Not long ago, my wife and I took a scenic drive up the heart of Northern California on our way to visit her older brother in Oregon. The journey through Mendocino and Shasta-Trinity National Forests was breathtaking, with stunning landscapes unfolding around every bend.
We were about 20 miles from Crater Lake, winding through Siskiyou National Forest, when we spotted signs for the “Rogue River Gorge.” In Miami, we have plenty of “Georges” but no “gorges.” So without hesitation, we veered off the highway onto a picturesque side road leading to the viewpoint.
The gorge was nothing short of spectacular. Informational signs explained how it was carved out by an ancient volcanic eruption. Standing there, we were captivated by the roar and power of the river as it surged through the chasms. This might sound a bit funny, but as I took in this glimpse of God’s majesty, I applauded and said, “Way to go, God!”
At LOGOI, we love finding side-road adventures. As we carry out our ministry of helping “equip God’s people to do His work and build up the church, the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12), we’re thrilled whenever an unexpected opportunity arises to offer a “cup of cold water” (see Matthew 10:42).
One such opportunity involves Darlene, a ministry partner in California who crochets beautiful dolls. Crafting these dolls brings her great joy and is a peaceful respite as she cares for her ailing husband, a retired firefighter. “I pray over each doll I crochet,” she says, “asking God to let it be a ‘cup of cold water’ in Jesus’ name for a little child who needs it.” Our “Grandma Carolyn” has the joy of coordinating where these dolls are sent through our network of LOGOI national missionaries.
Recently, Darlene’s “cups of cold water” in the form of her handmade dolls reached Chiapas, Mexico, where our national missionaries serve children whose parents are often struggling with drug addiction. Another batch arrived in a poor, dangerous barrio in Ecuador, where our missionaries minister to families affected by theft and violence. Still more dolls were sent to Peru, delighting a group of children cared for by the women in the church, and another batch to the Wayuu Tribe in Colombia’s Guajira Desert, bringing joy to kids from impoverished families.
Over the years, our LOGOI Side-Road Adventures have included everything from wedding dresses and baseball equipment to water storage tanks, suit coats, pigs, handmade wooden toy cars, a motorcycle, a horse, and even a sonogram machine for a clinic—just to name a few. We never know exactly what God will do with these gifts, but our side-road adventures never fail to amaze us.
Would you like to be a part of a LOGOI Side-Road Adventure? It’s as simple as sending an email to “Grandma Carolyn” at GrandmaCarolyn@logoi.org. Perhaps your church has a “missionary closet,” or maybe you have a special hobby like Darlene with her dolls. It could be a wedding dress or a lightweight suit (perfect for Latin American climates) in great condition, just waiting in your closet.
Drop Grandma Carolyn an email and share your ideas. The process is straightforward: send your “cup of cold water” to LOGOI in Miami, along with funds to cover overseas shipping costs. (We recommend at least $100, which covers most lightweight boxes.) Any remaining funds after shipping go toward providing ongoing Bible resources for our national missionaries.
Your little “cup of cold water” might just leave you smiling—or even applauding—as God’s glory unfolds through His love and care for His children. And if you’re unable to send a physical gift, know that your financial contributions help our national missionaries proclaim the Good News in their communities.
Way to go, God!
Forever!
Ed Thompson
Beautiful video! I love reading the stories of God's love to these precious people~