By Ed Lyons
In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, who was always doing good and helping the poor. – Acts 9:36
On a recent trip to Africa, I spent time with PPF Director, Matt Chancey and his family, who live in Nairobi. They have a very large tree in their front yard that their children love to climb. The only problem is that the first branch is a good six feet off the ground, making it seemingly impossible for the children to start their initial ascent. So, during my visit, I became a human elevator, repeatedly lifting them up one at a time to the first level.
Eventually, I was able to teach the children how to climb up to the first branch on their own. Within a few days, one of the girls mastered this new and valuable skill. She then proceeded to demonstrate the method to the others until they also could climb up without any help.
Belle and Felicity (in tree) Chancey
Persecution Project Foundation is all about giving persecuted individuals a “boost up.” Our ultimate desire is that they become trainers and teachers themselves and that their lives might become an example for others to follow.
The best example is Jesus. His disciples called Him “Teacher” for good reason. He lived amongst them for years and, among other things, gave them an in-depth education on Who God is, what their priorities should be, and how they should treat others. But His desire was that they become like Him, so that His teachings would be replicated many times over.
In John 13, Jesus tells the disciples, “You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” (vv 13-17)
The old saying is true. “Give a man a fish, and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he eats for a lifetime.” We want that man to go one step further. We want him to teach others how to fish, so that they also might eat for a lifetime.
