Heading back to Africa for the fourth time feels a little bit different.
I have never been on a mission trip and not have my papaw send me off with prayer. When I arrived in Africa on Dcember 9, 2012 I called home and papaw answered. I will never forget how clear minded and PROUD he sounded. I believe God allowed me to purposely call the wrong house so I would always remember him as the proud, happy grandpa he was.
I like to believe that papaw had two hearts. One heart was broken, fragile and weak. But he must of had another heart because he always managed to smile and laugh even though the circumstances would have suggested otherwise.
The second heart held courage, strength, hope, love, patience, kindness, goodness and understanding. A heart that will be passed on from generation to generation. His first heart is gone but his second heart will live on forever.
I believe that I have been given the gift of strength. To push forward when everything seems dark, to see the hope in a situation where most see defeat.
My pride wants me to tell y'all that my papaw passed these down to me himself, but I know for a fact my papaw would take no credit for this. God has me back again in Liberia, finishing His work that He started through my papaw. He gave me the same gift, to see something beautiful out of something this world would throw away, to fulfill a bigger purpose than all of us.
I know that my papaw would be proud of my trip this year, even though he would shake his head and say, "It's not safe there girl!" I know he is looking down on me smiling, knowing I'm doing exactly what God had always intended for my life.
We have all been left a little broken inside because of this loss. But because each of us posess a different characteristic of my papaw...we make one full, healthy, happy and loving family.
Because my papaw was such a big influence on me, Christ is clearly above all. My papaw made sure of it.
I will take the Word to Liberia and I will live like the legacy papaw left us with...Jesus.
"whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked."
1 John 2:6
Thank you Molly for this post. You literally are the one in the family who has taken what Dad really loved (Missions) and has turned it into your life's work! He is very proud of you still and always was. I could just see him sitting on the "Gator" yesterday morning as we were praying for you just crying. Oh how I miss him so much! Thank you for giving so much of yourself for Kingdom Work! Just remember--What we do for Jesus will be the ONLY thing that will last forever! Love you so much.
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