Impact Teams. Goody bags. Unexpected ‘hugs’ in the form of coffee cream, pumpkin spice, Starbucks coffee packets, Italian and Ranch Dressing mixes. One such ‘hug’ came to me via a team physician, Dr. Tim. He had a gift for me from his wife Julie. A Vera Bradley carry-all!! This has become my “keep this packed with everything I always forget to take to Ouagadougou with me” sack. Vera travels everywhere with me, as do the memories of this precious family: Dr. T, Julie, Andrew, Sarah and Matthew.

It can be the little things our Lord uses during a day of heaviness or disappointment or woe-is-me days to lift us up, dust us off, encourage our hearts and send us back to the battle.