The Father's House was honored to be chosen as the focus of a senior project of nearby Anlo Senior High School. The class visited the Father's House last Wednesday and made a presentation of food, toiletries, and cash they collected for the boys. They also enjoyed worshipping and drumming with the boys during their visit.

Thank you, Anlo Senior High Seniors!

A story of transformation... through Tammy's eyes... 

I've never seen a butterfly in Ghana. I've been told that there are some, mostly in the Northern Region. From what I've heard, they sound more like moths—color-wise, at least. So, imagine my surprise a few weeks ago, when I entered the gate at the Father's House for the first time in 354 days, to find not one, not two, but EIGHT beautiful butterflies! They swarmed around me as soon as I opened the car door. In fact, they got so close to me and moved so quickly that I actually pulled my head backwards, away from them, for a second, so I could really focus on them and take in the beauty of what was playing out in front of my own eyes. Who were these amazing creatures before me? They looked familiar, but somehow different. And what was all this noise I heard coming from them with no prompting from me or anyone else? It sounded like laughter... incessant laughter. What? You've never heard a butterfly laugh? Then you've probably never seen one smile either. Their smiles are... well... they're indescribable.

Of course, these were no ordinary butterflies. They didn't have colorful wings like you might have pictured. And they weren't flying. Not literally, anyway. But I can promise you this...there is no butterfly on earth who has gone through a more complete metamorphosis than the eight amazing boys I saw flitting around me that day. Since the boys came to live at the Father's House a year ago, I've seen a lot of pictures, I've heard some great stories, and I've even talked to them on the phone a few times. I could see that they had changed and grown, and I believed in my head that they were happy. But before I even got out of the car I knew... in my heart, I KNEW... that the change in each of them was real. It isn't something that can be seen in a photograph or told in a story. God has restored their childhood and redeemed the years that were stolen from them and they are truly being transformed!

I took many pictures of these same boys a year ago, and while there was a visible difference in their stature and confidence as soon as we took them from slavery on Lake Volta, I know that before every "click" of the camera, someone was there, telling them to smile, sometimes even showing on their own face an example of a smile and saying, "See my teeth? Do this." Part of it might have been a language barrier, but the harsh reality is that before those precious boys got to the Father's House, they didn't have much of a reason to smile. I played a little game with a couple of them when I would hug them last year, where I physically took their arms, wrapped them around my neck, and said, "Wrap your arms around me and squeeeeeeze!" And they would giggle and we would do it again. But the truth is, I'm not sure they had ever been hugged before. In fact, I'm pretty sure they hadn't.

I cannot begin to explain what it was like this year to see non-stop smiles on those eight amazing boys, or the joy that flooded my heart every single time I heard them laugh. I cannot describe the Light that shines from within each of them, visibly brightening their eyes and their faces. To witness what God is doing in each of their lives is a blessing and an honor that I will never be able to thank Him for enough. As hard as it was to say "good-bye" to the boys at the end of our visit, I can honestly say it is one of my favorite memories. You see, this year, I didn't need to play the "hug game" with anyone, because they all know how to hug now. And... well... butterfly hugs are just the BEST!

Tammy Garrett

Out of the countless number of worthy charitable organizations, Christian singer and songwriter Josh Wilson and his wife, Becca, have chosen to spotlight Father's House Ghana during his current Christmas tour, Noel. We are excited and honored that they are lending their voices to raise awareness of the child slavery issue on Lake Volta and raise funds for The Father's House. Josh is best recognized by his hit radio singles "Before the Morning," "I Refuse," and "Fall Apart," and his most recent release, "Jesus Is Alive," is quickly becoming a Christmas favorite. This tour is unique in that it features looped recording of over 20 instruments live on stage! His immense talent and ability to entertain a crowd are undeniable, but more importantly, Josh truly has a heart to use his God-given talents and abilities to reach people for Jesus and be a voice for those who have none.

"We are so thrilled to be a small part of the big thing God is doing through Father's House. In our first four concerts, audiences have given about as much as we had hoped to make on the whole tour. People are excited to help an organization that is meeting both the physical and spiritual needs of these 8 boys. We can't wait to see what God does on the rest of this tour. Thanks, Father's House, for what you're doing!" -Josh and Becca Wilson

So, check his tour schedule, gather your friends and family, and make a road trip if necessary! You won't be disappointed...and you just might see an exclusive video of some very special boys we know and love. And don't forget to stop by the merchandise table and buy a Father's House ornament from Becca!

Hello from Tegbi, Ghana, West Africa!

We (Jake, Chanda, and the boys) are settled in as best we can be for now at the Father's House. We arrived in Ghana on January 6, 2011 and rescued 8 boys from a life of slavery on Lake Volta on January 11. Since then we have been going full speed! God is awesome, as He has been showing us and leading us for the last month in remarkable ways.

