It was the saddest and happiest time of my life all rolled up into one huge ball of emotion.  I was embarking on the trip of a lifetime.  I was all set to go and change the world.  I had no idea that the world would change me. 

            My charge was to go and sing to the people of Ghana, West Africa.  I left on a short-term mission’s trip with 19 other people on November 1st.  It is a trip that the parishioners, from Body of Christ Church in Raleigh, NC, take annually in the fall.  The church has a sister location in Koforidua, Ghana.  Each year, the Pastor, Kelvin Redmond, and several other missionaries go oversees to take supplies and minister to those who live in small, remote villages and truly do not have access to basics like electricity and running water.  The sister church, also known as Body of Christ, has an orphanage that they sponsor in a small village in Koforidua. 

            After an 18 hour flight, I was exhausted but felt a feeling of exhilaration and amazement when I finally stepped off the plane in Accra.  The steamy, hot air and piercing night sky filled me with promise for the days lying ahead.  I was ready to bring, what I thought was my expertise and open heart to those who were willing to listen.  Upon leaving the airport, I must admit that I was shocked to encounter a world not so different from my own.  I was greeted by busy streets, traffic and street lights.  My naiveté had gotten the best of me.  I began to think that my trip probably would not go as I had envisioned in my mind.

            The next day, I awakened afresh, ready to go out, once again, and give my heart to others.  I expected to see sadness and despair in the midst of poverty.  I was completely taken back by the sense of peace, serenity and happiness that I saw in the faces I encountered.  “How could this be?” I wondered.  Even those who did not have much were full of joy and happiness. 

            I was fortunate to be able to visit an old slave castle on the Cape Coast.  Sadness engulfed me as I walked through the dark damp dungeons where my ancestors had been chained years ago.  I could feel the presence of so many tortured souls yearning to be free.  It reminded me of all of those who had gone before me to pave the way so that I would be able to board airplanes and travel freely all around the world.  As I walked, I stood firm on the promises of an even better future knowing that we were well on our way with the election of our first African-American President, Barack Obama.  I knew that the suffering I felt was not in vain.

            We left the slave castle to drive over 2 hours away to Koforidua, which is where we spent most of our time.  I awoke the next day excited knowing that we would be visiting the orphanage.  Being a school teacher, I was elated to visit the orphanage, which is also a school, to meet the children.  I couldn’t wait to see the classrooms and find the differences in teaching compared with the United States.  I thought for sure that the students would be similar to the children I encounter on a daily basis - willing to learn, but sometimes a bit apprehensive of true sincerity.  That is not what I found; these children were so attentive, soaking up everything that was being taught, and so happy to see us.  They desired hugs, shared their ways of living, and even shared a dance step or to with me!

            The concerts that we participated in were amazing!  There was such a fire and spirit of hope in every individual we encountered.  They were ready to sing and dance all night long.  Each performance was met with appreciation and gratitude.  

            I learned several things upon my return from Ghana, West Africa.  With everything that I have been blessed with, what matters most is my emotional state of being.  The mind and the spirit must be fed.  When they are, materialism gets pushed to the background.  You are able to succeed and go higher when your focus is feeding the soul.  That nourishment will drive you to push to meet goals that you may have thought were unattainable.  That nourishment will drive you to serve others.  We live in a society were self-indulgence is top priority.  Materialism, at its best, drives daily decision-making.  I encourage you to stop, take yourself out of the equation and place your focus on someone else.  Be a blessing to someone who is in need.  You will find that instead of you helping them, the help will be given to you and your life will forever be changed.