Tag Archives: Poverty-Possessions

Ability vs. Availability

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Danette Childs

Danette Childs

When people hear about my life they often respond in shock or awe. Then they laugh when I say I’m not a very adventurous person. (I’m really not). One person said to me, “Excuse me, but have you seen where you live?!”

I have lived in a foreign country for nearly 15 years. The beautiful desert country of Niger.

I’ve learned how to cook almost anything from scratch, tie a head tie on my head and appreciate lizards in my house. I can drive on rutted roads while dodging children & motorcycles, bicycles carrying refrigerators, loaded camels, donkeys & carts, goats, sheep, rusted out vans carrying cattle & people on top and a myriad of other things that may or may not be appropriate on a road together with motorized vehicles.

I speak an African language and I’m able to withstand prolonged temperatures of 120+ degrees and live to tell about it. I’ve learned many of the cultural “do’s” and “don’ts” of this land.  I am comfortable with my children roaming a town or village and entering a stranger’s house by themselves because really no one is a stranger. I enjoy 3 hour long church services with intense sweat pouring off everyone (literally) and meeting under a tree for church is not uncommon. I frequently host large ministry teams in my home providing meals and clean, cold water (not a simple task when it’s 120 degrees!). I teach classes in our Bible School. With my family I’ve started and led children’s ministry, children’s camps and trained children’s workers. I’ve even directed the church choir and been the ‘keyboardist’. But most amazing of all…I have had the privilege of sharing the Gospel with people who have never heard the name of Jesus.

But… I’m not always confident. In fact often I’m not.

Not too long ago we were ministering in a village with a drama team. As we walked around inviting people to come, we arrived at the village well.

I began speaking with the ladies that were drawing water. One lady in particular seemed quite interested in talking with me. I began telling her the story of the woman at the well.

This is the woman I was talking with.  Isn’t she lovely?

I got to the ‘punch-line’ and asked if she was interested in receiving this living water. But instead of leading her in a prayer of salvation, I began to feel very intimidated by my lack of Hausa language skills.  She was very gracious and didn’t appear to be bothered at all by my many mistakes. At that point however I decided that it would be better if she went to the church. Surely the prayer of salvation would be more effective if it was prayed grammatically correct by a true Hausa speaker! We have a church in the village and I asked if she knew the pastor and his wife. She said she did and that she would go and find him. Then I invited her to the drama production that would soon begin in the center of the village. She agreed to come.

By this time everyone had already moved to the village center so I quickly went to join them. When I got there I was kicking myself – almost literally. What was I thinking? What I thought was my lack of ability was in fact pride that had prevented me from ‘closing the deal’. I didn’t want to look/sound stupid (I have always felt very incompetent praying in Hausa). I looked around for my new friend, hoping that she had in fact come. Nope. Repenting, I turned around and went back to the well to see if I could find her.  Not there either. She had finished drawing her water and had returned to her home.

At that point, all I could do was pray that the Holy Spirit would minister to her and she would in fact go to the church. I told the pastor and his wife about her and asked them to pray and expect her to come as well.

Though I can’t report that she did go and see the pastor, I learned something. My lack of confidence and feeling unable to do something is often a pride issue. I don’t want to look bad in front of others. So I refuse to do what I know I should do.

Often we think that pride is when we boast of all the things we can do.  But when we recognize that anything we accomplish is because of the Lord working in our lives, it’s not pride at all. It’s simply obeying Him at His Word. It’s not extraordinary. It’s simply being available.  And look at what He says to us.

And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  2 Corinthians 12:9

Wow!  We give him our weaknesses and he turns them into strength. We make ourselves available and He gives us His ability. His power! Isn’t that so like God? I love how unconventional He is sometimes.

Here’s me being very unconventional and using my abilities – or lack thereof – to help this lady get her water.  It’s hard work!  I wasn’t much help but I did provide some comic relief.

Where the world looks for the best or the greatest or the prettiest or the  most educated, God is simply looking for willing hearts.  Hearts that say ‘yes’ when He calls.  And you can be sure He is calling.

