Above and Beyond What I Expected and So Much MORE

June 5, 2009

Today was a day that took me beyond my comfort zone in the best way. I did not know how to feel about it, but it was overwhelming. Today we go to the schools outside of Accra. We are supposed to come and speak to a Junior High School, they are about 12-18. Then after that, we go to the little kid’s school.

We are about twenty-five minutes away from the school and James said that I would be talking to the youth for about thirty minutes. In my head there is a phrase came to my head, but it is not a word I want to come out of my mouth…so “Oh Holy God” will have to suffice. I asked him what he wanted me to talk about, hoping that he would give me something to go off of. Those who know me will smile at his reply…”I want you to motivate them.” Even as I type I start to tear up with overflowing emotion. I can officially say that today June 5th I delivered my first motivational speech. I have started my career here. I never thought that it would be in Africa, but God works in mysterious ways. They were so welcoming after they got over the initial shock that I was white and only 19. Surprisingly they were more shocked that I was nineteen.
You see I do not think it is a big deal my age, but when others hear about it, it is something intriguing to them; whether I am in the United States or in Africa. Honestly, I see what I want and I will do whatever is necessary to have it. I am so happy that I pursued this. There were so many people against me going, I understand because they love me. I even wanted people to come with me. I realized that this was something that I had to do on my own. This was God’s plan. He likes to put me in situations by myself and watch me grow from there. He definitely likes to put me in situations where I hit the ground running.

I had written some notes about what I was going to say. I rarely looked down at that paper. The words just came to me. I was able to incorporate and preach my faith, while motivating them at the same time. Before I stood up, I did not even know where to start. As I said, it just flowed. When I ended and I sat down, I had to look like I was wiping sweat from my head so that I could wipe the tears from my eyes. It went so well! I dare say that there were at least fifty students in the room. One of them suggested that I sing a song so they could “feel my heart and join me in praise.” Well readers who have heard my voice are most likely laughing at the thought of me serenading a group of teens. I said no with a smile, but the ENTIRE school house yelled, “sing, Sing, SING.” Talk about out of my comfort zone. I told James and Immanuel that they had to come with me. They agreed. We sang one of the first songs that I learned here. It is called “He Reigns.” It goes something like this, “I give glory to the Lord, He reigns, He reigns, I give glory to the Lord He reigns, He reigns...” There is more to it but to hear all of us singing and clapping to the song overjoyed my soul. People were looking at the building from the outside wondering what we were doing inside. To know that they all gave everything they had into the song leaves me speechless. When I get my pictures posted, I will let you see the schoolroom they use. They are in need of supplies badly, they are more in need of space.

There is one major difference between the people of Ghana and America. In America you have to drag some to school and even drag them to church. Not in Ghana. Everyone wants to be there. If they do not want to be there then they simply will not come. They are so thankful to get to come, worship, and engage with other brothers and sisters of Christ. Another difference is that they are nicer as a whole nation. They will say good morning to a stranger, they will help those in need. They definitely treat their women better in Ghana than the average American male.

I walked out of that classroom knowing in my heart that I found my passion. I found what I want to do for the rest of my life. The rush of emotion knowing that what I said to them means something to them. I believe that if you can inspire, or influence the life of one individual then it is all worth it. When one person makes a choice to follow Jesus or choose to follow God and lean not on their own understanding, then every minute of my trip and preparing for my trip was worth it. Without of doubt. I feel so moved being among these young people. Words cannot even describe what I felt. I wanted to call my parents and share with them. But it was six o clock in the morning when I finished the speech and I had WAY too much energy for them. I also would have lost my composer and would start to let my emotions flow.

I wonder if James thinks that I do not get nervous. We always pray before I go talk, but there is no pep talk or asking how I am doing or even if I am ready. He just walks up there and introduces me as if I have done this before, even though I know he knows that I have not. I am glad he does this though. I know that if he made it optional then I would have nothing to say because I would be scared. Well there is no time to be scared or nervous, my audience and/ or my congregation is waiting for me.

After that, we went to a school for younger kids. They ranged from about two to twelve. James said that I was going to play with them and interact. We got there and they all were so smiley when they saw me. We sat down while Pastor Eric talked with them. He then said that I had something to tell them…this caught me completely off guard. So I walked up there still trying to piece together what I was going to say. In the beginning of my visit, it was a little awkward because I did not and they did not as well know the boundary. They started to play musical chairs. I got up from my seat and I joined the ones that were clapping and singing the song that they others danced around the chairs to. They looked at me shocked, both the children and the pastors that I came with. When the game had ended, I reached out my hand to introduce myself personally with a student. Then I shook the hand of every child at the school. They all wanted to tell me their name and meet me. I was just as anxious to meet them. They all just crowded around me touching my hands and my arms. I was talking with some of the older ones while they continued to touch my hands. Pastor Eric came up to me and said that it was time to go. I said that I wanted to take a group picture. I said that I was going to sit on the ground and for some reason all of the adults and the older male students thought that I needed a chair. I believe that I can sit on the dirt floor with the rest of them. Then one of the two year olds, named Jerry, came up to me and sat in my lap. Two others followed. I loved it. This time all of the children crowded around me and we interacted as if we were friends. I loved it. I cannot wait to come back and meet them again. Yes, I did say come back. I have made up my mind that I am coming back. I have concluded that God did not bring me to Africa to have it be a one-time thing. The people I have met and the situations I have been put into was not something for fun. I truly believe that there could possibly be a new beginning in Africa. It is going to be a long road to establish but it is something that I believe will benefit all involved.

