I have been back from Africa exactly 13 days and for exactly 13 days I have felt I just do not fit in here anymore.
A lot of emotions, a lot of trying to sort out those emotions, and a lot of my heart swelling to a place I didn't think it could go.
Africa had always been a dream of mine. I have always had a passion for Africa but little did I know exactly how much my heart I would leave in Ghana. It was one of the most amazing things I have ever done, and one of the most challenging things.
The flight was long and I slept very little. We landed in Accra, Ghana and as soon as my feet hit the ground I was overtaken by emotion. I cried and cried, overwhelmed that I was in a place I so long dreamed about.
Everyone has asked me to tell them about the trip but that is the most difficult thing to do because I do not feel I can accurately explain what I saw and felt and experienced. I can tell you this, I will NEVER be the same.
We got the opportunity to spend a couple days with 47 kids who had been rescued from child trafficking, if you haven't watched the video I posted a couple weeks ago please do. These kids were the most amazing, happy kids I been around. For kids that have experienced the darkest days anyone should they are so loving. I was amazed at how all 15 of us had one or 2 kids that latched onto us. I am pleased to be able to sponsor one that I bonded with. William has an amazing smile that will melt your heart.
One other incident that sticks out to me was a time when we got "stuck" in water on the way to Kete Krachi (which we never made it to). Our bus was stuck in knee high water, and for as far down the road as you could see people from the closest village ran to help us. There were probably 60 kids or so. We were stuck for about 7 hours total I think. At one point Stephanie and Pat had laid hands on the bus and were praying. I asked a girl that was 13, that could speak English, if she wanted to go pray with me on the bus to which she replied "yes, but I will pray in my language". I said that is fine, she then turned around and said something to the other kids and they swarmed the bus to lay hands on it and began to pray aloud in their language. IT was one of the most beautiful sounds I have ever heard.
These people that have far less than us Americans have something that is of greater value than we do... a sense of community and a faith so strong. A huge lesson to be learned there.
1 comment:
Amazing and heartbreaking all at the same time. My prayers are going out for all those beautiful children you touched and especially those still in need of rescue. I'm crying after reading, but it is a good cry that warms my heart. Thanks for sharing.
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