Subscribe
Words cannot express the gratitude I feel in my heart to God for allowing me to experience the joys of South Africa. I will be forever grateful to Rev. Jessica Ingram’s invitation to First Corinthian to join her on this journey. I believe that when you are obedient to God’s word, the benefits are apparent in the overflow to others. “You anointed my head with oil, and my cup runneth over.” Thank you God for the overflow.
Last night, after I had already written the blog, we had another amazing experience. Now I know you are saying, “Rev. LaKeesha, just how many amazing experiences can you have over there?” My answer is, I don’t know, but I am going to try my best to find out! We attended “A Red Event with a Golden Purpose”; a dinner event at the Gold Museum that was planned by Rev. Mia Wright. Everyone was asked to wear red. For a moment it looked like a Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. sponsored event – shout out to all my Sorors! Actually, the red represented the continued need for HIV/Aids awareness.
Rev. Mia spent some time sharing how we could help the cause here in Africa. I will share that information when I return. The gold represented the great heritage of the kings and queens of Africa. The evening included an interactive drum lesson, a tour of the museum, and dinner, with African singing and dancing. The dinner was a traditional African meal, enjoyed family style. The appetizers included spiced tomato soup with corn pot bread, potato and pea samoosas with chutney cream, peri-peri prawns with oranges, ostrich keema shish kebabs with dhal and smoorvis. The main course included West-African peanut chicken, spiced sweet potato wedges with marsala spice, morog with coconut and peanuts, couscous, roti, and carrot salad. For desert we enjoyed golden boeber and fresh fruit platters. It was an amazing night!
After a good night’s rest, we rose with plans to go on a tour to see the dynamic views of Cape Point. Most of the group attended the tour, and had a phenomenal time. They saw ostrich on the road, and had an opportunity to see the seals, up close and personal. The rest of us chose to go a different route! We remembered the words of our pastor, words that included; being visionaries and dreamers, living life to the fullest, taking risks, and seizing the divine moment! I will let the pictures speak for themselves. However, know that this was one of the most spiritually high moments that I have ever had in my life! I am now just a bit jealous of the birds! I love you all!
Gregory Spence
/ February 25, 2010What’s this now!?! Spiritual Warriors accepting all challenges involved with this ministry?
Exceeding beyond the limitations set down by others? Conquering all obstacles, both large and small? SKY DIVING!?!
Well, I’ve seen and heard it all now!
UURRAH!
Wow, what a way to spend the penultimate day and evening. The Red Event with a Golden Purpose, sounds like it was great, especially considering that part of it’s scope to reiterate the continued need for HIV/Aids awareness. I really like that the gold represented the great heritage of the kings and queens of Africa. Man! I missed all the fun!
Thanks for the run down on the dinner menu as well. Think I’ll try my hand at some of this fare (I can see my wife shaking her head now).
Rhonda Tuckett
/ February 25, 2010Sis. LaKeesha,
You rock……I mean you fly!!!! Go on with your baaad self……I mean with your good/bad self. No limits, or limitations self-imposed, or otherwise. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Most inspiring… You ladies are absolutely fabulous. You represented very well, I’m proud of all of you. Fly high!
Rhonda Parker
/ February 25, 2010Wow! Pastor, you are like a breath of fresh air. I think what you are doing is amazing! The Red Event sound like fun, ( got a little hungry reading all the food that was there, lol). God bless you all. Oh, the ski diving picture is beautiful!
Gregory Spence
/ February 25, 2010Okay, so up to now I’ve refrained from posting a personal message to my wife as I did not want to spoil the communal
and public nature of the blog with personal and private messages of affection and adoration.
OH WELL!
I have to admit that as the days wind down now to the end of this amazing journey, my anticipation and eagerness grow exponentially with every passing hour. Sharón I miss you like crazy! I miss all y’all – don’t wanna hurt anyone’s feelings – but I misses my Mrs. something bad and can’t wait for all her – y’all – to come home. Albeit this approaching snow storm and expected heavy precipitation have thrown a little apprehension into the mix – only because it may delay y’alls return – I rest assured in the knowledge that your return trip will be uneventful because I have prayed for this, as I know other’s have as well – calling each of you by name – and it will come to pass.
