The last 10 years have been full of the hardest and simultaneously most rewarding adventures that God has ever invited me to join. Recently, someone on our team suggested that I reflect on 10 lessons that God has taught me during 10 years of leading 127 Worldwide. I accepted the challenge. This list is not exhaustive, but hopefully it will be useful and at the very least mildly entertaining.

Jordyne Carmack, Associate Professor at University of the Cumberlands and 127 advocate since 2012, has a powerful story about working alongside Peter Abungu from Swahiba Networks across the last nine years. Their friendship has resulted in spiritual growth for Jordyne, enhanced ministry for Peter, and a partnership that has served other 127 advocates, Swahiba’s staff, and the vulnerable who live in the slums of Kibera.

In episode 31 of Simply 127, 127 partner David Lara speaks about how he became involved with caring for the vulnerable in his home country of Guatemala. From his story, we can learn a valuable lesson about obedience in the face of overwhelming need.

While the local leader’s role in caring for the vulnerable is more direct, my role is to PRAY for local leaders, GIVE to the efforts of 127, GO and practice ministry of presence, and GROW in my understanding of healthy engagement with vulnerable communities outside my own cultural context. This indirect approach to advocacy preserves human dignity and shines the spotlight onto the true rescuer, Jesus Christ.

Have you ever stopped to consider how one decision can have a domino effect on so many other life outcomes that may have never unfolded otherwise? The last decade of my life and of 127 Worldwide has been shaped by an email I decided to respond to on a normal day in 2006.