Pastor James wanted to drive through a town where it is known to be the worst part of Ghana; all of the criminals live there and there is a strong Muslim population there. I am not inferring that Muslims are criminals. Anyways, I could not bring out my camera or show any of my electronics. He also said that if someone were to hit another person that was walking in the street, then the driver and it passengers would be killed and the car beaten to oblivion. So…there are people EVERYWHERE and weaving in and out of cars. This was the first time in my whole trip where I was scared. I knew that God would protect us, I mean He had to, right. I was counting on him to keep us and other fellow travelers safe. I am glad that I got to see this area, but this is an area of Ghana that I will be happy never encountering again on my visits.

Immanuel came with us today. Him and another gentleman named Evance are James’ right hand men. I wish that Evance had a chance to come with us places. One of the nights that I gave my sermon he was my interpreter.

When we went to the bank, we could not get the car to start. James’ car is a 17 year old BMW. Anyways, Immanuel had to get out and push it. I went to go and help him and Pastor James said no. So we sat in the car as he pushed it out of the parking spot. Then the car started to roll and then it started. I felt like this was a Little Miss Sunshine moment because Immanuel had to run after us as we started the car.

Tonight was my last sermon. I had written it this morning and for some reason I was not nervous. We usually end youth group at eight but the youth leader, Pastor Alex, said that there was no time limit tonight. I got up to speak at 7:40 and ended at 8:30ish. It was by far one of the best speeches and the best sermon I have ever given. Towards the end, I openly thanked them for everything. My sermon was about how we are part of God’s flock. I said that sheep are defenseless, dependent, and stupid and then I related it to us. I asked them why God, out of all creation chose to make us his sheep, fully being aware what kind of animal sheep are. I followed that into how God works in mysterious ways. I talked about my trip here and what I learned. I left them with the Bible verse Isaiah 43:1-3: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God.” Then the last sentence I said was, “I can’t believe something like this and someone like you happened to me.” This is where I also most lost it; I choked up at the end. It was so pleasing to me to see that every sermon I gave more people had shown up. I said, “I hope you have learned as much from me as I have learned from you. I can’t believe that something like this and someone like you happened to me.” I stayed after to take pictures with them. Pastor James went to talk to Pastor Eric and I stayed in there with the youth. We acted like we were all friends, taking pictures, exchanging information, and laughing at jokes. I felt that in this instant that I was apart of a new family. These people all are in their mid twenties and older. Next time I come back I want to have a chance to hang out with them as friends. I was so sad to leave and I wish that they would have come up and embraced me sooner. There is one girl that I have bonded with, her name is Sylvia. She is the lead singer to the worship team. She is going to be someone that I consider a life long friend. I told the congregation that when I was at the school and they wanted me to sing, that I wished that Sylvia was there with me. I have really touched and influenced her and she has done the same for me. We hugged and I truly am going to miss her.

As we drove back to my hotel, I asked James why the youth group meet every day. He said that they did not. They only meet on Saturdays. Before I had even gotten to Africa they had scheduled for me to speak. It really touched me. Because like I said earlier, if people do not want to be there then they will not show up. I enjoyed being able to look out in the congregation and see people taking notes, people writing down what I say, because it means something to them. I wonder what Pastor James would have done if I did not like to speak publically or if I got nervous and stuttered. All I can do is act like I have done this a million times.

When I got back to the hotel it was too late to eat dinner so I went without. I told myself that I was going to jump rope, but when I got out of the car I went and set my stuff next to Solomon. I went to turn the air conditioning back in my room and when I went to return the remote the two other gentlemen that help with the hotel were in the room. One of their names is Tai and I do not know the other man’s name. We got to talking. I am surprised that they talk with me because in the beginning, my English was too “white” and it is hard for the people of Ghana to understand it. Over the course of my stay I have adjusted to the way that they talk. I do this because I want to interact with them and if we do not understand each other it becomes hard. In America, I have good English, but here I am considered to have bad English. Even though we speak the same language, it is all in the way you say the words. They wanted to know if I was married and how old I was. Solomon had told them my age, but they did not believe him. I thought that they were around my age but they are 29 and 32. This shocked me. They are both married with children. We talked about the different customs about marriage and children in our countries.

I was sitting there and a woman approached me. I said, “How are you?” She replied, “I am fine.” I asked her what her name was and she said Tina. I told her my name and then out of the blue she asked me if I would be her friend. I said of course. She asked when I was leaving and I said Monday morning and she smiled and said, good more time. Then she bid me good night. Mathias was right!

My room is at 20 degrees Celsius. I do not know if it is cold or if it is just because it is hot everywhere else but it is cold in my room. I had to turn off the fan because I was in sweats and a jacket.

I do not like taking pills, but it seems that if I do not take Tylenol PM then I cannot sleep through the night. Every other night I have tried going without it, but then I am restless and wake up frequently. I think it is because I do not have my grandma’s blanket with me. I call this blanket “My blanket of Love.” I always sleep sound with it. It usually goes with me when I travel. I do not know what it is about it, but it is the best blanket I have ever owned.

So on the 5th of June, I declare that I am going to have my start my beginning in Africa. I will continue traveling here with anyone that wants to go so that they can experience this life, culture, and economy, because it is an experience that I, personally, would not be complete without.