Part 1 Ghana Talk: "By God's Grace"

So I made it. My goal was reached. I went to Ghana.

Friends and family have been asking me since I've been back from Ghana, "Tell me all about it!"

It's hard. I'm not sure how or where to start and it's certainly a story that isn't very coherent. It's not a story I can just say... 

I do believe it's because I went there for a purpose. God's purpose. I truly believe that. 

I started this journey around the beginning of April. I officially decided to go on the Public Health and Water Joint Global Brigade to Ghana. The reason why I thought it would be hard to go was because I decided really late in the game to go (meaning the flight cost would be more expensive and I had a very short time to get donations). I honestly didn't think it was possible, but I talked to one of my good friends, Eunhyuk, and he said,"to pray and ask God." Now if anybody knows me...Christianity has been hard for me to deal with lately, er... for a couple of years now (That's a whole other story)... For the sake of this post being 30 pages long, let's just simply put it as: It's hard for me to put complete faith in God. In a way, I made this trip a challenge for God. I have been so distant and, in my eyes, rude to God that I was fearful and doubtful that he was still present in my life. So I basically told myself, "If this is God's purpose for me, I will be able to SOMEHOW make it on this trip." It's a big risk considering how much I really wanted to go, so everyday I would pray constantly, almost chant-like, of how much I wanted to go on this trip. 

Each payment deadline, I would freak out. I thought I wasn't going to make it, which would mean I couldn't go on the trip. However, for each deadline, I made the deadline up until it was due. I never had a satisfaction moment before a deadline was due, because I was nervous and annoying wreck that kept annoying my friends saying, "OMG I'M NOT GOING TO MAKE IT. I'M NOT GOING TO GHANA." My friend always told me, "God's not going to make it easy" and He really didn't. Before each deadline, I was a nervous wreck and then miraculously.. or should I say, "by God's Grace" I made each deadline. 

Another sign(?) (should I call it a sign?)... er well, anyways... 

Another sign was meeting my friend, Grant. I honestly believe God planned this out (I know he plans everything...) and brought Grant to me because God knew I was going to be struggling and that I am a curious child with too many annoying questions. The way I met Grant was coincidentally....er....by chance (at least it felt like it). Long story short... Grant, who was a complete stranger to me at this point, gave me $19 to help me in my Ghana fundraiser. Now to me, $19 is a lot to give away to a stranger. So, I was already amazed at that. Secondly when he gave me the $19, he wrote on the paper, "Proverbs 3:5-6." To the people who doesn't know that verse by heart (Don't worry, I had to look it up too) 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

Isn't that verse LIKE EXACTLY WHAT I WAS STRUGGLING WITH??? So when I read that verse, I was like, "Holyyyyyyyyy #$@#%#@$" (Yes, I have a potty mouth. It's a real struggle of mine. Forgive me, God). I had to tell everybody the coincidence (or the presence of God) that has just shown upon me. I know that sounds cliche. But forreal, I wanted to preach. I was shocked. So like the verse said, I tried...really hard to put everything in God and to stop questioning his action (or lack of action). But it wasn't enough for me...

Okay, fast forward to the days leading up to the last payment deadline... 

1) I was shocked that my dad gave me money. I had asked him before I started this whole thing if he would help me if I don't get all the donations I needed. He said "No, I'm poor." (Typically answer) He asked me why I was going on another trip when I'm poor and can't afford it. I gave me a simple and vague answer, because honestly.. it's hard to explain.. But wow, he gave me $450. That be crazy for my dad. So Thanks Appa! You're awesome and I'm glad you came around to support me. 

2) My mom was willing to put in $500 (Thanks Omma!). Let's make it clear right now, my parents were adamant about NOT giving me money for this trip, because they believed it was a waste of time, money and it was a distraction from becoming a doctor. At this point, I was about 1,000 short from the goal. I made a backup plan, in which I will put $500 on my credit card and my mom as well. I honestly did not want to give up at this point. I had worked so hard and had seen miracles (Was that considered a miracle?). I just didn't want to stop and not be able to go. For reference, this would have put be in BIG debt, because I already don't have money and had been using my credit card like it was real money. (tsk tsk.. I know... I'm stupid). 

Basically I told my mom to give it a few more days, because I still had 5 more days til the deadline. And if it's  anything I learned from the other deadlines was that God waited till the last minute to urge someone I knew to donate. 

3) So my friend, Grant, had contacted me again. He asked how he can make another donation, because he was thinking about making another one. I was excited! because I thought this would get the ball rolling again... (does that make sense? like momentum... ?) I'll leave out the details, but that night I checked my empowered account (where you go make a donation for my trip) and I thought it was broken... because it wasn't telling me how much more I had left to fund raise. All it said was $2611. I scrolled down and I see, "Anonymous donated $972" In the note section of the donation, that person wrote "Proverbs 3:5-6"

This is how shocked how I was... I dropped the phone on my FACE (I was lying down on my bed). 

Here's a screenshot on my phone. I was confused on why it only said "2,611 raised" instead of "$$$$ out 26,11 raised"

WTF...... who gives someone a THOUSAND dollars?? Who has that kind of money to just give away? (Mind you, I already felt REALLY uncomfortable getting donations from people. I'm eternally grateful to everyone who donated, but still it makes me feel weird because I don't feel right with people giving me money. I feel like I have to pay them back).

Now there are other things (signs) that I figured out and that would take too long to explain and it's a bit personal. so let's leave it at that.



It will take too long to talk about the full story in one post (and even longer if I include pictures), so I will post up multiple post talking about my experience... so stay tuned for more Ghana talk!