IGNITE intern, Hope Greenberg, of Calvary Chapel Boston, shares how the Lord used a sponsor’s correspondence letter for their prayer child to encourage her.
As Christians, we are to boast in the things that we are weak in; because of the things that we are weak in, Christ makes us strong. In this time of my life, I am proclaiming how faithful the Lord has been and how He indeed showed me His steadfast love. The last two weeks in February were probably the hardest but most God apparent weeks of my time in Uganda. At the beginning of this time, I got sick. I got amoebas, which put me out for several days. I could not go across to the school and teach which was discouraging. We had only started school a week prior, and I knew this time was pivotal in getting to know the kids and building those solid relationships. Being sick always puts me in a low place.
Hope with Potter’s Field Kids in Uganda.
As I laid in bed, I would either think of home or what I could be doing. The enemy used that downtime to discourage me. But thankfully in a few days, I would be feeling better and was able to attend the Kids Club that Saturday. But then that Tuesday, the pain came back. I was sick again. It put me out for only another day, thankfully, but that day was the most discouraging. I knew I needed to cling to the Lord at this time. I was weak and missed the things that comforted me like my family. I reached this low and became very homesick which was foreign to me as I have been away from home the last two years.
We were going to be studying in Psalm 17 that Thursday for our Girls Study so I began to read it. I clung to this Psalm the whole week as I needed to seek refuge in the Lord. I woke up the next day praying Psalm 17:6-7,
“I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words. Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.”
I had a feeling it was going to be a hard day, so I prayed that the Lord would show His steadfast love and answer my call. After I had gotten all my work at school done, I began to think about home again as I walked to the church’s cafe. As I was sitting there, Betty asked if anyone wanted to help a prayer child read a letter and write back to its sender. I immediately said I would do it. So, I waited for the child to arrive not expecting what was going to happen. Betty gave me the letter from the family, and I read it to the little girl. The letter included what the family had been doing and asked her some questions. I then read, “Hope Greenberg from our church is in Uganda right now. Maybe you’ll get to meet her.” Tears came to my eyes as I read that. The Lord knew I needed to see that. I needed that little piece of home. God was so faithful showing himself to me that way. He indeed showed me His steadfast love that day, and it is something I will never forget.
Correspondence letter from members of Calvary Chapel Boston to their prayer child in Uganda.
Thank you, sponsors; your correspondence letters are making an impact for the Kingdom!