Young people making themselves available…

People often say to me that they could never do what I do or live where I live.  “How can you raise your children in such an undeveloped place?”  (We feel extremely blessed to have raised our kids here, but I’ll save that for another post).  The fact that I live on the mission field in a very undeveloped country does not make me super human or extra-special like some try to tell me.  I’m only doing what God called me to do where He called me to do it.  Truth be told, there are days when I wonder if I’ve accomplished anything.  And there are days that I mess up (the woman at the well for example).  But then I have to repent and remind myself –  it isn’t about what I can do in my strength.  It’s about what God can do through me with his strength – when I make myself available.

God has definitely called you.
He has a mission for your life.
He wants to use you.
But first you must surrender your inabilities and your abilities to Him. Then His strength will be made perfect in you. After that, there are no limits to what He can do through you to advance His Kingdom.

Are you available?

Kathy from El Salvador talks about ‘Kisses from Katie’ (mp3)

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Missionary Kathy Knepper with her husband Pastor David and their children: Eddie, Katie, Trinity, and Rachel

Today, on “Dare to Rejoice . . . in Missions!” we’re meeting missionary Kathy Knepper and her family, from El Salvador, and talking together about Kisses from Katie, by Katie Davis.

Dare to Rejoice . . . in Missions! #9
With Ann Dunagan and missionary guest, Kathy Knepper
(24 minutes) DOWNLOAD today’s mp3

For more audios in this “Dare to Rejoice…in Missions!” series
More on Daring Daughters about Kisses from Katie

Thoughts about ‘Kisses from Katie’
from Missionary Kathy Knepper:

“This whole book is written in such a transparent and heartfelt way that it’s hard to pick a favorite part.

The first time I read it, I know that the part that spoke to me the most was the chapter, “Counting the Cost” because it touched on a situation that I was going through at the moment.

But I can say that what I love about this book is the spirit of courage that poured forth from such a young woman, not because she was brave, or had it all together, or was financially stable and had a 5-year-plan, but simply because she chose to be obedient to her God and Savior, KNOWING that He is able to complete that which He sent her to do.

The moments of self-giving, sacrifice, and pain are poignantly portrayed here without reservations, yet even as he speaks of those times of pain, sorrow, frustration, and suffering, there written down is also her willingness to bear these with joy because it’s His hand that sustains her. Awesome encouragement. Love it.” — Kathy

Ministering to a child suffering from malnutrition, he had not been held in days

Meet Kathy Knepper and her family in El Salvador

We are a family of missionaries who were called by God to serve Him in the foreign mission field and sent out by our church Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. We have 4 wonderful kids ages: 15, 13, 11 and 10, and we’ve been working among the people of El Salvador for nearly 6 years now.

The heart of our ministry is the power of the Word of God to save lives, we study the Bible verse by verse and look at the full counsel of God. We also have a helps ministry that ministers to the homeless, orphaned and sick by praying with, ministering to and providing practical needs for those who are in need in the name of Jesus. Among other things. The Lord has blessed us abundantly and poured out His grace upon us and allowed us to serve Him, for that we are truly grateful.

Our church in El Salvador, full of precious lambs

Helping a wonderful organization “Sus Hijos” to build homes for needy homeless families

Everything is ready to feel the homeless a warm meal and cup of hot coffee

The Lords provision for the hospital and homeless is placed in a large bucket, and at times our ‘cupboard runneth over!’

The recipients of our free English classes during our award ceremony

Ministering to special needs orphans

Reach for God-Sized Dreams . . . with Daring Daughters!

Come join the discussion (with a comment below).

Add a thought about Kisses from Katie . . . or a word of prayer or encouragement for Missionary Kathy and her family:

Dare to Rejoice . . . in Missions #5 –Carlyn’s MISSION Yard Sale!

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Hear Carlyn’s praise report, how a yard sale helped Rapha House in Cambodia (rescuing girls from child trafficking). “Dare to Rejoice…in Missions!” #5 Download mp3 < < <

Listen to more audios in this
“Dare to Rejoice . . . in Missions!” series < < <

Photos from Carlyn’s YARD SALE . . . for Rapha House in Cambodia:


Ready to go! Fresh baked cookies, raspberry lemonade, brochures and magnets . . . and, of course, the scarves!


In process! wow! That’s a lot of stuff!


Lilli at the “ethnic” table


The girls taking a mid-day break and I caught them doing some reading! Ha!


“Vintage finds” section of the sale!


The finished scarf “display” – God was faithful down to the last detail! This was the exact image I had in my mind when I was thinking of how I wanted these precious and beautiful items displayed!


