“Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43: 18-19 (NKJV)
Candles twinkled on the tables. The aroma of delicious food filled the air. Friends waited for Pastor Robert and Rose to descend the stairs for their surprise anniversary party.
Music played as the couple from Uganda were showered with love by American friends. Team members from mission trips, one of their sons, and other friends welcomed them.
The humble couple told a little of their stories and how thankful they were for each other and how God has worked in their lives.
Each attendee said a few words about the couple. It was evident they had touched many lives. My husband, Alan, had met them on a trip to Uganda several years ago after he was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis.
Memories of mission trips flooded my mind that night. The love of the couple made me miss Alan more than normal. They definitely displayed the love of Jesus to each other and those around them.
A couple of days later, I attended a lunch for the Brazilian mission trip members to share their experiences. Once again, friends and family members listened to testimonies of changed lives for the Brazilians and Americans.
Pictures of the boat on the Amazon reminded me of when Alan and I served there. Each story shared brought back memories of when we distributed reading glasses and sunglasses to residents along the river who had very little access to health care.
A team member’s story brought me back to the present when she said she was a widow. One day on the trip, she spoke with a widow who wanted to see well enough to read her Bible. A couple of team members left and returned to the boat. They came back with a pair of glasses so the lady could read.
That incident touched my heart because the ladies were also widows, and because I had donated reading glasses from the boxes Alan had left me. No longer did I wonder if anyone had given them out. Alan’s legacy lived on. My heart smiled.
After lunch, Pastor Gus showed me an email he had just received from Pastor Patrick in South Sudan. He planned to be in the US and asked if I had any glasses. Alan had given out hundreds while on a mission there.
As Alan prepared to see Jesus, he told me that there were enough glasses for four mission trips. However, I had only gone on one since he passed away. Each year, I think about the trips and remember how we traveled around the world. During the mission talks, I regretted that I had not continued our yearly mission trips.
Then I realized that time and age change situations. As I near eighty, my body isn’t as adaptable or healthy as it used to be. However, I realized that instead of going on missions, I can continue to supply donations and support those who do go. The glasses in my garage will be put to good use around the world as others distribute them.
Perhaps there will be an easier trip in my future but if not, I look forward to how God will lead me to serve others from home both nearby and overseas.
Look around. Who can you serve today?
Heavenly Father, you have gifts and work for each of us to do no matter our ages. Show us your plans and help us accept that we can’t always do what we want to do but give us wisdom to obey what you want. Because you bless us, we can bless others.
Amen
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