If this man doesn't inspire you, I honestly don't know who will.  Since 2005, he has been a missionary on staff at the Village of Hope. However, as plans for a university there in Ghana were made, a problem arose...In order to accredit a university, there must be at least 2 teachers with Ph.D.s.  Sacrificing, hard worker that he is, Tommy rose to the challenge and has been studying diligently at Pepperdine University, in order to get his doctorate this past year.  He is currently on holiday from school, and back in Ghana serving and teaching.  In his most recent newsletter that he writes, I was completely humbled as I apparently continuously have to be reminded just how blessed I am...

He wrote:

"I think we in America lose out because we never get to weep for joy when a basic need is met.  We never have to experience the humility of begging for the things that will keep us alive or give us a chance.  Those things just come in abundance.  I'm sorry if I offend anyone but when mothers fall at your feet in gratitude for medicine to keep their children alive or to give the most basic of education to their children, one finds it hard to be overly impressed with the concept of "recession" as it is defined by an American economy."