A lovely “customer” – our first scarf purchase!


A woman from Kenya, tying one of the silk scarves “African style” on Bella


Thank you for praying with us! We praise God for all He has done!

Dare to Rejoice . . . in Missions #4 Remember the Poor (Meet Katy)

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Dare to Rejoice . . . in Missions! #4
For more in this MISSIONS series, click here

“They desired only that we should remem­ber the poor,
the very thing which I also was eager to do.” 1 Peter 2:10

Today, continuing this week’s series, “Dare to Rejoice…in Missions!” Ann talks with her dear friend and missionary, Katy Ricards, who works alongside her husband, John, with Ministry to Christian Nationals (MCN) in the Philippines.

Katy shares how God surprised her by going “outside her box” of what a missionary call should look like. Highlighting over 20 years of mission ministry to village pastors (Tribal Gospel Fellowship) and their outreach to impoverished villages (Remember the Poor) Katy also shares how God can link believers to specific areas of missions, even through hobbies and interests, like gardening or travel.

Click below for the LINK to today’s ONLINE audio . . .
Dare to Rejoice . . . in Missions #4:

Download today’s audio:
Dare to Rejoice…in Missions #4
(highlighting Katy Ricards, missionary to the Philippines)

Mission Photos from John & Katy Ricards in the Philippines:

Filipino Pastor Mateo (left) with Katy’s husband, missionary John Ricards. Here they are standing at the site where the tornado wiped out the village church and where Pastor Mateo’s family died. Please keep them in your prayers.

Clean Water Filter

Drink­ing water in tribal villages most often comes from open sur­face water sources which are eas­ily polluted. Outbreaks of diarrhea, amoeba, liver fluke, typhoid and other water borne dis­eases are common occurrences in tribal areas and many die each year from these dis­eases, especially children and the elderly. This photo shows a clean water filter, which (for only $50) can help a family or village.

Nurse Merly (in the center) assisting with medical needs

Whining vs. Serving

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I’m a missionary. I’ve lived in Niger, Africa with my family since 1998. I’ve learned a lot over the last 15 years, sometimes learning the hard way. One of the hard things I’ve learned is that serving is better than whining.

Something that has always amazed our family is the change that takes place in the American culture during the time we’re away. To the average American, those things just happen gradually until suddenly you look around and wonder when 70’s style clothing was back in. And when did it become normal or even expected for people to live together before they were married? And what does “I need some ME-time” mean? And the stuff that’s “okay” for T.V. these days? Well that’s worth its own article… It’s kind of like not noticing the 10 or 15 pounds that your friend put on over a year because you’re with her all the time, as opposed to not seeing her for a year and trying not to stare because of the change.

We’ve been traveling in the U.S. for the past 3 months and are excited to be returning home to Niger in just a few days. During this time in the States one of the glaring things that I’ve noticed is an increase in self-centeredness. It’s all about me. What I want, when I want it, how I want it. And I want it now.

At the same time, I’ve noticed some patterns in contemporary Christian music. Which, by the way, I love. Always have. I was a big Amy Grant / Michael W. Smith fan back in the day. Way back. Anyway, I’ve been taking note of the music that is popular now, and linking that to the self focus that has become so prevalent in our culture.

I’m hearing lines in songs like:

• Here I am, what’s left of me
• Part of me has died, I fall into your arms
• My whole world is caving in
• I find you when I fall apart
• Struggling, feeling like it’s hopeless
• I lose my way
• You lift me up when I’m weak
• Winter came back – it won’t end
• Hold on to me, don’t let me lose my way
• Life doesn’t make sense – knocked down
• He might let you bend but He won’t let you break
• Worrying what you’re going through
• I’ve lost my faith in so many things

Now please, don’t get me wrong. I understand that we all have challenges and struggles in life. And sometimes songs like these are what we need to find encouragement. We’re not alone. God has got this. Our hope is in Him and He promises in His word that if we cry out to him He will hear and answer us. Every time.

However, rather than pleading with God and bringing all that’s gone wrong to Him (He already knows), I’d like to suggest something different. Something unconventional.


Serving.

I know. Doesn’t make much sense. But Jesus himself didn’t always sound sensible. Remember first shall be last, last, first? And what about this one – if someone slaps you, turn and offer your other cheek. And have you ever washed the feet of your servant (employee, child, least of these)? Jesus said to do that too.

