Now before I go too far, I will make this painful admission now. We are among the richest in the area in which we live. Though we have not been to all the homes, I feel pretty safe in saying that. This is not to brag at all, because I would venture to say that all Americans who have a job and live in a house, rental or owned, are as wealthy if not wealthier than those we live around. Anyone who has been to a third world country knows this. I felt like I needed to say that before going into what I really needed to say.
We live in a town that is very much a mix of statuses. Where we lived before, in the capital, it was a mix, but there were streets between those who had much and those with not so much. Here is very different, because you have a hut essentially right next to a very nice house.
On one side of us is a home built much like ours, with a cement wall around it, since it has the same landlord. The husband is a doctor who travels a lot and has his own car. His wife and children are there all the time and have a househelper. The children go to the private Catholic school, not because they are Catholic but it is seen as a better education, which costs money. They have a television and refrigerator, thus they have electricity, and they have running water. They have nice furniture and are very comfortable.
Yesterday I was invited into another compound by a lady who lives there. All I knew of it was the wood thatch fence and one of the young men that lived there. As we walked into the compound, she went straight to the cement building in the center. As I approached the entry way, I saw that there were four doors, each with it's own lock. She told me she rents her room. It was dark, because she has no electricity and the sun was going down. I did not notice the well as we went into the compound, but I know there must have been because there was no running water. There were no windows to speak of. She invited me to sit with her on her mattress (not bed), one of two in the room, her only furniture. She had a sheet hanging up separating her "room" from the "children's room". She is a widow with several children. She said she had no food for her family and asked me for work. I found myself very uncomfortable and almost speechless as I sat in the most humble of surroundings. She said her knees hurt, likely arthritis. I prayed for her body to be well and that she would have peace, especially as a widow. I tried to go a short time later to take her some food but she was not there. Despite her situation, she was not embarrassed to invite me in to her home, but she did so warmly.
Even as I write this, I contemplate the humble entrance of our Lord into this world. There was no mattress and no curtains. Nothing but the hay for the animals. "Away in a manger...."
About Me
- Lisa
- Hello, I am a mother of three living with my husband in Africa. I have been blogging for seven years but still find myself very technologically challenged. I make lots of mistakes, but life is a journey. Come join me on the journey!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
More opportunities for prayer!
Well since I went into the details of trying to make visits to new homes and still make visits to the ones we have met in the last post, I will not revisit that here. However, I will let you know, that often the person you first make contact with in a home seems to be your strongest contact and you get nailed down as a friend to that person. Early on, like the first week, as we walked as a family, we found a home where there were men and women and children out in the street with whom we could talk. It seemed the perfect place to stop. It actually wound up being a combination of two households. The one most interested in holding a conversation with me was an older teenage girl. It was ok, since I needed the language help and she was willing to without wanting me to make her a paid teacher. She helped me interpret from our other language, and I helped her with her English a bit. But when it comes to making an impact on a household, we really want to focus on the older generations. Plus, I would rather have a friend my age or same station of life. But once again, a contact is a contact, no matter the age.
Well on subsequent visits, the young girl was unavailable, out studying for school or something. So I began talking to whomever was there. Once it was the grandmother in one of the homes, who was so helpful by telling the names of everything that was around us, from things on the ground to the animals going by us. Sometimes it was only one lady who did not talk much, but at least I was able to hear them talk some to the other neighbors as they passed and we talked about the children playing.
On Friday, it started out like that but did not end there. The lady who was out front invited me in to greet the matriarch of her home and a lady they had visiting. I greeted the matriarch, who I had met once before. (It made me feel better, because she did not remember my name. I often forget theirs when I meet so many but get so embarrassed about it.) I also greeted the lady they had visiting. She proceeded to bless me and our family, though it was the first time we had met. Then after a time I went back out side, so I could watch the children, ie make sure Mariama was playing nice.
