Jessica Below - Testimonial
Testimonial from the December/January 2020 Team Trip
By: Jessica Below
“I went to Ghana thinking that I was going to make a difference in their lives, but realized quickly that I was never going to be anyone’s hero.” ~ Jessica
“As I sit here, my coffee brewing in the background, my kids asleep in their beds, my husband at work, I truly appreciate this time of quiet prayer and devotion. Life is good. Not everything is perfect in my world, by any means, but the blessings that I have are many and, life is good! Being quarantined at my house includes a lot of electronics; social media, shows and movies, gaming, etc. We have also deep cleaned our house, finished some projects, and had LOTS of family bonding time! But as I sit here, I know that this pandemic isn’t as easy for everyone else out there…
When I went to Ghana, I came back “changed”. Now, I know it might sound cliche, but it’s true. I went there thinking that I was going to make a difference in their lives, but realized quickly that I was never going to be anyone’s hero. The Christians in Ghana already have one, Jesus. Let me explain. There is something that I didn’t realize before I went to Africa, and that is I need Jesus.
I have all of the luxuries in my life that I take for granted and going to Ghana really proved that I am blessed. All of my needs are met and I have things like a healthy family, a “wooden” house with a roof, air conditioning, drinking water whenever I want, hot showers, internet connection almost anywhere I go, clothes, shoes, public education… The list goes on and on, but I was envious of the Ghanaians that I met at Royal Promise. Why? Because they NEEDED Jesus. They relied on Jesus in all aspects of their lives. They prayed to Him. They praised Him. In every blessing, they gave Him glory. They trusted Him to meet their needs, and in their eyes, He had. Their “need” for Jesus is strong, and they never blamed Him for their troubles, they only looked to Him with a joy that I couldn’t comprehend before going to Ghana…
You see, before, I usually only “needed” Jesus when I wanted something or I was going through something that inconvenienced me. I didn’t “need” Jesus all of the time. I usually only acknowledged Him in my darkest hours, where I DID need Him, but I didn’t fully understand His place in my life.
In my life, my daily needs are met. My struggles don’t look like theirs. I truly have “first world problems”. Since most of my days have been comfortable, I hadn’t included Jesus in my life. Ephesians 6:18 says, “Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.” (CSV) I was only praying to Jesus when I was troubled not at “all times”.
The Ghanaians at Royal Promise taught me that I “need” Jesus ALL the time! Jesus is their hero every day! They don’t have to understand it all, they just know that He is in control, and they have an eternal perspective that this life might be hard, but after this life, there is Heaven with Jesus. They helped me to recognize what it looks like to TRULY need Jesus.
Oh, and that part that says, “stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints,” I also learned what that looks like. While working with Royal Promise, we DID pray for each other. The Ghanaians who work there are not out for themselves. They are working for others in the name of Jesus. They pray together for each other and for those around them who are suffering physically, mentally, or spiritually. I learned how to pray in a different way, “in the Spirit...” They prayed HARD and with intent purpose, giving their whole being to the prayer, with a need for Jesus.
I learned that my prayers had been simply recited and not “in the Spirit”. I had simply always followed an order of how to pray, and usually for selfish purposes. This new family of mine showed me a new way to pray, selflessly and focused. Their names are now in MY prayers. I learned the importance of praying for others, and my friends, the Ghanaians NEED our prayers. These “saints” need Jesus, but we can do our part as Christians and pray for them “with all perseverance and intercession.” Going to Africa with Royal Promise opened my eyes to what it means to “need” and rely on Jesus.
During this pandemic, I see myself and others experiencing the need for Jesus, much like the Ghanaians. They experience this strife on a regular basis with the lack of medicine and the prevalent diseases plaguing their country. COVID-19 just adds another element to their struggles. I know that as much as this is scary to me, that they are even worse off… I know that they are praying, praising, glorifying, and trusting God through this time. They have saved me from my selfish ways and I, along with them, am relying on Jesus. I will find my joy in Him, as they have, and I will continue to seek and “need” Jesus in all of my seasons. Life is good, no matter the circumstances because I “need” Jesus and He is always my hero.” ~ Jessica Below
