Spending While Getting Richer

       The last minute preparations for Ghana are starting to hit at full force. Finals are finally over, two years of college are done, and one huge trip is on the horizon. It feels so wonderful to be home and (almost) moved out of my apartment on Chitt. The past few days have been relaxing, but not lacking in productivity. If anything, I have thought a lot about this trip and why I am spending all of my savings to spend four weeks across the ocean playing with African babies. 
       One particular hero of mine, Barb Capozzi, recently shared the wisdom that travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer. I'm trusting that she is right. Whoever told me that this trip would only include airfare and program fees was sadly mistaken. After a plane ticket, vaccines against diseases that I don't even want to think about getting, program fees, books to read on the excessively long flights, Visa application fees (that was a fiasco), mosquito nets, clothing that is appropriate for the Ghana climate, and so many other things my bank account is severely depleted. Let's not forget the safari trip, monkey sanctuary and souvenirs for every friend and their brother. There have been a few times where I have thought to myself "Steph, what are you doing? This is the part of your life where you save and don't spend." 

The first time I met Barb at the 2008 Global Youth Forum in Denver.

      Money is one of those things that I never plan on having a lot of. Come on, my major is Nonprofit Management. That doesn't exactly scream money. But wait. The world screams "MONEY. You need money. Make money. Get a good job. Live in a big house. Have all the newest technologies. Go on vacations. Have a little in savings." This is when I put my fingers in my ears, block out the voice of the world, and listen to what my heart tells me about what is important. While many of my friends are traveling there is a great portion spending the summer doing a little thing that I like to call "making bank." Recently I have had these fleeting moments where I wonder what I am doing going on this trip. Then it hits me...money means nothing. Disagree if you would like, but I know that after this trip I will come back much richer than when I left. The experience holds no price. I have zero doubt that I am going to walk out of the plane in Dayton, OH on July 30th feeling much richer than when I left. It's true that my bank account will disagree and I will avoid looking at it for a solid two weeks. However, my heart and changed perspective on life will tell me differently. Just the thought that I am finally doing what I have always dreamt of doing fills me with more joy and happiness than any amount of money ever could.
       So, bring on the two-day African safari road trip, nights out with the girls, gifts galore for my family and friends, and most importantly gifts/clothes/books/toys for the precious children. I plan on spoiling those kids like crazy. They want candy? Give 'em candy. That new shirt? Okay, I got that. Cool new frisbee? Just ask Mama Steph. Yup, they will call me Mama Steph. No one should be surprised when I smuggle a few African babies back with me. My friends have already decided that if I don't permanently move to Africa and adopt 10 kids by the age of 23 then I will at least bring a couple back with me. Not ashamed and not worried. To that I say, God's will be done.

Try to tell me this isn't the cutest kid you've ever seen.

The countdown is officially at 16 days! I remember when it was up in the 100s. I could not be more excited to jump feet first into serving the Lord, learning a new culture, and loving like crazy. :) 


Yours In Christ,
Steph