Ghana Travel Seminar: Seeing the magnificence of God’s love

  1. Ghana Travel Seminar: Seeing the magnificence of God’s love
  2. Ghana Travel Seminar: Time for church!
  3. Ghana Travel Seminar: Elimina Slave Castle
  4. Ghana Travel Seminar: Learning at the Akrofi-Christaller Institute
  5. Ghana Travel Seminar: May Day
  6. Ghana Travel Seminar: The ties that bind
  7. Ghana Travel Seminar: Reuniting with alumni
  8. Ghana Travel Seminar: Singing without words
  9. Ghana Travel Seminar: Handcrafts with personality and stories
  10. Ghana Travel Seminar: Touching the lives of children and teenagers
  11. Ghana Travel Seminar: Hospitality and kindness
  12. Ghana Travel Seminar: Love and anger are the key

BY ERIC TANG

The highlight of day five in Ghana was our trip to Kakum National Park. Breathtaking (literally) and simply beautiful. It proved to be a little strenuous for some. Our guide, however, was gracious enough to be patient, was a wealth of information about the surroundings, and pointed out fascinating information about certain trees for example.

We certainly had to pay attention as we hiked toward the canopy walk….tree roots, uneven and rocky paths, soldier ants, etc. Once we got to the canopy bridge walk, we were, for the most part, ready to tackle what lay ahead…the high rope bridges. Wow! What adventure, what beauty indeed. Once you were on the bridge, you just had to take in the beauty and magnificence of the rain forest.

This travel seminar group is made up of eclectic ecumenical people. But all together beautiful people. We have held hands to pray, we have helped each other along the way. Basically cared for each other. Marvelous conversations no less! There is not a stranger among us. It’s a beautiful thing when a diverse group like this bonds together, and so quickly.

Travel seminar participants awaiting a turn on the Canopy bridge.

What does this have anything to do with Kakum National Park?

Psalm 36:5 “Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. The experience today, along with our group conversations tie into that verse. There were many people at the park today…all different across the board for sure. In writing this, I picture every person perhaps at different points in their walk with Christ…some believing strongly and some not even in a relationship with Christ. Along the trail, there were many “obstacles” that could trip anyone regardless of how strong or fit you were. Life is like that. And yet, there is a guide…waiting patiently, wanting us to press on and persevere. Our God patiently waits for us, showering us with unrelenting steadfast love. We can even picture the canopy of the trees in Psalm 36:7 “How precious is your steadfast love, O God! All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.”

God’s love reminds us to trust God as we navigate life. And when we get to the point where there is a high rope bridge in front of us, we must turn to God, we must have faith in God in our fear and anxiety and just hear God whispering “I have great and wonderful plans for you. All you have to do is say yes.” And then be ready for God’s love and purpose to transform! That’s when we step on to that high rope bridge and realize God holds us up. And then…we see the magnificence of God’s love all around us.

Eric Tang is a Master of Divinity student at the Charlotte campus of Union Presbyterian Seminary.