Blog Three – Rewind (Part Two)

Before I dive into Trip Two, I just want to say a massive THANK YOU (again – there will be a lot of THANK YOUS throughout these blogs).

Honestly, the messages, prayers and encouragement after the last blog meant the world. I’m still amazed that so many of you are reading along and choosing to be part of this. Whether you’ve been cheering from the sidelines, giving financially, or faithfully praying – thank you (see, there we go again).

This season is full of unknowns, and at times, to be honest, it feels overwhelming and scary – but this blog, and your support, has quickly become my normal and has brought me such a sense of security. I feel so blessed.

This blog picks up where we left off – going to Ghana for the second time.

I packed the fibre gel (obviously – although didn’t actually need it this time. Sorry, TMI), grabbed the Jungle Formula, my shopping list from Ann Carpenter (she gave me a What to Cook 101 before I left), and went on my first solo trip – not just to Ghana, but EVER (I mean let’s give 13-year-old Jess credit, she flew from Wales to Newcastle on her own).

So here we go — Trip Two.

Let’s pretend I didn’t ban the word journey, because here we are… still on it.

“Flight went smoothly, although I was panicking that I had more than eight aerosols in my bag the entire time.”

Bless her, she really was getting a little bit stressed.

When I went to drop my bag off at Heathrow, I was asked if I had more than eight aerosols in my bag and was told that if I did, my bags wouldn’t make it to Accra. I confidently said no. A few hours later, sat on the plane drinking my second gin and tonic, I started counting my aerosols in my head. I definitely had more than eight… and of course, when we landed in Accra, my bag was the last one to come off.

“As soon as I landed in Accra, I felt like I was home.”

The exact same feeling as last time. I was a bit worried about staying on my own in Accra, but it was really nice (minus my foundation exploding all over my bag, but let’s not get into that).

I had met a lady who was travelling to Ghana for the first time to stay for 3 months for a nurse placement at a hospital. She had been finding it all a bit overwhelming – which I completely understood – and we spent time chatting about it all. I loved being able to meet new people along the way.

To be honest, Covid took away a lot of my extrovertness (believe it or not) (not sure that’s a word – there’s probably going to be a lot of made-up words throughout these blogs – just go with it). This trip actually gave me some of that back.

I felt like I landed straight into ‘normal’ life. James and a friend, David, met me at the airport. We went straight to Tamale to do my food shop (shout out to Ann for the list, as previously mentioned).

Turns out ice cream does exist in rural Ghana, so we picked up about 25 tubs (slight exaggeration – if you know me, you’ll know that there will be a bit of that in these blogs) (I was really craving ice cream throughout the last trip).

We then travelled to The King’s Village.

“Pastor Ben gave me some local food to try, I actually really enjoyed it. The eyes of the fish did freak me out a little bit though.”

Later in my trip I wrote, “Millicent and Charity have been a huge blessing… They even taught me how to cook some local food (Banku).” The same food that I had tried on my first day.

*Insert the entirety of my camera roll*

‘I have had more of a focus on spending time at the school, and going on outreach and into the community… two things that I’m so passionate about and I feel as though these are areas that God would like me to continue working in’.
‘In the future, I would love to continue working with the children. Providing resources for families who have become Christian’s and helping them on their journey of faith’.
‘The fact that I am learning more Dagbani has definitely helped with communication and building relationships with people’.

Turns out, my love for the local Church and seeing children encounter the love and presence of God has no boundaries.

This is it for me.

My gift. My calling. The thing I want to do for the rest of my life – teaching the next generation about how loved they are by their Heavenly Father.

I went to one of the villages with the staff from the Nutrition Centre (shout out to my dear friend Portia – she does such a phenomenal job, and God is using her to help transform families’ lives).

During this trip, of course, the bubble machine was a hit again (don’t you worry, it will feature again). But this Velcro ball situation was also a huge hit. I loved hanging out with the kids and getting to spend time in this village.

We went into a number of different villages, and had the absolute privilege of teaching the kids about Jesus. These were some of my favourite moments – sitting under the stars, using the car headlights as our only source of light, telling Bible stories and making crafts together.

Note to self: taking felt tips on outreach is a great idea… but you don’t get them back. (Adds 5,000 packs of felt tips to my shopping list for the next trip).

Outreach is at the heart of what The King’s Village does. To GO and make disciples. To see His kingdom come here on earth.

There’s something really special about being able to share your faith so openly, in a setting where people are genuinely hungry to hear more.

Trip to Mole National Park.

An elephant.
James and I.

That’s all there really is to say about that…

The most beautiful day, exploring and seeing elephants in real life, and not just on a documentary that Uncle David (Attenborough) has made for us to watch.

Side note: I took on a new role during this trip — one that I never thought I would achieve, to be quite honest…

Jess, the swimming instructor.

Considering that I only properly learnt to swim about 3 years ago, I suppose the fact that I swam 4,000 lengths does automatically make me a trained professional. Basically deserve an honorary degree for that.

I hope that through these small stories and moment; the felt tips, the outreach, the fish eyes, the bubble machine, the elephant (of course), and everything in between – you’re starting to see why this place has captured my heart. Why I talk about it so much. Why I can’t wait to go back.

This isn’t just a trip or a phase – it’s become part of my purpose. And the truth is, I can’t do it alone. Your support – whether through prayer, encouragement, or finances – is what makes this all possible.

And if you feel able, I’d love for you to keep walking with me in this. Every bit of support makes a difference – and I couldn’t be more grateful.

Naawuni ni pahi gom,
Jess

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