Before I left I had no real idea of what to expect when I got out there as I'd never been to Africa before. The trip turned out to be amazing and life changing. I've often heard stories from people who have been to Africa, and they all say the same thing: "Once Africa is in you, you can't get it out of you", and this is just the experience I had.

Many of the people we visited out there and the communities we met had so little in regards to material wealth, and many did not even have what we would consider as the basic necessities of life – clean water and sufficient food. Although they lacked so much in this sense, they possessed a far greater wealth: happiness.

The way they smiled and laughed with us you wouldn't have known that they were carrying such worries and burdens. It made me consider the way I view my own life. At times I can get caught up in meaningless worry, and I can look at my situation and still be discontent despite all the many things I have.

The people I met in Ghana were such an inspiration to me, and I hope from this short little account, to you too. They truly knew what Paul was talking about in the book of Philippians chapter 4 verse 12, when he said: "I have learnt the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." I hope that this attitude may begin to grow in my own life.


By Nicole Le Goupillot, assistant pastor of the Dewsbury Elim Church – on behalf of Churches Together in Dewsbury.