I haven’t talked much about my housecleaner Asibe. She is such a gift to us! She brings order and sparkle in a place that is very challenging to do so. Africa is not very conducive to cleanliness and order. Asibe has a gentle spirit and loves the Lord intently. She is very active in the widow’s group in her church and has even gone on outreaches and seen many people come to know the Lord. She never complains and does her work heartily.
The recent riots impacted Asibe’s life tremendously. She lives in one of the areas that saw some of the most intense fighting. Three times her house was set on fire. Three times she and her four children put the fire out. All of her neighbors’ homes were burned down around her. She herself was injured and had to go to the hospital: she had scrambled up a pole to keep from being run over and was rammed and was sent flying.
She actually reported to work several days after her injuries though it was still unsure if the fighting was completely settled down. I thanked her for her dedication and immediately sent her back to her children!
Recently I found out that in addition to caring for her four children on her $72 a month salary, she had been providing a safe haven for four Muslims after the crisis for an extended time. Today, out of the funds our donors have made possible, I was able to help replenish her food stocks. Not expecting this, Asibe was tearful and overwhelmed and gave thanks to God.
I can’t tell you how awkward and humbling it was for me to be thanked when the $45 dollars I gave her seemed as nothing compared to what she had so sacrificially given. Without complaint and no thought for herself, she gave out of her limited resources to help protect neighbors putting herself,her children, and her home at risk. She did this at a time when she herself was suffering physically. What an amazing example of faith and love and sacrifice!
I consider it a privilege to work alongside Asibe and am thankful for your help as donors to support her as a widow and a local missionary to her own people.
Lisa
As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “I tell you the truth,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” Luke 21:1-4
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Lisa- what a blessing to have such a friend and companion and helper in your own home. I think you are right- we will all be surprised I believe in heaven to see whose contributions in this life are counted as important or not in the next life.
Post a Comment