Where and Why or "Final Thoughts"

Time for one final post about the Ghana trip! When I was interning with eMi, it felt as though I had more time to write and reflect. Thanks for your patience while I get my act together. I would like to cover three things in this post. First, give a flavour for the people of Ghana, look a bit into the 'why' of the trip, and lastly offer some thanksgiving for all that the trip experience taught.

Ghana: Africa for Beginners

Close to the end of our time in Accra, Roberta told me that 'Ghana is like Africa for beginners.' In hindsight, I now understand what she was saying. I was preparing for a culture shock when arriving in Africa for the first time, but the ingredients that make that shock a 'shock' were dulled. Everyone I met in Ghana spoke English for one thing, breaking communication barriers right from the get-go. There was hardly a moment where we felt unsafe or compromised in our security. And on top of that we had air conditioning while sleeping! The only indication that I was far from Canada was the frequent double-takes of the locals when our pale-faced crew of volunteers walked or drove by. The children's responses in particular were not veiled whatsoever!

Ghana must be the friendliest country I have ever been to. Each person had a warm smile and even warmer disposition. Our house guard, in particular, had a smile that would light up the room. I was also struck by the countenance of the Ghanaians. In addition to being warm, there was a distinct aura of peace and deliberate consideration to words spoken and actions done. For the past three years (my parents would argue decade) I have been reminded time and again of the need to slow down. Herbert came up to me at one point as said, 'You know, you don't need to talk so fast!' It is one thing to hear this advice from your coworkers and family, quite another when it is someone who truly walks the walk (that is not to say my co-workers don't!)

I learned a lot from these amazing people.

There were examples of this consideration and patience in some of the locals who helped us. A driver was hired for the week to cart the site team back and forth to the survey. His response to our first day was remarkable. I'm sure he was not expecting to drive from highway to bumpy jungle road to hot hike up a mountain for his day! But there was no evidence of frustration or impatience when working with us for the week.

Our Servant-hearted driver (right) and his 'crew' (everywhere else).

More than anything, what I marvelled at most was how Christian the country was. Churches, seminaries, and Christian schools were everywhere. Where you would expect advertisements for the latest film or clothes, pictures of pastors for prayer and fasting events were common. The majority of cars had some form of Christianese bumper stickers such as 'Love others', or 'Spirit Power'. Even the businesses were dotted with Christian references in the names (Great Faith Hairdressing and Dr Jesus were standouts).

Even the paper had Christian themes!

While the exterior appearance of a Christian nation was strong, my conversations with the native Ghanaians revealed that many of those appearances were just that, skin deep. The need for consistent Bible teaching, sound theology and the renewal of men and women's hearts is still great. Roberta, Maryam and I had a lengthy discussion regarding what was being taught in Nigeria. There a focus on the prosperity gospel (simplified - Christ = things vs. Christ = everything) rather than the good news of the gospel. It was a sombre reminder of the task of speaking truth regardless of circumstance or country.

Every Good Endeavor

The final question to answer is why. Why go to Africa? What is the purpose of taking all this time and energy and resources to do this work, in this place, and at this time? It was a question that I and a couple experienced volunteers were wrestling through while in Accra. From appearances, the need in Ghana for our type of service and work seemed misplaced.

We met many capable engineers and architects while in Accra more than capable of completing the work assigned to the team. We were working in a Christian nation. And most importantly, in these eyes, I sensed a disconnect between the work and the ministry that just wasn't present on my first eMi trip to Myanmar. How could I not get connected to the ministry when I spent the week sleeping in the very beds of the orphans we were working for? In Accra, I slept on a mattress in an air-conditioned space (read: luxury living). The differences were stark, so why us, here, now?

I had to combat these doubts and emotions with the truth and wisdom found in scripture. When I think, 'Why am I here?' God reminds us that His thoughts and ways are not like ours, his perspective is heavenly, and we are here in the dirt (Isaiah 55:8-9) There is only so much I can see. When I got uncertain about the impact or direction the project would take, God says that in whatever I do, I am to do it all to His glory (1 Cor. 10:31). And when I continued to ask questions and perceived a disconnect (real or imagined) in the motives behind the project itself, God says to work with a sincere heart (or whole-heartedly), rendering service with a good will to the LORD and not to men (Ephesians 6:5-7). Ultimately, I am finite flesh and blood, and God is infinite in wisdom and fully in control. His plans exceed all that I can ask or think. He requires us to walk humbly and serve wholeheartedly. To be reminded of these things again was a lesson in faith to help us understand (if only partially) the good purposes and plan that brought us all together.

Ultimately, what this trip taught me was the importance of sincerity in all our work (be it structural design or washing dishes.) During our 'down' times I was reading through Tim Keller's book on work (how timely), 'Every Good Endeavor'. Here, Keller describes our daily work as "...ultimately an act of worship to the God what called and equipped you to do it - no matter what kind of work it is." This was a needed reminder to see that all work is worship and our general competency in it is in some sense that greatest gift we can offer both God and each other.

Close

Thank you for reading, praying and supporting me in this endeavour. I have really only scratched the surface of all that 'went down' on this remarkable trip. I am continually amazed at the tapestry of life our Lord is weaving together each day. Thanks for looking more into some these divine threads with me.

God Bless!
Ben