When I received approval for my sabbatical last year, I shared with Kwame my plans to come to Ghana and he informed me that I was welcomed to stay with his family if I did not get approved for the Fulbright Scholars Program. Last December (2018), Kwame called me and put his Father on the phone to talk with me. Now, please understand that in order for me to stay with the family, in the African culture, it has to be a family decision with the blessings of the father. Bro. George Appiah-Kubi, had only heard about me through his son, Kwame. When he spoke with me on the phone, he told me that Kwame had told him about me and he and the family would be so honored to have me as a guest in their home. Bro. George spoke with me in length and prayed for my good health and a long life. At that very moment, I felt that I would be okay as I planned for my journey to Ghana.
Well, I was selected as an alternate for the Fulbright Scholars Program, however that did not change my plans for my sabbatical from the University. In hindsight, becoming an alternate candidate for the Fulbright was actually a blessing in disguise. So, I continued with my plans to visit Ghana without a pre-planned agenda and stepped out on faith and believing that if I “follow the process”, something would work out for my good.
Upon my arrival to Accra on August 29th, Kwame and his cousin met me at the airport with a very warm welcome. When we drove up on the grounds of the Divine Kids Academy and the Appiah-Kubi home, Bro. George and his little grandson, Kofi greeted me at the door with a most warm welcome. Cee-Cee, Kwame’s mother also came out to greet me. She seemed a little shy, but had a warm beautiful smile. She only speaks Twi, but I didn’t need the words in English to know that she was welcoming me with an open heart and loving spirit.
After getting my luggage out of the car, Kwame begin giving me a tour of the compound. I must admit, in all honesty, I am thinking “Oh my, this is a culture shock”. As I looked around, there is no inside toilet, shower or bathtub, no modern kitchen with all of the gadgets and utensils. No dishwasher, wash machine and/or dryer along with all the other bells and whistles in our American homes. In the midst of the western comparisons that were going through my head, Bro. George was saying to me with so much humility in his voice, “Queen, I can’t believe you are here in our home”, “I couldn’t imagine a Professor would want to stay with us”, “ We are so honored to have you in our home”, “We couldn’t imagine that you would leave all of the things you have in the US and stay with us”. “You are a Queen in our home”. As I reflect and just writing these words, I am so ashamed of even having had such thoughts to run through my head.
After settling in and lying in my bed on the first night upon my arrival, my Ancestors had what we call a “come to Jesus” moment with me. I was reminded of ‘from whence I had come’. I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth, and I was reminded of the humble beginnings of my parents, great- grand parents, great-great grandparents and other ancestors who paved the way for me to even come back across the Atlantic Ocean for the Year of Return. The voices also were saying to me “Girl, come down off your high horse and appreciate this moment in time in history and enjoy this journey. You can’t begin to imagine what’s in store for you, and just ‘follow the process”. Instantly, I started to change my mindset and thinking process. From that very moment, I begin focusing on what is my divine purpose while I am on this Sabbatical journey in Ghana, and not the materialistic and vain things that will fade away with time.
Being in the Appiah-Kubi family for the past two months has touched and transformed my life in ways that only the heart can express. Kwame, Harriett and Ann, the two daughters of Bro. George and Cee-Cee, and the grandchildren, Kofi and Hilda have shown me so much love and appreciation during my presence in their home. I am so grateful for having the opportunity to see and experience the unconditional love that is expressed in the Appiah-Kubi family and by the people in the Central Region of Ghana.
Before leaving Jukwa it was desire to spend some time with the entire family to show my appreciation for their unconditional love and treating me like a Queen during my entire stay in their home. So, on last Sunday, we as a family went to Hans Cottage to enjoy the evening fellowshipping and eating a meal together that Cee-Cee and Harriett did not have to prepare from scratch. Harriett and Ann live in other villages outside of Jukwa, so they came home for the weekend to be with me and the family. We laughed, joked and enjoyed this time together with all the family together at one time. We were so grateful to have this opportunity to relax and enjoy each other as a family. Yes, I am now also a member of the Appiah-Kubi family (smile)!
Medasse, Bro. George, Cee-Cee, Kwame, Harriett, Ann, Hilda and Kofi. Love ya’ll with all my heart and soul and will forever be grateful for your Agape love.