After a while one of the other ladies from the house across the way came out just to greet me, before going back to what she was doing. A short time later, someone from behind the fence was trying to get my attention. I went over to greet whoever it was, and it was the grandmother from the previous visit. We chatted about things for a while. Then she shared with me how she had broken her hip 9 months ago and that it still hurts so much. It hurts when she lies down and she has to use a cane to walk. She had never shared any of this with me before, and I had just figured it was normal old age. I took the opportunity to pray with her, for which she was very grateful. Open doors with a woman of influence, praise Him! Ask the Father to provide more open doors and the opportunity to share more with these homes. Ask the Father to give her relief from her pain, so that she can rest better, and may she know it is Him.
Well on subsequent visits, the young girl was unavailable, out studying for school or something. So I began talking to whomever was there. Once it was the grandmother in one of the homes, who was so helpful by telling the names of everything that was around us, from things on the ground to the animals going by us. Sometimes it was only one lady who did not talk much, but at least I was able to hear them talk some to the other neighbors as they passed and we talked about the children playing.
On Friday, it started out like that but did not end there. The lady who was out front invited me in to greet the matriarch of her home and a lady they had visiting. I greeted the matriarch, who I had met once before. (It made me feel better, because she did not remember my name. I often forget theirs when I meet so many but get so embarrassed about it.) I also greeted the lady they had visiting. She proceeded to bless me and our family, though it was the first time we had met. Then after a time I went back out side, so I could watch the children, ie make sure Mariama was playing nice.
After a while one of the other ladies from the house across the way came out just to greet me, before going back to what she was doing. A short time later, someone from behind the fence was trying to get my attention. I went over to greet whoever it was, and it was the grandmother from the previous visit. We chatted about things for a while. Then she shared with me how she had broken her hip 9 months ago and that it still hurts so much. It hurts when she lies down and she has to use a cane to walk. She had never shared any of this with me before, and I had just figured it was normal old age. I took the opportunity to pray with her, for which she was very grateful. Open doors with a woman of influence, praise Him! Ask the Father to provide more open doors and the opportunity to share more with these homes. Ask the Father to give her relief from her pain, so that she can rest better, and may she know it is Him.
Going deeper with a friend!
Well, I had an exciting visit from a friend yesterday morning but before I tell about the visit, I must give some background. As of Friday, we have been in our town for 2 months, other than the two trips out of town. We have had 6 weeks of language class. Every week it is a struggle to balance study and visiting with neighbors, both of which are crucial to our purpose in being here. I have been frustrated by trying to find time to meet new homes while still having time to visit the ones we have already gotten to know. It would be nice if just once someone would come to visit us instead of always saying, "I haven't seen you in a long time. Where have you been?" Although, 2 months is not really that long, especially in this culture.
While in Dakar, I had the opportunity to see an old friend of ours with whom a lot of personal time and interest was invested. When we left, she was a newlywed with a new baby and a good business, and all was well. Sometime after that her business went by the wayside. In the last year or so, her husband took another wife and brought her into their same small house. My friend was 7 months pregnant at the time and the stress of everything caused her to have the baby early, who did not survive. Things have gone from bad to worse and now it looks like they will be getting a divorce. But on top of that, without a job, she has no money to provide for her son, so her husband's mother is now caring for the child. Terribly painful story that absolutely tore me apart!
So this week, I was visiting the house I had written about before in "New friends!" I am not really sure why I was prompted to tell them about my friend in Dakar but I did. Maybe it is because I needed a story to tell so I could talk at my own pace, rather than them talking so fast that I can not understand them. Maybe it was the Father's prompting. I did not really know at the time, but I got more of an answer yesterday.
My friend (the one who had called everyone together to pray) came by to see me rather early in the morning, at 9:00. For the most part only people who are working are out that early, or women are on their way to the market, but no one is visiting that early. I tried to suggest we sit out side because that is what they normally do, but she was not wanting to sit. So I thought maybe she wanted to visit inside. I invited her in and we chatted a bit and I gave her some coffee. She told me how everyone in her household says how good I am and her husband had told her to come see me.
