Heart for Africa

My Drawings

Zimbabwean Orphans

Hope

Vida and Friends (Ghanaian Orphans)

These three drawings are the start of my body of work that depicts the childen of Africa. All three pieces are drawn with conte on paper (17.5 x 23 inches).

Mark's Story and the Mural

Little 4 year old Mark as a child slave

When the New York Times journalist found Mark in October 2006 this 4-year old little boy told the plight of his story through his eyes. In this one picture there is a feeling that all hope is lost. Mark had been sold by his mother for $25 ($US) to a fisherman in northern Ghana. The fisherman who bought Mark could only afford to pay for a small little boy. Even so, Mark was expected to work 12 hour days untangling fishing nets by diving into the deep waters, oftentimes in the pitch black of night and the dangers of drowning. With only one meal served to him a day and nominal hours of sleep, Mark survived to be rescued by Touch A Life's founder, Pam Cope. She purchased his freedom along with six others for $500 per child. Pam had seen Mark's picture on the front page of the New York Times on that fateful day in October 2006 and was moved to find this little one and to free him. After Mark and the six other children were rescued by Touch A Life Foundation, the Village of Hope orphanage agreed to open their doors to these seven children. Now living at the orphanage, these children have a hopeful future. They are cared for, given meals three times a day, have safe shelter and are enrolled in school.

This is little Mark today...thriving at the orphanage and smiling once again! He has a hopeful future!

I just received the image of the mural we are going to paint during the Art and Music Camp this summer! I absolutely LOVE it, and I am so excited to be part of this project!!! I also found out some other exciting news concerning our trip...Mai, the director of the Children's Art Village, has been corresponding with Oprah's people to do a follow-up story on Mark, one of the orphans who lives at the orphanage that was rescued out of child slavery. The filming will be done during the camp while we are there, and I am thrilled to be a part of that as well!!! GOD IS SO GOOD!!!!! When we step out in faith, He shows up in mighty ways! Joy overwhelms my heart as I prepare for this opportunity that God has ordained. My prayer is that God would use me in a mighty way in Ghana for His glory, and that I would be a reflection of His love to the many children as well as my American and Ghanaian team.