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God is. . . Today we traveled to the Balm of Gilead Center in the township of Wallacedence. This center was a vision that was given to Rev. Dr. Jessica Ingram. We had an awesome life changing experience. We were divided into six teams; registration, food distribution, clothing distribution, toiletries, door monitors/runners and evangelism, which included praise team and preaching. We also offered blood pressure monitoring, diabetes monitoring, HIV/AIDS testing, TB testing and a domestic violence workshop. We arrived at the center at 8:00am and left at 4:40pm. It was a long day, and it took the combined effort of everyone there to accomplish the task. Thank you God; I asked the ladies (who were not sleeping) about their experience of the day.
Sharon served on clothing distribution; where the women were able to choose a bra and one additional item. She spoke of how the women would enter the room and began looking through the clothes. “Several women picked out something for themselves, but when they saw the baby clothes, they would put back their clothing item and pick out an item for their child.” Keemya experienced a woman who randomly walked over to her. The woman said to her, “I want give this to you.” Then she handed Keemya a silver open bracelet. She smiled, and said to Keemya, “every time you look at this you will remember that you got this from Africa!” This was a woman who was in line to get food. She ended blessing Keemya with a gift and a memory that she would treasure for a lifetime.
Akira worked as a runner, bagger and door monitor. She said that the experience that sticks out most in her mind, is when she had a lunch break and was given two pieces of chicken and a bottle of water. As she was eating, she said there were children staring at her. She shared her chicken with three of the children, and was surprised that they did not care that she had already eaten off of it. “They were so grateful, even for the water that I already began to drink.” She said that she had mixed emotions as she watched some people wait on line for hours to get food. “But they did not complain. The only time I ever saw people wait on a line that long was to vote for Obama.” Then she just shook her head, and rubbed her braids as she flashed back over the day.
Dawn worked with registration. She and her team registered over four hundred women, and she said that she was most moved by the joy and hope that she saw in the eyes of the children. They had so little, but yet, they were grateful for what they had. There were four ministers, including myself, who had the opportunity to do a sermonette of about twelve minutes. The Lord really blessed us, and the ladies were on fire for the Lord. When I preached, the women clapped, shouted out, and were with me every step of the way! After I finished, we sang a praise song, and Rev. Jessica began to speak to them. She asked how many of them spoke English. Out of about two hundred women, only fifteen to twenty raised their hands. I got goose bumps because I realized that God’s spirit is universal. Although many of them could not understand the words I was saying, one would never know it by the way they responded. The spirit of God truly extends beyond language barriers. Praise the Lord! I am grateful!
Blessings~
Shellyce Daniley
/ February 23, 2010This is what it’s all about, I’m speechless. Wow, Akira’s testimony was moving they didn’t care if she touched it or not, that’s amazing.
Tamish
/ February 23, 2010Wow, that was such a blessing. It’s almost painful to think about how much we take for granted on a daily basis. I think about it alot, but I don’t know if it really, truly sinks in. We are so blessed, but we almost think it’s requirement or something that God ‘owes’ us. We expect blessings. They become a normal part of our lives, so much so that we forget to thank God for those perceived ’small’ blessings. I hope I’m making sense. Food is so ’small’ to us, but huge to others. It’s not a guarantee for a lot of people. ‘We’ beg God for ‘huge’ blessings, pout when we don’t receive them (quick enough or at all), but neglect to think about or thank God for all of the blessings we have received allll day, week, year, decade….smh
I’m so happy you all were able to be a blessing to so many and touch so many lives…and also be transformed in the process (AND passing that transformation on to me millions of miles away). It’s such a reality check.
Thank you…
Gregory Spence
/ February 23, 2010Let Gratitude be Your Attitude!
You know, the reporting of this particular day is an especially moving and humbling experience.
