When I was looking at flights 4 weeks before we were to leave, I was quickly met with a road block. The flight pattern of the other 3 team members from Louisville was about $1,100 more than the cheapest connections. In an effort to be resourceful, I quoted it with many different travel agencies. Each showed a similarly large price tag. I opted to make a different connection to JFK where I would meet the team to fly into Ghana. I had mixed feelings about this but knew that it was something I needed to do.
The morning of our departure (Monday August 17th) was surreal. It hadn't set in that I, Allison, was going to AFRICA!! I stood outside of the security line visiting with family and friends as long as I could. My departure time was getting closer and family left for work. With one close friend praying with me, I received a text message from the airline that my flight was delayed by 3 hours, meaning I would miss my connection to JFK. We walked back to the check-in counter. As to be expected, many businessmen who were supposed to be on that flight were disgruntled and rude. I patiently waited my turn, knowing that this was just the beginning of a great adventure God had set out for me. I walked up to the counter and talked with the representative. Within 15 minutes from when I received the text, my tickets were rebooked. Not only was I going to make it to JFK to meet the team, I was on their exact connections to JFK. Yes those same connecting flights that I didn't book in the beginning. There were 2 seats left on each of the connections that God had my name on.
As if that weren't enough, the businessman that sat next to me was a Christian. The entire flight to Detroit, we sat sharing about life and talking about Jesus. Okay God, yep I realize now that You had every intention from the beginning for me to be on that plane. He started out by asking where I was traveling. I shared that I was bound for Ghana for a missions trip. He asked how old I was and I told him. He then said that he had a daughter the same age as me who has drifted away from God and how much it hurt him. He knew that all he could do was pray. So we prayed together for his prodigal daughter. He began to encourage me in doing the work of the Lord.
Two days later (8/19), which was our first day of ministry, I was not surprised at all when I opened my bible to the parable of the lost sheep to share with the kids. I immediately through of that business man and his daughter.
8/21- After getting rained out of village ministry for the morning, we were welcomed by 95 children in their village that afternoon. Yes 95 children with just me and a young translator. But guess what, there was no problems at all! Of course there wasn't. God wanted me to focus on the words He had me teaching and not worrying about this kid doing this and that kid doing that. They all sat in the circle listening intently on what I was saying.
8/22- We ministered in a village that only had 2 Christians (the pastor and the worship leader). After we had shared with the children, women, and men, the pastor held a midday service. Almost all of the people we talked to came for healing, but still heard about Jesus.
8/23- Despite sore throats and stomach issues among the whole team of 4, we were strengthened to help with worship services.
8/26- While waiting around at the ministry compound to leave for the airport, I grabbed a book out of my bag and started reading. Mind you, Allison does not read novels, books, etc. Within a matter of about 6 hours, I had the entire book finished. What book you may ask- God is Able by Priscilla Shirer. This is the same book that I had in my carry on for my flights to Africa but never opened. Of course, God wanted me to wait until I was wrapping up my trip to read this. The entire book was on Ephesians 3:20-21:
This book and these verses summarized my trip perfectly! MY words could not come close to capturing the experience but these verses do.20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
As I sat in the second airport awaiting my flight out of Africa, I opened another book, Aha by Kyle Idleman. By this point, I had someone sitting next to me. Judging the book she was reading by the cover, I wasn't sure where she was with Jesus. The book seemed to be of mystical sorts. I closed my book for a moment and she looked at me apologizing for bothering me and asked what my book was about. I got a little nervous, worrying about what her response would be when I started talking about Jesus. I told her and she got cold chills. She proceeded to tell me that she had seen 2 other people reading the book on her way into Africa so now I was the 3rd and maybe God was trying to tell her something. I told her a little more about the book (and Kyle's other books too). We continued to talk about what we were doing in Africa. I came to find out that her husband is a pastor and she was leaving him there for a year to start a church. It was her first time flying by herself but she was excited to get home to her sweet kiddos. We sat and talked for about an hour while waiting for our flight.
Even after coming home, God continued with the details in relation to the trip. I guess I thought I would be invincible and work the full 10 hour day the day after I got back. Well my boss blocked out her afternoon to come in and send me home early.
I know that this does not even touch everything that He did for this trip and through this trip. It is just the very top of the iceberg.
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