Q&A

Here are some of the questions that I have been asked over the last few weeks about my mission trip that I wanted to share with everyone.

What lead to this? Why Ghana?

Fall of 2013, I was visiting other churches on the weekends that I was serving in children’s ministry. It just so happened that it was missions weekend at each church I visited, with a focus on Africa. After a few months, I got to the point where I said, “Ok God. I get it- I’m supposed to go to Africa. I don’t know a single mission in Africa so if You want this to happen, You’ll have to lead me to the right person.” 

Come March 2014, a husband and wife, Bob and Bonnie Parker, visited my church. They shared on their mission in Ghana, Africa. But not only did they share with the congregation, they came into my small group to talk on a smaller scale of what they were doing. I got a chance to talk with them that day and got the ball rolling. A few weeks later, they emailed me a preparation packet and a funds worksheet. 

What work did you do exactly?

Shared about Jesus through telling bible stories. I mainly worked with the children in different villages throughout Tamale. The team would all go to one village but split up with our translators to work with different groups of people within the village. The kids would gather into a circle and sit side by side while I stood in the center with my translator.

How many people did you meet?

TONS! There was the 3 people from Louisville that I traveled with, the husband and wife missionaries, our driver, 4 translators, gatekeeper, the family of 6 that lived with the missionaries, then anywhere between 20 and 200 people in each village that I actually got to interact with, the 130 people at church, about 20 merchants at the market

What was a typical day like in the mission field?

Wake up and get ready, breakfast with the team and the missionaries, dispatch on which village we were going to and anything we needed to know about it, commute there. Once in the village, the kids would gather in a big circle and I would share a few bible stories and interact with the kids before playing games and handing out candy. After a few hours, we packed up and headed back to the ministry center for lunch and debriefing with the team and missionaries before heading to another village and coming home for dinner. After dinner, the missionary husband, Bob, would preach a 15 minute sermon and we would discuss it before everyone went to their rooms to settle down and go to bed. 

What is the biggest difference between America and Ghana or Africa in general?

There is not a huge rush to be anywhere- even though you would beg to differ when on the main roads. Roads are just the red dirt in Ghana and have huge holes so you are constantly zig-zagging to not make the passengers car sick. But cars just weave in and out of traffic and people on bikes really zoom in any little open spot. It’s kind of a free for all on the roads. As for how people live, Ghana life is very laid back. When interacting with the people, they were completely present and focusing on what you had to say. So often in America, we get distracted when we are talking to someone else or start thinking about other things. 

What is something you experienced in a village that blew you away?

When I was sharing the story of King Nebuchadnezzar and the image of gold with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. I shared the story and asked them, “Do you have faith like these 3 men? Do you truly trust God with your life?” They all quickly said yes. I stood there second guessing their answer and pressed on. I told them that if I were being honest, my answer is no, even though it is something I am continually working towards. I then asked what their fiery furnace was that God was walking through with them. They proceeded to blow my mind when one by one they shared their heartaches and that they still wholeheartedly trusted Jesus.

What was your favorite thing to see? What did you most enjoy about your work?

The smiling faces of those kiddos. The joy on their face despite their heartache was a reality check for me. But how could I not smile when they were smiling at me. 

What was the hardest day of your mission?

I would have to say our first day in the field. I still wasn’t sure what to expect and wasn’t used to talking with a translator. Plus the kids just stared at me like I was an alien. The wifi was out when we got in the night before and was still not working so I was missing home and wanting to talk with a few people.

What animals did you see?

Goats, sheep, guineas, and cows were free roaming. On the safari, we saw elephants, kob bucks (antelope), tons of birds, warthogs, monkeys, and baboons.

Did you have any connection back to the states while in Ghana?

When the wifi was working at the ministry center, yes. Ghana is 4 hours ahead of Louisville so it limited when I could talk with people back home. It usually worked out that when I was laying in bed it was around dinner time back home and could send some messages back and forth. I only had a great connection to be able to FaceTime the second day we were there. 

At any point, did you feel unsafe?

Nope, never unsafe. I only felt uncomfortable on the in country flight between Accra and Tamale. I had finally fallen asleep for a short nap and was awaken by the flight attendant that I needed to lean my seat up. Still half asleep and very confused, she explained that the gentleman behind me didn't want my seat leaned back. It was very awkward waiting to get off of the plane because he just stared at me. 

Were many people responsive to the gospel?

Kids and elderly were more responsive than the parental generation. 

What did you appreciate most about the culture you were visiting?

I appreciate the stillness of time there. 

How was the church service different or alike?

Similar: They had praise and worship music with a small band and a choir. The service included an offering time as well as a preaching time. There was a separate children’s service.

Different: They had a time of bible study before service started. They did not share in communion. It was in an open air building. Sermons were spoken in English and then translated line by line into their language.

Were you able to share the gospel freely?

Much to my surprise, yes. The primary religion in Ghana is Christian but the northern part of the country is mostly Muslim. From what the Parker’s were telling us, they can send teams straight into the public schools to share the gospel and teachers will not stop them. They typically stay in a classroom for 15-20 minutes and visit all of the classrooms before leaving. 

What was it like coming home? 

Every aspect was extremely difficult. First, I was stubborn and thought I would be fine going back to work the very next day. So after being back in Louisville 14 hours, I was back at work and miserable. I was exhausted and felt like death. Culture wise, I was in shock. It was harding coming home than arriving there. I boycotted all stores and spending. Things were so much cheaper in Ghana that I felt like I was being ripped off here. 

Are there more missions in the future?

I would love to continue to be involved in international missions if God so calls me. Until then, God has me in a mission field right now- Louisville, KY. It may not be MY ideal mission field but there are still people at my work, in my neighborhood, and in the larger community that don’t know Jesus.

Is there anything you would change if you could? 

The only thing would be to have stayed longer. When it came time to pack up, I felt like I had just gotten there. 

When you go back, is there anything you would take with you that you didn’t take this time?

A videocamera of some sort to document more while I was there.  And more supplies for the missionaries

Were you changed?

YES!! in many aspects

What was the spiritual change?

I call upon God sooner than later now. When something would come up, I used to call a friend or mentor first and I’ve learned to pray first.

What was the long term effect on you?

I feel like I just view life differently now. I don’t get near as upset about the little things. I view everything as a blessing. I live in the moment more.

Was it worth it (cost, time, energy, travel, etc)?

Most definitely!!

Was your worldview shaken or was everything back to normal within a week?

I was completely shaken. It probably took me almost two weeks to catch up on sleep and get back on a normal sleep and eating routine. And it took me a couple of weeks to not be angry and depressed.

Have you kept in touch with the team you worked with?

I have kept in touch with Bob and Bonnie in Ghana- we usually email each other every other week.

As for the 3 from Louisville, I talked with them a little bit and shared pictures but that is about it.

Did any one on your team encounter any health problems?

I came down with a sore throat and runny nose about half way through the trip but it subsided. A couple of the others experienced some stomach trouble. But everyone was strong enough to continue serving

What most encouraged you?

I think the number one thing was seeing the kids worship. A close second was notes from close friends.

Was the trip out of your comfort zone?

Oh absolutely!

How did you overcome the anxiety you had before the trip?

A lot of prayer and encouragement from friends and mentors. I had to completely trust God!- that this was all part of His ultimate plan and that He has gone before me. I talked a lot with the Parker’s to get excited. I kept with the to-do list of things that needed done before I left and just checked off one thing at a time. I did a LOT of journaling too. 

If you have any other questions you would like me to answer, please do not hesitate to ask! I am sure there are a lot of things that I have not thought about sharing.