While on a church mission trip to Uganda, some of the ladies in the team decided to bring back to Australia the incredible handmade crafts the street children created. The idea was to sell them, and help continues to raise support and awareness for the street kids’ home that we worked with in Kampala.
It took some time, and organization, but we eventually booked a stall at a popular market in the city, got in there early with our trestle tables, a sign to display prices, and when the time came to sell our goods, we were all set. We weren’t discouraged by the slow morning, but it soon became very apparent that the day was not going to be a success. In fact, we didn’t even make enough to cover renting the stall.
I shared my disappointment at work that week, not looking forward to telling the guys who ran the home that we wouldn’t be able to send them anything. My teammates suggested I bring some things in to see what they could buy. My manager heard the conversation and suggested I let our whole department know to see if others were interested, maybe even include the department upstairs.
I wasn’t confident on that one as I barely knew people in the other department. I figured if I was bringing the crafts all the way to work it couldn’t hurt for others to have an opportunity to also buy if they wanted to.
Will it sell?
The day came and I tried to get to work as early as possible to set up a little table. I arrived earlier than usual . . . but not early enough. There had already been two people I didn’t know hovering in our area, waiting to see what was available to buy. The stream of visitors to our unit was constant that day, with my manager and colleagues covering for me when I was away from my desk.
At the end of the day, an incredible $1,500 had been raised. I was astounded! I had been hopeful for maybe a couple of hundred but didn’t think for the moment we would raise so much in such a short period of time.
Faith in the family
Fast forward two years. My nine-year-old daughter uses a purse from Uganda made of paper beads to keep her money safe. One day when she came home from school she said her teachers were really interested in it, and she wanted to make some jewellery and crafts for school to see if they’d like to buy some things.
In the midst of working from home and homeschooling, this was just another thing to add to my to-do list. However, together we made a sample of things, she memorized the prices, and off she went to school. You can imagine my surprise when she came home that afternoon with over $100! She also received a $5 donation from her grandfather’s Doctor the next day because he was so impressed with how well-spoken she was about helping the children in Uganda.
God multiplies
In both cases, I felt like God took the little loaves and fish (John 6:1-14) we offered Him through our obedience, boldness, and desire to be a blessing and He multiplied it in a way that only He can.
- Noah built the ark.
- Moses parted the red sea.
- David killed the giant.
- Esther saved her people.
The Bible is not full of made-up stories, they are not fairytales of make-believe. The bible is a historical record of wisdom and biographies, documenting the lives, challenges, failures and triumphs of the men and women of faith who walked the earth before us.
It shows us how God’s plan, purpose and power were interwoven through it all.