Several years ago – not too long after moving to Niger – I was in my house and was having a pity party, all by myself. I remember it well. It was hot. I was hot. I was wondering what in the world I was thinking when I answered the call to serve in Niger.

Hadn’t I served long enough? Hadn’t I suffered long enough?

That day my husband Neal and I had made plans to go to a village in the afternoon. It was still morning and my whine was already in full swing. I felt like going to a hot, sandy village to speak a language I didn’t know as much as I felt like jumping into a lake of fire.

I reasoned that I had nothing to offer in the state I was in. But the plan was already in place. I had already told the ladies I would be there. The least I could do was keep my commitment. So off we went.

We arrived and I joined the ladies. I still remember sitting on mats on the ground outside the mud brick church. (It was too hot to go inside). I could see the well in the distance where the evening water was being pulled up by hard-working women. As I sat there practicing my Hausa language skills with those gracious ladies something amazing happened. I began to enjoy myself. The heat didn’t feel so hot. The dirt didn’t seem so dirty. We sat around and laughed together – well, they were mostly laughing at me and my attempts at Hausa. We were having fun. We didn’t have a 3 hour church service, didn’t do any dramas or even sing any songs. That simple act of me chatting with these ladies may have blessed them, but it did far more for me. It taught me something profound.

I arrived home feeling so rejuvenated it amazed me. Then the Lord directed me to John 4 and the revelation hit me. Jesus has just finished talking with the woman at the well. The disciples show up and figure He must be hungry so they tell him to eat. Jesus tells them that He has food that they don’t know about. They start wondering who is secretly bringing food to Jesus. Then He says to them,

“My food is to do what my Father sent me to do. My food is to finish his work.” John 4:34


It’s as simple as that. I began to think about it. Food. I need it. I enjoy it – a lot. It gives me strength. And Jesus just said His food is to do His Father’s will. In other words, He finds strength in doing God’s will. He finds pleasure when he’s doing what His Father told him to do – when He’s serving. His needs are met when He does His Father’s will. Wow.

That revelation completely changed my outlook. If I get the focus of myself and my pity party and on to what God has called me to do – problem solved! That may sound too elementary but I really do think it’s that simple.

Since then, whenever I feel discouraged I know that if I will go out and serve, doing what God has called me to do, my strength and joy returns.

We like to say that we’ll be ready and able to serve others after our own problems are taken care of.

I dare you to be unconventional.
Start small.
Worship God. For who He is.

Spend time focusing on Him and not on your problems. That’s one way you can serve Him. Then step out and serve someone else. You could even support a missionary =)!

While some Christian music seemed focused on me and my problems, I found some great songs that focused on Jesus and worshiping him with lines like:

• We are here for you
• Our hearts are open – nothing is hidden
• You are our desire
• You alone are holy/worthy
• We welcome you with praise
• Let the people of the world stand in awe
• We are waiting here for you with our hands lifted high in praise
• Desperate for your presence, Waiting for your presence

I understand that during those times of discouragement the last thing we feel like doing is serving or even worshiping God. And unfortunately I can’t say that I successfully make that decision 100% of the time. But I can tell you from my experience that when I do, my entire outlook changes and my joy returns. One-hundred percent of the time.

Daring Daughters . . . in India!

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Come see highlights from this month’s mission outreach to SE India. This video shares a glimpse of what the trip was like and the awesome things God did. Highlights included orphan ministry at Aasha (Hope) Children’s Home, ministry at two GPI Bible schools, remote village ministry, and a water baptism service. (See more at Gospel Projects International.)

On the team: Josh & Anna Dunagan. Trae & Christi Childs.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSdfrEb9Ezk?rel=0&w=588&h=441]

Meet Tara: Wife, Mom, YWAM’er

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In the words of Tara Riley, Missionary with YWAM (Youth With A Mission):

I remember the day clearly. I was homeschooling my 5 year old with a 2 year old on my lap, yearning to impart the passion that I felt in my heart about living a life for Jesus. What does it look like to truly live for the One who adopted me so I could have an eternal inheritance? I knew I was trying to teach my children about kingdom living but at the same time feeling like I was saying one thing and doing another.

