“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14
I was invited to a coffee in 1989 that would change my life. It was a meeting to see if there was enough interest to begin a Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) class in DeLand FL. In1990 I was asked into leadership for the pilot class and then named the Class Administrator for the first class in ‘90 as we studied the Gospel of John. Four years later I was asked to be the Substitute Teaching Leader and then 3 years later to be the Teaching Leader which I would do until 2019. What a growing experience. I had never studied the Bible so effectively ever before. I developed a strong relationship with Jesus and all my relationships were strengthened for the better. At the beginning I would come home and share what I had learned with my husband—quoting the lecture so interestingly that he found a men’s class nearby and he would eventually begin the men’s class in DeLand. We were a BSF family for sure. My daughter was the accompanist for the Jacksonville class, my daughter-in-law a Discussion Leader in Clearwater. Four of our five grandchildren were in the Children’s Program. One summer I had a Gigi camp and at the end of the first day my oldest grandson said I can see you are using the BSF method!!
But all those years I think were in reality preparation for the next phase in my life—ministry in Ghana West Africa. I had never had a desire to go on a foreign mission and definitely not to Africa, but God opened my heart when the opportunity arose.
Interviewing a future leader for BSF she shared she was a retired airline attendant and flew to Ghana and continued to fly because she had a Ghanaian family that she ministered with. The next summer, 2018, seven of us would form a medical mission to Ghana. Three couples and our oldest grandson. What a truly life change. To meet the people of Ghana and learn of their great needs. It is through the love of God and His Word this ministry has grown. God has blessed us in so many ways as we have ministered there. So many times we have seen what could only be the hand of God working.
Our ministry continues today as we prepare to go back this month conducting medical clinics in the rural areas, overseeing the digging of wells and toilet facilities, and encouraging our three nursing students on scholarship. All while sharing the gospel.
If I had not gone to that coffee way back when, I would not have enjoyed all the blessings I have received.~Gayle
P.S. from Rosemary: Isn’t it wonderful where studying God’s Word takes you and what it enables you do?
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