brown's tree in the forest

At times ministry can be exciting and inspiring.  At times it can be weary.  Hope Grafted In is a blessing, a God-thing, and I am more passionate about it now then when God began this work over a year ago.  But a ministry that has the ominous task of continuous fundraising and asking of others makes me grow weary at times.

Just like anything in life, it comes with ebbs and flows, ups and downs.  Today I want to share a story that lifts me up.  It is for the moments like this that I have renewed strength and refreshed energy to serve.

A couple weeks ago I received an email from the Director of Sangaalo Babies, my dear friend Damalie.  She shared of a new little boy the home had received.  His story so far in his 3 months of life at first glance appears tragic.  More horrific than one could imagine.  A story of incest, rape, and attempted murder.  But he is a child of the King and has been rescued into a new life.

Damalie gave me the honor of naming the little boy.  I gave him the name Gabriel, after my husband and our daughter.  A name I hope will bring him protection and strength.  A name that for our family means so much.

Three years ago today our daughter, Gaby, went to be with Jesus.  God has taught me so many things over the past 3 years through the gift of being Gaby's momma.  The layers of learning appears to be lifelong.

Two sweet babies with not much in common in many respects other than they are loved by a GREAT big God that created them for GREAT purposes.  They both are so many things for so many people.  For me, today they are a reminder of God's sovereignty, His goodness, and His faithfulness.

I pray that each day of baby Gabriel's life he feels the love of Jesus.  I am thankful to know that he is receiving loving care and has a home.  He has a family.  I am honored to be a small part of that.

I hope that God's plan includes Gabriel living a long healthy life and that I will be able to meet him in October on our trip.  But if I have learned nothing else in the past 3 years it is that God's ways are so much greater than my plans.  If His plan is to heal Gabriel and take him to heaven, what a blessing.

I will be sharing more here in the coming weeks about how you can be a part of Gabriel's story.  As God speaks, I pray you will listen.