Thursday, June 10, 2010

Patrick Coffie - age 9 lives in the

coastal community of Anyaa,GHANA - home to approximately 15,700 residents. Common health problems in this area include malaria, skin rashes, malnutrition and HIV/AIDS. Half of the adults in Anyaa are unemployed but some work as market traders and earn the equivalent of $20 per month. Patrick's father is a "petty trader."

A letter came yesterday telling us that our Patrick's mother died yesterday. "Our project staff has not indicated the cause of death."

A REAL feeling came into my heart. So many times sponsorship seems surreal... as though it is just a normal part of our blessed life. Something we "should" do. A routine - like a payment. Upon receiving this news that I think is 2 months old - something changed.

We've been priveledged to sponsor him and Kisuze (age 14 from Uganda) for almost 5 years. Ezekiel is the most faithful to pray for our 3 children. We have Magie Sincere now 15, was our 1st, when she was 6.5 from Uganda. Each time I write I think how trivial our words are to these precious children who know nothing of material wealth. We don't know what to write as it seems like any thing is as if we are boasting. We have so much - what could we say that would be of a fresh encouragement?

I've just begun reading "The Hole in Our Gospel" by Richard Stearns, president of World Vision and know that the timing of my heart changing and being challenged is all a part of God's perfect timing to once again MOVE ME! We, in the American Church as Stearns says, "is the wealthiest community of Christians in the history of Christendom." What is "living a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God?"

Heavenly Father, I ask that you would soften this old aging soul - set in it's comfortable ways... Oh that I will daily see the photos of our 3 sponsored children and not make it so trivial a prayer - a payment - an act. BUT that You oh Lord, would let Your great love that does not consume, increase my compassions so that they would begin to never fail. Because Your's are NEW every morning and so very great is Your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3) Let it be to these children today... and especially to Patrick Coffie right now - In Jesus Hope-filled Name, Amen.

Link to Ghana via Compassion Int.
Prayer Requests

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