|
 In July 2007, I was greatly blessed to take a short-term Missions’ Trip to
Naivasha, Kenya. I had always wanted to be involved in missions and take one of
those trips to a far away land and experience it first hand. However, over the
years, it just was not happening. I used to come in and help with mailings,
packaging, etc. It appeared the same people were going all the time, even to the
Holy Land. There was no chance for the majority. And then came Dr. Ernie Frey
and all that changed. Dr. Frey got it right and gave an unprecedented
opportunity to all who wished to participate in this ministry. Through God’s
power and wonderment, and Central’s generosity, I put my name on the list. I had
nothing to take a journey with. I had no money, but I had a burning desire and
an overwhelming feeling that it just might happen.
As time went on, and my doubt started to manifest itself, donations started
to come in and I became filled with fear. I wondered if I was doing the right
thing and if I go would I make it back home to my family. I decided to put my
hand in God’s hand and trusted him. I decided to press on.
During this time of fear, one Sunday morning as I pulled up on the church
parking lot, this beautiful song came on the radio. It was so beautiful and it
stayed with me. I could not get out of the car until it went off. I could not
get it out of my head. I never learned a song hearing it just once, but this
song entered my heart and my head. I felt God gave me this song to take with me
and sing to my family in Africa. However, being the shy person I am, I thought
“Oh, they don’t need me to sing” they have the most beautiful singing I have
ever heard.
We went to several churches and worshiped and ate and it was great. They sang
for us and danced for us. I was feeling great, I didn’t have to sing. I knew all
along that I would not be pleased with myself and neither would God if I wasn’t
obedient. The last day of visiting was to Narok, Kenya and I was told it would
be a four hour ride over very bumpy roads. I decided it would be too much for me
and I would
stay behind. When I thought the vans were pulling out, suddenly my roommate came
into my room and said, “Betty we want you to come with us.” Thinking I could get
out of going, I said, “I’m not dressed or anything.” She said, “We will wait for
you.” So I rushed and got ready and we left. Upon arriving in Narok, everyone
seemed to have something to do but me. Then the principal of the school saw me.
He was amazed to see a black American. They were all amazed to see a Black
American. Some thought I was Kenyan or Nigerian. The principal felt my face and
my hair and said “You are just like us, you are a descendant of the slave
trade,” and asked me to please speak to his class on slavery as they had just
been studying slavery. It was not my favorite subject, but I slowly entered the
classroom and requested a chair to sit in. I told the story of slavery as best I
could and let them know that slavery is no longer legal in America. Then it was
time to go the worship service.
Dr. Frey and his wife, Anne, joined us. Still this song from the Lord was
heavily on my heart because I knew this was my last chance to be obedient. As we
entered the church, I walked behind Ernie and Anne.
 As
we got to the front of the church, there was a white plastic chair which I
thought Ernie would take and I could sit to the side with Anne. He shocked me
when he stepped aside and beckoned me to take this seat in the front. I felt the
presence of God in and throughout me. This was the appointed time and place I
was to sing. There was a brief lull in the service and I stood and asked Pastor
Paul to translate my words and so he did as I began to sing “Going Up Yonder.”
After I thought I was done and headed to my seat with much relief, Dr. Frey
asked me to sing it again without translators. So I did. Afterwards, I felt so
much better because I had done God’s will.
On the road back in the van, a rock hit the window exactly where my head was.
It hit hard, but did not even crack the windshield. I thought to myself, “God, I
could have been taken just that quickly; I am so glad I did your will.
|
