Note From the Board – Shyla Samson – February 2025

‘Your Kingdom Come. Your Will be Done, On Earth as it is in Heaven.’ Matthew 6:10

By Shyla Samson

One of the supreme privileges of being servants of our amazing God of Reconciliation is the front row seat Okongo and I are so often given to watch people find freedom, healing, and reconciliation through the process of forgiveness. Recently, we were in East Africa equipping and empowering a young woman who was carrying a burden of rejection and abandonment by her mother who had given her away over a decade earlier. In all those years they had not seen or spoken to one another. We were able to arrange for a face-to-face meeting for this mother and daughter to begin the process of reconciliation. By God’s miraculous provision He had gone far ahead of us and had already prepared the heart of this mother to make a humble, thorough, and deeply genuine confession while also seeking the forgiveness of her daughter. While it was not easy or immediate for the daughter to extend forgiveness to her mother, it was very soon – just a matter of hours – after that initial meeting that God did a work in her heart, bringing her to the threshold of forgiveness. Below is this young lady’s own words describing her experience and what she has learned through the process of forgiveness. Enjoy and be inspired!

“As humans we’ve all experienced pain and hurt at some point in our lives. However, it’s how we respond to that pain that truly matters. In this article, I will delve into the transformative power of forgiveness and its profound impact on our lives.

“Stop putting offenders in a defensive position by asking countless ‘whys.’ This approach will only rekindle the pain. Instead, shift your focus and lower your expectations. Listen to God’s guidance – for your feelings, though valid, are secondary to His wisdom. As you grasp His message, you’ll begin to see the liberating power of forgiveness. In that moment, God will take control of your mind and emotions, empowering you to rise above the hurt.

“I can attest to the transformative power of forgiveness. In my own experience, I was convinced that I should listen to my heart and my feelings when deciding whether to forgive or not. I was plagued by countless ‘what ifs’; What if it doesn’t work? What if I get hurt again? But with guidance I was gently reminded that my feelings and thoughts don’t really matter when it comes to forgiving. The right question to ask should be, ‘What is God telling you?’ As I reflected on this, I realized I had prioritized my own feelings over God’s guidance. I asked for forgiveness, and Dr. Okongo and Mama Shyla, along with my colleagues, prayed with me. During our prayer, I distinctly heard a voice saying, “I forgive her.” Afterward, I felt an overwhelming sense of freedom and peace. It was an incredible experience, and I’m grateful for God’s endless mercy.

“[In your own journey of forgiveness and reconciliation] you’ll come to realize that the pain was a catalyst for transformation, allowing you to tap into your inner strength and shine brighter than ever before. This newfound radiance will illuminate the darkness, and you’ll be grateful for the journey that led you to this moment of triumph. All to His glory!” (Author’s name not mentioned for confidentiality)

The following morning this young lady called her mother and extended forgiveness to her. She also took the opportunity to ask for her mother’s forgiveness for her pride to have withheld forgiveness the previous day. It was a beautiful moment as we watched God lead and provide for two hearts to become free and at peace after over a decade unrest, lack of peace and pain. 

This is merely one experience of so many that are happening all around us, throughout the globe, on a consistent and even more frequent basis. We thank God for His redemptive and healing gift of forgiveness and reconciliation. We thank God for your partnership with Unite 4 Africa where all together we are fulfilling God’s Kingdom purposes here on Earth. We love and appreciate you!

Through your prayers and gifts of support for Unite 4 Africa. God is using you to bring freedom, forgiveness, and reconciliation to countless others. Thank you for considering how God will use you this month by visiting www.unite4africa.org/donate and sharing whatever gift He’s laying on your heart.