Gratitude for Mrs. Grace

This month our Vision Trip team visited Mrs. Grace and her family. We are so grateful to Mrs. Grace for her excellent volunteer work for the past 5 years.

“If in my time as a child we had organizations like A2S striving to develop children wholesomely and offer scholarships to them to go through tertiary education, my life would have been so much better but I am glad that my children get to experience such a wonderful initiative, that is why I pray for Access to Success every day.”

Meet Mrs. Grace, a shining example of love and selflessness. Mrs. Grace operates a shop where she sells popular household goods. She leaves her shop early on Wednesdays to clean dishes for the kids at A2S. Whenever she is on duty, she gives her work her full attention. Her children, Divine and Rejoice, attend the After School Academy. When she joined Access to Success five years ago, she was expecting her last child, Testimony. Mrs. Grace first learned about Access to Success from her church, Gospel Life Bible Church, which has served as a location of A2S After School Academy over the last ten years. She then made up her mind that she wanted to be a part of what A2S was doing because she had never seen an organization like it before. When the After School Academy called for volunteers, she signed up right away and has been appreciative of the opportunity ever since.

Her delight knew no bounds when she unexpectedly received a visit from A2S President Andrew Lovedale, US Team member Laura Knight, and A2S consultant Erica Madden. Mrs. Grace’s three children, Divine, Testimony, and Rejoice, were the first to greet them with big bear hugs when they arrived. Divine, the oldest child (featured for FaithFuel this past April), has always looked up to Andrew Lovedale as his role model. Divine wants to play either basketball or football in the future, though he secretly wishes he could play both sports. Mrs. Grace never imagined that the president of A2S and the US team would be sitting in her living room checking in on her family.

Mrs. Grace benefitted from the A2S COVID relief program during the lockdown. This program helped to feed hundreds of families through several months with food items. She and her husband shared their gratitude with the team for how this helped them through a very tough period. They have yet to see another organization treat the vulnerable with the same level of affection as A2S.

Mrs. Grace is confident that Access to Success will continue fostering community growth and improving the lives of Nigerian children and their communities with the addition of the new Youth Center. In her own words, “If in my time as a child we had organizations like A2S striving to develop children wholesomely and offer scholarships to them to go through tertiary education, my life would have been so much better but I am glad that my children get to experience such a wonderful initiative, that is why I pray for Access to Success every day.” She also mentioned her love for all Access to Success programs because it is something her generation lacked.

“Access to Success places their faith and confidence in the Lord. I hope they would grow like a tree planted by a body of water that spreads its roots along a stream and does not tremble in the presence of heat. It never fails to give fruit and is unaffected by drought. Amen.”

Watch this video to listen to a worship song shared on our team’s visit…

A Note from Erica Madden

Our Vision Trip team visited with Mrs. Grace and two other families this past month on their visit to Benin City. Here is a note from A2S FaithFuel member, consultant, and volunteer, Erica Madden after visiting the homes of three families that we serve:

Visiting the homes and families of our FaithFuel kids always brings up so many emotions. It is so difficult and heartbreaking to see the conditions under which many of them live. It is humbling to feel the gratitude that just pours from every family member for the ways A2S supports them. It is inspiring to witness how they embrace the opportunities presented in spite of all the basic needs battles they face each day. It is encouraging to hear the kids share their dreams and learnings from the After School Academy. During the visits, I’m reminded of the circle of love that is fueled by this dedicated community. These families are praying for us in the same way we are praying for them. Our financial resources create opportunities for these kids, but even more importantly, our commitment makes them feel seen, loved, enough. Thank you fellow FaithFuel members. Let’s keep doing more together.

Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

-Psalm 119:105