So thankful!

In Luke 17, there is a story about 10 lepers who encounter Jesus and as they left Jesus they were cleansed. Only 1 leper came back to say thank you. Please hear me out, I do not do what I do to get a "thank you" for it at all and I do not always expect to see fruit...I realize I may just be here to plant seeds. But I have to tell you when that one comes back to say "thank you" it means the world. Recently I have had 2 mothers from our children's ministry write me notes that have just lifted my spirits in ways I can't explain. I wanted to share them with you as an encouragement.

Unexpected Note: "Teacher, can you take me home as I am afraid my mom will beat me as I am returning home late." These are the words from a precious little girl who happened to see our children's afternoon program we were hosting with Mt Zion Baptist Church and she wanted to stay to hear the gospel. Her mom had told her to be home at a certain time and she was past that deadline and she was scared. We stressed to her that she did need to obey her parents in the Lord for that was what was right, and we took her home and pleaded with her mom to please forgive her for being late and that we ultimately respect her decisions. The mom let her daughter continue coming the rest of the week to the children's programs and I got a very unexpected note from the mom and it read: "Thank you for your hospitality. You are adding value to the lives of our kids, not in monetary terms but you are contributing some qualities that inspire them to grow in a way of the Lord. Keep up the good work. I salute your spirit. May God enlarge your territories. Am so humbled, will surely pay a visit to the church. With lots of love!"

 Long Awaited Bible: One of our young girls has been attending both our Friday ministry and Sunday School so faithfully. She has worked so hard at memorizing her memory verses and finally earned her first bible. Her mom wrote a note and it read: "Teacher, let me take this time to appreciate and thank you as a church in recognizing my daughter (Kaone Tshole) on her efforts of being a member of your church. Not a single Sunday or Friday has she ever been absent since she became a member at the age of 6 years, now 11. My appreciations comes after she told me about a bible competition that she didn't want to be bought a bible but believed she wanted to win one of which today she brought home. A big thanks to you, teacher Erica, latest missionaries who visited (Mt. Zion Baptist Church), teacher Amanda of whom if her favorite, pastors, and all Sunday School teachers . God bless and thank you so much for the stationary...God bless even more, we have long awaited for the bible and finally it has arrived."

So thankful to even be a minuscule part of all the great and mighty things the Lord is doing here in Botswana. To God be all the glory and praise!