“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13 |
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In June of 1999, I went to Ghana, West Africa, for the first time with the sole purpose of meeting and studying with some of my World Bible School students.
As our van pulled into the motel, I was tired and suffering from culture shock. That feeling soon left me when I heard someone say “Which one is Ruth Orr?” Simeon Ashalley, a student of mine for seven years, and three others were waiting for me. What a joy it was to finally get to meet him.
A letter the church received from him after I got home tells the rest of the story:
Dear Church Street,
Thank you very much for the great work you are doing for the Lord and for World Bible School students in Africa. May God bless you all.
I am twenty-two years old and became a Christian two years ago. My parents died when I was twelve, and at time, I, along with my five brothers and sisters were divided up among relatives. I have not seen some of them since then.
When I was fifteen, I started studying the Bible with Ruth Orr, a World Bible School teacher. She has taught me and taken care of me until now. She is the best thing that has happened to me because she showed me the love of God, and now I am a Christian. I will never let her or the Lord down. I study God’s word every day from the Bible she gave me.
The happiest day of my life was the day I gave my life to Christ. The second happiest day was the day I received your money to buy a bike. I am so happy and I thank you very much. Ruth Orr has helped me get into the West Coast School of Preaching. My aunt, uncle, and one brother and sister are now Christians.
We are very poor and hardly have more than one meal a day, but it doesn’t matter any more because I have all I need through Christ who gives me strength. I am a Christian, and I plan to spend my life teaching others as she has taught me.
Your Brother in Christ,
Simeon Ashalley |
* Simeon was scheduled to graduate from the preaching school in September of 2003. |
