Memorial Field for Kate Richardson

     On our first trip to Ghana in April 2011, we visited City of Refuge in Doryum, Ghana. Our friends, the O'Learys with Feeding the Orphans had told us about their ministry and we wanted to meet the founders, John Bull and Stacy Omorefe and hear about God's plans for their lives in Ghana. We toured their house, children's home and school that were under construction at the time. We were very impressed with all God was doing through them to help the people in Ghana.
     We helped with a feeding for two hundred children that came to them that day for food. After they ate their rice and boiled egg they stayed and played soccer with John Bull. We were all impressed with John Bull's soccer skills and his love for coaching and playing with the kids. They were using sticks for a goal and a beat up soccer ball, but you could tell they all loved to play the game. You can read more about City of Refuge Minsitries at http://www.cityofrefugeoutreach.com to find out about everything that John Bull and Stacy are doing at City of Refuge and Faith Roots International School.
     In early August, our friend, Daniel Jennette came to us and asked if our friends in Ghana could use some soccer equipment. This was about the time I saw a post from Stacy that they were going to have a soccer camp for the kids in August. One of Daniel's employees at Smoky Mountain Outdoors, Kate Richardson had been killed by a drunk driver in July. She was just 21 years old and about to play soccer professionally. She had a love for kids and soccer and had mentioned before she was killed wanting to help children in Africa be able to play the sport. Kate also helped Daniel by bringing his daughter to practices with my girls. I only met Kate once at the soccer field last summer. I wish I would have talked to her more that day and gotten to know her a little. Her life has made a difference for the kids in Ghana to have a place to play the sport she loved.
     Smoky Mountain Outdoors raised over $4000 in Kate's honor. With that money, City of Refuge Ministries leveled an area for a field, built goals, a memorial sign in honor of Kate, have new balls and enough full uniforms and shin guards for 40 kids. 

     When I drove up to City of Refuge last Saturday, the first thing I saw was Kate's Memorial Sign next to the soccer field with a dozen kids around it. It brought tears to my eyes to see Kate's picture. I had no idea of what the sign would look like. I thought it might be a wooden plaque at the corner of the field, but this was a huge sign front and back with Kate's picture at the midfield line. I talked with some of the kids about Kate and how she wanted them to be able to play soccer. One little girl was amazed and said, "Us?, people wanted to help us?" They were all very thankful to have this new field. They must have spent hours lining the field with sand by hand. They took great care to line it perfectly. They had their first match on Saturday, February 18th. I was thrilled to be there and to see the kids get the first glimpse of the uniforms and equipment. I know it will be put to good use there and that many more kids will be able to play on Kate's field. John Bull and Stacy have plans to start a soccer league in the future and this will be a wonderful place for them to play and be loved by great people.  Thank you to everyone that contributed to Kate's Memorial Fund to make all this possible.