The selflessness of the mothers who put back clothing for themselves so that their children would not go without. I remember my Momma doing this. The gift of a silver bracelet from a kindred spirit, when perhaps it was more than what was available to give. I remember my Grand Momma doing this. The quiet patience and gratefulness of hungry souls waiting without complaint to share a drink of water. Albeit they have little, they are grateful for what they have and what they can share.
People take notice! Next time you’re at an intersection with an elderly pedestrian in the crosswalk, remember the 8th day. Next time you’re in line at Obama Fried Chicken or Docs, and the orders just ain’t happenin’ fast enough, remember the 8th day. Next time the little ones – and grown ones! – are working your last nerve for the lastest and greatest, remember the 8th day AND be sure to SHOW THEM AND EXPLAIN IT TO THEM so that they too, will remember the 8th day! Next time you wanna complain about having to choose, or rob Peter to pay Paul, remember the 8th day!
I am so moved by this experience.
So moved by the universal spirit of God.
Wow…
Rhonda Tuckett
/ February 23, 2010Well said Sister Tamish, I stand in agreement. Akira’s observation was very insightful, and really hits home! We truly take a lot for granted!
The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
and a little child will lead them.
Isaiah 11:6 NIV
tiffany foster
/ February 23, 2010i’m lost for words. what we take for granted. i’m ashamed.
Gina Green
/ February 23, 2010Rev. LaKeesha all I can say is Tears Tears and more Tears! I can’t really articulate the effect that your experiences are having on me. So close ~ yet… I am humble and grateful that the praise team was there, but more than that ~ working for the food pantry I can’t explain the humility I felt when Akira shared her chicken and water after already being eaten. I am sure we truly don’t understand how blessed we really are here. Your trip has humbled me so much in the past few days and it’s just God that it’s during the time of Lent. I praise God that FCBC is represented, but I praise God even more because of the impact this will have on your lives and thus FCBC Family and the families connected to FCBC. I am with You ~ I feel You ~ I Love You All! I Thank God for allowing Him to make a way for you to share your experience. Hey Praise Team ~ Sing Y’all!!!
Amina
/ February 23, 2010As I travel this journey with you all I find myself overwhelmed with a range of emotions from joy to tears, laughter, and gratefulness. I am not sure if words can express the gratitude I feel to hear my niece (Akira) share a life lesson that perhaps only exprience can teach you ( especially at her age) about blessings, love and sharing. I can only envision that moment, so I choose to capture it in my mind and heart. Thank you all for reminding that the discomforts that we experience daily ( like food, clothes and shelter) in the USA a lot of times do not hail in comparsion to others around the world. So in short be grateful, love and share with an open heart and hand. Thank you, thank you , thank you.
Cheryl Faye
/ February 23, 2010Everyday I read your blog, Rev. LaKeesha, I am more moved than before. What an impactful day this must have been for everyone involved. God truly is!!! You can see the joy in the children’s eyes in the photos above. I’m feeling all warm and mushy inside.
Regarding your sermonette — the language of God is universal as evidenced by the multitude who understood God’s message, delivered by God’s messenger, despite the miniscule number of women who speak “our” language. Oh God truly IS!!!
Charles Powell
/ February 23, 2010Wow. Each day I look forward to the postings but today just blew me away. I cannot say how proud I am to be associated with each of you as I am greatful to God for not only the beautiful photo images we receive but the images of love, service, sacrifice and community like today that will be with us forever in our spirits. God is so truly beyond any so called language barrier. Again, all I can say is wow and to God Be All the Glory.
Charles P
Kercena
/ February 23, 2010What came to my mind as I read this post was the last “part” of FCBC’s mission: “commissioned by God to serve!” That’s some awesome serving!
PS: I L-O-V-E the kids pics; their smiles are sooooooo very beautiful!
Stephanie Butler
/ February 24, 2010This only shows you how bless we really are and we should appreciate what we have because other have so much less. Thank you for todays lesson!
April
/ February 26, 2010I am overwhelmed with emotions and tears as I read this. I know how it feels from personal experience to be both the giver and the receiver and to be Blessed in both situations. Thank you Lord God!