I'm No Longer the Same

I just returned yesterday from a wonderful week in Ruiru, Kenya serving with my brother Wynn and Huruma International Ministries at the Bethel Children’s Centre. It was there that I met the most amazing people, Andrew and Agnes Mukumbu. They run the orphanage which cares for more than 60 orphans and educates them along with hundreds of other children at their school. 
Prior to our journey, I asked the Lord to give us the grace to encourage the children and workers at the Centre through the fellowship of His Spirit and through the love of Christ. While we were hoping to encourage them, I found they actually encouraged me.
 
The highlight of the week was to hear the children sing. My favorite song they sang was “I’m No Longer the Same”. Here are the words:
 
Before I gave my life unto Jesus
I was nobody to be considered
I ran away without peace in my heart
I’m no longer the same
                         
​I’m no longer the same,
I’m no longer the same               
He has changed my life and given me a new name
I’m no longer the same
                          
Let the poor say I am rich
Let the weak say I am strong
Let the strong say I am born again,
I’m no longer the same

I’m no longer the same,
I’m no longer the same
He has changed my life and given me a new name
I’m no longer the same
 
This week I was reminded of some wonderful truths:

• How can an orphan with little material resources sing with such joy? Romans 15:13:  “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  I think it’s because their true worth is defined by their true need and their Savior’s ability to fully meet that need. It’s as true for the orphan in Kenya as it is for the old guy from Watkinsville, Georgia.
• Who we are is defined by who or what we worship. If we have been reborn in Christ, we are no longer the same. It’s how we are defined. Not by our relative circumstances of weakness or poorness or even strength but by our own standing with Him. We have worth because of Him and His atoning death on the cross. Romans 5:6-8.
• No matter where you live on the earth or your station in life, we all have the same need. We all need a Savior. We are all aware of a debt that must be paid, and we innately know that we are not qualified to pay it. Colossians 2:13-14.
• Psalm 68:5 says that God is the “Father of the Fatherless”. He doesn’t need us to provide for orphans, yet He commands us to do so (James 1:27) and when we obey, we are blessed. Job 29:11-12.

 
I know I was blessed beyond measure this week, and I walked away no longer the same.
 
I’m thankful to the children at the Bethel Children’s Centre for these reminders. I am also grateful for Andrew and Agnes and their incredible life changing work at the Centre. In addition, I am thankful for my brother Wynn and his wife Angela and for their ministry, Huruma International Ministries. It was easy to see the tangible impact that is being made.
 
If you are looking for an opportunity to make an eternal investment in a ministry that is making an impact for God’s kingdom, please consider joining with Huruma International Ministries.  Of your contributions, 100% goes directly to support Bethel Children’s Centre in Ruiru, Kenya. You can make a difference. Maybe more importantly, please consider putting Andrew, Agnes, Lillian, the staff at Bethel, and the children on your prayer list. May God bless you as well as the children and staff at Bethel Children’s Centre.
 

Author

Scott Shuford lives in Watkinsville, Georgia and is a member of Watkinsville First Baptist Church.