The Ripple Effect

Have you ever tried to skip a stone across a pond or a lake? Maybe you've been successful, or perhaps you haven't, but whether your rock lands with a smooth bounce or a loud plunk, you will see tiny ripples grow and spread, moving across the water's surface. 

Like ripples on a lake, one small, seemingly insignificant action can widely affect those around us, especially when God is involved. 

Gayle Haberkam has served as a nurse in the jungles of Thailand for over a decade, but many years before she went to Thailand, God impressed her to give Bible studies to a young woman named Melissa. Gayle didn't think Melissa was very interested in the Bible studies, especially at first. Still, unbeknownst to her, God was doing something much more significant in Melissa's life than she had realized. 

Gayle with some of the children she serves in Thailand

Melissa was exposed to Christianity as a child, although she wasn't raised in a Christian home. One night, she prayed to God and asked Him, "Lord? What is the truth? Show me the truth." Within a day or two, she discovered that someone (Gayle) had offered to give her Bible studies. She knew God was answering her prayer. 

As Melissa went through the Bible studies with Gayle, she became excited about what she was learning. Later, she went back into the world. But the seeds that had been planted were still there.

Many years later, Melissa had a husband, Sam, and children. "We weren't going to church, or anything, and my life was a mess, and his life was a mess." She said.

She fell into addiction and tried to quit but ended up hiding it instead. When her family discovered her addiction, she realized she had to stop. That night, she prayed, “Lord, if You please take this from me, I will always give you the glory." From that day on, God gave her the victory. 

In 2010, she was talking with her husband about the Sabbath. She was overjoyed to discover he had been reading his Bible secretly and concluded on his own that the Sabbath was on Saturday.

Because Gayle was willing to give Melissa Bible studies when she needed them, Melissa's family is in the church today. Melissa and her family were always grateful to Gayle, and God allowed them to bless her in return.

Melissa and her husband Sam with two of their children sharing their testimony at FaithCamp

Years before he and Melissa married, Sam had purchased some property in the country. Through a series of events, the property ended up becoming landlocked. Sam and Melissa wished to sell the land, but who would want to buy property without direct road access? Apparently, no one. For ages, the land would not sell. Finally, they decided to give it to the Lord. "Lord, if You want this property to be sold," they prayed, “then You'll have to sell it for us, and we'll give all the money to Gayle because she's the one that brought us to You." 

Less than a week later, they sold the property. Sam and Melissa invited Gayle to their home for dinner the next time she was in their area and put the money in a card for her. 

Gayle was so surprised when she opened the card with a check for $25,000. "I was so weak, I had to sit down," Gayle shared. "Tears just flowed out of my eyes. I said, 'Are you sure? You must have made a mistake; it's too much money.'" Gayle was traveling back to Thailand the next day, and little did they know that she greatly needed that money. God also used it to confirm His leading Gayle back to Thailand during a challenging time. 

Sam and Melissa were so happy that God had blessed them with the privilege to give back to Gayle. They have continued to follow God, share their testimonies with many others, and have Bible studies in their home. "It's just a privilege to be a tool that the Lord was able to use," Sam said. 

So today, as God gives you the opportunity, give that Bible study; help the old lady with her groceries; tell someone that Jesus loves them. God only knows how the small actions we make each day can make an eternal difference. 

We were privileged to hear Melissa's family share their testimony during one of Gayle's presentations at FaithCamp Tennessee. Please click here to hear them share the rest of their testimony. 

Please click the button below if God is leading you to support Gayle's ministry in Thailand.