God in the Simple Things

It’s the time of the year when we are more mindful of being thankful and giving. I heard a story this week from an Operation Christmas Child Shoebox recipient of how receiving a pencil in his shoebox helped him see God. The story was very powerful and a reminder of how important simple things can be. It reminded me of a story from our ministry several years ago. We had begun a new work, in a new place. There were about 50 women that were being trafficked, and a door had been opened for us to go and minister to them daily. These trafficked women lived in the middle of a field in buildings that looked like barn sheds. I had never seen anything like it, and it was more than heartbreaking. Our staff on the ground was trying to think of a good ice breaker and a way to begin the relationship with the women. She thought, oh, we will have a birthday party for everyone that has a birthday this month. That would be a fun thing to do. Little did we know what would happen. When she asked who all had a birthday that month and we would have a party, not one lady raised her hand. So, she decided to ask each lady, when is your birthday. No one knew! Out of 50 ladies, not one of them knew their birthdate and not one of them had ever had a birthday party. Most of these ladies were in their twenties and some older. The thought was shocking and heartbreaking. She called me and told me what had happened and that I needed to come right away because she needed me to help her throw a really big birthday party. I was all in and made plans to travel back within a couple of weeks. The event was amazing! We had food, cake and played games. These women that had been exploited and abused for years were smiling and laughing and having the best time. The party created laughter, joy, and connection, which opened the door for trust and deeper relationships. The women would always say you people are the first ones to ever care about us. That party became a doorway to dignity, hope, and faith. Every day our staff were on their knees calling out to God on behalf of these women. We serve a God who cares, who loves, and listens and answers our prayers. The ministry of Rahab’s Rope became a living testimony that God sees and values those who feel invisible. The women began asking for us to pray for them and God answered. We saw miracles and more women asked for prayer and more women became believers. Generosity doesn’t always require grand gestures. So, in this season of thankfulness and giving remember sometimes it is the smallest things that make the biggest difference. Can you think of someone that needs a pencil or a birthday party? Pray for that person in your life or look for God to put that person in your life.

Thank you for praying for Rahab’s Rope!

Blessings,

Vicki