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It’s hard for me to believe that I am finally going to the continent of Africa. I have often said that I want to see as much of God’s creation as I can while I am here on earth, and now I continue my journey to reach that goal. South Africa, I am on my way! Johannesburg, Soweto, the Apartheid Museum, Cape Town, Table Mountain and Robben Island: a few of the places we will visit while we are there. We also plan to visit a women’s shelter and an orphanage; offering toiletries, clothing and food. The highlight of the experience will be communal worship. I look forward to worshiping the one true God with my African sisters and brothers. My heart is anxious to experience God in that moment; a moment where it’s not about race, gender, class, socio-economic status, religion, or any other differences. In that moment, we will all be one in God.
While talking on the phone to my grandmother last month, I mentioned that I would be going to South Africa soon. She responded by saying that she could not believe that I was going. I reminded her that I had always wanted to go there and was very excited about this opportunity. I asked her if she remembered my talking about going to Africa. My grandmother said, “Yes, you were just a little girl. You could have been no more than five or six years old.” She paused, then said, “You said that you wanted to go to Africa. . . I didn’t believe you.” After another long pause, my grandmother said, “I just didn’t understand where you got that from. We didn’t know anyone who had ever been to Africa.” We had a ‘God moment’ on the phone. Although I was thousands of miles away, I could hear as she went back in time to the days of my youth.
My mother has often told me that as a small child, I had a very vivid imagination. She told me stories of how I would ask strange questions and make strange requests. One request that she speaks of often is when I would say, “Ma, I want to see God.” A strange request from a six year old; especially when most six year olds were asking for sit and spins or Barbie dolls. But it wasn’t strange to me. Just like my dream of going to Africa wasn’t strange to me. My desire to go to Africa was a part of who I was, and is a part of who I am. There is no way that I can explain how a six year old girl from rural Texas wanted to see God. Nor can I explain how a five year old girl from rural Texas imagined going to Africa. I can’t explain it, but I do believe that the answer will be revealed. I know that one day I will see God face-to-face, but before I see God, I will have the opportunity to see Africa!
Join me on my journey!
Your Sister in Christ,
LaKeesha Walrond
Lary
/ January 4, 2010Sister LaKeesha will be frequently updating this blog with her thoughts and photos Make sure to come back and Join her on this journey.
Donyele
/ February 15, 2010Sister LaKeesha – Thank you for keeping us involved with you on your journey. I look forward to hearing from you over the next two weeks! God bless, and enjoy! Donyele
Cheryl Faye Smith
/ February 15, 2010Sis. LaKeesha, I am so excited for you and my other sisters who are journeying to South Africa. I so wish I could be present with you all, but believe me when I tell you, I am with you all in spirit. I will be praying for you while you are away, everyday, and looking forward to sharing in your journey through this blog. I know God will bless you all mightily and I rejoice while waiting to hear all about it. Wishing you safe travels and a bounty of beauty while you are in the Mother Land. I love you all. Cheryl Faye
Tory
/ February 15, 2010Hello Sis. Lakeesha and the entire group going to Africa. This is a powerful opportunity for you all to connect with a place that connects us all. I pray that you will all be as impactful there as you will be impacted! Travel safe and can’t wait to hear about your journey!
PT
dwayne graham
/ February 15, 2010You are not only a child of the King but a visionaire and dreamer.. Enjoy the picture as you bask in the reality of a dream that has now come true.
Since God has allowed the dream to come to pass; I know that You and the other Queens are Safe and Cover.
Isn’t it a blessing how others can reap the benefits of your DREAM?
God bless you Sis…
D. Graham
Rhonda
/ February 15, 2010Sister LaKeesha, what a wonderful opportunity to travel to Africa, and fellowship with our brothers and sisters who live there. I am truly excited for you and your group; I eagerly await your daily entries about the sights and sounds of Africa. Traveling home to God, and to the Motherland…an awesome experience; you are highly blessed and favored. Have a great time, and enjoy yourselves! God bless you.
Rhonda Tuckett
Keemya
/ February 15, 2010Sis. LaKeesha-As one of several who will be traveling with you to Africa tomorrow I cannot fully express how I feel right now. At best I would describe it as a combination of excitement, great anticipation, gratefulness, and humility. I do not know what will transpire during this trip, but I am certain none of us will come back the same and new things will be birthed during and after this journey!
Rachel
/ February 15, 2010Thanks for sharing Sis LaKeesha.
I’m already excited to see what else gets revealed to me through what is to be revealed to you. Just from reading this post, I thought back to my childhood dreams (such as your early longing to visit Africa). Your post has left me pondering how many of these dreams have been manifest (or long to be manifest!) in my life today – ?
