“Letters Out of Africa” is the story of my friendship with a young Liberian man, Shadrach Gonqueh that began with the letters written by him from Africa in the mid 1990’s. I saved all these letters knowing that someday I would write about the incredible series of events that eventually led him to the US to become a dentist. It is an interesting story in and of itself but the greater story is what went on behind the scenes that made all of it possible. You might say that my meeting Shadrach was just a coincidence but I don’t believe that. God took many ordinary people who were willing to listen and act on his behalf and He put them in the right place at the right time for all of this to happen. God is like the man behind the curtain in the “Wizard of Oz”. When you look closely you see that He is in control. But He chooses to remain hidden to all but those that have eyes to see.
None of the people in this story were especially talented or skilled. We were and still are ordinary people. The difference was a willingness to be open to God’s calling, to set aside our agenda for His. So much in the church today is doing what we think God wants us to do without really asking His opinion. It’s not to say that these things are not good but maybe God has something greater if we would just ask Him, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” He might lead you in a direction you never imagined!
Do you think I ever imagined in my wildest dreams that I would have a refugee from Africa living in my home? Never! This was God’s idea, not mine. Travis and Gina Sheets who started “Hope in the Harvest” mission never dreamed they would be living in Liberia. God led them there because they were willing to listen and act. None of the apostles were qualified for the work God put before them. They were fishermen, a tax collector and other ordinary people. When Jesus said, “Follow me”, they left what they were doing and went.
What would happen if all of God’s people asked the simple question, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” I think the world would be changed in ways we never imagined!
Suzanne
