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Sue Kolljeski serves with The Mission Society in Lawra, Ghana. She works with special needs children and has revived a church in the nearby village of Kasalgri. Here, she shares the story of Bura-Ang, a special needs child.

“Bura-Ang was born with cerebral palsy. In Ghana she was called a ‘baby snake.’ Ghanaians from Traditionalists religions believe that children with special needs have evil spirits. Many are left to die.

“Bura-Ang lived with her family and spent time at the orphanage daycare. She always had a smile on her face. She learned to stand by herself and even walk.

“I just received word that Bura-Ang died. I was told that she crawled to a big, iron pot of water, pulled herself up, and fell in and drowned. I have seen these huge pots and can see how that could happen if a child couldn’t walk well.

“Bura-Ang’s father told me that she died of malaria.

“When a special needs child dies, Traditionalists believe that the evil spirit the child carries will go into one of the family members. So, much fear accompanies a situation like this.

“Children die so often in Ghana that the family does not even have a funeral. The child is buried in a hand-dug grave soon after death.

“As I sat with Bura-Ang’s family, I told them what the Bible says about ‘the little ones.’ I told them of heaven and the hope we have in Christ.

“Angelina, Bura-Ang’s mother, loved her daughter. She is experiencing grief over her daughter’s death and, at the same time, relief. There is no place for a special needs child in this culture. She worried who would care for Bura-Ang.

“Angelina came to church on Sunday and worshipped with me. I pray that seeds were planted in this family, that doors would be opened, and that Bura-Ang’s family would come to know Jesus. I know Bura-Ang is dancing before Jesus today!”