My husband was an in-house employment attorney for Tyson Foods (and previously Walmart). His hours were long and travel was frequent. The more he embraced work, the more I embraced motherhood, and, in spite of the fact we both desired to embrace more of our relationship with the Lord, the more we found ourselves being wooed by our culture rather than by the Kingdom and the further and further we drifted apart.

My heart ached and I begged the Lord to make our marriage whole again.

I heard the Lord ask me this question, “Tara, can you leave this house and the job (as a pediatric occupational therapist) that you love?”
I said, “Yes, Lord, whatever it takes to restore our family.”

Even though I had never had an experience like this with the Lord before, I felt that it was significant. But, I had no idea how our world was going to change! I don’t know when the transformation began after that discussion with the Lord, but I know He was preparing my heart for all that was about to happen.

It was the beginning of July 2006. I was at my sister’s house several hours away when I received THE CALL.

My husband said, “I quit my job today.”
After a brief silence I said, “Well, good.”

And that was the beginning of the journey we are still on. We made a drastic change in every aspect of our lives, from a 6 digit income to living by faith for each meal, from the corporate world of suits and cocktail parties to ministry in the Smoky Mountain Trash dump in the Philippines. We lived on 4 different continents in 4 years, beginning when our children were ages 2, 5, and 7. We founded a non-profit ministry called FJ Ministries and became missionaries with Youth With A Mission.

Our God-given mission as a family is F.A.I.T.H. – Families reaching families, as Avenues to the nations, Inspiring passion for God and compassion for people, through Teaching and Training in God’s word, with open Hearts and Hands.

This year we are pioneering the Family Discipleship Training School (Family DTS) in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, at the University of the Nations Kona YWAM base. On April 4 we will welcome 8 families from 5 countries, including 21 children from ages 6 months to 15 years, and begin a 5-month long adventure training them in missions and ministry as a family. There will be 11 weeks of discipleship in Kona with international speakers each week, followed by 9 weeks of outreach in the Philippines, living love out loud.

Family DTS topics will include the Father Heart of God, God’s nature and character, the biblical foundations of marriage, family, and parenting, spiritual warfare, evangelism, relationships, missions, and the mission-minded family. It is time set apart to focus on who God is, His purpose for your family and how to live out His calling as a family.

We would love for you to join us on this life changing journey! We will be running this school at the same time next year. If you would like to step out of the boat and join us for 2 weeks or more this summer in the Philippines, then contact us!

Giving the Gift of Imperfection!

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All this week I have had such a challenge trying to budget for Christmas! I know that I am not the only one who struggles year after year with this issue! I am a giver but if left up to me, I’d be liable to give away the ranch–well, at least the monthly mortgage money to pay for our ranch-style home! It’s a good thing my husband is my check and balance this time of year!

With my allotted spending money in hand, I have been wrestling with the commercialism of Christmas– who gets what, should we draw names or just exchange a unisex-gender gift for each family member? By the time we compromise on what we can really afford, we might as well keep our money because it seems we all have enough blanket-throws, candles and fancy wrapped boxes of chocolates than we really need. Boiling it all down to what we can afford, it seems that we have come to the place that generic Christmas gifts are what is expected to work for those who wish to participate in the Morrow family gift exchange this year. I can’t say that I like it but that seems to be what everyone can agree on and afford.

This dilemma of generic gifts vs. the spirit of Christmas got me thinking on a deeper level. Lord, we already have enough “stuff!” When we give more “stuff” to those who already have too much “stuff” oozing out of their garages and cubby holes in their houses, how is that a blessing? Lord, what blesses your heart?

This was His reply-“Give out of your lack-rather than your increase!”

Give out of my lack? How do I give that which I do not possess? Then I was reminded of 2 Corinthians 12:9 when Paul was speaking of the Lord, “And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I would rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For when I am weak, then I am strong!” (NKJV)  Jesus makes up the difference of our lack! After doing a bit of research on the internet, I stumbled upon this story that drove home the point that the Lord was making.

“Sarah was on her way to work when she decided to make a quick stop at the gas station. She had less than 1/8 of a tank of gas and only $15 to put in toward filling it up until her husband would get paid again. As she got out of her car, she was suddenly approached, by a woman who asked her for a dollar to put with her already $4 toward gas. Sarah agreed to not only giving her the dollar but to give her an additional four dollars to put into the women’s gas tank.

