Welcome to today’s reflection! We’re diving into one of the Bible's most powerful stories of transformation: Saul’s encounter on the road to Damascus. This event doesn’t just illustrate God’s unmatched ability to reach hearts—it also offers practical lessons for our daily lives and ministries.

Have You Ever Felt Distant from God?

Many of us go through seasons when God feels distant, where our prayers seem to echo back unanswered. Saul’s conversion in Acts 9 reminds us that no one is ever too far from God’s reach. Whether you’re early in your faith, serving others, or praying for someone who seems distant from God, this story holds encouragement and hope.

Saul’s Background: Misguided Passion

Saul was a fervent Pharisee and leader who, thinking he was defending his faith, pursued and persecuted early Christians. Armed with authority from religious leaders, he set out to silence believers. His story reminds us that sometimes, we may be confident in our convictions—only to later realize they don’t align with God’s true path.

Reflection Question: Have you ever been certain about something, only to see it differently as God worked in your heart?

The Damascus Encounter: When God Steps In

On the road to Damascus, Saul’s world turned upside down. Surrounded by a bright light, he heard a voice: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” It was Jesus, revealing Himself in a powerful, humbling way. This moment reminds us that no one is beyond God’s love, even those who seem to oppose Him.

Saul’s resulting blindness symbolized the spiritual blindness he’d been living in. His surrender during this time became the beginning of his journey into the light.

Reflection Question: Is there an area in your life where God may be guiding you toward a new understanding? How might a fresh perspective bring you closer to Him?

Key Lessons from Saul’s Story

1. No One is Beyond Reach
   Saul’s story illustrates that God’s love can reach all people, no matter how distant they seem.
2. True Vision Comes Through Surrender
   Saul’s physical blindness led to a deeper spiritual surrender, reminding us that growth often follows letting go.
3. Transformation is Possible for Everyone
   Saul’s journey from persecutor to preacher demonstrates the profound transformation possible through God’s grace.​

Reflect: Do you know someone who feels far from God? Take a moment to pray for them, asking God to reveal His love and grace in their life.
A Call to Action
This week, ask God to reveal His plans for your life. If Saul’s story resonates with you or brings someone to mind, consider sharing it—it might offer the encouragement they need.
Thank you for joining today’s reflection on Saul’s journey. This is the first in a series exploring his transformation into Paul. Next, we’ll see how God uses Ananias to guide Saul into his new calling. Until then, may God’s light guide you each step of the way.
 
uide you each step of the way.

At Beacon of Hope, our mission goes beyond simply meeting immediate needs—we’re all about raising up young men to become leaders who will transform their communities and, eventually, the world. It’s not about quick fixes or short-term goals; we focus on the long haul, building character and leadership skills that will make a lasting impact. One of the most powerful tools we use is storytelling, something deeply ingrained in the African culture. These stories aren’t just tales—they’re life lessons that these young men can carry with them as they grow into fathers, mentors, and nation changers.
One story we love to share with our guys starts with a man at the edge of a river, unsure how to cross. He watches another man navigate the rocks and, in doing so, learns how to cross himself—but more importantly, he learns how to show others the way. One of our alumni took this story and turned it into his own lesson for the younger guys, emphasizing the importance of teaching skills that last a lifetime rather than offering temporary solutions. This speaks directly to the heart of our mission—empowerment, self-sufficiency, and generosity. It’s about giving back, and that’s what we aim to instill in these future leaders.

At Beacon, we equip our young men with practical life skills—from how to take care of themselves to how to speak confidently in front of others. By their third year, they’re even preaching sermons, which really helps them step into their leadership roles. It’s amazing to see them grow. COVID might have slowed down some of our outreach plans, but the mission hasn’t stopped. These guys are still preparing to lead, inspire, and share the gospel in ways that will change lives.

I know firsthand how this works. Growing up shy, I never imagined I’d be living in Mozambique, doing what I’m doing now. But God’s funny that way—He puts us in places we didn’t expect. And like it says in 2 Timothy 2:2, the knowledge we gain is meant to be shared, so it can multiply. I’ve seen that truth play out in my life and in the lives of these young men. Each step we take is building something bigger, and I’m grateful to be a part of it.
As you think about your own journey, I encourage you to consider what wisdom or skills you’ve picked up along the way. How can you pass those on to others? It’s not about doing something huge—it’s about the little ways we can share what we’ve learned and let God use those moments to make a bigger impact.

