#operationgroundswell

Tomorrow begins my 6 week journey to Ghana where I will be working with local health agencies to learn about global health, meeting new people, and engaging with a new culture. I am excited, but also nervous as I embark on an adventure like nothing I have ever done before.

However, before I get to Ghana I will spend 2 days traveling...including a 22 hour layover in the Istanbul airport. In light of the recent terror attacks I had to make some decisions. Should I still go? Is it too dangerous? Should I try to reschedule my flight? In just a few minutes I went from printing my itineraries and making sure everything was set to questioning whether I was going to go at all. 

After a few hours of thinking, researching, and most of all, praying I knew that continuing with my plan to go to Ghana was the right choice. You see, from the very beginning I have left the details of this trip up to God. When I first got accepted to the program and learned how much money I would need to raise I did not think it was possible. I actually came very close to turning down the offer because financially it just was not going to work out. Then, my roommate came into my room and told me that it is God’s money. Even though I was not completely sure I believed her, I decided to try to raise the $500 deposit in one week. If I got the money, I would know I am supposed to go, and I would continue to fundraise. If not, it was not meant to be.

Within 3 days I raised $500. Over and over again it is confirmed that I am supposed to go on this trip. Every time I almost gave up, I prayed, and in some way that prayer was answered. When I let my faith be bigger than my fear, everything was okay.

So, tomorrow I will be leaving for the journey of a lifetime trusting God to keep me safe. Please keep me and all of the people I will be interacting with in your prayers. 

"Help Shawna to Help People." 

Thank you so much, Shawna MacFadzen http://www.gofundme.com/helpshawnahelppple