The Plaque

A good friend of ours is a photographer and has been working with Family Legacy for years.  He is in Zambia right now.  Martin got the following text and pictures from him a few days ago:

"Hey friend, just wanted to share something with you.  I am in Zambia and just so happened to be down by Brexton's House this afternoon as a guy was installing the plaque by the door.  After he left, I took some photos of the house and plaque.  Some girls approached from a nearby house (at Tree of Life Children's Village), apparently on a reconnaissance mission.  They looked at the plaque for awhile, and I heard them try to sound it out.  "Breck-stone.  Breck-stone's House."  I helped them out with the pronunciation.  "Brexton.  It's Brexton's House."  They pronounced it again, then went running back toward their house, shouting to announce to all the other kids the unveiled name of the newest house in the village.  "Brexton!  It's Brexton's House!"  His name has already begun to be spoken by the kids here, and his name will have a lasting impact on the identity of these kids.  The name Brexton will be synonymous with shelter, security, hope and love to many orphans over the years."

As soon as I read this message tears began to flow!  I began imagining these girls shouting Brexton's name throughout the village.  There has always been something powerful about his name.  We named him even before he was born.  From that moment on his life and his name has brought the HOPE of Jesus to many, me included.  HOPE...the joyful anticipation of God doing good on our behalf.  HOPE is not wishful thinking, it is a strong confidence in God that steadies us in the storm and keeps us from being tossed all over the place when things get tough.  "Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence, comfort and encouragement as we hold to the HOPE that lies before us.  This HOPE is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.  It (HOPE) leads us through the curtain into God's inner sanctuary."  Hebrews 6:18-19   If you have been in a hard place like we have, go ahead and get your HOPES up once again!  Let HOPE rise up inside of you and begin to joyfully anticipate what God is going to do on your behalf!  Then one day soon you'll be in the same place we are, in awe that through the heartache and pain of death God brought forth life and joy in ways we could have never anticipated!

We chose Luke 2:52 to go on the Brexton's House plaque as a declaration and prayer over these boys, that they will follow in the footsteps of Jesus from Luke 2:52 and "grow in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men" changing their village and nation in the process!