There was a time when airline toiletries bags held a special place in my heart. They weren’t valuable in the conventional sense, but to me, they represented moments of God’s favor during my travels. Every upgrade to business class felt like an acknowledgment of His blessings—a gift I didn’t take for granted. The bags, filled with thoughtful items like socks, toothpaste, and combs, were tangible reminders of those moments.

In those days, flying frequently meant holding elite status with multiple airlines. I remember the excitement of waiting at the gate, listening for my name to be called for an upgrade. It wasn’t just about the extra legroom or recliner seats; it was the joy of feeling valued. The little toiletries bags became mementos of those times—tokens of a world that seemed to care about the details.

However, the world of travel has changed. Mergers, cutbacks, and shifting priorities turned those cherished upgrades into rarities. The bags, once thoughtfully curated, grew smaller and less meaningful. Yet, I kept collecting them. I thought of them as a way to document an era—a tangible record of how things had evolved. Each bag held a story, a memory of a trip, or a reflection of God’s hand in my journey.

When my parents went to be with the Lord in 2019 and 2021, life shifted and my perspective was reshaped.  They had left behind only a few possessions: some clothes, three well-worn Bibles, and a watch. Yet, those items carried a weight far greater than their physical form. They represented a legacy of faith, simplicity, and love—a treasure that couldn’t be measured in material terms.

Knowing what really matters in this life was reinforced during one of my regular walks in the neighborhood recently. A neighbor was unloading a truck into his garage. Curious, I paused and asked, “Are you moving out or moving more in?” My neighbor laughed and said, “These things belonged to my mother-in-law. She passed away, and we had an estate sale. What’s left, my sons and I are loading into the garage.”

He then asked, “Do you need anything?” I politely declined, and he sighed, gesturing toward the pile. “Our trash might be someone else’s treasure, but now it’s going into our garage, and my $60,000 truck will have to sit outside.” Shaking his head, he walked away to help his sons. I stood there for a moment, reflecting. I thought about how, one day, all our possessions could become burdens for someone else to sort through. I silently thanked God that my parents had left me something much greater than things to manage—they left me a legacy of faith.

That moment stayed with me. The importance of simplifying my life was underscored and I determined to hold onto what truly matters.   My collection of toiletries bags, no matter how much I thought they mattered, was just stuff. They weren’t adding value to my life or to the legacy I wanted to leave. I didn’t want my children or grandchildren burdened with unnecessary belongings or puzzled over why I had kept them.

With the help of a friend, I have started photographing and documenting the collection—capturing the memories and the stories without holding onto the physical clutter. Once this project is complete, I plan to donate the bags, if usable, to a mission house or the Salvation Army, where they can serve a practical purpose.

This isn’t just about clearing space. It’s about focusing on what truly matters. Life is not about the possessions we accumulate but the memories we create and the legacy of faith we leave behind. My parents taught me this, not only in their lives but also in their passing. They showed me that the most valuable inheritance we can leave is not things but a deep and abiding faith in God.  The scripture that comes to mind is Matthew 6:19-21 (NKJV): “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

This verse perfectly captures the lesson I have learned. Life is about storing up treasures in heaven—investing in what is eternal, not temporary. The things we leave behind should point to God’s faithfulness and love, not merely reflect a life of accumulating stuff.

As I let go of these bags, I feel a sense of peace. I’m reminded that life is about traveling light—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It’s about cherishing the journey, holding onto what is meaningful, and releasing what is not.

I hope this process leaves a lesson for my children and grandchildren. I want them to understand that life is about valuing the eternal over the temporary. The greatest treasures aren’t found in things but are the narratives and truths that point us to God’s faithfulness.

Pack light. Fly high. Hold onto what matters. Let go of what does not. This is the legacy I want to leave.

Phil 4: 11-12 “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

Often, when traveling internationally, I have to spend the night inside airport terminals. Once I arrive in Delhi, for example, I usually wait around seven hours, but there, they have lounges and restaurants open all night. However, this experience at JFK Terminal 8 was new—the airport turned into a lonely, empty place.

After 31 long hours of travel, including a sea journey from Freetown to Lungi in Sierra Leone, and air travel with layovers in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso and Istanbul, Turkey, I finally landed at JFK Airport around 10:30 p.m.—only to learn that the airport was closing for the night. My next flight was at 6:00 a.m., but the airport wouldn’t reopen until 4:00 a.m. Like many U.S. airports, the ticketing area at JFK didn’t have chairs, so I prepared to spend the night on the floor, moving around as the night cleaning crew made their rounds.

The challenge of trying to rest on a hard floor while keeping an eye on my three pieces of luggage was uncomfortable, to say the least. Eventually, things quieted down, and I tried to make a makeshift pillow with my backpack. I noticed some travelers who seemed unfazed, able to sleep and even snore amid the bustling airport. As I struggled to find even a few minutes of rest, a thought came to mind.