Sharón, you know it’s not my wont to make public displays of affection, or for that matter to have much to say in a public arena where it concerns intimate matters of the heart, but I gotta tell you, I am soooooo very proud of you, and proud of you all. Your time away has been a growing period for me, having found a new higher level of appreciation and gratefulness for the wonderful and amazing woman and wife that you are. I’m especially proud that even thousands of miles away from home and what is comfortable and familiar, you’re out there holding it down and representing in the face of ignorance and obtuse compassion. And skydiving??? Wow! Yeah! I’ve always said that one of the things I most appreciated about you was your “ride or die” character, but this takes the cake. That you could summon up the intestinal fortitude and courage to jump from a perfectly good aircraft and free fall into God’s blue skies with a total stranger strapped to your back – we’ll deal with this later – is to me at least simply amazing. I salute you! And hopefully now I won’t hear anymore complaints about driving too fast…
While it may be easy to express feelings of pride and commendation and affection, the rhetoric sometimes clouds and obscures the real reason(s) why y’all are there, and I’d be remiss if I did not acknowledge this. The opportunity to “come home” and see and experience South Africa and experience it’s vivid life and history in a visceral and emotional and poignant way.Communal worship with our African brothers and sisters. The offering of food, clothing and toiletries. The uplifting of kindred spirits, even overcoming language barriers to bring a message from God. That YOU ALL represented First Corinthian in such a powerful and capable way.
I feel very blessed and am very thankful to have taken this journey with you albeit vicariously. I feel especially blessed and grateful that my beautiful wife has had the opportunity to be a part of this journey and experience it first hand.
Rev. LaKeesha, YOU ARE AMAZING! I really don’t know what else to say, or how else to say it.
Thank you all of you: Rev. LaKeesha, my wife Sharón, Akira, Keemya, Dawn, Leon, Katrice, Laurianne, Rosalie, Carol, Minister Leslie, and Bro. Jerry.
God is Amazing!
Kevin
/ February 25, 2010I am speechless and truly inspired by this mission. I too have aspirations to go abroad and this trip has encouraged me. Bless you Rev. LaKeesha for keeping up this blog that is ministering to me in ways a sermon never could ( I still love some good preaching). This experience truly seems to embody what happens when you just live and trust the God in you.
Peace and blessings.
Tohma
/ February 25, 2010Awesome!!!!!!! You are off the chain and I love it! Oarabile is living it up in South Africa! Dawn looks a little torn about sky diving. LOL.
That “Red Event with a Golden Purpose” sounds like it was fun and you know I love me some Red. I love the way the host, staff, and owner at the Gold Museum all join in to make your dining experience more than just about food. They are like a family and they enjoy what they do!
I am so happy that you all had a wonderful time in South Africa. I can’t wait to see everyone and look at all the pictures. You guys should have a scrapbooking party!
C. Nkechi Jacobs
/ February 25, 2010Rev. LaKeesha…..WOW!!!! That’s what life is all about…..living!!!!!! flying!!!! Did you ever fly in your childhood dreams? Knowing you guys have “taken the REAL plunge” gives me encouragement to one day do the same. Carpe diem!!!
“Make Sure You Leave with What You Came For!” That was one of the most phenomenal sermons God placed in your spirit to preach, Rev. LaKeesha….and you preached it! Up to now, it appears that you, Sharón, Akira, Keemya, Dawn, Leon, Katrice, Laurianne, Rosalie, Carol, Minister Leslie, and Bro. Jerry are embracing the principles God revealed in that word….and more! Crocodile tears “took me over” at the end of that sermon when it appeared hopeless…the man’s friends agreed there was no way they would see Jesus that day. Oh, but God!!! Only you (each of you) know the compelling reason(s) for your decision to make this journey. “Don’t Leave Without Getting What You Went For!” When God places seeds of purpose within us, his plan WILL NOT be thwarted. Sisters and Brothers, my prayer upon the conclusion of this transformational chapter in your lives is that you’ll depart the motherland more humble, more grateful, more powerful (that’s for your Sharón –spiritual power of course, appropriate and Godly—smile), more thoughtful and with files …sensorial files…those that open unexpectedly when you return…those that continue contributing to you being disciples that transform the world. Indeed you already are!
