The Road Less Traveled By...

The Road Not Taken

"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim

Because it was grassy and wanted wear,

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black

Oh, I marked the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference."

-Robert Frost

     This poem has always been one of my favorites. As I write this, I am preparing in two months time for a journey to Ghana, West Africa. I am embarking on an adventure that is both exciting and terrifying as I step out in faith and trust that God is in control. For certainly, a trip to Africa is "the road less traveled by" for many. As Americans, many of us become so enwrapped in our own lives--the hustle of everyday deadlines, finances, and obligations--that we don't usually consider the challenges of others. And even though I had been on mission trips before, "Africa," I thought, was for "more experienced missionaries." But God works in mysterious and amazing ways. In May 2011, Pastor Joshua Holder from Ghana came to my church and shared an account of the challenges of village life in Ghana, West Africa. He reported that many villages do not have access to clean water sources and must use local mud holes to find water necessary for survival.  Many are infected each year with life threatening parasites and other diseases. Upon hearing this I was immediately filled with compassion and recognized that there must be something even I could do. 

     Over the past ten months myself and others have been praying and set plans into motion to begin a non-profit ministry that will generate funds to provide clean water solutions for our brothers and sisters in Ghana. Our overall goal is to help fund the process that will build and restore water wells in these villages. It is certainly a leap of faith and a "road less traveled," but God is leading us. One of our steps in this process will be going to Ghana, May 30^th through June 9^th.  We will have the opportunity to see the villages, the mud holes they drink from, and the smiling faces of a truly incredible, resourceful, and courageous people. We will also have the honor of working on the first “Faith Academy International School.” This school will teach students who are unable to pass the 9^th grade Basic Education Certificate Exam a trade.  Students who don’t pass this National Exam are forced to the streets to find work at a young age.  This school will give students a hope and a future to learn the skills needed to become a carpenter, a mason, a seamstress, or even a hairdresser so that they can take care of themselves and their families.  The first class will open this fall, and we will be a part of history in Ghana! 

     The team will take part in construction/advancement of the school, visit villages, award scholarships to village students, repair an area village school, and hold open air services.  I feel blessed to be part of this incredible work, but this journey has just begun. I have chosen the path "less traveled," not only physically, but also spiritually. The unknown can be scary and as I stand today, I have $3000 to raise in less than 2 months. I have a passport to renew, medical expenses, and tickets to purchase. I praise God that I'm not doing this alone and I know that as I write to you, family members and friends, your hearts are being stirred as mine was. There are many things that you can do to help me in this exciting journey:
1. Please pray for the team and I as we prepare for this trip. Please also pray that the hearts of those in Ghana will be opened to God's work in their lives, that they will be expectant of the good things to come.
2. If you desire to financially support these efforts, your tax deductible donations can be written to “Hearts for Missions” and sent to:
Mary-Claire Marshall
15069 Tanner Williams Rd.
Wilmer, AL 36587
I am also working on creating a PayPal account to make it easier to donate.
3. Join us the the effort to generate funds for the trip. There are many upcoming fundraisers that I will be part of to help raise the money needed for this trip. I will continue to post information of ways that you can help.

     Thank you so much for your support and love! I will continue to post updates here on the status of my trip, along with additional details. Please leave a comment if you have any fundraiser suggestions or any additional information that may help me. I am excited about this journey and know that God has incredible and life-changing things in store!