Derek and Shea in SA

a beautiful story from the banquet

This is a guest post from a dear friend and mother figure to Shea and I, Becky Kenealy. Her blog posts are amazing, and she has been amazing to us over the past year sending notes of encouragement and keeping up with not only what we're doing, but what's going on in our hearts. Her blog is unforcedrthymsofgrace.blogspot.com Enjoy the post as much as I did!

"tonite is the banquet for derek and shea poe, in S Africa. disappointed that none of my dearest friends will be there and wonder how much of that is on me? i pray and ask but wonder what is in my ask? in explaining to my beautiful Grand Emma there was this amazing and pure moment where in telling her my nervousness about asking my friends she kept asking WHY and every time in honestly answering her was another why and before i knew it i had shared all my fears with her and her innocently looking up at me and saying 'just a minute'.

see i told her it's about inviting your friends to a meal but at the end of the meal there is a moment where they will be asked to pledge a financial amount and it made me nervous asking them, even tho I believe in derek and shea alot and what they are doing in South Africa even more.

so she comes back w/this extra large glass piggy bank filled w/money and says..."Gigi i have been praying about what to do with this money and i 'think' i am supposed to give it to Derek and Shea." it was this amazing moment of i had explained it to her and You had her heart ready at 8 years old to understand the concept of 'giving', her parents had communicated already to her in her young life the value and importance of giving back to God what He has entrusted us with...so tonite she will be our guest at the banquet, i want her to listen and be sure.....so tonite i am praying for hearts like Emma's....like a child for all of us to listen to You speak through derek and shea....like children."

Stories like these are so priceless. When Shea and I first heard this story, our eyes filled with tears of joy, maybe even a little shame...I can't imagine having such a soft heart at the age of 8. I was saving money at that age sure...but it was so I could buy the next Ninja Turtle figurine or maybe even a couple GI Joe's. Little Emma's parents must be proud! Shea got the chance to talk to Emma on Saturday night (the night of the banquet) and Emma gave the piggy bank to Shea. Shea cried and Emma probably wondered why she was crying, but how can you not cry at an image so beautiful. Thanks Emma...you've taught us a lot through just having a child like heart.