If our mission at Beacon of Hope speaks to you, I’d love for you to get involved. Whether through support or prayer, you can help us empower these young leaders and build a brighter future. Visit us at www.beaconofhope-africa.org to learn more. Thank you for walking with us on this journey—together, we’re making a difference that will be felt for generations.

In a world that moves so quickly, waiting feels almost impossible, right? We’re used to getting things done fast—whether it’s food, information, or even solutions to our problems. But as believers, we’re called to see waiting differently. It’s not wasted time. In fact, waiting is often how God works in us, growing our faith and preparing us for something greater.

Why Waiting Feels Hard
We’ve all been there—waiting for that job, relationship, healing, or even just an answer to prayer. It’s tough. It can make you doubt and wonder what God’s up to. But believe me, you’re not alone in this. The Bible is full of stories about people who waited a long time and came out stronger because of it.

Learning from the Bible’s Waiters

• Abraham and Sarah waited for decades for God’s promise of a son. Their faith wavered, but in the end, God fulfilled His promise with the birth of Isaac.
• Joseph spent years as a slave and in prison before he rose to power in Egypt. His waiting period wasn’t just about suffering; it was about preparing him for leadership.
• David, the shepherd boy who was anointed king, waited many years before he actually sat on the throne. His story shows us that waiting refines us for the roles we’re meant to play.

What God Does While We Wait
So, what’s happening during these seasons of waiting?

• Spiritual Growth: God uses waiting to develop our character. As Romans 5:3-5 says, tough times build perseverance, which shapes our character and gives us hope.
• Dependence on God: When we’re waiting, it’s a reminder that we can’t rely on our own strength. Psalm 27:14 says to “wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage.”
• Preparation for the Future: Isaiah 40:31 tells us that when we wait on the Lord, we find renewed strength. Waiting is often God’s way of equipping us for what lies ahead.

 
How to Embrace the Waiting Season

• Trust His Timing: It’s hard to let go of our timelines, but Proverbs 3:5-6 calls us to trust in God, even when we don’t fully understand His plan.
• Be Active in the Wait: Waiting doesn’t mean doing nothing. Psalm 37:7 tells us to be still before the Lord, but we’re also called to keep seeking His guidance, praying, and serving where we are.
• Encourage Others: We’re not in this alone. Galatians 6:9 reminds us not to give up doing good because, in time, we will see the results. Supporting others who are also waiting can strengthen us all.

Final Thoughts
Waiting is tough, but it’s also one of God’s tools for growing us. The next time you find yourself in a waiting season, know that God is shaping you, preparing you, and working out His perfect plan in your life. Lean into Him, trust His timing, and stay encouraged—because the wait is never wasted.

​In today's world, it can be difficult to find ways to share our faith with others, but our everyday tasks can become powerful tools that we can use to teach about Jesus. Whether it's gardening or math class or critical thinking skills, we can use these experiences to nurture our personal relationship with Jesus and to share His message with others.
 
For example, the story of Noah's Ark not only teaches us about faithfulness, but it also showcases the importance of math in organizing and planning. By applying this to our everyday lives, we can teach others how to think outside the box and plan for success.
 
Gardening can also be used as a tool to teach about salvation and spiritual growth. Like a garden that produces fruit, we can nourish ourselves and others spiritually by reading the Bible, praying, and worshiping, ultimately producing the fruits of the spirit and sharing our experiences with others.
 
Galatians 6:9 tells us to not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we don't give up.  If you're struggling to share your faith with others, remember that within the ordinary lies the extraordinary. By using our everyday experiences as tools for growth and education, we can make a difference in the lives of others and strengthen our own relationship with Jesus.

Well lets try blogging once again. As you can see I have not posted since 2014. I hope you understand that each day brings unexpected turns and being the only missionary here and the founder, I ware many hats and lots of thins seem to go undone as time seems to disappear. I love sharing about BOHA and all God is doing and seems I am getting things a bit more organized. 
Currently our youth are on school break, but will return August 20th to start our third and last semester of school for the year. So right now the staff and I are taking a little time off to rest and make a plan for the next few months.

Keep praying for us and God bless you all!

