Real-Life Devotions by Lysa TerKeurstShembull

Don’t Send Me to Africa

Since I was a little girl, I’ve had a heart for the people of Africa. To be honest, though, I didn’t want to live in a hut, eat fried grubs or wear tribal headdresses. So while I prayed for Africa, I added, “But Lord, don’t send me there.”

I imagine God smiling and saying, “Really, Princess? You don’t want to go to Africa … fine. Then I’ll send Africa to you.”

And that’s exactly what he did. One night while attending a concert by the Liberian Boys Choir, God clearly spoke to my heart and told me two of those boys were mine. I tried to ignore him, but to no avail. After the concert, two boys walked straight to me and called me “Mom.” After months of prayer and piles of paperwork, Mark and Jackson joined our family … Africa had arrived.

No longer was the plight of the starving orphans just a story on television. They were precious children who deserved a second chance. Not only did we think so, but the people of my church soon felt moved to also adopt children from Liberia.

This is the way the body of Christ is supposed to work. God speaks, we listen, he confirms, we obey and he gives us the strength to do amazing things.

Many shrug and make excuses. But one jumps up and in complete abandon says, “Me, Lord! Me! Pick me! I am willing!” God smiles, scoops her up, brings her into his loving embrace, and whispers back, “Well done my child … I am so pleased. I will give you the strength to do this. Do not be afraid, I will be with you.”

By Lysa TerKeurst