Unthinkable Commitment

Grace Multiplied by Love

Have you ever committed to something challenging, despite not being fully prepared for it? Here’s a story that illustrates that feeling.

In 2021, my three-month-old nephew, Baby G, faced the possibility of being sent to a crèche when his mom had to return to work after maternity leave. Everyone else was busy, except me.

At the time, I was in a season of personal reflection, figuring out my own path. When I saw how hard it was for my sister to even consider sending Baby G to daycare, and how broken-hearted everyone was, something in me shifted. I told them, “I’ll stay home & take care of him.”

At first, I had no idea what I was doing. I had no experience in taking care of a child, but love for my nephew pushed me through. I wasn’t just caring for him—I was learning the meaning of grace. It was exhausting, but it also made me deeply happy. Why? Because I loved my nephew with all my heart.

Reflecting on this now, I see how those months shaped me. I realized that in those times, it wasn’t about being perfect, I just wanted to take care of him & I did. Everything else fell into place just at the right time. Then, just as I started to get the hang of it, my sister and her baby had to relocate.

Recently, I asked God to help me better understand the depth of His love, and He brought this experience to mind. It led me to ask some questions:

1. If we, imperfect as we are, go to such lengths to protect and care for our own, how much more will our Heavenly Father do for us?

2. If we push ourselves in exhaustion to meet our children’s needs, how much more will God provide for us?

My nephew may never fully understand the sacrifice we made for him, but I hope one day he will. And if I could do this for him, can I imagine what Jesus did for me, to help me experience the Father’s love and share it with others?

When I tell people that I’m working in one of the most remote areas of Nigeria, I often get questions like, “How do you cope?” or “When will you be done?” Some people may think missionaries are superhumans who thrive on suffering. But that’s not it. We see people in need of love—just like I saw my nephew—and we, as children of God, are called to show them that love. We may not always know what to do, but we’ve made an “unthinkable commitment” to love them on God’s behalf. The more we serve, the more grace is given to carry out the task.

Lessons Learned:

• Love is the motivation for service; forget perfection and focus on serving.

• Grace multiplies when love fuels your actions. When filled with God’s love, the impossible becomes possible.

• Every challenging task shapes us into who God wants us to be. They’re time-bound, but with availability, God helps us through.

Prayer Focus:

• Pray for my missionary team (7 of us), that we grow in understanding God’s love and become channels of that love as we serve others.

• Pray that the veil be lifted from the eyes of the people we serve, so they may embrace God’s love.

Prayer Update/Thanksgiving:

• Praise God for answering our prayers regarding MR. H, who is now in a discipleship and training school. Pray for his growth and that he will return to reach his community.

• Thank you to everyone who supported our base renovations!

• We are still trusting God for two bikes to help expand our outreach to more villages.

As John Piper says, “You’ll find out what your gifts are and what your calling is by embedding yourself in a local church and using whatever gifts God has given you to serve other people.” I’ll say this doesn’t happen in a local church but anywhere God places you!

Let’s heed the words of Romans 12:6-8:

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then encourage; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”

P.S. Thanks to everyone who’s checked in, shared updates, or prayed for me. You’re a blessing!

Until next month,

Iwanger ❤️