We are excited to introduce you to "the boys"...

Francis, the oldest, is a very gentle and loving young man. He is 13 years old, speaks little English and was on the lake for 2 years. He is very thankful to be living here, and he is praying that one day he will grow up to be a good man who can help his mother & father

Next is Evans (eh'vahns). Evans was the first face we saw as we docked our boat on the island we rescued most of the boys from. He is very smart and speaks English very well. He translates for Jake and me a lot. Evans loves to worship and is quite intrigued by stories of worship in the Bible. He especially likes the story in 2 Chronicles about Jehosaphat sending men to worship before the warriors and how God delivered them as He heard the praises of His people. Evans has taught us all a new worship song, "Heaven I receive you". It is his favorite, and is now frequently heard around the Father's House.

Clement is a very shy, quiet, strong, and tender-hearted young man. He is a huge helper and sweeps better than I do (Chanda). When asked what he prays for, he says that he will "grow to be a good man and will help his family". He has one of the most precious smiles ever. He has a huge interest in reading and likes to look up Bible verses.

God's Way, Sr. We have 2 boys named God's Way, so we call the older one "God's Way, Sr." If I had to guess, this would be the preacher out of the bunch. I don't know why. I just see him evangelizing. This little man has a bubbly personality. He is always smiling and ready to learn. He loves to talk and has a willing heart. God's Way is eager to learn more English. While praying in the group one evening, his prayer included, "and if any demons come around here, just whoop 'em Lord"! That's God's Way.

Next is Ame' (ah-may). You always catch Ame' looking at you...followed by a huge smile. Ame' does not understand English, but Evans translates for him. (Thank you, Jesus, for that!) You can tell he is taking everything in. He is very thankful for everything he receives. He is always willing to help. Ame' watches Jake and me through the kitchen window while we cook. He's a great kid.

Gideon is our jokester. He speaks very good English and knows Bible stories well. He loves to help, as most of the boys do. Gideon likes to pray and read the Bible and he loves to swim. He was sold into slavery twice. He is very "street smart"...and he is also very hungry for love and attention. He loves to be in the middle of whatever you are doing and is proving to be a masterful coloring artist. When the boys are asked "Who wants to pray?", Gideon is always one of the first to volunteer.

Julius Moses is 9 years old. He is very meticulous and loves to dance. He keeps his bed and his things very neat. He understands most English, but speaks very little. He seemed very quiet and reserved until we discovered during worship one night that he is a flashy dancer. He was the first to want to be baptized. He prays for Jesus to help him and his parents. If asked if he believes in Jesus, his answer is always an emphatic, "YES!"

God's Way, Jr., or "Little God's Way" as we call him, is Gideon's younger brother and the baby of the bunch. He is 6 years old and as skinny as a beanpole. "Little God's Way" is heard a lot in the hallways of the Father's House. He is the youngest and is picked on more than the others, but is very good at standing his ground. He seems timid, but warms up very quickly. He speaks English very well and can read. He sat in my lap one night and told me that he was not happy because he was small, but before the end of the night, he was smiling and encouraged that he would grow up to be a strong man who loves Jesus.

So, now you know them..."the boys". Each one is unique in a way that only God could have ordained. Jake and I are so privileged to have a front row seat to their lives as they are being changed. They all enjoy the food, showers, beds, drums, the chalkboard, and most of all... the football field (that would be "soccer" to us).

We have made connections with several people in the area that are helping with projects at the Father's House. Land is being cleared for a 1-acre garden on-site. We have a table for the boys to eat and do their lessons on. Cabinets are being built to store materials for the boys, their clothes, and our clothes. We have talked with a chicken farmer in the area, and Jake hopes to get our own chicken coop started right away. We are making plans for an on-site prayer and worship room that can be accessed 24 hours a day by the workers and the boys.

We have secured a tutor who began working with the boys on January 31. She will be coming to the Father's House for their lessons three day per week. The boys are very excited about improving their English and practicing their writing. Her name is Matilda. Please keep her in your prayers. When they arrived at the Father's House, each boy was given a new set of clothes and slippers (flip-flops). We purchased fabric, and on February 1 a tailor visited the house and measured each boy for a new custom-made African outfit to wear to church. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would hear a group of boys asking for "church clothes"!

Our first Sunday at the Father's House was interesting. Jake and I were talking to the boys about Jesus and who they thought he was. The conversation was great and before either of us knew it we were explaining what it meant to be a disciple... what Jesus did for us...how Jesus told us to go into all nations, baptize and make disciples. Jake explained what being baptized symbolized and I explained what it means to really believe in Jesus. After we told them about accepting Jesus and being baptized, we asked them what they thought about that. They all told us they believed and wanted to know Jesus more. By the end of the day, we were in the ocean baptizing all 8 boys...boys who were once considered slaves! That day was January 16th. After baptizing them, we told them this was a day of leaving their old life behind and being raised to a new life in Christ. Take your glory, Jesus!

