The beads have been hanging on my computer for some time now. The tag reminds me: “Created with joy by – Gloria.” More so, they remind me to pray not only for Gloria but for the others as well.

How can one even explain the love and concern which can be experienced for those you have never met? How do we even understand the strong sense of commitment God grows in us as we extend our hands across our globe?

The Lulu Tree is a ministry dear to my heart. Far on the other side of our globe are people who are my brothers and sisters in and through Christ.

There are mamas who want their babies to have healthy lives, full bellies, an education, and an opportunity to know and pursue God. They are no different than I, except for the place they have been born, for I have these very same desires for my children and now, grandchildren.

As I grow older, I am learning that the places I have been positioned are not for myself, or for my comfort, or even my success. I have been positioned for God’s glory alone. And so have you.

“From one man He has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live.”
(Acts 17:26, HCSB)

There is no fear of the water I drink as it comes from multiple sources in my home, always clean, and even filtered through my refrigerator door. School buildings are clean and bright with no fear of jiggers getting in and infesting precious feet. Doors and windows protect our school buildings here from the elements of the seasons. But there, the buildings are incomplete and education often interrupted.

And this is why we have been positioned:

“You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:25, NLT)

In his book, Radical, David Platt raises two questions for us to think about:

“… if our lives do not reflect radical compassion for the poor, there is reason to question just how effective we will be in declaring the glory of Christ to the ends of the earth. More pointedly, if our lives do not reflect radical compassion for the poor, there is reason to wonder if Christ is really in us at all.” (from page 111)

Yet in giving, I have been the one to receive. My need has been recognized. I have been given more of an understanding of what God requires of me. My family in both Sierra Leone and Uganda have prayed for my needs, urgently at times.

My friend, Lyli Dunbar, wrote this one sentence in an online Bible Study this week which has been stirring my heart:

“Discouragement dispels when we stand in the gap for one another.”

As we pray and encourage one another, coming alongside those in need, discouragement flees. For them. And for us. It is a win/win in God’s Kingdom.

In her recent blog post, Emily Wierenga, founder of The Lulu Tree, shares about the school God has provided in Uganda for the mamas to attend. It will be the first teen mama school in the country. But God has greater plans, beyond our human imaginations, as we’re hoping for pastors to also be taught there.

You can read Emily’s full post by clicking HERE.

From now through Father’s Day, The Lulu Tree is giving a beautiful bean necklace, similar to mine, to everyone who becomes a monthly partner with our teen mamas. Won’t you prayerfully consider making it possible for girls, whose lives have been discarded to once again, find hope. You can do so by going to: www.thelulutree.com/partner/

Let’s join hands across the globe
and discover
the blessing of giving.