Safe travels and I look forward to your next post!
agape,
rachel
Robin Johnson
/ February 15, 2010Wow Keshia, that is so amazing. I will be praying for your Godly visit and your safe return. I hope that you will encounter God on your visit and share knowledge of Him with those that don’t know Him and hopefully and prayerfully bring someone closer to Him. God bless you and may Heaven shine brightly on you. Love and Miss you much
Gina Green
/ February 15, 2010As I shared with others I pray definitely for a safe trip but more importantly I pray that each day you experience God in a new way. I am looking forward to reading your blog daily and I consider myself blessed having had some type of encounter with all of you who are on this journey. Can’t wait to hear more ~ May God Bless You In A New Way Daily!!! Love You ~
Dinean
/ February 15, 2010You all will have a wonderful time. I went there back in 2005. In fact, I visited all the places you listed plus a safari on a game reserve. the flight alone will make you realize that while we think of Africa like the US with states, it’s much grander. Neighborhoods are actually divided by blacks, whites and coloreds. Jo’berg is like being in the Bronx or 3rd ave in the ’80s. Lots of items on sale outside. The people squat in their appartments and therefore dont care for where they live. It’s considered dangerous. SA is like NYC…everyone comes here to make a life…There are lots of different tribes in Jo’berg which is why no one seems to get along. A township is a village in the city. Soweto is one tribe, one family of people…You will also see shanty towns and may visit one that is more organized. They live in shacks that are usually fully furnished but have communal pumps, toilets and phones. Electricity is only by use of dangerous car batteries. The museum and Robben Island will be an experience. Table mountain will show you the vastness of just the tip of Africa. Capetown is a representation of the gains of rich white people and has the largest mall and you may still feel the effects of Apart-tied. The waiters may serve the white customers first or faster….When I went, the tour guides were not used to seeing women travel without their husbands or a man’s permission…They wondered what kind of status we had…
You will see that it’s all one big family. Imagine all of Harlem were your blood relatives…imagine…enjoy and be blessed.
Ronneak
/ February 15, 2010Wow..Sis.Lakeesha, I am so excited about your journey! I can recall our conversation in your office about Africa way before this trip(-: Well..God keeps His promises! and I’m sure this trip is a blessed & beautiful beginning to many more visits and ministry in Africa to come!
Peace & blessings,
Ronneak
Kercena
/ February 16, 2010I will definitely join you on your journey; thanks for the invite!
I am anxiously awaiting to read about your experiences as well as to see visuals of your experiences as well. What a remarkable journey this will be!!!!! Thanks for your willingness to share it with us all! Love and prayers. Kercena
Monique
/ February 16, 2010I am so glad that your dream is coming true, i miss you and dawn already!!!! sorry i missed speaking to you all before your departure. I will be praying for you and the others. Love Ya!!!! Praise God for keeping promises!!!!
Cheryl Lois Smith
/ February 17, 2010Rev. LaKeesha,
I am a new member at FSBC and I am in awe of your commitment to follow your dream. You are an inspiration! I look forward to reading your blog and gaining a sense of what you and others are experiencing along your journey.
May the Peace of God be with you all!
Cheryl Smith
Carla
/ February 17, 2010Thank you for sharing the details of your trip. It sounds amazing. I look forward to reading about your journey in the days to come.
Continued blessings to you all,
Carla
Ruth E. Lowe-Tuitt
/ February 17, 2010To God be the Glory for the marvellous things he is and will continue to do. I am excited about what this experience would be for you all. The decision to post your daily activities is by far one of the wisest things you could have thought to do. It enables those of us that couldn’t afford to go, to get a glimpse of yall adventures & a visual of how God is going to use you all while on this amazing journey. Thanks for selflessly sharing your “childhood dream” with us. God bless & keep you all.
Tanisha
/ February 21, 2010Praise God! I know God is doing an awesome thing for all of you in Africa (motherland) & I see the glow on you. Continue to lead us in the journey in Africa and I will continue to pray that God cover you there. Yes I know Praise & Worship will be explosive experience! Enjoy, exhale and bask at the glory of God! Be blest!
Blessings
Tanisha
Mellodie Rivero
/ February 22, 2010As I read your blog and as I view Lauriannes video’s I started to become teary eyed knowing that you women are where all existence began and to be able to worhsip and praise GOD with our people is overwhelming to me. I am extremely touched and pray that if its GOD’s will…the entire womens ministry will be able to make this inspirational journey with Sister Lakeesha next year. I pray the GOD will continue to keep you safe and will pray for traveling mercy upon your return and thank you so much Siister Lakeesha for sharing this with those of us who couldn’t go.
Sandra Meyers
/ February 27, 2010Sister Lakeesha,
It’s wonderful to know that you have partaken of God’s Prophecy to send you to South Africa, the declarations of your youth being played out with sweet song. This gives us all an opportunity to thank God for honoring His Word over your life. It should also serve to encourage us all to recognize that God’s Symphony of Love has been playing early-on in all of our lives, God’s just waiting for us to dance. To my sisters and brothers, “can God have the next dance”?
God bless the world!