Thursday, February 16, 2012

I Know That I Know...



In the two short years I have lived with cancer, I have met some amazing people.  And have heard some amazing stories.  So amazing, that when I hear one, I think, I need to share this with you guys.    I like to call these, “I Know That I Know That I Know that God is Real” stories.  You might need to read that line again.  I know that it’s a mouthful, but it hammers it home, doesn’t it? 
So yesterday I met with a woman who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.  I sat on her couch and chatted about chemo and hair loss and wigs and false eyelashes.  And God’s goodness.  Then she told me about a time in her life before cancer.  
A beautiful story I will never forget.  

I hope you never forget it either...
Sherry and her husband Rex dreamed of having children.  After many disappointments, they turned to their doctor who told them that Sherry’s ovaries did not ovulate.  And without ovulation, there would be no babies.
Regardless, she and Rex answered God’s call of serving as missionaries in West Africa.  Arriving childless, the African people of Lome´, Togo began praying that she and her husband would have children.   They prayed and prayed and prayed for them.  As the Bible teaches, they “prayed without ceasing.”  
One day on a flight home to the states, Sherry became nauseous.  She thought she had malaria and began taking medication to ease her symptoms.  But as she arrived home, the nausea persisted. Did she have malaria?  Nope.  She was pregnant!
Now here’s where the story gets good.  
Do you know how many years they were married before she became pregnant?  Wait for it......... 17 years!  Seventeen!  After seventeen very, very long years, they welcomed a son into their lives.    They named him John Mawuli (African for “God lives!”)  How beautiful, I thought.  My heart melted when I heard that the Africans had given him his middle name.   And are you ready for this?  Two years later, they welcomed a daughter into their lives.  They named her Sarah Kafui (African for “praise Him!”)  Just as beautiful.  Sitting down?  Three years later, they welcomed Rebekah Mawumenyo (African for “God is good!”) into their lives. 
Those middle names say it all, don’t you think?
(And what a testimony when their children explain their unusual middle names to their friends).  I love it.
So here’s the amazing part.  
These three babies who were born to this American missionary couple helped to change that African community in ways that Sherry and her husband could have never foreseen.   You see, their church organization doesn’t send missionaries to that area anymore.  They don’t need to.  The people of Lome´ serve as their own missionaries now sharing the Gospel to those throughout Togo.  Why?  Because their faith, though strong before the couple arrived, just exploded after witnessing the birth of their children.  God had answered their ceaseless prayers.
So what did I walk away with that morning?  That patience is key to prayer. Well, not to mention faith, but I think that one’s a given.  But God needed Sherry and Rex to be without children for 17 years.   I’m sure they didn’t understand.  I’m sure at times they felt that God wasn’t at work in their lives.  I’m sure they may have felt that God had turned His back on them.  
But He didn’t.  
If our prayers align with His will -- then Bingo.  But it may be 17 very long years before we can stand up and shout “Bingo!”
for the whole world to hear.

The Lord works according to His plan.  His timing.  He knew where Sherry and Rex would be 17 years later.  In Africa.  Right where He needed them to be. Working as obedient missionaries and living as examples for all those watching.  And waiting.  To see a miracle.  Seventeen years later.  His tapestry had been woven.  And a community in Africa was one of the integral threads.
I left Sherry’s house that morning filled with joy.  To hear that story, moved my soul.  “Coincidence?” I always ask myself.   I think not.  Why?  Because I’ve heard way too many of these amazing stories for them to be coincidences.  
I know that I know that I know that God is real.  
I know it’s a mouthful.  
But I do.

5 comments:

  1. What an amazing story of God's faithfulness and the faithfulness of Sherry, Rex and the African people who prayed without ceasing.
    It truly is a mouthful, and I too know that I know that I know that God is real. Did I say that right? ;) It's even more of a mouthful when typing it. ;)

    Thank you for your post this morning!

    Love you and am praying for you!

    God bless you

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  2. Beautiful! God is so good! Have a Blessed weekend!

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  3. Oh, thanks so much for sharing that awesome story. Love hearing such awesome God stories! He is able to do more than our minds can comprehend. Hoping each day is bringing you one step closer to restored health. Blessings!

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  4. That story is so very beautiful and encouraging. God is always at work even when we don't see it. Isn't he? Thank you so much for sharing your God stories. Of course I don't know you but I think of you often and whisper a prayer. xo rachel

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  5. Thank you so much for sharing that amazing and awesome example of God's grace and LOVE .....( I hope that you are doing well...I too think of you often AND am still praying!! )

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