Lake Oconee Breeze
GREENSBORO —
This is a continuation of an article appearing in last week’s edition of The Lake Oconee Breeze submitted by contributor Becky Brannan.
Each day people would sort through boxes of used clothing located outside the Owsley County Food Place, a food bank in Appalachia. Our Lake Oconee Presbyterian Church mission team was on a short term mission trip to one of the poorest counties in our nation.
On Friday afternoon, a woman walked up and patiently went through all the pockets of the boxed clothing. She had a torn plastic bag and she methodically placed articles of clothing into the bag.
Addison “Buddy” Crews, coordinator of the Central Georgia Christian Food Bank and a member of the LOPC mission team, walked outside and asked her if she’d had lunch. Learning that she had not eaten, he came back to the kitchen where mission team workers’ lunches had been prepared daily. He took left over sandwiches, chips and a cold drink to her.
I went with Buddy and began talking with the woman. I introduced myself and she said her name was Martha. I told her about our mission trip to the area and asked about her and her family.
Martha was reserved as first. Then she sat down and began talking. She said she had a granddaughter who was born with severe handicaps and who, at the age of 26, still could not sit up. Most born with these handicaps, she said, don’t live beyond 30 and she feared they would lose her in the near future.
“What a blessing Brenda Renee has been to our family. We all love her so much,” she said with tears in her eyes.
It was obvious that Brenda Renee was a blessing, not a burden, to their family.
She said her second daughter was a widow who raised three children.
She then told of her youngest daughter who is getting a divorce from a man who is an alcoholic and drug addict. Her daughter is raising a 16-year-old son. Martha said her daughter has little money.
“Life ain’t been easy for us, but with the help of the Lord, we’ve made it through,” Martha said with conviction. “Also, the Lord gave me a talent. And, you know if the Lord gives us a talent, then He expects us to use it. My talent is singing, playing the guitar and praying. Also, the Lord tells me what to read in my Bible and how to minister to other people,” she continued. “I try to help others whenever I can. Also, I also have the gift of prophecy.”
I asked Martha if I could pray with her and for her. We held hands but before I could begin praying, she lifted her voice to the Lord in prayer.
Martha thanked the Lord for sending us to the area and for Him bringing us together “at just the right time.” Then she prayed for our mission team, our work projects and the food, clothing, and other items we brought to their people. She asked God for travel mercies for us, and then prayed for our church back home. Her prayer was filled with dignity, humility, and the Holy Spirit.
Tears flooded my eyes and I silently prayed, “Lord, we came here to minister to these people, not the other way around!”
But a sad, tired woman who was looking for money in the pockets of old clothes was praying with all her heart for us. When she paused, I began to pray for her, her family, community and the people of Appalachia .
After we finished praying, Martha and I hugged. As Martha left, I quietly thanked God for the blessing He had given me. I was reminded me that what we have in Jesus Christ outweighs anything material that we have in this life. It’s not what we own or the money we have in the bank, but the love of Christ that fills our hearts and His promise of eternal life that brings us peace and joy.
As St. Francis of Assisi said in a prayer, “It is in giving that we receive.”
