NEAR THE END OF A FIVE-MONTH stay in the Upper East region of Ghana as a volunteer with Engineers Without Borders Canada (EWB), I wrote in my blog: "Do you ever have one of those days that leaves you glowing and feeling like you are 100 percent in your right spot? Welcome to my day. This morning I woke up to the sound of Evelyn knocking on my door, peering in from the verandah through my window to see me lying flat on my back on the ground still in my mosquito net, enjoying the 'cool' morning temperature. 'The day has broken! The water is boiled! You bring your cup.' We both laugh. She's been up for a while now and must think I'm insane for sleeping until 7:05 a.m. I smile and join my host family for breakfast under the bright Ghanaian sun." Surprisingly, life in my small, rural village in northern Ghana did not always feel like my right spot.
Let's rewind. When I finished university a few years ago, I applied for a 13-month placement with EWB. I went through several rounds of interviews before I was told that I should reapply in a few years. I was crushed. So instead of heading overseas, I was hired at a renewable energy company as a chemical engineer. I felt fulfilled, but the desire to work overseas was still very strong. After a year passed, I was encouraged to apply for another placement in Ghana. I knew that I would eventually reapply, but it didn't seem like the right time. I had a good job and was learning a lot.
Feeling confused about applying for this position, I went home and read the Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lesson. The Golden Text that week read: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights" (James 1:17). Interesting, but how did I know if this was an idea from God, or a distration and suggestion of lack? I realized that if the timing was right, it would work out for me to be in Ghana; if not, then I would stay in Canada. Either way, I would be happy and fulfilled.