Then as I sat on the floor, she shared with me about having 5 children but that now she has 4 because one of the oldest had died some time ago. I was so stunned that she was sharing such personal information with me, because that is not typical. (She shared more with me that did not register with me at the time but has since, which I will try to make sure I understood later.) I prayed for her and for the Father to grant her peace in her heart because that can cause fear regarding her other children as well and because the Father knows how a heart hurts for the death of a child. I told her my mother's story of having a child die and then the peace that only the Father can give when a child dies or a child goes far away. After I prayed for her, she left thanking me and telling me how happy she was because of me.
She came back a short while later with a bag of grapefruits because she knew I liked them and that Mariama had eaten one the other night at their house.
I have had my first visitor and it was a big time visit! I have no idea what the Father is doing, but He is definitely doing something. Keep lifting up my friend and her household, that they may all come to know the Truth very soon.
While in Dakar, I had the opportunity to see an old friend of ours with whom a lot of personal time and interest was invested. When we left, she was a newlywed with a new baby and a good business, and all was well. Sometime after that her business went by the wayside. In the last year or so, her husband took another wife and brought her into their same small house. My friend was 7 months pregnant at the time and the stress of everything caused her to have the baby early, who did not survive. Things have gone from bad to worse and now it looks like they will be getting a divorce. But on top of that, without a job, she has no money to provide for her son, so her husband's mother is now caring for the child. Terribly painful story that absolutely tore me apart!
So this week, I was visiting the house I had written about before in "New friends!" I am not really sure why I was prompted to tell them about my friend in Dakar but I did. Maybe it is because I needed a story to tell so I could talk at my own pace, rather than them talking so fast that I can not understand them. Maybe it was the Father's prompting. I did not really know at the time, but I got more of an answer yesterday.
My friend (the one who had called everyone together to pray) came by to see me rather early in the morning, at 9:00. For the most part only people who are working are out that early, or women are on their way to the market, but no one is visiting that early. I tried to suggest we sit out side because that is what they normally do, but she was not wanting to sit. So I thought maybe she wanted to visit inside. I invited her in and we chatted a bit and I gave her some coffee. She told me how everyone in her household says how good I am and her husband had told her to come see me.
Then as I sat on the floor, she shared with me about having 5 children but that now she has 4 because one of the oldest had died some time ago. I was so stunned that she was sharing such personal information with me, because that is not typical. (She shared more with me that did not register with me at the time but has since, which I will try to make sure I understood later.) I prayed for her and for the Father to grant her peace in her heart because that can cause fear regarding her other children as well and because the Father knows how a heart hurts for the death of a child. I told her my mother's story of having a child die and then the peace that only the Father can give when a child dies or a child goes far away. After I prayed for her, she left thanking me and telling me how happy she was because of me.
She came back a short while later with a bag of grapefruits because she knew I liked them and that Mariama had eaten one the other night at their house.
I have had my first visitor and it was a big time visit! I have no idea what the Father is doing, but He is definitely doing something. Keep lifting up my friend and her household, that they may all come to know the Truth very soon.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Why am I here?
Why am I here? What could make me leave my family and friends? What could make me leave the conveniences of America? What could cause me to put my children in unfamiliar territory? What could cause me to have my family in a place where illness is always a possibility? What could make me stay in a place where mice and bugs come into my home regularly? What could cause me to learn a difficult language with urgency?
Certainly not "a crutch for the weak" nor the "opium for the masses." Certainly not a tradition that gives me comfort and is ok for me, but which is not great enough to convict and bless the whole world. It is truth! It is the "knowledge of truth which is according to godliness, in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted." The Father sent the Son into the world to live a life perfect and unblemished to be an example for us and to make the way for us to be with the Father eternally.
