The Good Samaritan: My Trip to Ghana Africa

Article about my trip to Ghana, Africa 

on Winter Break of 2015 published in the Summer, 2016 - IRC Communicator (39)4 

During my Winter Break in 2015, I went on a trip to Africa. Many would refer to it as a mission trip, but I am not sure that is the correct word. I was not there to convert anyone to Christianity. Hopefully, it was not a once in a lifetime experience, because I was there to meet and help new friends – to build relationships. Many have asked me to describe my trip, or asked, what was the most memorable moment of my trip? I don’t mean to preach, nor am I qualified to preach, but the bible story of the Good Samaritan that I was invited to share at the Pentecostal service during my trip is the story that best explains my African experience. Most people, whether they are Christian, religious, or not, know of this story and its enduring message. If you do not, here is the story of the Good Samaritan:

 

Luke 10:25-37

[25] On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

[26] "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"

[27] He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

[28] "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."

[29] But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

[30] In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. [31] A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. [32] So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. [33] But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. [34] He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. [35] The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'

[36] "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"

[37] The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."

Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

 

In the bible story, Jesus - the teacher, shares with the people that they should love the Lord (however your higher power is named) and love thy neighbor as thyself. Love your neighbor as yourself, or if you are not religious, at least show your neighbor respect. Because whether you believe in a higher power or not, I think we all share the belief of wanting to live in a more respectful peaceful world. A world that values us for who we are and for the unique perspectives we can share with others. Peace can be easy to accomplish when your neighbor looks like you, shares your values, or shares your culture. Peace and respect can be hard to find when your neighbor looks different, has different values, or comes from a different culture. Different can be scary. Different is uncomfortable. Lately in the United States, discomfort and fear have led to violence. When people are afraid of their neighbor, they can be disrespectful, sometimes mean, and even hateful. 

 

Despite being surrounded by, or perhaps because of being surrounded by, discomfort, disrespect, fear and even hatred, I heard a voice inside me, calling be to make this journey to Africa in search of an understanding that would bring me some measure of respect and peace. And, when I made the choice go to Africa, I thought I was the Samaritan making a journey to help care for the people of Ghana like the man laying injured on the side of the road in the story of the Good Samaritan. I was arrogant and disrespectful. What I have learned from my experiences in Ghana is that I was wrong - I was the man lying injured on the side of the road, injured from the differences that caused the disrespect and hatred that surrounded me. It was the people of Ghana who welcomed me so unconditionally, despite the color of my skin and the different values I brought with me. They were the Samaritans who cared for me, as I lay injured, and they who have brought respect and peace back into my life. The people of Ghana show so much love and kindness to their neighbors – they showed love and kindness to me. The families and communities in Ghana care for each other and celebrate life! Their celebration of life, and their kindnesses, have filled my soul that had been emptied and healed my heart that had been broken. 

 

My experience in Ghana has changed me forever. The people of Ghana have given me a new perspective. The question is what will I do with this new perspective to make a difference for others. So, I will take baby steps in my immediate world and hope that the ripple effect spreads what I have begun. As a classroom teacher, we teach our kids to be aware of things that make them uncomfortable. We often associate feelings of discomfort with inappropriate behavior, so it makes sense to help our kids understand what is inappropriate and empower them to speak. But, change and growth can also make us uncomfortable. In a learning environment, these are not qualities we want our kids to perceive as inappropriate or shy away from – change and growth are good. We need to talk with our kids about both forms of discomfort. We need to empower all kids to see the world through new and diverse perspectives. These discussions can help us to be more empathic and respectful to others. These discussions can help us to be less fearful. These discussions can bring a sense of peace that will fill the soul and make our hearts whole. The people of Ghana were the Good Samaritan to me, and I can pay that kindness forward by becoming the Good Samaritan for the people I serve – both kids and adults. I can accomplish this by sharing my passion for literacy – by sharing unique diverse books and having respectful discussions as a result of reading those books. Thank you to all who have shown your support, who have donated and continue to donate generously, and who have shared the gift of unique perspectives – through a book.