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since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.
Philippians 1:7b (NIV)

Paul truly understood what it means to be the body of Christ. Because of the love that binds us together, we are united as the body of Christ. And as the body of Christ moves, we all share the blessings because of God’s grace. It is with this understanding of the biblical community we are a part of that I want us to celebrate how God has been glorified through the AWM Widows conference in Ateiku, Ghana recently.

The beginning

It is impossible to determine when this started. Was it when A Widow’s Might originally began in 2009? Or maybe it started when I met Pastor Oduro in May 2024? Possibly, it was one of a thousand decisions in between those dates that aligned us with God’s will. We will never know if it was one of those decisions or some combination of those decisions. What we do know is that God knew the beginning and every step needed to make that plan, those blessings, come to fruition.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

He Provided the Path

In May, I offered to host a Pastor visiting our church. He was coming to speak about our future mission plan for building well water pumps in Ateiku, Ghana. Just a day before he was to arrive at my house they asked if my guest’s father could come also. I said certainly. A few moments before they arrived I felt a prompting to go visit the website of their ministry. Not my normal last minute preparations but I followed the directions I was given.

He Goes Before Us

When I visited their website, I watched a very moving video about a man named Lawrence. The story was about how God intervened in his life as He invited him to follow Him. The resounding truth in His response to God’s call on His life deeply moved me. In a matter of moments I felt deeply connected to this person who lived half way around the world, but was also my brother in Christ. Imagine my surprise a few minutes later when I opened the door to receive my houseguest and he introduced his father – Lawrence. The same man God had introduced me to as my brother in Christ via video just a few minutes before.

Lawrence started by explaining how his travel plans had suddenly changed. He felt God calling him to Houston and it soon became clear we had a divine appointment. I told him about the wonderful community of widows God has been building through A Widows Might. Soon, Lawrence began to understand exactly why his plans had changed. He asked me if we could come do a widows conference in Ghana. From there it all fell into place. It was clear that God had already provided the path and gone before us to make it all happen. I already had a trip planned to Portugal and within minutes I was able to adjust my tickets and was set to travel to Ghana July 26th.

He Builds His Church

God raised up His church for the work He was about to do. Some of you were called to pray. Others were called to give financially. Many of you were called to encourage us to be obedient. and while God was working on us, He was also working on our brothers and sisters in Ateiku. Pastor Lawrence and I carefully laid out a plan to minister to 50 – 70 widows. God brought 320 widows the first day. And then he provided over 200 mats so they could sleep in the high school because it was too far to walk home and come back for the second day. and on the second day we had 380 widows!!!!

God put together His message of encouragement for these sweet widows. And He put in place a microloan program so that every woman who came could start a business to sustain herself. And He helped them form an ongoing community of support. Thirty-three widow groups were launched at the conference. And just like our AWM Hope conferences we host in Denton every year, I watched as they were transformed from pain and hopelessness to celebrating their joy in the Lord with their Hope restored. ALL IN TWO DAYS!!!

He is the Author and Perfecter of our Faith

I have been on mission trips before and I have seen God do miraculous things time and time again. But this time, I was blessed to get a deeper understanding of how God works through us as His body. Each part being utilized in different ways. All parts being united by His love and grace. It has changed my focus from “my” purpose to really embracing and resting peacefully in our purpose as His church, His body, allowing me to rest peacefully in Him. I am so excited for you, Sisters, as God redeems your suffering and draws you closer to Him and to us! He will complete the work He has begun in us!

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2 (NASB 1995)