January 27, 2014

My wife and kids have shoes. They got them from me…

"The cobbler's children have no shoes" refers to the phenomena observed when people who are successful at doing something for others don't demonstrate that expertise in their own personal lives.

Ten years ago next month, I had an unusual convergence of curiosities that were orchestrated by Someone else. I was scheduled to be with Franklin Graham in Durban, South Africa in my role as Program Director for his evangelistic events, under the auspices of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. It was a long way to go for just a four-day event…

At the same time, a couple in Southern California were each participating in The Master’s Program: Gerda Audagnotti was being mentored by my wife, Cheri, and Ryan was in one of my groups. They were ex-pats from Johannesburg who had moved a few years earlier to Orange County, and turned their family home in Jo’burg into a group home for children orphaned by the HIV/AIDs crisis. That act of gracious hospitality had gained momentum: by the spring of 2004, they had four homes serving kids with nowhere else to go, and a Kingdom initiative was in full swing.

I had been to Africa numerous times, and Cheri had not, but was itching to go. We made plans for her to join me for the Durban Festival, and – in response to an invitation from the Audagnottis – we went to Africa a week early, allowing us a few days to visit their homes and see the calling they had cultivated through their act of generosity. God was at work…

Little did I imagine what would happen when we visited the kids at Acres of Love (acresoflove.org). Because of my calling – serving leaders back in America – and the calling I was exercising in my role with Franklin Graham (see BGEA article) – we had an unexpected exposure to an amazing Kingdom solution to the orphan crisis gripping the African continent. Between my calling in California and my calling in Durban, Cheri found her calling in Johannesburg…

Since that introductory visit, my wife has become an advocate for the children whose lives have been transformed by Ryan and Gerda’s incredible work in South Africa. She returns at least once a year, and has taken dozens of women on reconnaissance trips to see the work at Acres. They capture a vision for what they can do as ambassadors for kids with no hope apart from folks who love God and want to represent His love in practical ways, and create strategies for their continuing involvement.

Through her passionate engagement – and the hearts of the women she has exposed to Acres – many of the 28 homes now in the Acres system have been purchased, furnished and operated in service to the children who become part of their “Forever Home” solution. Both of my daughters have been there with her – and, back, numerous times – joining forces with their mom in championing the cause of the fatherless.

The women formed a virtual sorority – the Safari Sisters (safarisisters.org) – who live across America, but offer their influence to help raise awareness and support for kids in homes half-a-world away. Dozens of women have caught the Spirit; the next delegation leaves March 25th…

My daughter Shannon decided four years ago to turn her birthday inside-out: she asked friends who would have been at a party to put on their shoes and walk 50 miles in two days for the Acres kids, raising money from friends for their part. This week, she’ll do it again for the fourth time: 31 women will participate in the walk which is the equivalent of almost two marathons in two days (to sponsor). Daughter Erin will be among them, while waiting to hear from South Africa about her pending adoption: my next grandkiddo will be here soon.

They’re all amazing. They’re committed to the Kingdom; they’ve found one of the places where their Calling unleashes their greatest impact. The cobbler’s kids may be barefoot, but not mine…

Bob Shank