Wednesday, 13 August 2008

• Jesus Showed Up at Our Benefit Dinner

  from kaminablue

  

  
  My husband and I feel blessed beyond belief!  We saw Jesus at our benefit dinner for orphans in Africa.  No, this was not like an Elvis sighting.  The body of Chirst was there!  When I looked across the room for a moment to soak in the atmosphere it looked just like what I had pictured in my mind.  Colors everywhere, people everywhere, Africa everywhere, JESUS everywhere.  Let me try and explain the wonderful memories captured in my mind.

  Over in one corner were five of our friends helping to get something done - they were the finger on the right hand of Jesus.  In another corner five other friends were doing something else - the fingers on the left hand of Jesus.  There were teenagers devoting their whole Saturday evening and night to serving those that attended the event - they were the feet of Jesus.  There was Tom Davis delivering an inspirational talk that was so perfectly aligned with our event, project, and the will of the Lord to care for the least of these - there was the brain of Jesus. There was representatives from Red Letters; a woman from from Addy's Hope; many people from Passion Africa; my friend who had brain surgery to remove a cancerous tumor that just wants to give anything she can to the children; and many adoptive parents - there was the heart of Jesus. There were the people in the building, tall and short, big and small, men and women, attendee and helper, all laughing and having a great time - there was the face of Jesus.

  I teared up at the end of the evening (which if you know me at all, that is a HUGE thing.)  I told some of my dear friends that I was so overwhelmed with thanksgiving that my heart hurt.  I was so thankful for each dollar and each moment that was spent on this event.  All those who dedicated their time that night has changed the lives of many children in Africa.  Every moment spent translated into money for the project because we didn't have to hire anyone to do the work.

  I saw Jesus.  I wept.

  Many people spend their whole lives trying to see and experience that.  Many will never get to see it.  I don't understand why my husband and I get to be so blessed.  Why we get to be the ones He chose to help take care of his children in Liberia, Africa.  Why us?  Why were companies and individuals so willing to give a total of $8,500 worth of items to our auction?  Why us?  Why do we have so many wonderful friends that want to rally with us, work REALLY HARD, and walk with us to see this project through.  Why us?  What did we do to deserve this?

  Everyone who was there helping the children of Africa were teaching Jeremy and I something about life.  They were showing us the love of Christ.  That is something I didn't anticipate happening on Saturday night.  To be shown so much love that I was overwhelmed and brought to tears?  To feel so much love is amazing.  To have an actual physical experience with God's love is amazing.

  All I know is that my cup runneth over.  I know it will take me at least a week to fully process what happened before me in the presence of our Lord.  It will take me a year to fully process this whole project.  It will take me a lifetime to thank each and every person who helped with "Orphanage Project Liberia."

  It was more than I could have ever imagined, and all the Glory be to God for the wonderful evening spent with great friends.  An evening dedicated to you, the orphans of Africa!  I learned so much on Saturday night.

  I saw Jesus!  I saw God's love.  I saw the body of Christ.

  My thanks go to my sweet handsome husband, all my dear friends who helped, the servers, Children's Hope Chest, Red Letters Campaign, Passion Africa, Addy's Hope Adoption Agency, Africa Bags, the companies that donated food, supplies, auction items, and all those who were praying across the nation for this event.

  Where you have encountered God working through people or organizations (aka.."God with skin"?)

  • 1:45 PM
  • 962 Views
  • 10 eProps
  • 5 Comments