Full Bellies & Empty Hands (our 2022 letter)

Dear Friends-

Another year has come and gone. The girls are doing wonderfully. Sarah Jr. and Gloria were baptized and received new white church dresses, as is the tradition in Ghana. Lucky and Sarah Jr. are playing volleyball for the school team. Sarah Sr., Dina, God’s Way, and Richlove, will start high school this spring, and Lucky, Regina, Sarah Jr., and Gloria are in various stages of middle school. Modern technology is a mixed bag, but we are grateful every day for the chance to text with Mercy and Bernard on a regular basis, and to see the pictures they send. Next year we will celebrate 10 years since The Yellow House became fully operational–can you believe it? 

Mercy & Helen with (top row, L-R) Lucky, Richlove, God’s Way, Regina, (bottom row, L-R) Gloria, Sarah Jr., and Dina

Lucky & Sarah Jr. In their volleyball uniforms. Adidas socks!

At church for Sarah Jr.’s and Gloria’s baptisms. Top Row, L-R: God’s Way, Dina, Lucky, Richlove. Bottom Row, L-R: RIchlove, Sarah Jr., Sarah Sr., and Gloria.

I read an article over Thanksgiving that referenced an experience from linguist Daniel Everett, who was living with a hunter-gatherer community in the Brazilian rainforest: 

A hunter had brought home a sizable kill, far too much to be eaten by his family. The researcher asked how he would store the excess. Smoking and drying technologies were well known; storing was possible. The hunter was puzzled by the question—store the meat? Why would he do that? Instead, he sent out an invitation to a feast, and soon the neighboring families were gathered around his fire, until every last morsel was consumed. This seemed like maladaptive behavior to the anthropologist, who asked again: given the uncertainty of meat in the forest, why didn’t he store the meat for himself, which is what the economic system of his home culture would predict. “Store my meat? I store my meat in the belly of my brother,” replied the hunter.

This story, although referencing a South American tribe, made me think of the eclectic community that has circled around eight girls in a small town in west Africa. I have not forgotten the empty shelves that lined grocery stores in the early days of the pandemic–I read the news and am aware of our tendency to hoard and save when we fear the uncertainty of the future. But every year as I send out these letters, and a few weeks later as I type up our tax receipts, I am encouraged (and even astonished?) that so many of you choose to store your extra time, resources, money, etc. in the bellies of your sisters. 

I do not know the religion of the tribe in Brazil, but I cannot help but be reminded of Jesus, multiplying the bread and fishes, inviting everyone to partake and eat their fill. He could’ve hoarded his inheritance, but he shares it freely with us. What a gift, and what an honor to continue that in a small way through generosity of our own resources. 

Wishing you full bellies and empty hands this holiday season-

Ted & Ellie Kriwiel 
Founders

Donations can be made online or via mail: 
P.O. Box 8366 
Wichita, KS 67208