God bless you, my Pastor Emeritus (there’s a N.C. connection forever), all your families, and the entire FCBC family. I shall pray until word of your safe arrival (and beyond of course).
God’s grace and peace be in your spirits. To God be the glory now and forever, AMEN!
Kercena
/ February 25, 2010The dinner event plus going skydiving or touring=one group of amazing women! You all are such awesome inspirations!
PS: LOVE the pics!
Carla
/ February 25, 2010Wow!!! Enough seen/said!! Not only do I believe I can fly!! I will fly!!
All I can say…. AMAZING!!!
Carla
Janiqua Codrington
/ February 25, 2010You all look like you had an all out blast in Africa! I can’t wait to see more pictures. I am convinced that Africa is an experience to be had.
Karen Gadson
/ February 25, 2010Rev. Lakeesha I told you to make your own experience and I see you took it to the top–FLYING IN THE AIR–Thank You GOD—I Hope YOU ALL experienced some life changing
moments and had a wonderful time. I took the jouney in 2008 and would like to return with
large body of FCBC MEMBERS—get ready-GET READY–GET READY.
Cheryl Faye
/ February 25, 2010I am sitting here at my desk at work screaming (silently of course). You went skydiving. OMG that is something I’ve always wanted to do. I see Dawn has on a harness, too. Go Dawn. Sister Sagittarius, I would have been right there with you!!! OMG I am so excited for you that you got to experience that. I’m sure the other events were amazing, too, but OMG you went skydiving. Can you tell how excited I am. OMG OMGGGGG!!!
Shellyce Daniley
/ February 25, 2010Well, thank you so much for sharing your journey. I have been overwhelmed with the number of adventures that you’ve all experienced. This has truly been a blessing and a inspiration to me. You ended your journey flying-high, however, the entire trip you were flying high. Praise God!!!
I’ve been inspired to go on the missions that I’ve visioned for myself through your shared experiences. I’ve also seen what life is truly about, and it’s not sitting back being content, hoping and waiting. We MUST go out and take that step and not be afraid.
I look forward to seeing you all on Sunday and pray for your traveling mercies.
Thank you so very much, and I can’t say it enough I love you. See you soon.
Cheryl Faye
/ February 25, 2010Okay, I’ve calmed down some. The Red & Gold Affair sounds like it was spectacular. A party with a purpose — that’s what I love. And the menu . . . you know I would have really enjoyed all of the different selections. I love ethnic cuisine of all types, but that it was served family style, too, well, that would have just made it all the more special for me. I am so thrilled that this journey has been one of such exceedingly abundantly great joy and promise. Praise God who truly IS GOD!!!
Syreena
/ February 25, 2010WHOA!!!! Cheryl screamed silently but I screamed loudly at my desk to see you flying in the sky. A great way to end a great experience and to do it with your sisters in Christ is so AWESOME!!!! You really inspire us, NEXT LEVEl HERE WE COME!!!!
See you all when you come back home!!!
La-Asia
/ February 25, 2010Wow!! Day 10 sounds amazing. Dinner with a purpose, I love it!!! Each day you’ve had the opportunity to experience More & More, such a blessing. Thank you for continuing to blog and keep us involved in this journey to South Africa. I was with you all the way until you and Dawn decide to jump out the plane – no thank you!!! I’m going to have to fly figuratively and not literally. Love you all.
Zandra J
/ February 25, 2010Soar, soar, soar my sister. How wonderful these pictures make me feel. God bless you for sharing them. As I sat here thinking my life is over I remembered your daily blog and how lifted it made me feel. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be this lifted! I cannot express the lightness that has overtaken my spirit at the moment. I only know now it was the love of God that directed me to this blog tonight!
Dinean
/ February 27, 2010Wow, I would love to fly like that. It’s officially on my list of things to do. The images of this trip will make for great pics to display on the walls of our church. Amen!
D. Wiggins
/ February 27, 2010Keesha,
Now I know for sure that you are more adventurous that me!! I like it!! Sounds like something I would do during an imaginative moment…real life…I don’t know!!!! I know you had a wonderful time and looking forward to revisiting. I thank God for his blessings in South Africa and everyday for what he is doing in your life; and the life of those who traveled with you.
I was hoping I could be there when you return to see the expressions on your face. But that’s ok, I’m sure I will see the same when I see you. Love you, mother