I have heard it said, "If I am wrong, what harm is there because I have lived a good life. If those who do not believe are wrong, then they will spend an eternity apart from the Father." Though true, this is not even enough to propel me to the life I live. I have known times of clear leading and I have known times where I did not know the next step. I have known great joy and great sorrow. I have known times of poverty (american style) and times of wealth (African style). And yet God's peace has always been sufficient. What else can bring that peace? Not any government! No rally in the economy! Nothing but the Author and Perfector of Peace! If I have such great peace and the whole world is seeking it, how can I keep it to myself. I have a hope of an eternal future which is great! But more real to me is what I have already experienced in my life. My mind cannot fathom the greatness of eternity in the light of all I have experienced. But I know in whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able! I am eternally grateful for all that The Father has done for me and for the abundant peace with which I have been blessed!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Certainly not "a crutch for the weak" nor the "opium for the masses." Certainly not a tradition that gives me comfort and is ok for me, but which is not great enough to convict and bless the whole world. It is truth! It is the "knowledge of truth which is according to godliness, in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted." The Father sent the Son into the world to live a life perfect and unblemished to be an example for us and to make the way for us to be with the Father eternally.
I have heard it said, "If I am wrong, what harm is there because I have lived a good life. If those who do not believe are wrong, then they will spend an eternity apart from the Father." Though true, this is not even enough to propel me to the life I live. I have known times of clear leading and I have known times where I did not know the next step. I have known great joy and great sorrow. I have known times of poverty (american style) and times of wealth (African style). And yet God's peace has always been sufficient. What else can bring that peace? Not any government! No rally in the economy! Nothing but the Author and Perfector of Peace! If I have such great peace and the whole world is seeking it, how can I keep it to myself. I have a hope of an eternal future which is great! But more real to me is what I have already experienced in my life. My mind cannot fathom the greatness of eternity in the light of all I have experienced. But I know in whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able! I am eternally grateful for all that The Father has done for me and for the abundant peace with which I have been blessed!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
New friends!!
Yea for new friends! William and I passed by a house last week on our way home from buying bananas. I could not hear all that the ladies inside were saying, so they invited me in to the courtyard. As I left, they said they would come to see me on Saturday. On Friday, one of the ladies was walking by our house and said she would come see me the next day. I was so worn out by the long week that I misunderstood what she said. So I still waited on Saturday for them to come, but they never showed. No wonder, after how confused I was on Friday. So I decided to go there again today. They have tons of kids for William and Mariama to play with and I wanted to make sure they were all ok.
As we walked down the street, I saw my friend sitting outside of her house. I went over to say hello and she asked where I was going. I told her I was going or coming (I can't remember which verb I used) to greet. She got excited and invited me into the courtyard, where she told everyone else that I had come. The older lady that I met last week came over along with some visitors they had. Within a few minutes, both of the women's husbands had come over to greet me as well. We chatted for a while. I talked at toddler pace and listened to them rattle out the words. It was so good to find a home where they speak the language I am learning, ie. not another dialect, and people who were so glad I came by to visit.
Shortly before I was going to leave, the older lady said she was going to take care of the children and then mentioned that her body hurt. I asked the lady if it hurt just then or all the time. She said it pretty much hurt all the time and went to do what she needed to do. I expected her to return in just a few minutes. As the time drew closer that I really need to leave, I told the younger lady that I was going but that I would be praying for the older lady's body to feel better. The younger called the lady and her husband over to pray right then. I told them I would pray in our first language because I do not yet feel comfortable to pray in our new language. So we all prayed. When it was over, they all expressed how glad they were with me for coming over. The younger walked me and the kids home. She came into my courtyard before going home and said now she could visit me. That was my best visit here thus far.
Praising the Father for new friends!!!
As we walked down the street, I saw my friend sitting outside of her house. I went over to say hello and she asked where I was going. I told her I was going or coming (I can't remember which verb I used) to greet. She got excited and invited me into the courtyard, where she told everyone else that I had come. The older lady that I met last week came over along with some visitors they had. Within a few minutes, both of the women's husbands had come over to greet me as well. We chatted for a while. I talked at toddler pace and listened to them rattle out the words. It was so good to find a home where they speak the language I am learning, ie. not another dialect, and people who were so glad I came by to visit.
