I knew coming here I would be taught about the necessities of life, but I have been blown away by the number of blessings I have back at home. Simple things – silverware, shoes, showers – are hard to come by here. Seeing the needs that these beautiful people truly has been completely overwhelming. Going to visit a ‘Gogo’ (grandma) for a home visit and hearing about her life is almost too much to comprehend – it leaves me feeling numb. Eight grand babies and a few great grand all living in one ‘house’ – which in reality is a mud hut with one or maybe two rooms if they’re lucky…
Hearing the life stories of these woman who have lost over half of their children, have no money and just have faith that God WILL provide them with their next meal truly inspires me. Despite all of their worries, lack of resources, disease and starving appetites, their only prayer requests revolve around their grandchildren.
Yes, I somewhat knew what I was getting myself into, but I never knew I would feel so helpless in the midst of it all. All of the hurt, loss, and hunger seems so big and impossible to such a little me. But I know that while I am small, my presence here will be forgotten soon enough and I don’t have the capability to change things by any means, there is still a security in the amount of hope and love pouring out surrounding me. Nothing of myself, but the Holy Spirit that dwells inside of a child of God. He is the only thing that has the ability to impact this beautiful land with a mass of people longing for Him. We can do nothing without our Father.
Even something as silly as three little girls and a little boy yanking my hair in 8 different directions at a care point – I do not have the strength to endure that pain on my own (it seriously hurts…), but my Savior does… Taking 10 minutes attempting to teach a preschooler how to say please when they don’t know a word of English (and eventually succeeding!!!) – that’s the kind of patience and love that I do not have without the power of Jesus inside of me..
Jesus knows His land, His people and His Kingdom. He knows exactly what we need, when and why we need it. Something as small, but so significant as the breeze in this everlasting hot African heat, without it we would have all nearly passed out. It’s constant – as is His presence. No, I would definitely not have realized it/been as appreciative of it back in Texas, but here I thank Jesus daily (maybe hourly) for it. The refreshing rush of wind through my hair when walking to the railroad tracks with mountains surrounding me with some of the amazing people God has grown me with, I don’t know – there’s just something different here that I’ve never felt before.
I encourage you over the next week to praise Him in all you do, successes and failures. Acknowledge and thank him for all of the blessings He has given to you, whether it’s something as little as the napkin you use at the dinner table or as big as the beautiful family and friends surrounding you at that table. and remember, we are all just taking a seat at His table – for all we have has been given by our God.
