Different:
In Ghana no matter where I went it was evident that I was different. I was an American and I was a college student… The list could go on but simply stopping there speaks enough about the economic privilege present in my life. In a country where the majority of the people are peasant farmers and the legal DAILY minimum wage is 1.70 Cedis (1 American dollar = 3.10 Cedis), going to primary school is a privilege in itself. What I loved most about the trip was it gave me an opportunity to get to know the people and children that I would otherwise overlook if I stumbled across them in different circumstances. I was accepted with love instead of judgment and with vulnerability instead of pride. My heart grew exponentially. Deeply knowing those with so little and realizing the abundance of blessings in my life, I found myself feeling uncomfortable as I came back to the cozy life in the states. While I have responded to the call to help the poor and oppressed post-Ghana, I know the lingering discomfort is a sign of the greater work God is doing in me. I don’t believe God wants me to feel comfortable in my status but rather moved to help those around me in need. This experience has allowed me to look upon the poor with new eyes, and it has taught me to accept them in love and without judgment just as they have accepted me. This verse embodies my drawing and my experience in Ghana excellently.
James 2:1-5
My brothers, show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.2 For if a man with gold rings on his fingers and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Sit here, please,” while you say to the poor one, “Stand there,” or “Sit at my feet,”4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil designs?*5 Listen, my beloved brothers. Did not God choose those who are poor* in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him?
#art #africa #Ghana #characterdesign #giraffe
