The one who came back....

In pondering with the Lord what my next blog post should be, I was reminded of something that happened at our national gathering last year. 

In August 2024 we had our first National Gathering, we had most of our campuses from around Ghana meet in one place. Over 700 + students and leaders met together for the very first time. We had never done anything for 100 people let alone more than 700, it was a huge growth experience. This was a huge undertaking, moving people in Ghana is never easy, but this was challenging as we were moving children too. Some of these students had never left their villages, never seen any big cities or even the beauty of the country they live in. We fed and housed everyone at Campus 6 in Berekum, they have a school and an orphanage that were empty for school break. Everyone arrived on Monday and left on Friday morning. This is just to set the stage for the story I must share. 

One of the things that I enjoy doing on the mission field is giving away things...things that are donated, or things that I buy when home in Texas from various resale outlets. These things are small toys, purses, costume jewelry, backpacks, school supplies, coloring books, books and so much more. During the Gathering I would fill up a bag with small things and walk around the campus to give them away to who the Lord directed. The kids learned quickly that if you asked me for something the answer was always, no. I enjoy giving them out randomly and unexpectedly. I would have a big crowd following me wherever I walked once they figured out that I had things to give away.

So, on this day as I was giving things out, I tapped a young lady on the shoulder who was walking past and handed her a pair of sunglasses, she said thanks and I continued my journey. Now, let me be clear that I never expect the kids to say more than thank you when I give them things, it’s not about me, it’s about showing God’s love and how much He wants to bless them.  About 10 minutes later this young lady came running up to me and said, “Thank you so much for the sunglasses!” In that moment the Lord brought the story of the 10 lepers back to me, I understood that story in a whole new way.  Tears started running down my face, which probably made the kids following me, confused. I grabbed her by the hand and said, “come with me, I have something else for you.” I took her back to the building we were staying in and had her wait outside. I ran inside and quickly grabbed a backpack and began filling it with a coloring book, crayons, markers, a jump rope, books and some other small items.  I ran back outside and had my Ghana son, Godfred, translate for me. I knew it was important that she understood what I was about to share, the other kids needed to hear it too. I shared the story of the ten lepers and about Jesus healing them. I explained that only 1 leper came back to Jesus and thanked Him for the healing. Jesus then told the man, "Not only are you healed, but you are whole.”  I thanked the young lady for having a heart of gratitude and handed her the backpack. That evening in service I shared with everyone about this encounter and called the young lady up and gave her a bicycle, which totally surprised her! 

I’m not sharing this to say look what I did, but because it did cause me to really ponder my level of thankfulness with the Lord. Do I remember to thank Him daily? Do I thank Him for the little things He does for me? Do I thank Him for not giving me the things I thought I needed or wanted when it wouldn’t have been for my best? I realized in that moment that often the Lord is waiting for me to acknowledge all He has done in my life, in me, through me and for me. What if the blessings for my season are waiting on my heart to be thankful. Too many times, I often forget and take things for granted, like I am owed or deserve the blessings that I receive, my heart gets proud and haughty. 

This may not be something you struggle with, but I do! I don’t pretend that I have it all together or am more holy just because God has called me to a Missionary Life. I am a work in progress and sometimes the work is silent and soft and other times, God breaks out the heavy equipment to break off something I am trying hard to hold on to.  

I want to have a thankful heart and encourage everyone to have one too! We just opened campus 56 in Ghana and now have over 1,700 students and over 300 leaders actively becoming Disciples of Jesus! Please continue praying for us, we are believing for financial breakthrough for the ministry. It is growing faster every day, we are in the planning stages for Pakistan, Kenya and Nigeria to have their first schools by the end of this year. Thanks for dropping in and taking time to read what I share; it means more to me than you could possibly know. Those who send comments of encouragement, Thank you!