your letters to them tells them you truly care about them and that they are ever present in your minds and hearts. This means the world to them.

In the restaurant, we played games, ate great food and talked about our families. We discovered what we had in common and were curious about our differences. We watched World Cup repeats and laughed. Anyone in the restaurant would surely have been envious of the special time we were obviously having together and I will surely never forget it.