This past weekend I attended a conference and found my time associating with friends and colleagues very refreshing and enjoyable. I thought it would be a brief break from my daily routine which includes the ongoing and constant tasks associated with “Friends of Copey”. There are times when just getting away provides an opportunity to step back and get a better grip on things.
The guest speaker at the conference was Rev. Dr. Shirley A. Perry. She has a very interesting and impressive resume covering her career in both Christian Ministry and Music Ministry. She presented a compelling message about having faith in the impossibility. Her message challenged us to “embrace the limitlessness” of God (the Holy Trinity) because God can and does perform beyond the constrained or restricted limits we humans tend to place on ourselves. With God…all things are possible.
Rev. Dr. Perry’s message was taken from John 11 and is a familiar story of two sisters praying for the impossible to happen and believing their prayers would be answered. The sisters embraced the unlimited ability and power of prayer.
As I listened, this message hit a nerve and my temporary weekend break from “Friends of Copey” suddenly ended. The message took me straight back to that place I thought I left at home. “Friends” are familiar with my mantra about praying.
It is always first on my list for call to action. “Friends of Copey” has no membership dues, no fees, and no financial obligations. We simply place our faith in believing that what we do will be useful, meaningful, and beneficial to those students at the Learning Center. This is our prayer.
Also, “Friends” know that praying is not possible for some. Those who want and believe they can be supportive and are positive thinkers, are encouraged to join in this effort. The “cheerful givers” or the ones with “hearts of a servant” may not always be a “Believer”. So, my second call to action is for any positive thinker to become a “Possiblitarian” I spoke about in my Post dated February 28, 2016. I quoted Dr. Vincent Peale who said, “What the mind can conceive and believe, and the heart desire, you can achieve.” https://friendsofcopey.com/2016/02/28/are-you-a-possiblitarian/
Blogging offers many benefits. It provides a detailed record of “Friends” involvement, goals, and a history of accomplishments. This public record stands open and available to whomever is inclined to access the web site at www.friendsofcopey.com. Today, there are more than 140 Posts available for review and provides convincing evidence of the “beyond the limitlessness”.
Surely, some will claim I am overstating our work and achievements. I understand the need to do so. At times it is just too difficult to evaluate how much impact we have on a community so far away. For those not too impressed, look into this further by contacting the Learning Center for yourself. You will find that “Friends” is highly respected, highly trusted, and highly regarded for our demonstrated commitment and service to the Learning Center and the community. To consider what has been done over three short years as something anyone could do without calling on Deity, the help of positive thinkers, generous givers, and answered prayers…is thinking foolishly.
Prior to December 2013, when “Friends” did not exist, over 60 students were not benefiting from AGB scholarships. The Learning Center’s chances of having a “paid” qualified and competent
Director did not exist. These things do exist now and recently, we even witnessed US college students traveling to Copey to work as volunteers at the Learning Center. Then, Learning Center students spent time in the US. These things just did not happen and I freely give credit to many who pray and who believe what we do is a Blessing in the works. A blessing that takes us all far beyond limits of our own capabilities.
A while back, a “Friend” (Carolyn B.) spoke about her regrets that she could only pray and was not financially able to support “Friends of Copey”. I provided her a very easy response. Pray that others who may be capable and inclined will chose to donate. When I see a donation come in, I believe it is because of Carolyn (or you) praying. It works!!! Money is important at times but not the center piece of our interest and involvement. When we need the money…it shows up. So keep praying!
In closing, I realize this Post is different from most I write. However, Rev. Dr. Perry struck an inspiring nerve and hit me right in my heart. In my opinion, many “Friends” have yet to embrace the fact that with prayer there are no boundaries and no limits on what can be done. Not many envisioned “Friends” ever getting this far. Even in Copey there has been non-believers. Many in this very small community could not imagine two young ladies attending the Learning Center, a 15 and an 18-year-old, would have the great fortune to visit America. Today, these non-believers are “big” believers that possibilities do extend beyond their limitations and have begun to “embrace the unlimitlessness”.
As the spiritual song goes…“We have come a mighty long way!” May God Bless!