Center of Good News

Brandi and I returned from Ghana last night and in the midst of jet lag, a sick baby, and Christmas only days away, one thing is for sure - it's nice to be home.

Markaz al Bishara - our client in West Africa - is Arabic for "Center of Good News". It's a progressive social enterprise that encompasses several businesses and even more humanitarian outreach projects in the region.

So for Amani Global, this trip brought a new perspective on what 'good news' sometimes means.

Several important things happened for us during our 3 weeks in Ghana:

1. Our daughter, Audrey, took her first steps. (Somehow I knew she was waiting for this trip!)
2. Everyone stayed healthy.
3. We solidified our relationship with Markaz and advised them on the next steps to take in the development of their social enterprise business group.
4. Destiny Foundation got to experience Africa for the first time.

All of these things were the subjects of much prayer and contemplation before and during the trip...so we're grateful that we can look back and say 'good news' on all fronts.

We also experienced a few firsts along the way...

- Our first official visit to the leading Muslim cleric in the region
- The visit included the mosque and his home (inner room - most rare)
- Our nanny on the trip, Gail, got to experience Africa for the first time and loved it - she kept a great attitude the entire time (also very rare!)
- Visit to the poorest village I've ever seen in 15 years of traveling to Ghana - heartbreaking



Woman in Daboya Village, Northern Region of Ghana


With Christmas here, of course, the best 'good news' is that the reason for doing what we do...the reason for all the humanitarian work...the reason that we love others...is Jesus.

Merry Christmas!

- mike

Awaiting Destiny

Being in Africa is good for the soul.

We've been here one week now and are finished with all the preparations for the Destiny Team to arrive tomorrow. I'll be flying from Tamale to Accra in the morning to pick them up at the airport.

I can't wait to greet them - they will be so surprised that they're on the ground in Africa, finally. It will bring back a lot of memories of my first time in Africa 15 years ago!

Our meetings with Johnson Asare at Markaz al Bishara have gone exceedingly well. He's a long-term partner of Amani Global without a doubt. We believe in him, his passion, humility, and integrity - 100%.

His social enterprise model is brilliant...and sustainable. Africans solving Africa's problems. Sure - outside investment is needed, badly.

But one thing is for sure - the traditional donor-recipient funding model does not work. What's that definition of insanity again?!

As most of you know, Amani Global's mission and passion is to promote social entrepreneurship as a sustainable model to help end poverty. Doesn't matter if you're in Portland, Daka, or Kinshasa.

We are doing it. Right now. In West Africa. And it works. We just need more of it.

Sorry we can't upload photos - the Internet connection here in Tamale is just good enough to post text. We're taking good photos - we promised! But you'll have to wait.

- mike