Happy 4th of July! I actually forgot that today was the fourth until someone reminded me yesterday. Crazy as it sounds, Ghana doesn't celebrate the Fourth of July. So today I am working just like a normal day. Time is passing quickly. I'm already halfway through my time here. Work is really busy all of a sudden. There are new volunteers and since I've been here for awhile now, I'm leading the Education Team. It's really good but a bit of pressure since the Kid's Fair is coming up soon. I'm really loving Ghana though. Living life here is good and I enjoy it.

Some things are hard to take in. I did two home visits on Wednesday. The children are orphaned because their parents died of HIV. It was difficult to see the pain these kids go through as a result. One child is HIV positive because her mother passed it to the child. Now the child's great-aunt is taking care of the child. The aunt is trying but it is difficult for her because her husband doesn't know the child's status. Because stigma is so great in Ghana, the aunt doesn't want anyone to know the child is HIV positive. As I looked into the child's eyes, my heart was heavy, knowing that this child would have a difficult life as a result of the parents.

The other child we visited lived with a family friend. The caretaker said sometimes the child just lies on the floor and cries for hours. I know this child is still suffering from the loss of the father just a few months ago. I was able to talk and encourage the child, but it is still difficult knowing that I cannot do much for the child.

Although the home visits were eye opening, I really did enjoy getting to visit the children and check on them. My compassion for them is large.