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Words cannot express the gratitude that I feel in my heart to God for giving me the opportunity to experience the motherland. We are all so thankful for what we were able to experience together. We will forever be connected because of the memories we shared. I personally thank everyone who shared the journey with me; both persons who traveled via plane and those who traveled via blog!
Yesterday was a long day. It began with a flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg, then from Johannesburg to Washington IAD with a stop in Dakar. We arrived safely and without incident to IAD, only to learn that our flight had been cancelled because of the weather. We were given three options, we could stay the night in Washington and be rebooked on a flight that would leave IAD the next day at 4:47pm, we could travel by Amtrak at a cost of $143, or we could try standby on a flight to Newark. Minister Leslie, her brother, Laurianne and her mother chose option one. They left the airport for the Hilton hotel, where they could rest, relax, and recoup for a flight the next day. The rest of us chose option three; we chose to fly standby into EWR. As we stood at the counter waiting patiently for the agent to key in all of the necessary information, we continued to smile, and some of us began to sing a song we learned in South Africa:
I press toward the mark of the high calling,
I’m pressing forth to reach my goal.
I press toward the mark of the high calling,
I press, I press, I press,
I press, I press, I press.
I believe it was our attitude of gratitude that allowed all six of us to make that flight! Of course we made the flight, and with seats to spare! On top of that, the six of us would arrive at Newark airport 45 minutes early! Praise the Lord!
Honestly, after reflecting, I realized that this was a journey that reminded us of life’s lessons; lessons that 
many of us learned as children. Lessons that help us to live in God- the lives we were created to live! Lessons on love, laughter, kindness, patience, giving, gratitude, forgiveness, fearlessness, selflessness and humility. Thank you God for these gentle reminders of what life is all about. Thank you God for another opportunity to live in love. Thank you God for the freedom that we have in you! Thank you God that we are an ever evolving community of visionaries and dreamers, who have been called by You to live the lives we were created to live, commanded by You to love beyond the limits of our prejudices and commissioned by You to serve!
Thank you First Corinthian Baptist church for your prayers, love and support that accompanied us on our journey! Thank you for the journey we took together! We love you all!
Blessings~
Sharón Joseph
/ February 28, 2010GOD IS!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gregory Spence
/ February 28, 2010Indeed! You are correct, Rev. LaKeesha.
Words cannot express the gratitude that we feel to God and to you for allowing us the opportunity to experience the mother land through you and the globe-trotting praise team! I think I speak for all of FCBC when I say, we are all so thankful for what we were able to experience with you. The memories and lessons of this journey will be indelibly burned into our individual and collective memories.
Welcome home, welcome home, welcome home!
Rhonda Tuckett
/ February 28, 2010Thank you Sister LaKeesha for reminding us of the things that are truly important in life, and for allowing us to accompany you on your journey. I had a blast! Welcome home…
Tanisha Waring
/ March 1, 2010Press on! I love it to the higher calling! Can we say new praise song? Thank you for continuing to let God use you! I”m so thankful that everyone made it back home safe. Also reminding us of the lessons of life that God has given to us. Praising God for the journey which was a eye opener and took you to another level. Welcome home
Zandra J
/ March 1, 2010God bless you all for the warm memories and continued examples of love and faith.
Tammy Albright
/ March 1, 2010I just wanted to say Thank you to my sisters that visited the Africa. Just by reading Rev. Lakeesha blog. i felt like i was there. Once again welcome home and i love all of you. May God continue to bless you.
Cheryl Faye
/ March 1, 2010Welcome home Every1. I so enjoyed traveling with you and seeing how God has blessed so many of us through your journey. My spirit soared each and every time I read this blog, eagerly anticipating each new day. I am so delighted that you were all so marvelously blessed by your experiences in South Africa and I long for my own. FCBC & South Africa 2012 — I’m naming it and claiming it. I’m glad you all made it home safely and look forward to the stories for months to come (and the pictures) (LOL). God bless you. I truly truly love you all. Thank you for sharing, Rev. LaKeesha, and I thank God for your ability to paint pictures that every1 can enjoy!!
LaKeisha Joe
/ March 2, 2010Im eager to hear you say “Thank You God~ Thank You God…Awww Yall can do better than that!!” Your words are so heartfelt, coupled with your singing, simply soothes the soul!!
You were missed and I look forward to your sermon! Your Blessed Beloved
Shavon G
/ March 3, 2010God is an awesome God! God bless you ladies on your journey and safe return. I must say after reading your reflections, I have learned more about Africa than any history class I’ve ever taken. Reading your reflections have been beyond inspiring. As a teacher with diversity in my students, the moments spent reading your reflections have encouraged me to go beyond the “normal” instruction to connect with my non-American students.
Your reflections were just the right remedy at at just the right time in my life! THANK YOU & I am prayerfully thankful for your safe returns. Be Blessed
llewellyn
/ May 11, 2010hi i im having trouble in finding my way to GOD.all my life i have been with GOD and GOD with me but reasonly i have been doubting him and now im lost can you please insure to me that GOD does exist please i realy need the lord every night i cry and ask why but no reply you can email me at llewellynanthony3@gmail.com