Last month (June), we had the privilege of hosting 2 World Race teams.  We had 16 additional sets of hands around the property doing everything from preparing curriculum to teaching to painting.  They did an amazing job and filled the ministry with joy, love, and FUN!! Fun would be the word used to describe that month.  The boys had fun, we had fun, the teams had fun.  It was such a blessing to have their help, and they got so much accomplished!  

Now this is the hard part.  Transitioning from an action-packed month full of help and fun back to the daily grind.  It's a little too quiet, and there's just a little too much space around here.   We're taking a couple of weeks to recover (sometimes you just have to rest after all that fun!) and to get things organized in the office.  Then we will be picking up where they left off with teaching, fixing up the Hope House, and some community outreach.   We will always be excited to host other teams, but teams Lionheart and Reckless Pursuit will always have a special place in the hearts of the staff, youth, and us.  No one can ever replace you guys.  Thank you for all your hard work, loving spirits, and joyful attitudes!

This morning we had church with the staff and boys where we talked about tithes and offerings.  We really wanted to emphasize that it doesn't how much money you have; God desires all of us to give back to Him.  He wants us to tithe for the church to function, but He also wants us to give sacrificially to those in need.  He doesn't care the amount of money that is given; He only cares about your heart while you’re giving.  He desires and blesses sacrificial giving.  We talked about even though we meet to worship at the ministry it is still our church, and we are responsible for taking care of it.  We are going to start taking up offering every Monday morning during church so they have a chance to give their tithes and offerings back to God.  This not only lets them practice the Biblical principles of giving, but it also gives them a sense of pride and ownership of the ministry.  Everything they give will directly go back into the ministry.

Angie shared at the end about the two children she sponsors in an orphanage in Nicaragua through Globe Hope.  She said how her family supports a little girl, while she uses funds from Beacon of Hope to support a little boy.  One of the staff seemed really interested in how she did this.  She asked a bunch of questions about it.  Then after church, she came up to Angie and asked her to take out 100 Mets from her salary every month before she even receives it.  She wants 50 Mets to go to the little girl and 50 Mets to go to the little boy.  Obviously something stuck in what we were saying, and she was drawn to give to these angels half way across the world.

This stood out to me as a perfect example of how God desires us to give sacrificially.  A housekeeper in Mozambique helping take care of some orphans in Nicaragua is exactly what God intended.  It doesn't matter the size of the gift, it’s the heart behind it that makes it beautiful, pure, and holy in the eyes of the Lord.

After over two years of blog silence, we are back at the blogging game!  Now that there are an extra set of hands around here (intern Cathy), we are going to try to get this blog back up and running!  Because of the unseasonable flooding, we have been dealing with water all around our property and our community.  This not only causes delays in getting work done around here but also many other places.  Because of this water we've had delays getting all of our new youth here.  We have been waiting for the water to finally dry so that people can work and travel again as well as not get sick from the standing water.  During this waiting period, we have really been spending time getting stuff fixed up around the property and focusing on the staff.  We've really been praying that the Lord would come and fill the staff with a hunger for more of Him.  This will be a transformation not only in their lives but the ministry's life and the lives of the youth.  It will change the way they work and live out everyday.  We are praying that Beacon of Hope will be just that - a Beacon of Hope to the staff, community, youth, and other Mozambicans.  That it will be a place of healing, hope, restoration, peace, and rest.  That the Lord will dwell here and people will experience Him.  

Cathy has started a girls group with Enia and her friends.  So far there have been two meetings with the girls, and there are 4 girls coming.  It has gone well so far!  The first week, it was just an introduction time.  The girls loved asking Cathy questions, and we could hardly get them to leave.  Last week, the girls talked about Easter traditions, Mozambican and American, and learned the Easter story.  Some of the girls were really interested and asked tons of questions.  It is great to see their interest in learning more about Jesus and His life!  We are praying the group would grow, God-willing, and that the girls would start having real, personal relationships with Jesus.  Cathy is going to start a study on beauty this week that will hopefully last a couple of weeks.

Overall, things are going great!  We are praying for a lot of things and expecting God to provide for us in His unique way.  Check out our current prayer and financial needs!  Thank you for your interest in Beacon of Hope!  We'll try to keep the blogs coming so keep reading :)