Trip to Ghana Dream Come True For Randolph’s Judy Sherman
By Martha Slater

Ever since Randolph resident Judy Sherman was a little girl, she had always wanted to go to Africa. Several months ago, her wish was granted.

"It was a dream come true," Sherman said in a written account of her trip submitted to The Herald. "Thanks to a dear friend of mine, Sandy Rilling. Sandy told Rev. Dr. Jeanne Wyns of Rhode Island about me and she asked me to go with her and two other ladies, Maureen and Betty."

Sherman explained that Jeanne and her husband, Rev. Dr. David Wyns, who live in Rhode Island, but also minister in several African countries, come to the Green Mt. Gospel Chapel in Randolph once a year.

From July 29-August 14, Sherman and her traveling companions were in Accra, which is the capitol city of Ghana. It was there that Sherman met Joseph Oduro-Anokye and his wife, Violet, who run the Redemption Hour Ministry.

"On our first day in Africa, Joseph took us to see a place where the British captured the Africans to sell as slaves," Sherman recalled, "and we saw where they kept them until the ships were ready to sail to America. It was very sad."

While she was there, Sherman also spent a lot of time with the children at the ministry.

"Usually, for their children to go to school, the parents have to pay a lot of money," Sherman said. "But, Joseph and Violet are running a Christian school and trying to give every child a chance to learn. They were very welcoming to us and Joseph even had the ladies at the ministry make us each two dresses."

Sherman may be back home in Vermont now, but she left behind a part of her heart.

"I feel as if a part of me is still over there," she said. "I especially miss the children at the school. I would go back in a second if I had the chance."

Anyone who would like more information about sponsoring a child at the school Sherman visited, is urged to call her at 728-3248.

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