Was simply speechless when, after a 3-day pastors’ conference out in a lil’ african village, a tiny quiet African lady came out from the 300-strong crowd to pass me a gift, saying,
“I know you two are missionaries, I am so touched you are here to serve in Africa. You must have so little now, so this is my shirt I’m giving to you.”
the village around the conference
the 300-strong crowd of pastors all over the country
From how she dressed and the little english she knew, it was clear she was from a simple village, and had few material possessions in comparison. Yet, from the little that she had, came forth amazing generosity, which displayed the riches of her heart.
To think just a few days ago, I had told Cliff privately that I wished I had brought more working clothes, as I had felt awkward with only a single formal collared shirt in my volunteer work at the public health institute.
I could not refuse her, and could only give her my deepest thanks and receive the gift of love in sincere gratitude.
It was a shirt well-worn and nearly tattered, but perfect in our eyes and God’s.
” And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury,
and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites.
So He said,
“Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all;
for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God,
but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”
Luke 21:1-4