As most if not all of you know, last year I spent three months in Ghana, Africa, building a library in a rural community while living with a chief and just experiencing what it was like to live and function in the totally different world that is Africa. While there God profoundly changed my life, opening my eyes to the amazing life that he had in store for me and truly revealing his message.
When I returned to America, I was messed up. Life as I had known it had completely changed because I had completely changed. I moved into a house by myself thirty minutes away from school, got a new job and totally new friends. I literally started a new life, moving forward with the life that God had intended me to live all along. At first I could not even imagine returning to Africa. But as time moved on and I began to really digest what had happened, my feelings began to turn and before I knew it I was once again obsessed with the continent and could do nothing but count down the days until I returned. I realized that Africa had truly become a part of who I was.
Now, eight months later, I am sitting here writing this blog in preparation for my return. This time instead of going by myself I am taking a team of 15 Pepperdine students with me as part of an organization called the Ghana Rural Library Project. They will teach in the schools, build a library, and lead their own community development project, all while living with an African homestay. We will be there for six weeks that will once again not only further change my life but will change the lives of all those who are joining me.
What makes this year different beyond the fact that I am taking a group of volunteers with me to Africa is that I will not just be going to Ghana but also Uganda and Sudan. I will be going officially as a member of a ministry called The Angels of East Africa. Dedicated to rescuing child soldiers in Northern Uganda and doing Darfur relief work in Sudan, God has blessed me with an amazing opportunity to serve those in the most extreme of need in the most extreme of places.
So I write now as a beginning--a beginning of a new adventure. I am confused and excited, scared and thrilled, happy and sad. My whole life I have been a student in school but now the real world awaits me. I go out with God by my side and His grace giving me all the tools I will need. Today my ministry begins and with it a new life. May God use me as He wills.
Africa here I come!
VERITAS ET AEQUITAS
4 comments:
I'm so excited for you and the work you will do in Africa this summer and in years to come. May God bless your time over there and protect you ALWAYS! I love and miss you already and eagerly await your next posting!
I'm very glad you're going to Africa. I'm looking forward to following any news you can communicate!
Mike,
I am glad to hear that you are doing well and that God has shown you the path you are to take. I will be thinking of you this summer and may God watch over you and the others in Africa.
I am so excited for you Mike! I hope the next few months are very fullfilling and ofcourse full of adventure which Im sure they will be . Idk if when you will get this but I have a friend going down to Ghana also this month and so if you meet up with any Harding people look out for a Brittany Mills! Keep safe and Ill keep yall in my prayers!
~Courtney
Post a Comment