10
Gives Me Goosebumps
By on September 10, 2008
A few weeks ago we went to several schools in Qwa Qwa to train up Small Group Leaders for our LaunchPad classes. The principals gave us the names of students in their schools whom they feel have the most leadership potential.
Kelly, our LaunchPad Director, and Alfred, one of our coaches, taught the group of over 60 students. As they were collecting the leftover curriculums and pens, several students asked questions about being a Small Group Leader. When Lepota walked up to them, they expected him to ask a similar question. But instead of asking how old he had to be to participate or what time classes would end, he simply stated, “God has answered my prayers.”
That caught their attention. Alfred prompted Lepota to tell us his story and here’s what he said…
“Last year I attended school at Sephokong and was part of the Leadership Summit program. I loved going to class and never missed a day. I learned so much about who God is and what He wants for me. But then it was time for me to enter grade 10 which meant I needed to change schools and begin attending here at Mampoi. I knew that Leadership Summit is only for students in grades 7-9 and that I would no longer be able to attend that class. Not only that, but there was no program by Thrive Africa at Mampoi. I was so saddened; I didn’t know what to do so I just started to pray. I prayed that God would bring Thrive Africa to my new school and that I could keep learning about the Word of God.
“Well, last week my teacher told me and several other students that we could be part of a leadership class if we stayed after school today. When I showed up earlier I had no idea it was LaunchPad — another program of Thrive Africa! I couldn’t believe it, I walked in and there was Alfred, the coach who taught me at Leadership Summit! And now, not only can I keep learning the Word of God but I can be a Small Group Leader and help other students know God too! God has answered my prayers!”
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8 Responses - Add yours below
Gary B says:
Alllllriiiiiight! Praise God!
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Megan says:
That’s so AMAZING! Praise God!!!! I love hearing all the wonderful and heart-warming stories of what God is doing in South Africa through Thrive. Lepota’s story brought tears of joy to my eyes. What a wonderful reminder of the power of prayer and God’s faithfullness.
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Alece says:
God is good!
Thanks for all your prayers and encouragement!
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Kevin says:
His hunger for the Word is so encouraging. I’ll be praying for Lepota and his maturity in Christ. This story was a great way to start off my day… wow.
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Lin says:
A refreshing story and encouraging at the same time. I appreciate you writing.
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Lin says:
I was trying to figure out what was refreshing about the story above. I realized just after I posted my previous comment…:-)
It is Lepota’s prayer. On occasion I mentor guys who are headed to leadership in the church. It seems that invariably there is a rush to become a leader or mentor in the shortest amount of time. Lepota’s prayer is one of wanting to learn and remain in the arms of God in the simpler more refreshing capacity of being a learner.
I often desire to return to the days when I could just learn about God without the constant forethought of “is this something I could use to teach with”. I once read a quote that fits this well.
“Seldom do the winds of need feel as though it was a breeze”
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Becca says:
Mmmm.
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Alece says:
Kevin – thanks for praying!!!
Lin – excellent thoughts. so true that it’s easy to read with the mindset of how you can use/teach it. soaking just for soaking’s sake… mmmm….
Becca – mmhhhhmmmm! :-)
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