After pre-paying for both of their gas, Sarah proceeded to fill her tank with $10 worth of gas. She noticed that the gas pump reading was moving extremely slowly. It felt like she had been standing there, in the freezing cold, forever! She buzzed the cashier about the problem in which he unpleasantly responded that he had no control of the speed of the pump.

All of a sudden, the pump just stopped. The gas reading stated $2 and some change. She proceeded to press the handle again and the gas began to spill over. What was going on? The gas meter read that there was only $2.83 worth of gas in her tank. She got in her car and turned the key–the gas gage was on “F.” Her tank was FULL!

Wanting to do the right thing, Sarah made her way into the station to inform the cashier there was a mistake. She shouldn’t have received a full tank for such a mere amount of money. After explaining this to the cashier, he proceeded in giving her the remaining amount that she did not use. He stated that by law he was required to go by the gas reading rather than her statement.

God truly works in mysterious ways! You see, Sarah wasn’t thinking about herself when she paid that small amount of money for the stranger that day. I’m sure she could have used that extra money herself. But one thing is sure; God saw Sarah’s heart that day. When you give out of your lack–God takes notice!

Jesus stood watching as people placed their offerings into the temple treasury. Many rich threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.

Calling His disciples to Him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.” They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty put in everything-all she had to live on. (Mark 12:43-44) you see it wasn’t the large amount of money that caught Jesus’ attention; it wasn’t even necessarily the small amount. It was the sacrifice of the widow that struck Jesus. This woman gave out of her lack. She was poor and a widow; the lowest you could possibly be according to the standard of the day. She didn’t have a husband to support her and I’m sure she could have made good use for those two mites, but she chose to honor God. I can guarantee that God took care of that widow. It is not the amount you give, but more so the state of your heart when you give.” (m.voices.yahoo.com/giving-pure-heart-5202433.html)

Give out of your lack instead of your increase! The rich gave out of their abundance; the widow- giving out of her love for God gave all that she had to give. The widow gave out of her lack!

If you’re willing, ask yourself:

  • What do you lack? What are your biggest weaknesses?
  • Are you willing to learn to give from a deeper level of trust in Father-God?
  • Are you ready to give from your lack and believe God to take up the slack?

Perhaps you don’t lack financial provision; perhaps your struggle is perfectionism? Or maybe you are challenged with workaholism? Take a few minutes to do a personal assessment of your heart and ask the Holy Spirit to show you areas that you lack and what ways you can use those areas to bless His heart!

Father-God, thank you for loving me for who I am, through the blood of your precious son-Jesus. Thank you for loving me so much that you want to enable me to receive even more of your love in my life! Holy Spirit thank you for speaking to me and showing me areas that I still need the love of Father to be poured into my heart! I give you total permission to add, delete, and to rearrange anything that you need to within me, in order to teach me how to love more like Jesus! Please give me eyes to see and ears to hear your voice clearly. I pray that you would increase my understanding and open my heart to receive your revelation knowledge. Holy Spirit, thank you for helping me to live an abundant life that is victorious and that runs fervently after the ways of The Lord-Jesus! I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!!!

Did I always want to be a missionary?

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danette-2It’s hard to believe it’s been almost 15 years! I’ve been a missionary in the West African country of Niger since since July, 1998. There are two questions I am often asked: Did I always know I wanted to be a missionary? Did I always know God wanted me to be a missionary?

No, and no. But God knew. Here’s my story.



The Seed is in You

“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
Jeremiah 1:5

The seed was in me – as a 7 year old.

I was saved at the age of seven and was raised in a Christian home by wonderful Christian parents. I’ve walked closely with the Lord ever since, but it wasn’t until adulthood that I became acutely aware of God’s grace.

I used to think that I didn’t really have a ‘story’. But a revelation while singing ‘Amazing Grace’ changed my mind. I did have an amazing story. It was the grace of God that saved me. He not only saved me from my sins, but He saved me from the powers of darkness of this world and kept me walking in His light all these years. It wasn’t my personality or my own determination or discipline that spared me from all the world had to ‘offer.’ Simply put, it was God’s amazing grace. Now, the older I get, the more I see… and the more I see, the more thankful I am for that grace that saved me.

But I wasn’t just saved to be saved, I was called. So are you. My calling was to be a missionary, reaching the unreached. But fulfillment of that calling wasn’t going to just drop in my lap. I had some responsibility.

