Tag: Compassion

Working for the King and for the Advancement of ONE Kingdom!

Emmanuel and Udeme sat together under the mango tree, discussing the logistics of the upcoming training. They are leaders of a group of over 20 pastors in Southern Nigeria who meet together monthly to pray for their ministries and their communities.

They are from 12 DIFFERENT DENOMINATIONS!

But these pastors understand that they all work for the King and for the advancement of ONE Kingdom. As they meet together by WhatsApp, they pray for each other, and for the needs they see in their community. One of the needs they had begun to see was that people with disabilities are not represented or welcomed into their churches. While most of the people with disabilities in their communities are hidden, they do occasionally see someone begging or in need. And this began to bother these pastors.

Pastors Emmanuel and Udeme went looking for help. Emmanuel had been on the mailing list of Accessible Hope International (AHI) for a while, and reached out to see about the possibility of some disability training for these pastors. Though the pandemic has altered the way this could be done, AHI arranged for a 3-hour online introductory workshop called “Made in God’s Image.” The pastors live in 2 different states, so each of them gathered the pastors from their area in one location, and made sure they had access to one internet-connected device. Trainers from Sierra Leone met with them online, and facilitated the workshop for 20 pastors in two locations. Despite a few internet glitches, the workshop sparked a new passion in these 20 pastors. They wanted more.

They are now waiting for the completion of the full Theology of Disability workshop to be made available in virtual format, and continue to meet with these pastors from 12 different denominations to pray for people with disabilities and think of creative inclusion strategies. The full workshop should be available by Easter, and they are eager to participate – ensuring that their various churches begin to see people with disabilities through a new lens and reach out with love and acceptance to welcome them in.

Please continue to pray for these pastors in southern Nigeria, and for the people with disabilities in their communities – that EVERYONE would have access to the Gospel and to loving community – growing and serving Jesus together.

 

Kim Kargbo is the Founder and President of Accessible Hope International.  Kim is compelled in ministry by the Voice behind her and the faces before her, who need to hear the Gospel in a way that is meaningful to them.

 

Care Like Jesus

These are difficult times.  These are also times to reflect and hopefully grow in our faith in God and compassion for each other.

In keeping with our “social distancing”, Terry and I have stayed up in our condo, working at our computers.  Our one indulgence is walking in the nearby park.  It is like a ghost town since the Coronavirus came into focus.  We may pass two or three couples on our two mile walk.  Today, we met a man which reminded me that in these tumultuous days, we still need each other.

It was a cool and overcast morning, one which I love!  The lake was filled with quacking ducks. Our dogs Mollie and Maisie believe it is their duty to herd these ducks into place…in the water!  There were fisherman all keeping their distance from each other.  It was a perfect morning to get a bit of exercise.

As we started out, we saw a solitary man coming toward us, clutching an object in his hands.  He appeared upset and about to cry.  My nursing instincts kicked in.  I thought,  “He looks like someone who might need to be in the psych ward!”  Terry asked, “Did you see that man?” with the caring heart of a pastor.  We continued walking around the lake sharing our thoughts.  I told Terry, “I would not talk to him unless I have hospital security near me.  I don’t see any security around here…just fishermen and ducks!”

We continued on enjoying the cool weather and the new spring leaves coming out on the trees. I started to turn left to take our regular route, but Terry said “Wait—let’s go back this way.  The man is coming down this path”.  We have been married 39 years this year…we are old school and in our marriage vows, I promised to obey…RATS!

Sure enough, the man was coming toward us, clutching the small box to his chest.  He sat down on a bench and as we approached, Terry asked him, “Are you OK?”  Immediately, tears rolled down the man’s face.  He hesitated, but then started his story.

“I lost my home in Paradise, California in the fires.  I relocated here in Payson.  I had to go back to California to settle some business, and while I was gone, my dog, who has been with me through the fire and the move, died suddenly of pancreatic cancer.  I just got her ashes.  She loved to walk around this lake with me, so I am taking her for one last walk”.

How awful I felt for my judgements toward this man who was grieving on that cloudy day.  I immediately repented in my heart and the Lord brought this thought to me…

Each person I meet is carrying a story.  In this time of social distancing, may I not allow my heart to be distant. 

Care like Jesus.