Firstly, I just want to say a massive THANK YOU. I am so grateful for the engagement I’ve had with the blog. It blows my mind that people actually want to go on this journey in so many different ways.

I thought I’d take this opportunity to give you a little more detail on what has happened so far, in order to get to this point. I’ll tell you a bit more about The King’s Village, why I ended up going, and share some highlights from my first trip. Some of you will have had the debrief already (some of you many times, haha), but I hope to share things you might not know and take you on the journey with me (considering I’ve banned the word journey from the blog, things are already not looking great).

Let me start by explaining a little bit about The King’s Village. If there’s anyone in this world you can look to for inspiration when it comes to surrendering your life into the hands of God – being willing to be used as a vessel for His kingdom to come here on earth, listening to the voice of God, and having unshakeable faith – it would be Pastor Ben and Pastor Marion. They would hate the fact that I’m writing this (sorry guys).

They began their work in Tamale in 1999 and have lived and served in the Northern Region ever since. They started with a small church in their home in 2000, while visiting and working in various communities. Deeply impacted by the living conditions and poverty in the area, they felt inspired to help address the most urgent needs – particularly in education, health, water, and sanitation.

With the support of donors and sponsors, they acquired 43 acres of land next to their home from the local chiefs and people of Zangbulung to use for a project. Since then, they’ve built a hospital, maternity unit, school, nutrition centre, church, children’s assessment centre, and staff residences on that land. They also lead an outreach team that visits nearby villages, shares the gospel, and helps build the local Church.

I had wanted to visit The King’s Village for many years. I’d heard about the amazing work being done there through my church – and fun fact: my family even lived in Ben and Marion’s house during one of the periods they were in Ghana. After a friend from work returned from The King’s Village and shared how incredible his trip had been, I sensed that the time was right for me to go.

I ended up travelling with 17 people, and I’m so grateful for them all. Sophie, Beka, Charlotte – you were my family throughout the trip. Our daily debriefs really helped me process everything that God was doing. Debs and Ann were with me every step of the way, and such an example of what it means to stay steadfast, carry legacy, and remain faithful to the call of God on your life.

Also got to give a little shout out to fibre gel – I really couldn’t have done this trip without you.

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Trip One

“Here we go! Excited for all that is going to happen over the next two weeks.”
How I started my journal on day one. Little did she know her whole life was about to change.
“I feel at home already,” past Jess goes on to say.

Honestly, I can’t describe the feeling – a pure sense of home. Like I was meant to be exactly where I was. God-ordained. Driving to The King’s Village from Tamale Airport, the two things that stood out to me were the creativity and the community. If you know me at all, you’ll know those are probably the two things I love most in life.

I learnt quickly that I needed to wave with my right hand and the importance of greeting everyone in Dagbani (“Naa” – if you know, you know). Learning the language and learning the culture was a highlight, and I was so grateful for the opportunity to be welcomed into people’s homes and communities.

“I would love to spend more time there and invest more into it.”

Being at the school brought me so much joy. We did reading groups with the children.

“It was so beautiful to see the kids growing in confidence with their reading, especially in such a short space of time.”

I suppose that’s where things started to change for me. While spending time with the kids and teaching them about Jesus, I completely felt like I was living out my calling. That ‘calling’ isn’t confined to one place. That God can use you to advance His kingdom wherever He wants to. It’s all about one thing – going and making disciples. I’m so thankful for the opportunities during this trip to preach, teach, and use the gifts God has given me.

Side note: throughout the trip, some people thought we were strange – as you’d often find Sophie and me having a little sunbathe. I still have the tan lines to this day. Since realised that people generally hide from the sun, not bathe in it.

Then there was Church. I sobbed my way through the service. The lights went off during worship (now I know that’s a pretty normal part of life), but the whole congregation carried on singing:

“Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper, light in the darkness…”

It was so powerful, and no one was bothered by the lack of light. This trip taught me to praise in every environment and not get distracted by the situations around us.

On day six I wrote:

“I think I would love to come back every other year and could imagine being here long-term. I need to spend time praying about what is next.”

That was the first day we went on outreach – probably my favourite night of the whole trip. We visited a village called Yoggu (there’s a lot more to say about this village, but I’ll save that for another blog). It was incredible to see so many people gathered as the gospel was preached. We then sang “Praise” by Elevation for the hundredth time with the kids. I think that song has become the anthem of The King’s Village.

Then, of course, there’s the whole story of me using the chief’s toilet. Note to self: jumpsuits aren’t the best attire for life in rural Ghana. Lesson learnt. I also met James on this night. We’ll talk about him at a later date, but here are some of past Jess’s journal thoughts on the situation:

“I am glad that I have met him towards the end of the trip because I know that what God has said to me about Ghana isn’t based on meeting someone. I am being very practical about the whole situation and am asking the right questions.”
(can I get a “YOU GO GIRL”?)

Shout out to my relationship gurus during the trip – you know who you are.

Throughout the trip, God spoke to me in so many unexpected ways – often gently, sometimes boldly, always with purpose. One of the most significant themes He kept bringing me back to was Abraham. The story of a man who stepped out, not knowing where he was going, but trusting entirely in God’s promises. It was as if He was reminding me that His promises over my life still stand, even when I don’t see the full picture yet. Honestly, it felt like slipping into something that already fit- like a duck to water. That’s not to say I didn’t have my moments (cue the mini freak outs every time a toad made a surprise appearance), but even in the chaos, there was clarity. I ended the trip knowing, deep down, that this wasn’t my last time in Ghana. And, well… as we all know by now, it definitely wasn’t. Stay tuned for Trip Two.

Naawuni ni pahi gom,
Jess