We had to go through rocky and dusty roads, through an ocean and scary heights and depths, and it was worth it.
My experience with GFI was more than amazing. I am grateful for my friend who inspired me to write about my trip. It was indeed a lovely experience packaged with the good things of life. There was never a dull moment.
There were trials and many battles to fight. But we saw God's hands in everything.
The journey to Ekiti was a long one. Our bonding process began from there. It was faster with those at the back seat. The travelling bags kept falling on them to the point that potholes and bumps became scary to them.
Passing through Ife was exciting too.
The akara was so nice, so soft and sweet. It was nice that we had to share as well.
It was nice having aunty Tola on the bus. We were never hungry on the trip. And she made us remember our old time religion by singing those songs we sang a lot back in the days. Songs that makes us think of our mission and vision as Adventist.
Soon enough we had known ourselves completely. And it appeared to be like we've known each other for ages.
We had a nice time at Ero river. Although we couldn't get to see the dam but we got the best out of it under the leading of Nurse Kudirat. We managed to conquer our fears to get the best out of nature.
The fresh air at Ikun-Ekiti was lovely, coupled with a little of the harmattan breeze. The church service was amazing although we wondered why the men and women had to sit on different rows. And it was good to see team GFI spoil the sitting arrangements.
It was amazing to see how the guys worked so well in the kitchen. At the end of it all, they were fully qualified husband materials.
Never underestimate the power of humility. We had people from different backgrounds with different orientation of life and from different works of life but we were able to live as one without having issues.
The journey with GFI taught us that in reaching people you have to be able to live and manage in any condition you find yourself without complaining but instead try to enjoy every bit of it.
So many persons are seriously searching for love and some have given up and some are almost giving up. But our actions have helped to trigger the fire of hope and love. And that alone worth us leaving our comfort zones.
Everybody loved their stay at Ede, Osun state. I believed the Staffs there would miss us as well. Some of us learned to be patient by packing drugs in the conference room especially those that came in small sizes. Victoria and David showed so much seriousness in packing drugs. David loved the job more and it was interesting to learn that he was an engineer.
We also enjoyed the village life. The fresh air and also because there was light and internet.
We enjoyed our stay in Ogun state, there we connected well and we seriously dealt with the guava tree. Sweet delicious guava.
The word "update" meant something good was on board. It was the most used word on our trip because everything about the trip was good. The friends we made, the food, the hustle, the comfort, the good and the bad, everything was good.
Speaking about saving the best for last. Lagos trip was dope. The view of the ocean is enough to remind everyone that there's a big God indeed.
Lagos is such a fascinating place.
A place where you see a great contrast. There's poverty in its greatest form and wealth in its greatest form.
The high buildings and the low degrading structures.
So many lessons to learn from Lagos. There you see clearly how life can be. You see clearly the needs for more organisations like GFI. Lagos depicts a sample of what Nigeria looks like as a whole. A place where the rich gets richer and the poor gets poorer.
We got to learn so much about the poverty level in Lagos from Joseph and his Makoko stories. And they were quite fascinating.
It took a lot of courage from those who had never travelled on water to get to Tarkwa Bay. Sesan, Bukola and Tessy didn't find it easy at all, but thank God we used a ferry and not a speed boat. Everyone dared to take the risk and it was great. No regrets.
Dinner at Babcock University guest house was wonderful. We may not have all it takes to prepare a grand dinner ceremony. But the love and excitement we shared made it worthwhile and the best we could ever think of.
It was great having Uncle Dapo on board. Getting to know him was a privilege.
He is friendly, funny, caring, I mean very caring and he's someone who will never forget your face. There are so many things to say about him. We so much enjoyed working with him and all the organisers as well.
There are so many things to say about the trip. So many.
But the greatest lessons presented includes;
*Humility: a strong key to achieving success.
*People management: difficult but important. Dealing with your colleagues and the patients isn't always easy. Some persons wouldn't appreciate what you do. Stay focused and learn to resist.
* Behavior management: we have different characters, some of us find it hard to cope with stress, we might be pulled into difficult moments which may make us unleash the anger in us. But it takes the grace of God to help us remain calm in such situation. Since our focus is to treat everyone with respect and dignity.
From our experience, we got so many stories. And our stories includes miracles and testimonies. And we are grateful for that.
From Nosa's healing to the front tire that melted on the highway to the water and electric incidence and many more.
" by doing what you were called to do, you would assist and create opportunities for others to do what
they were called to do."
And that is what GFI has done for me.
God is with GFI.
Thanks be to God.
Thanks to everyone for believing in our good sides though you may have seen the bad sides as well.
Thanks to mama Sharon, there was no one like her.
Thanks to Uncle Dapo, aunty Tola, aunty Grace, aunty Vivian, aunt Kathleen, aunt Jire, Dr Eric, Daddy and Mummy Dada, uncle Shola and Kudos to Uncle
Gbenga and everyone for their good examples, good jobs and the lessons of humility.
May God bless your ministry.
Sharon, Tessy, Bukola, Dara, Nosa, Doris, Bayonice, Sesan, Yinka, Ife, Samuel, Nurse Rex, Patrick (a.k.a Update), Chinwe, Anu, Olamide, Bola, Dayo, Dr. Simeon, Dr Sandra, Dr.Chitah, Ireti (my grandson) Victoria, David,(pharmDavid), Joseph, Tim, Aina, Esther, Oge and myself, J.O.Y.
Comments
Post a Comment