Attitude of Gratitude
A spirit of giving often becomes contagious. One good deed may spur another, creating a never-ending circle of generosity, gratitude and loving one’s neighbor.
Last year IMB missionaries Quinn and Martha Morgan, who have served at the Baptist Publishing House in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, for 32 years, helped coordinate a food project with Baptist Global Response (BGR) that spawned a heart of service among a group of widows.
Several churches were selected to receive the BGR food parcels, including Mpopoma Baptist Church, where the Morgans had ministered more than 25 years.
Church leaders were asked to find widows they felt were most in need. Many times, the church distributed several parcels that would benefit more than the recipients.
“The amazing thing is they may divide the parcels and 37 people get packages,” Quinn Morgan said. “They’re sharing in the community, so it’s been exciting to see at least some of them catching a vision to help others.”
Morgan remembers what Evelyn Lunga, 60, shared with him after he helped deliver food. “‘When you came we didn’t have any food in the house,’” recalled Morgan from Lunga. “‘We asked the Lord how we were going to feed our children.’”
Margaret Silundu, 59, also received food from the project. “Mr. Morgan came by that day and I had nothing in the house,” she said. “I thank God for helping me; without God I would have died.”
Martha Morgan recalls the day the food was taken to these widows and the joy they expressed upon receiving it. “It was really rewarding to be part of it,” she said. “They got their hymn books out and got down on their knees to thank the Lord.”
Lunga, Silundu and other widows were eager to show more appreciation for the food God provided by volunteering their time at the publishing house however they could be used.
The women began cleaning the publishing house on Saturdays but soon a new BGR project was presented to the women to assist with.
Schools in the villages needed exercise books for students to complete their lessons in. BGR quickly developed a project to provide 250,000 exercise books with five different titles for the students, many of whom are orphans.
The exercise books come in five variations, each with a story and Bible lesson printed on the inside covers. The stories include topics such as making positive life choices and how one’s attitude affects actions. Inside, the books contain blank notebook paper.
“It’s not just a book going out to kids to fill out their math or their geography,” Quinn Morgan said. “It has God’s Word on there and we hope that will change their lives.”
As the women continued volunteering at the publishing house, Morgan approached them about helping with the exercise books. “They got excited about that,” he said. “It’s just an attitude of gratitude to help us and the young people in the country.”
The women learned how to assemble the books and prepare them for delivery the following week. “These ladies helped get the job done and helped us keep costs down,” Mark Hatfield, BGR Africa Director, said. “Their giving what they had to give, their time, was an example of what Biblical giving is all about.”
The Morgans saw a great need at Matshetshe Primary School and chose it to be a recipient of the exercise books. “When we first went there the teachers were discouraged and rightfully so,” Martha Morgan said. “You can see their spirits lift and their excitement now; there’s a definite change in attitude in the villages and the staff and the students in the school.”
Siponginkosi Mguni, a second grade teacher, expressed her appreciation for the BGR project. “We are very thankful to those who have assisted us for the pupils,” Mguni said. “Thank you very much for the good job you have done for our school.”
The BGR projects in Zimbabwe continue to have lasting effects on the people who have been helped. “I think when Baptists here and others see outsiders care it really encourages them because they realize they’re not by themselves, they haven’t been abandoned,” Quinn Morgan said. “Even though things economically are very tough they realize the Lord can still provide for our needs.”
For more information about the needs in Zimbabwe, or to give to the Zimbabwe Disaster Response fund, visit www.gobgr.org or write
Baptist Global Response
Zimbabwe Disaster Response Fund
402 BNA Drive, Suite 411
Nashville, TN 37217
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