Everyone has been to the doctor and they are all doing well. Getting all of them to the hospital and the wait at the hospital was more of an adventure than the actual doctor visit itself. Mosquito nets were not available for purchase when we first got here, so when the boys' nets were installed above their beds last week, we heard claps and shouts of joy! The boys are doing great...they love to help do chores. They meet us at the car each time we come home from shopping with big hugs and smiles! They pray for the people in America. At times they say they miss their parents. They LOVE to color. One night they gathered around Jake and me and prayed for us. We couldn't understand anything they said, but it was powerful! They ask us to pray for their families, for God to give them wisdom, and for forgiveness. Every day we talk to them about the prayers they are praying on their own and what they want to pray about as a group. Each boy, at some point, has opened up; little by little, each one shares a little more about himself and his hurts and fears. Keep praying that their hearts will be turned to Jesus and that Jesus will minister to them through Jake, me, and the other workers.

We ask and believe that the Holy Spirit will minister to these boys, that He will break down the walls that have hardened around their hearts and that Jesus will become very real to them on a constant basis. Please join us in this prayer.

Continue to pray for wellness for the boys, us, and the other workers. Pray that God will give them a pure heart and a desire to seek His face. Pray that they will learn how to read English with ease. Pray that they will grow together as spiritual brothers and sons. Ask Jesus to become more real to them than anything else.

Much love to you all from the Father's House!

Over 7,000 boys are slaves on Lake Volta in Ghana, Africa. 

They have been told many lies in their short lives...

that they are worthless and unwanted and unloved.

But the Truth is...

^"There is surely a future hope for you,

and your hope will not be cut off."   Proverbs 23:18

In January, 2011, child slaves will be rescued from Lake Volta

and will find a new home at the Father's House.

More than just offering them a safe home, an education, and three meals a day,

our desire and vision for these precious boys is that they will come to know who they are in Christ,

that God created them in His image and He has a plan for their lives!

Thank you for donating to the Father's House

You are giving the  Gift of Hope!

As we celebrate Thanksgiving in America, we know that our freedom is one of the most precious gifts we have ever been given.  390 years ago, Pilgrims made the long and difficult journey to this land in order to be free to worship God.   147 years ago, Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation which gave freedom to those who had been enslaved here.  Freedom is so much a part of our lives now that we rarely give it a second thought.

And yet, not all are free.

There are an estimated 7,000 children working as slaves on Lake Volta in Ghana.  Children.  Children who should be free to run and play and go to school.   Children who should be free to smile and laugh and sing songs.   Children who should be shown love and taught that they were created in the image of God, a God who loves them and has a plan for their lives.

In 2011, children will be rescued from slavery and will find a home at the Father’s House.   Your gift of any size will be a gift of freedom for those precious children.  They are waiting.

Lake Volta, Ghana:

Over 7,000 children work 14-20 hours per day as slaves in the fishing industry. They are fed one meal a day and are not allowed to attend school. They are forced to dive underwater to untangle the nets. If they cannot untangle them or pull them in, they are beaten. Some children become entangled and drown.

     But there is hope…

Keta, Ghana – 150 miles South of Lake Volta

Two families from America followed God’s direction and built The Father’s House. In 2011, children rescued from slavery on Lake Volta are finding a new home at The Father’s House. During construction they began a community feeding and Bible teaching. Around 250 children attend each week. The Father’s House offers children a new life of hope, freedom, love, and joy.

www.Facebook.com/FathersHouseGhana

“I Refuse” used with permission of Josh Wilson http://www.joshwilsonmusic.com/

We are excited to welcome Jake and Chanda Crout to the Father's House family! Jake and Chanda are following God's leading in their lives and, beginning in January, 2011, they will be spending one year in Ghana at the Father's House. Chanda traveled to Ghana in March and November of 2009, and Jake visited in July, 2010. They each fell in love with the people and are looking forward to their time in Ghana. The couple currently lives in South Carolina.

Having Jake and Chanda in Ghana is an important step toward our mission of rescuing child slaves from Lake Volta. They will be instrumental in rescuing the children and will oversee our Ghanaian houseparents and the day-to-day tasks of caring for the children. Their most important role will be to show the unconditional love of our Father to the precious children He entrusts to our care. Both Jake and Chanda are filled with His love, and we have no doubt that lives will be changed as His love overflows into the lives of everyone they touch in Ghana.

To have Jake and Chanda speak to your group or church, contact them at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

You can support Jake and Chanda by supporting Father's House International, Ghana.