Are you a networker, a connector of people? I love meeting new people and I get really excited when the Lord shows me two people I know who would benefit from knowing one another. Now before you call me to find you a love match, I’m not talking about matchmaking. I’m talking about connecting two people who would grow or benefit from knowing one another in ministry or the workplace.
Yesterday, I received a Facebook message from an acquaintance introducing me to a lady saying I just had to meet her and the gentleman she was hosting from the Congo who wanted to meet with me. He is an attorney, a pastor, and a modern day abolitionist in his country. He wanted to learn what we are doing in America to fight the atrocity of human trafficking. It is a huge problem in the Congo and he wants to end it.
I don’t know anyone from the Congo. Those of you who have known me for any length of time know I have a heart for Africa, so to say I was intrigued was an understatement. I also love any opportunity to see God work through connections. He works in ways that may not make sense at the time, but always pan out in the end [Isaiah 55:8]. If He opens a door for you, no one will be able to close it [Isaiah 22:22, Revelation 3:7]. He is the ultimate networker.
Driving to the meeting I told God I had no idea where this was leading. How could I be of benefit
Me and my new friend, Bidou Lamba Lamba at Cool Beans Coffee.
to someone from the Congo. Why was it important that I meet with this man before he left our country? When I arrived at the coffee shop later that afternoon, I was introduced to three strangers. When I left, I had three new friends. I was blown away by the various opportunities for ministry that were presented between me and my new friend from the Congo but also the way He opened up opportunities to minister in the future with the host family.
God honors obedience. You can read story after story in the Bible of God honoring those who do what He tells them to do. I went to the coffee shop because the Lord opened the door for me to do so. What I found on the other side of that door isn’t fully realized today, but I know it’s going to be good because it is from God.
Have you experienced the Divine Networker working in your life? I’d love to hear your story. Why not click on comment and join the conversation.
Susan I am so excited to hear God tying all the bits and pieces of loose ends together and weaving it into something great. God has prepared for us good works to do an who ever is in the way will be caught up in it.
I am just in the beginnig of my networking. I have my first ‘Do Something’ core group meeting on June 21st. I am very excited since I have been praying for a year for this group to form. Looking back from December 2013 til now I see Gods fingerprints in all of this. Its amazing to see my obedience turning God into action. He is truly the great networker and preparing peoples hearts to fight modern day slavery. When the opportunity is given they will be ready to take a hold of it. This means I don’t have to worry or talk til I am blue in the face because God has alreay tied their hearts to His.
He has prepared the way!
Bravo, Mel. I believe you did the first thing first in stepping into the fight and that’s prayer. Prayer prepares the ground of life for a beautiful harvest. I’m excited for you and your “Do Something” group. PLEASE keep me posted on the work you’re doing. I love to hear how others are fighting this evil across the nation. Blessings to you!
It’s been a little over two years since I joined the fight against human trafficking and along the way God has placed so many people in my path. First, i was mentored by you; then I was connected with Shared Hope of whom I am an Ambassador of Hope. I have also connected with International Justice Mission and joined in with them to fight human trafficking. A few months ago I had an opportunity to meet and work with an awesome young lady who is in the process of setting up a safe house (Micah’s Promise) in Columbus, Ga for victims of DMST. She is working relentlessly to accomplish this and it’s amazing to watch her networking. She recently has come under the umbrella of Mary Francis Bowley/Wellspring Living. Mary Francis Bowley sent us an email about an opportunity to set up a training session with her and her people; talk about awesome timing! I am so amazed at how He can bring people together and orchestrate our lives to work together for His Kingdom work!
Oh, and also, recently I had an opportunity to correspond with our newly elected Mayor about bringing human trafficking awareness to our school system. She has put me in contact with a gentleman who works with the school system and I have contacted him concerning bringing this important issue to our educators and children in our middle and high schools. I can’t wait to see what God has in store in this area. Daily He crosses my path with people who are eager to learn how they can help in this fight!
Thanks for sharing Sandra. It helps to know we are not alone in this and there will be many opportuniites and avenues for us to walk on. I see your journey and it encourages me and excites me where He has placed you and moving you to conquer more territory. My fears have been settled, I will not be alone in this fight. He will give me what I need.
Thank you again for sharing.
Sandra. I’m so excited for all you’re doing to fight sex trafficking in your area. Let me know if you need any assistance training educators on the issue and the indicators to look out for in their students. I just finished training all of the elementary, middle and high school counselors in Cobb County about the issue and the indicators. I have a handout on my “free resources” tab for educators listing indicators. Feel free to print it out and distribute it if that would help.