Ruth Markle - Burkina Faso

    Recently I was fortunate enough to return from my second visit to the Village of Hope in Burkina Faso. I am so very blessed and thankful for the life changing experience. Meeting the different people and children at the Village of Hope, and having them receive us with open arms was wonderful. By going and spending time with the children you can see first hand, the impact that you have on their lives, and even the impact that they have on yours. Travelling through Burkina has allowed me to see first hand how truly difficult it is for so many to make a daily living. Even though the children have the opportunity to go to school, many of them are either orphans or are away from their families because of it. Even worse was the poor health of some of the children. We were told it could take up to a year for some of them to heal.  Playing and learning alongside the kids has really opened my eyes to what I have compared to others.

        This trip has challenged me in many ways. I have been challenged to appreciate more, pray for the children more, and pray for others globally or in my community that are struggling for survival and go unnoticed. The team experience with Careforce is very rewarding. You are able to make friends with people from all walks of life. You eat, laugh, play, cry, and soak your feet together. Through Careforce and the Village of Hope, we were also able to help the community. While we were there we built a wall with many of the locals. During the building process there was laughter, teaching and great camaraderie as we worked. I encourage you to go on a team experience help not only the children but impact the village. Whether it's through medical attention, construction, or just playing with the children, I really encourage everyone to join a team and make a difference. You will be blessed and thankful.