Here’s a testimony about BGR’s In-Home Care Kit project from Judy Piette of Eagles Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough, Ga.:

I have an awesome story to tell of God’s faithfulness to answer sincere prayer.

I read the book “The Hole in our Gospel” by Richard Stearns, who is the president of the Christian relief organization, World Vision. The book describes terrible world problems such as poverty, illiteracy, and diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. It challenges us as Christians to commit to do something to help.

Judy Piette and her daughters, Leda (left) and Lela, pose with contents for In-Home Care Kits packed by their church, Eagles Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough, Ga.

So I prayed and asked God what He wanted me to do. The part in the book that most touched me was the HIV/AIDS victims in Africa. The statistics are staggering, but the story of children caring for their dying parents broke my heart! I have been called upon four times in my life to help someone die. Even with my medical training, modern conveniences, help from Hospice, and support I needed, it was still a VERY difficult thing to do.

I just imagined these children in such poor conditions trying to care for their dying loved ones and I wept and wept. I then sincerely begged God to show me how I could help a dying AIDS patient in Africa. I promised God that I would do anything and to please show me what to do and how to do it.

Three days later, I was stopped by our children’s minister at church. She said, “Judy, I know that you have done recreation in VBS for years, but I was praying and really felt led to ask you to do the missions study this year.” I accepted and she gave me the Missions Rotation Leaders Guide. When I got home, the first thing I did was look in the back of the book to see what the mission project would be. Imagine my shock when I read, “Partner with Baptist Global Response in the In-Home Care Kit Project. It is a compilation of medical and hygiene supplies provided to caregivers who are taking care of terminally ill patients.” AIDS patients in Africa!!!

As I said at the VBS Family Night, “You can’t make this stuff up!” God directly and quickly answered my prayer. I had a joy and excitement to tell the children to bring in their money for the kits. I have purchased and packed and prayed for each of the 11 kits, and I have shared this story many times. I turned in the kits on 8/3, but I will continue to pray for the people who will receive the kits and that the kits will bring help, hope, and the message of salvation to many.

I can’t wait to see what God has for me next!