Michael M. Smith Ministries

Mission Trip

Ghana Mission Trip 2026

Akwaaba! July 2026, we are headed back to Ghana to continue our mission work there – and I welcome you to join me.

The 2026 trip will be July 10-20. These trips are designed to give you an introduction to foreign missions while also providing an opportunity to see some of the beauty of Ghana. We will spend time working, learning, worshiping, and exploring. Adults and children alike have found these trips to be fun, exciting, educational and eye-opening. I’m certain that you will, too.

We recently held an Information Meeting about the trip wherein I provided lots of detail about the trip and answered some questions. Click HERE for the video playback from that meeting.

Itinerary

Here is the Trip Itinerary:

Cost

The trip fee is $1700 and includes lodging (shared rooms), ground transportation, tourism in Ghana, and breakfast. Special pricing is available for children under 13 traveling with parents/guardians or for private rooms. Please note that the trip fee does not include airfare.

To manage your travel cost I recommend taking advantage of any associations, memberships or access you have that can lower your airfare. You are welcome to contact Valeri Johnson at Economy Travel (valeri@economytravel.com). This company provides discounted tickets for persons taking mission trips. You may find competitive prices on your own with some research. If you live outside of the Hampton Roads area you are welcome to depart from your nearest international airport and meet us in Ghana on 11 July in the afternoon or early evening. The average flight cost will be about $1700.

Next Steps

We are less than 9 months out and there are a few things that you need to do to be ready.  First, please complete your registration packet using the links below. It includes your:

Carefully read, complete, and sign all the forms listed and linked above. Contact me if you have any questions. Once you’ve signed them, please submit them to me electronically by either scanning or taking a photo of each completed and signed form and emailing them to me at MichaelMSmithMinistries@gmail.com. Be sure to read through the Mission Trip Timeline. This document contains valuable information that you need to follow.

Please ensure that you have access to healthcare during your travel. Gallagher | Charitable is an organization that I’ve used over the past few years to supplement my own medical insurance. The minimal cost for their coverage provides an extra layer of assurance that any emergencies you might encounter would be covered. This is optional.

Crowd-Sourcing

To finance your trip, I encourage you to raise support from family, friends, churches, businesses and your community. If you’re like me, fundraising can be very uncomfortable. But I’ve found that people respond to sincerity and humility.

Here is a basic script that you could use to communicate about this trip:

On July 10, I have a great opportunity to go on a mission trip to Ghana. I’ll be working with three different under-funded schools. I’m really excited about going and meeting the people there and making a difference. Our mission on this trip is to provide technology and infrastructure support for these schools. We’re also planning to provide lots of school supplies and do some facility repairs. While I’m there I’ll get to worship at a couple of Ghanaian churches. I’m so grateful for this opportunity. As you can imagine, it is an expensive undertaking. The trip will cost about $3400. I’m hoping you will support me on this trip and help me with my expenses. (Provide details on how they can give toward your expenses.) I’ll be sure to keep you updated every step of the way so you can see how I’m doing, who I’m helping and how much we’re making a difference together. Thank you for thinking and praying about helping me. And while you’re at it, please pray FOR me.

It’s been my experience that it’s better to not be wordy. Most people don’t want to feel like they’re being sold something. But they tend to appreciate being given an opportunity to support someone that they love. Make it easy for people to donate. Use electronic methods or launch a GiveSendGo or GoFundMe campaign. I’ll be happy to give you more pointers based on my experience.

Testimonials

An indelible mark in my heart

Volunteering at Nyame Bekyere was an experience of a lifetime. I had always dreamed of going on an International Mission trip. In 2023, my dream became a reality. Reading to and loving on the children, while working along side the teachers, filled me with so much joy and purpose. That experience has left an indelible mark in my heart and I will never forget the people I met and the places we visited.

★★★★★

Valerie Walker

Eye-opening

This trip was eye-opening for me. I expected to see people living in despair, with little or no hope for their future. I figured the living areas would have been messy and unorganized and that the people would not be open to receiving outsiders. Instead, I found a group of strong, confident people with pride in themselves and their communities that welcomed me from the time my feet touched the ground. They were not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and they were clean and quick to make me feel comfortable. Unlike so many others, they did not worry about what they did not have. They showed appreciation for what they do have and are willing to share with others.

★★★★★

Priscilla Floyd

I learned something new about myself

Ghana has given me a totally different perspective on what it means to be African and American.

I was very aware that Hayah RISSE Foundation had spent several years going to Ghana and working with a school there. They had already been supplying school items, helping teachers & spreading the love for Jesus years prior.

Just in the short time we were there,  we were able to provide a new printer to the principal, tablets to each teachers, and electricity and fans to the every classroom. This was all accomplished in about 5 days. It was amazing seeing God bless our work. We worked with a team, some of us were meeting for the first time, and it took no time for us all to mesh perfectly together. We were of one mind with one goal.

In addition to the hard work at the school the mission trip attendees, team leaders Michael & Sharon Smith set time for shopping, sightseeing and exploring the life of the people of Ghana. In the Ghanian church service we attended,  I was reminded  that God is not just a God of the United States, He is genuinely God of all. It was so beautiful to see the move of the Most High!

This experience has changed me and I learned something new about myself. I realized that I am very grateful for the USA. I realized that Africa, specifically Ghana, has so much to be proud of. The culture is rich and the people are beautiful both in spirit and appearance. They are a warm and inviting people and they welcomed you—whoever—you are!

I look forward to joining another mission through Hayah RISSE Foundation in the near future. I appreciate this opportunity to use my gifts to help spread the love of God.

★★★★★

Nitasha Hairston-Hill

Again, thank you for taking this journey with me. I am certain that you, too, will find this trip life-changing.