Saturday July 25, 2009: Giving to give

I am still in shock of being given land and chiefdom of a small village. It has really not dawned upon me how important something like this is. What an amazing trip this has been. What is next in my life? Who is next in my life? Question that only God can answer.

Dear God,

Today has been a blessing. A blessing in a sense that you have allowed me to give of my resources to your people, my people. Times are very hard here and yet in some way you make a way for these people. Your love is ever plentiful. It's all most tangible. I can see how you manifest in the lives of so many who need your help. Thank you for all of your love, kindness and support thus far. I pray that you continue to teach me and show me things that will change my life and use me to change the lives of others. How can I repay you? I can't. I exist for you.

love,

Justin

--I had to write a short note to God. It's really unbelievable how he moves over here. I feel like I have never been so close to God. Yesterday I needed to check my email. I am in a new town and a new place and it is tough to find my way around so fast. So I asked a young boy to point me to where it was. He stopped what he was doing and walked me all the way there, sat with me and walked with me back to the hotel. It was dark and he was worried about my safety so he walked with me.

After we returned, I asked him if he was hungry. He said yes and I invited him to join me for dinner in the hotel restaurant. He declined saying he was not allowed in there. I asked why and he said that he was too poor. I begged him to differ and persuaded him to join me. In the midst of his severe shyness he sat down and joined me. During dinner he told me more about the way and life of the northern Ghanaian people. He did not speak twi, he only spoke Dagbani and English. He ate like he had never eaten before. After dinner he said God bless you. I told him he is more than welcomed to come back tomorrow and I would feed him again. He said that this is the 3rd time in his life that he has eaten meat. I gave him chicken and rice. He said he might come back. Today when I asked the guard who he was, he told me that that was the first time anyone had seen him and that he was not a worker at the hotel. He has no idea where he came from. Who knows perhaps he was an angel.

Today I went and got a haircut. After I finished the guy said it would be 1 cidi. That's much cheaper than ever. I only had a ten and he did not have any change. I told him to cut the head of every young boy that comes into the shop until the money is done. I pray he upholds his part of the deal.

Today we went out to a small village where they build huts. We went to go and check on a project. We were giving them money to build teachers quarters. The distance for the teachers to travel was too far, so having quarters would be good so that they can stay there in the village and teach. After we wrapped things up, two women asked if they could ride with us back to the distant town. We had no problem at all. It would have taken the women 3 hours to walk when it took us 35 min to drive. Even though they do it often, I pray this helped them expedite their tasks.

Giving never felt so good. I mean 20 cidi can change someones life here instantly. But of course helping the community take ownership in their progression will go much further.

Lesson learned: God will always make a way.

Give someone something today. Someone who is least expecting it. Pay for someones gas, buy someones groceries, or send someone a gift they need. You would be surprised how when blessings are given out...well you know the rest...

until later