The Bible is full of instruction for our lives. There are a multitude of passages that talk about the blessings that follow us and our children when we walk in the way of the Lord.
We see in 1 Kings 2 where King David is at the end of his life and is giving instructions to his son Solomon. Solomon was called to succeed David on the throne.

“Now the days of David drew near that he should die, and he charged Solomon his son, saying: 2 “I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. 3 And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn; 4 that the Lord may fulfill His word which He spoke concerning me…”

Solomon’s calling came with requirements:

Keep the charge of the Lord, walk in His ways, keep his commandments… Then you will prosper and the Lord will fulfill His word concerning you. For God’s will and plan to be fulfilled in our lives, we must walk in His ways.

After high school, I attended ORU, a Christian university in Tulsa, Oklahoma. My sophomore year I met Neal. I was a chaplain and he was a freshman on my brother wing. He came straight from Nigeria, where he was raised as a missionary kid. He intrigued me. He was, as I like to describe him, ‘bush’. He spoke with a Nigerian accent and he thought downtown Tulsa was a huge metropolis. As the girls’ chaplain I had the responsibility of pairing the brother and sister wings with prayer partners. I did this by drawing names from a hat, but not before first pairing myself with Neal. Sneaky, I know.

A friendship began to develop into something more and on our second official date Neal informed me that he was going to be a missionary. My thought? “Whatever. He’s a business major. Once he gets going in his field, he’ll get over the missions thing.” It’s not that I was opposed to full-time missions, I just wasn’t awakened yet to my calling. I had a natural trust in God and a desire to do exactly what He had planned for me.

The seed was there, but it remained dormant.

Our relationship progressed as did Neal’s intensity for missions. I continued to trust God and prayed that if this was the man for me, that an actual desire to do missions would surface. As an upperclassman I would get frustrated when I would hear my friends talking specifically about their careers, how many children they would have, the type of home they would live in – all the way down to paint color! I didn’t have specifics on any of those things – and I didn’t really care about a white picket fence. All I knew for sure was that I wanted to do what God wanted me to do.

I later realized that if I had predetermined my exact job and house color, it would not have lined up with Neal, and I may have assumed he wasn’t the one.

Here we are at ORU, the seed in both of us. Any guesses to the year? (Hint: Big hair.)

Our love grew and in 1989 we married. I graduated with a degree in Social Work and Neal in Management Information Systems. We both got jobs in our fields, while still pursuing ministry. We found a church home and were asked to be youth pastors. It wasn’t missions, but it was something that our hands found to do and we were determined to do it with all our might. It was preparation time. During our 5 years as youth leaders we sent kids on more than 30 summer mission trips, while patiently (sometimes) waiting our turn.


Our family in 1998, just before moving to the 10/40 nation of Niger, Africa
Trae, Danette, Tanika, Neal

God continued to lead us and 8 years of marriage and 2 great kids later, the Lord directed us to attend Bible School to officially prepare for the field. During Bible School we received confirmation that the country of Niger would be our field. We spent 10 months raising our support and during that time an amazing thing happened. I was sharing in my mom and dad’s church about how I had recently come across some of my elementary school papers and discovered that I had written a report on the country of Nigeria the same year Neal moved there. Coincidence? I think not. It was a germinating seed.

I was told also of a report I had written in junior high titled ‘Understanding Africa’ where I wrote that I wanted to be a missionary in Africa. I don’t even remember writing it, but my name was on it. The seed was there. Later that evening my mom questioned me, “Don’t you remember the prophecy spoken to you when you were 12? That you would be a rose, blooming in the desert?” It wasn’t until she said that that the memory came back. Mom continued, “What about the time I found you crying because you couldn’t understand why everyone couldn’t know Jesus?” I was 7. The seed.


Our family in 2001 with Tobi, our new addition.

The amazing thing about a spiritual seed is that it won’t die. It’s in you. Even if you haven’t been pursuing God as you should or are new in your walk with Him, it’s not too late! God’s seed, His plan for you – it’s in you. Even if it’s dormant. Wake it up! Begin germinating it by pursuing hard after Jesus and by walking in His ways.

In Jeremiah 2:21 God said to the Israelite’s, “Yet I had planted you a noble vine, a seed of highest quality.”

You are full of high quality seed!


It was my privilege to be a part of discipling these Gourmantche ladies.


One of our greatest joys (and responsibilities) are the children