Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 NIV.

October 2018 will be imprinted on my heart forever. Last Monday, my granddaughter was born. There is nothing comparable to the joy of holding a grandchild in your arms other than watching your own child meet his newborn. Wren is healthy and content, and her mom is also doing well. I can’t believe I made it home from Africa in time for her birth. Thank you, Jesus!

For months I feared I’d miss being home for Wren’s birth because I agreed to serve at a home-school conference. Last March on Easter Sunday, I had to decide whether to commit to the project or pass. Most Easter sermons focus on the resurrection, but my pastor’s message was built around this scripture: If any man comes to Me and does not have much more love for Me than for his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my follower. Luke 14:26 NLV.

During the service, I stared at the church bulletin with the request for volunteers to serve in Africa. My daughter-in-law sat next to me, her baby-bump was barely perceptible. Surely, not me Lord. I need to be here for the birth of my grandchild, and I’m not a teacher. At last, I half-way yielded and said if at least one person stepped forward to travel with me, I’d go. My sister, an accountant, volunteered and so I sent an email confirming our willingness to help.

Even though I didn’t feel equipped for this project, God united us with four women. As the six of us got to know each other, we realized that each of us had a unique gift to offer. At the orientation program, we learned that what the children and parents needed most was encouragement and time with others who lived in similar situations.

We learned that when a person leaves America to serve in a third-world country, they live in a type of isolation I can’t comprehend. Our assignment was to work with kindergarten and first graders during the day while the parents spent time together in training and counseling.

During the first two days, I gave standardized tests to first graders. I simply read the test questions while proctors made sure the children were on the right page and filled in the bubbles. For the rest of the week, I read stories, sang songs, and helped with crafts. As my grandson would say, “Easy-Peasy.”

Before the trip, I spent hours selecting just the right children’s books with beautiful illustrations and my effort paid off. Never have I experienced children who were so engaged with each story. Their little faces are etched on my heart. For their safety, I can’t share their pictures, names or even the places they live.

During recreation, we walked beautiful paths surrounded by exotic flora in search of monkeys. Even though the class didn’t spy the monkey’s I’d seen on a previous excursion, the children didn’t complain about anything; not when we had to share scissors, nor when the marshmallows melted and stuck together. They were appreciative of everything and offered hugs at every turn.

I believe the reason God keeps sending me to Africa is to remind me of how He has blessed me. So often, I take conveniences available for granted. The only hardship I faced in Africa was that the hotel didn’t have enough hairdryers to lend so I had flat hair.  No wonder the Lord led me to the book of Ecclesiastes to read about vanity last Sunday.

On the morning after I returned home, my pantry was almost empty. The last thing I wanted to do was go to the grocery, but then I remembered this comment from a mom I met in Africa. She said, “I live a twelve hour drive from the capital city or a thirty minute plane trip, but if I take the plane, I’m limited as to how many groceries I can carry home.”

As I pushed my cart through my local IGA that serves a population of 9,000, I realized it had more offerings than the modern grocery I visited in Africa in a city of more than three million. God continues to remind me to be grateful.

The landscape of Africa is beautiful as are the people. The blessings for which I’m thankful are too long to list, but my grandchildren are at the top. Thank you Jesus for loving all your children. “Red and yellow, black and white they are precious in his sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.”

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.  1 Chronicles: 16:34