God reminded me of people I just met in the slums of Freetown. In a place filled with all kinds of noises—loud music, shouting, crying—many are able to sleep deeply, unbothered by their surroundings. Here I was, frustrated by a fellow traveler’s snoring or the sound of a cleaning crew’s music, while others, even in far more chaotic environments, could rest in peace.

This moment took me back 44 years to when I was 16 years old. After a hot Indian summer day and a busy day of work, as a young lad, I would come home, change out of my work clothes, slip into shorts, and prepare my sleeping spot. We didn’t have air conditioning, and we couldn’t use the fan much, as the electric bill would go too high. My parents didn’t have much income, and I contributed a little to help. That was enough to feed all eight of us and cover rent. The fan was a luxury expense. On many occasions, my mother would turn the fan on, only for my father to turn it off once we were asleep. My way of coping was, I would take a Kerala towel, which is more like a cheesecloth, wet it, squeeze it, shake it dry, and spread it on our cement floor to sleep. That was the best cool floor. That simple setup gave me the best rest. Psalm 4:8: “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety”

Yet here I was, using my jacket to keep warm on the granite floor of Terminal 8 and struggling to find comfort.

Reflecting on these experiences, I realized how much our environment and expectations can shape our ability to find peace in rest.

Maybe it was easier to sleep on that cement floor because it was familiar, comforting in its simplicity. Or maybe I had learned then to embrace the moment, letting go of expectations.

This experience reminded me that rest doesn’t always come from having perfect conditions. Sometimes, it’s about letting go, accepting where we are, and finding peace amid discomfort. And perhaps, in those moments, God whispers a reminder of all we have been given, teaching us to be content and grateful wherever we find ourselves—even on a cold airport floor.

During my visit to the churches among the Akha people of Thailand, I was gifted a unique messenger bag – a colorful cloth bag with a strap to hang on the shoulder. By the end of this journey, my wife and I had received 16 of these bags as gifts.

Different cultures offer various tokens of hospitality to visitors. In parts of Sri Lanka, you are welcomed with a garland of flowers, while in other places, a shawl is placed on your shoulders. However, the gift of this cloth bag was particularly unique.

Our Frontline director explained the bag’s significance. He illustrated how his community of Akha people is dispersed across five nations, facing seven borders. “Our people once gathered poppies grown for the opium trade and collected them into these bags to sell. For decades, that was our means of survival. It only led to our enslavement. When the Gospel came to our people, we were liberated. Now these bags carry Bibles. It’s our new identity as Christians.”

The Akha people no longer grow or sell opium. Instead, they carry Bibles on their shoulders. The bag has become a significant symbol of their changed lifestyle. Reliance on God has replaced reliance on the drug opium.

Tell us more about what we can do for you

https://alphaministries.com/gifts/frontline-messenger/

Stand with Refugees: A Call to Prayer and Support on World Refugee Day
Today is World Refugee Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness and support for those around the world who have been forced to flee their homes due to war, conflict, or persecution. The plight of refugees is a global crisis, affecting millions of people, including more than 365 million Christians who suffer persecution and discrimination, often living as internally displaced individuals desperately seeking safety and assistance.

The Urgent Need for Prayer and Support
In countries like Myanmar and Pakistan, and in many regions like Manipur, India, Christians face severe persecution. They are forced to move from place to place, seeking refuge and support amidst unimaginable hardships. On this World Refugee Day, we are called to stand with our persecuted brothers and sisters in prayer and action.

Let us pray together for:

• All Refugees Fleeing Violence and Hardships: Pray for peace, protection, and provision as they navigate through the challenges of displacement and persecution.
• Christians Facing Persecution Globally: Pray for their safety, courage, and unwavering faith in the face of trials.
• Healing and Restoration: Pray for emotional and physical healing for those who have endured great suffering.
• Alpha Ministries: A Beacon of Hope
• Alpha Ministries is committed to supporting needy regions in the global south, where many face extreme hardships. Our MAPS (Mission Assisting the Persecuted Saints) program provides crucial support to those in desperate need. On this World Refugee Day, your gift can make a significant impact.

For an investment of any amount, you can help provide:

• Shelter: Safe housing for displaced families.
• Relief Kits: Essential food and supplies for daily sustenance.
• Medical Assistance: Healthcare services for those in need.
• Trauma Counseling: Emotional and psychological support for those suffering from severe distress.
• Join Us in Making an Impact
• Hebrews 13:3 reminds us to stand with the suffering in empathy through prayer and action. Your support can bring hope and healing to countless lives. Join Alpha Ministries today in showing the Body of Christ that we care deeply for them. Together, we can make a profound difference in the lives of persecuted Christians and refugees worldwide.

How You Can Help
Pray: Dedicate time to pray for refugees and persecuted Christians.
Provide Relief: Contribute to Alpha Ministries’ MAPS program to provide essential support.
Spread Awareness: Share this message with your community to raise awareness about the plight of refugees and the need for collective action.
On this World Refugee Day, let us unite in compassion and solidarity, bringing hope and relief to those who need it most. Together, we can make a lasting impact.

For more information and to make a donation, please visit Alpha Ministries.