The Sacrifices They Make

When Brooks and I head toward home, we often ask each other, “What stories from the trip stand out?” This is partly practical because, when people ask, “How was your trip?” they are generally not looking for the blow-by-blow details but, rather, a simple story that somehow sums up the adventure.

In my case, though it is a very short story, I cannot get out of my mind the church planter on the East Coast of Kenya because his generous heart and giving lifestyle typifies what we see of the leaders we work with everywhere.

“I heard that the woman’s child was sick, so I felt compelled to go see her. Perhaps God would use this opportunity to open a door to this Muslim family. When I arrived, I took time to greet the family and ask about the child. When I found the child was truly quite sick, I offered to pray for her. However, since they were Muslims, they did not want me to pray. I then asked if I could help pay to take the child to the hospital for medicine. They agreed. So, I immediately left and went to find 300 shillings ($3) so that they could get medicine and also a treatment for their water which I suspected was the problem.”

Now, the story goes on from there as the family did open their home and hearts to this church planter. But I hope you catch my larger point. This church planter, obediently going out to care about others and share the Gospel, did not have even $3 in his own pocket for his own daily needs. Yet, when presented with this family’s needs, he went out to “raise” $3 from others to meet this need. He was not concerned for himself but for the family God sent him to and their simple need for $3 medicine. He may go without meat in his dinner that night. He may not have what he needs for his own daily needs tomorrow. His own pockets are empty. But, for today, he has been sent and he will give all that he has and even what he does not have in order to fulfill that mission.

These are our partners in the field of Africa. These are your partners in the field of Africa. I love them. I am humbled by them. I am inspired by them. I am grateful to be a witness of the power of simple people who are willing to walk in faith, generosity, and sacrifice.