The Ghana Project began in 2010.  On Christmas Eve that year, members at Living Word Church in Wildwood, Missouri, were asked to spend half of what they normally would on Christmas gifts for their families and friends.  They were reminded that Christmas was not their birthday and challenged to give the other half of their gift budget to the real birthday boy by making a donation to help his forgotten children in Ghana.

Beyond anyone's wildest dreams, that 2010 Christmas Miracle Offering raised $186,299.19.  It was amazing.  That money has already been put to use providing clean water, sanitation, a dormitory, a chapel, a school, and life to the people of northern Ghana.  And that is amazing.

Fast-forward to Christmastime 2011.  The Ghana Project is not a shiny new toy anymore.  But, again, we asked the folks at Living Word, and friends we've made beyond the walls of our church to, once again, forgo spending what they planned to spend on Christmas gifts.  Again, people were asked to spend half on their friends and family, and give half to The Ghana Project.

We didn't dare speculate.  We didn't dare dream.  Economic conditions were certainly not getting better and, in fact, might have been worse.  Times are tough, unbelievably tough for many people.  I didn't share my worries with anyone else but I barely held out hope that we could raise six figures this time.

But I should have read my bible.

Jesus said, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."  Matthew 7:7 (NIV)

Well, we asked.  And through you it was given . . . $201,157.24 was given!

What an unbelievable total.  And what a credit to the supporters of this project.  The people of northern Ghana are no longer forgotten.  They were never forgotten by God.  And they will never again be forgotten by us.  The Ghana Project is no flash-in-the-pan.  It is enduring and will change the world, beginning here, beginning now.

Thank you for your amazing support.  Again.