Why Am I Here?....

Breanna

Before we discuss the heavy question of why I am here, let me tell you about Breanna.  Some of you know all about Breanna, but for those who don't...she is my "baby".  I have had her since she could fit in the palm of my hand.  I had planned to bring her to Ghana with me, but I had trouble getting an Import Document from Ghana.  So I had to leave her at the airport.  It was a sad day for me.  BUT I am currently working on getting the documents so she can join me.

Now, the question of Why am I Here with Here being Ghana.  This has been a question which many have asked me and few have truly understood.  Sometimes, I think I hardly understand the depth of that question.  I have been reading many books about culture, poverty, developing countries, and most importantly, the Bible.  Scripture is where we should all look for the answers to our questions....But we will get there in a minute. 

After my first trip to Ghana and the decision to come to Ghana was made, the following were my reasons for coming.

1.  They need medical people to come help them.

2.  I want to help others.

3.  The need here seemed greater than in Guatemala where I had been going on short term missions.

4.  The people were so genuine and they asked.

5.  The need I was asked to help with was a need for a long term mission

But this question continues to challenge me.  As things started falling into place for my move, I knew that coming to Ghana was what God wanted me to do.  And of this I am fully convinced.  But I keep having a feeling that there is more.  I have really struggled with being able to put into words some of the additional reasons I believe I came to Ghana.  All of the reasons I have listed above are valid reasons, but there is much more to it and it is much deeper.

Why did I feel that God would want me to leave my home, my family, my friends, my church.  Well, I looked to the Bible and found that he indeed does tell us to "go into all the world", but really?  And Jesus went throughout the land "healing and teaching", but really?  Me?  Why me?  Why do I feel that he wants me to do this?  Well, let's see.  I'm single, medical, physically able, and I also thought this was what I should do.

No, I really don't think I have reached the depth of the answer yet.  Today, as I read and studied, I came across a section in one of my books which I think really made me dig deeper.  I remember telling some of the people I came here with last year that I believed the people of Ghana were very happy and hospitable people.  After being here for a week, I still have not found one person who is not happy.  Oh, I am sure they are here, but to date, I have not found one.  Their roads are bad, yes and most don't have wash machines, and life here is harder, but they are happy.  They go through each day just like I did in the States doing what needs to be done.  But in the Christians here, I see a real peace and a deep faith.  They live each day, one day at a time.  In America, we are always living for what we can have tomorrow.  Where is our faith in God for the morrow?  Do we really believe we are in control?

I believe that all of us are broken as is the whole world.  God is the answer to our reconciliation.  We must put God first and have a meaningful relationship with him.  I believe that my relationship with God is growing and was not where he wanted it to be.  As I dig deep and try to be honest, I believe God sent me to Ghana as much, if not more, for me as he did to help with a clinic.  Yes, he has blessed me greatly and he allowed me to have the opportunity to become a nurse.  He blessed me with a wonderful church family upon whom I can look to for guidance and help.  He blessed me with a loving family.  All of these I have, but I believe I am being asked to build a stronger relationship with God and this is the place and way for that to happen.

Another piece of me which has always been broken is my relationships with others.  I have not always been the daughter, sister, mother, aunt, wife that I should have been.  What I have seen here in Ghana during the last 2 trips and so far now, is the relationships they have.  With life so hard, they have to lean on each other as well as God.  Perhaps, this is a way for God to teach me how to build a better, stronger, more meaningful relationship with others.  This IS God's plan.  I will remain open to the Why Me questions and continue to see what answers I find. 

However, I will also work hard to build trusting, loving, christian relationships here.  These relationships will allow me to begin a successful medical clinic at the school.  I will always keep the Main Thing, the Main Thing....and that is GOD FIRST!  If we believe in him and follow his commands, he will reconcile us to him through Jesus Christ our Lord!  "...But with God, ALL things are possible!"  Matt. 19:26b

Romans 5:1-5, 11

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.  And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.....

11 Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.