The school that enthusiasm built

We do not know the details of what had taken place for months prior to our arrival in this community. Were their children in any school? Did the families not have the money to send their little ones to school? What was on their minds at the start of each day?

We do not know, but the leaders of the local church did! They had spent months of work to lay the foundation, not in concrete, but in relationships, a foundation far more solid that simply concrete. Based on the smiles of the staff with whom we briefly met, I can only imagine their excitement as they identified the needs in their community - the need for a school for the many children who lived there. And, as they met and talked with each new family, their excitement grew. They continued to pray and seek God's perfect leading for the place and the details.

At some point, as this group of leaders' excitement grew and crossed into enthusiasm, they knew they would be able to realize their vision with the help and partnership of Life In Abundance. An entire community of children who may not otherwise have been able to get an education will now have that opportunity afforded them. It takes passion, direction, enthusiasm, and all bathed regularly with prayers.

As we stepped through their gate, we were greeted with warm smiles and rich hugs from women and children in this community. They too, I imagine from their smiles, had become infected with the same enthusiasm that had begun to provide a glimpse of hope for them and their children's future. What could their children accomplish if they had an education? Their children would be given opportunity...opportunity to achieve greater things than they had. Opportunity that would lead to further education, if desired. Education that would lead to better jobs. Jobs that would mean a better life. A life that perhaps these sweet parents could not allow themselves to even dare to dream. Now, that future could become a reality for their sweet children.

This possible future becoming a reality because one or perhaps two leaders from this small Presbyterian church became enthusiastic about what they might dare to dream for their community, God's children. To dream a dream that was just an ember in their hearts. A huge dream that God is just waiting to fulfill and use to reach these people for Him. I can't wait to see how He will blow their socks off!