by Patricia Bellchambers
In December 2007, from the back seat of an old 4 wheel drive, I spotted a young girl (little older than a toddler) walking along the side of the road on her own.
We were returning to Mityana from a trip to Kasambia, Uganda. During that drive I saw many children peering out of long grass on the sides of the road or pushing bicycles heavily loaded with sticks of wood or water.
Uganda has many orphans as a result of aids and civil war but that particular young girl really impacted me and no doubt will remain in my mind and heart for many years to come.
I could not help but wonder if anything happened to that young child ……God forbid ….but if she were to die for any reason, would anyone even be aware that she no longer lived? Would anyone miss her or mourn her passing or even simply be aware that a young life had ended?
Life is such a precious gift and yet sadly it is continually devalued throughout the earth.
I have had to take this to God in prayer often because the blatant disregard for life that we see in person and on the news etc on a daily basis is simply too devastating to fully comprehend or carry in your heart.
Just this week I was talking to God about this little one’s life again when He began to reveal to me the truth that every single life does indeed impact on someone, often many, whether we are aware of that impact or not. No life is without purpose or meaning and no life is totally independent. Every one of us have impacted people around us both intentionally and unintentionally whether positively or negatively.
That little girl changed my life forever.
I never met her or spoke to her, I do not know her name or anything about her but because I saw her even fleetingly, I determined in my heart to earnestly seek God to make every possible provision by what ever means available to me, to help those who have need of basic essential items such as food, clothing, warmth, education, love etc.
I had already been doing this through sponsorship for many years but this time I came home and really wanted to help empower people to empower others.
I came home and began to educate those children and adults within my sphere of influence to think outside of themselves and be conscious of the great need in other societies. I know this sort of need is in every nation on earth but God specifically birthed in me a heart and a burden for Africa and therefore that is where my journey and focus begins . I am aware that the need within the world can be overwhelming but we cannot afford to allow that to stop us from acting. Take the burden and the passion that has been birthed in you by God and act on that. If everyone was true to the burden and passion birthed within them there would be a lot more needs being met.
All things are possible in Christ Jesus and by partnering with Him we could be impacting many lives ……you may never know the influence you have …..just like that small child will never know, but the impact will be no less real. We all have something to give of ourselves regardless of how small that may seem, if we are faithful with the little we will be trusted with more. Even if we only reach or impact one person that person may influence thousands.
Today I received an email from a pastor and friend in Uganda whom I work with in the distribution of money for resources for the children in his town of Kasangati.
One particular comment from that email is all the reward I will ever need and has indeed impacted me to press on regardless of any future opposition I may face ….He simply stated this …” We, both as a church and family have been so much blessed since the time we got to know you for you have been such a great blessing in and through our lives. THAT IS THE REASON WHY WHEN YOU SAY THAT YOU LOVE US, WE REALLY BELIEVE YOU………….”
That is the footprint I wish to leave behind ………….we can all be known by our love for one another.
Be blessed.
(Prophetic Word given 24 December, 2010)
