Adventures WorldRace SethBarnes Sponsorship Giving

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Difficult, overwhelming, tiring, and
hot describes our month in Ghana.




Loving, generous, giving, warm, and
Christ-like describes our host there. 
She changed us, big time. 

This is Mrs. Devor, but we called her Mama.  She made us really feel like royalty this past month.  She hosted us for 2 weeks during our time in Accra, Ghana.  She sacrificially and lovingly served us the way I imagine Christ would.  Let me explain. 
 
*Several of her kids gave up their beds for us. 
 
*Guess who stayed in the only room with AC?  We did.
 
*Meals were so generously prepared.  It was so evident that it was not a burden to her.  Me, the one who hates to cook, was floored by this.
 
*Her family and friends took us to the beach in their own cars, paid our admission, and bought us plenty of cokes, pictures, lobster, octopus, nacho-esque potato dishes, and even necklaces.  
 
*She REFUSED to let us do the dishes, do a lot of our laundry, or clean anything.  We were forbidden to do any work.  Period.
 
*She never showed a hint of frustration or annoyance.  In fact, I can’t remember anything but love exuding from her smile, posture, and attitude.  This Christ-like love went deep w/in her. 
 

*She absolutely refused to be paid or receive any compensation for her loving hospitality to us.  I’ve heard plenty of people say that they didn’t want to be paid or compensated, but she ABSOLUTELY meant it.  Her heart was so evident to us.  Her heart’s desire was to serve us and God.  That was it.  I’ve met very few people so pure of heart.  We were blown away. 

*Here’s the kicker.  We find out at the end of her time that she’s been in need of money for awhile and during the entire time we’ve been with her, yet she pulled out the stops to serve us expecting NOTHING, absolutely NOTHING in return. 

Ok, so we did give her a hammock before we left.  Her and her husband took QUITE a liking to Bill’s hammock during our stay, and they don’t sell hammocks here in Accra.  She was just beside herself.  All she could say is may God bless us for the blessing we were leaving her. 

Honor is a word that keeps coming up this trip.  We’re learning to honor the people around us and the people we minister to, even if we don’t see eye to eye.  God is teaching us about honor by allowing us to experience it.  I’ve been learning about honor this entire trip, but I’ve learned more in this 2 weeks than the past 6 months.  I now want to give honor and hospitality to make others feel the way I have at Mama’s.  I’m now challenged to give beyond what I have and to do it only out of love for God and for his people.  I’ve never given beyond what I can afford to give.  I’ve never given with such a pure desire for nothing in return.  Her heart was so pure offering money would be offensive to her.  I’ve never felt like that my entire life.  However, we did leave knowing that God will bless her far beyond any way we could bless her. 

It’s not mine anyway.  What I have isn’t mine.  I know that, but I don’t live like that.  Mama does.  Mama lives knowing nothing is hers and everything she needs is be provided by her Father.  That’s why she can give the way she does.  She gets the kingdom.  I’m still trying to get the kingdom principles to drop from my head to my heart.  Mama is helping that process. 

I’d love to end this blog by telling you to give beyond what you can afford to.  I’d love to encourage you to expect nothing in return, to the point that others don’t feel the need to compensate you.  However, I think Mama’s example can say much more than I can.  So I pray that you are moved and floored the way I was.  I also pray that we, together, learn the kingdom principles that NOTHING is ours and EVERYTHING is ours to give away to bless others. 

Mama, if you’re reading this, THANK YOU for showing me something that will change my life.  And thank you for your endless love.  We miss you and pray for you often!