Summation of a Life Well-Lived

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12).

For many years to come, we will hear stories of how our faithful Alliance colleague, Mary Crowgey—who died in her sleep in Burkina Faso early this year—assisted our students here.

I heard this story from one of our Alliance pastors in Bobo-Dioulasso last week.

No Opportunity

Mary hands a certificate to a high achiever at the elementary school she helped fund.

While visiting a village where he had previously served, Pastor Traore met a young boy attending his former church who told him he’d passed his sixth-grade exam. Yet because his parents were both dead, he couldn’t continue his schooling.

After some prayer and reflection, the pastor decided to open his home to the lad and offer to help support his education.

Sharing Responsibility

One day while Mary was visiting the Traore family home, she noticed the boy. When her host explained the situation, Mary said, “Pastor, let’s divide the responsibility; you provide him with food and lodging, and I will pay for his schooling.”

The two kept their commitment until the young boy, now a young man, finished teacher’s college and secured a job. Soon after he was employed, he visited Mary and gave her a small sum of money. “I want you to take this because you have helped me to earn a paycheck,” he urged.

Paying it Forward

A short time later, he brought a young boy to Mary’s home. “This is an orphan from my village,” he told her. “I am going to care for him and put him through school—in the same way you helped me.”

“Why don’t you let me pay for his schooling?” Mary asked.

“No,” he replied. “This is the best way for me to show you my gratitude—to do for others what you have done for me.”

Based on a report by Alliance international worker Esther Schaeffer, who serves with her husband, Andrew, in Burkina Faso, West Africa

Pray

Join the Alliance family in praying for our workers in Burkina Faso and worldwide, who are taking the good news—in word and deed—to some of the most spiritually dark places on earth. Use the Alliance Prayer Requests to assist you.

Learn More

Watch a video Esther Schaeffer produced for Mary Crowgey’s funeral and memorial services:

 

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