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God's love magnified through a small step of courage

Written by Lisa Martin, USA

It was a day of long awaited excitement for our team as we entered the Center of Hope for the first time. We had the wonderful privilege of meeting the refugee children from Sudan.

Meet Tabitha

Among this beautiful group of children was Tabitha, a precious petite little girl, absolutely full of animated expression! I met Tabitha during a heart stirring game that is called “Who will care for me.”

Tabitha was obviously quite fond of this game, and passionately played with our intimately connected girl’s group, as we held hands and swirled around circling the girl chosen to be sweetly tucked down tightly with eyes closed in the center of the circle until we were done singing our melody.

After we sang, our chosen girl in the center of the circle, Tabitha, spontaneously sprang up in excitement, twirled around several times, and ultimately pointed to one of the surrounding people to indicate the one who would “care for me.” Each round of jubilant delegation ended with a joyous countenance on everyone’s face, and the game would immediately commence again with our hearts in delightful anticipation ... who will be next?

The Lord has blessed Tabitha with an extraordinary gift

Tabitha was able to keep her heart softly yielded for an opportunity to experience God’s compassionate love and nurturing care after suffering a life of devastating tragedy, pain and family loss as a Sudanese refugee.

As events, teachings and activities came to a close on this first day at the “Center of Hope,” my attention was drawn to Tabitha once again, only this time, it was from a modest distance away. She had discovered one of our most quiet team members standing near a corner of the room.

Tabitha appeared absolutely fascinated with this beautiful servant of God named Luba. It was as though she sensed Luba’s special heart of generosity and radiating love and light of God.

Then, it happened!

Just as Luba unknowingly turned toward Tabitha, Tabitha took one small bold step of courage toward Luba and tenderly slipped her precious little hand into Luba’s opened palm ... a divinely inspired connection that, for a moment, satisfied her heart’s cry of “ who will care for me.”

After sharing this tender moment of observation with Luba, Luba stated, “She told me she loved me.”

If you would like to show love and care to Tabitha — sponsor her and send Tabitha to school >

Together we can greatly encourage renewed hope and love in Christ for this beautiful people group!

“So now faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

— 1 Corinthians 13:13