Shortly before I was going to leave, the older lady said she was going to take care of the children and then mentioned that her body hurt. I asked the lady if it hurt just then or all the time. She said it pretty much hurt all the time and went to do what she needed to do. I expected her to return in just a few minutes. As the time drew closer that I really need to leave, I told the younger lady that I was going but that I would be praying for the older lady's body to feel better. The younger called the lady and her husband over to pray right then. I told them I would pray in our first language because I do not yet feel comfortable to pray in our new language. So we all prayed. When it was over, they all expressed how glad they were with me for coming over. The younger walked me and the kids home. She came into my courtyard before going home and said now she could visit me. That was my best visit here thus far.
Praising the Father for new friends!!!
Pressing on!
Yesterday's Word study was from Philippians 3. Verses 13-14 took greater focus for me than ever before. "Forgetting what lies behind" means not only the bad stuff but the good stuff I might want to sit and relish. Each day is new! That means I have to live each day pressing on to the finish. I cannot say, "I've done well, so think I will sit back and rest." As long as there is breath in me, the Father still has something for me to do. I cannot start well and then end poorly. Then I just get remembered as one who ended poorly. Yes, I need to let go of the bad in the past. But I must also set aside the good, and pursue even greater things. Life is a marathon, not a sprint! We must run each mile consistently with the same fervor with which we began, if we are to win the prize set before us. Until we draw our last breath, we have not yet laid hold of it. So press on daily!
One can imagine that by starting the day with that passage, I strained through the day. As I laid down at night, I felt good about how I had spent the day. Language and studying, caring for the family! But I cannot even be content in that. I must press on even through the rest of today to the very end. So to my fellow travelers on the narrow road, I say, "Press on!"
One can imagine that by starting the day with that passage, I strained through the day. As I laid down at night, I felt good about how I had spent the day. Language and studying, caring for the family! But I cannot even be content in that. I must press on even through the rest of today to the very end. So to my fellow travelers on the narrow road, I say, "Press on!"
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Being middle aged!
Ok, now I know many have said that I could not be middle age because people expect to live longer these days, in my family in particular. However, it is funny that some languages, ours for example, have a word for child or for older person, but nothing for the age I am in. It is this funky in between age. I feel like I know nothing or at least have much to learn most days. But some that are younger, not as far down the road as I am, look to me for encouragement and advice at times. To add insult to injury, my body shows that I am in between both ages. Youth have their blemished skin. Older people have grey hair. I would be ok to have one or the other, but both is just not right! I guess that is what makeup and hair color are for, huh?
I realize that this is a much more trivial post than my others but it is just another part of my life. But before you think I am unhappy or feeling sorry for myself, let me reassure you----I love my life! I am not in the best shape of my life, probably, but I am closer to the Father than I have ever been. I have a super husband who is an awesome cook and leads our family to follow the Father. I have precious children that are so sensitive about spiritual things and desire to be a part of what we are doing, which right now is learning language. I live in Africa!!! Which sometimes is said, "Oh, that's just part of living in Africa" and at other times is, "Living in Africa is so awesome." I start to write "so cool" but that would not be accurate because it is so hot. I miss many people, my parents in particular, in the states, but the Father is faithful to give me what I need each day. I love my life! I would not change a thing! I am content! I am thankful for all that I have been blessed with in my life! Every day with the Father is a new adventure. I cannot wait to see what tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day, etc., hold for us!
I realize that this is a much more trivial post than my others but it is just another part of my life. But before you think I am unhappy or feeling sorry for myself, let me reassure you----I love my life! I am not in the best shape of my life, probably, but I am closer to the Father than I have ever been. I have a super husband who is an awesome cook and leads our family to follow the Father. I have precious children that are so sensitive about spiritual things and desire to be a part of what we are doing, which right now is learning language. I live in Africa!!! Which sometimes is said, "Oh, that's just part of living in Africa" and at other times is, "Living in Africa is so awesome." I start to write "so cool" but that would not be accurate because it is so hot. I miss many people, my parents in particular, in the states, but the Father is faithful to give me what I need each day. I love my life! I would not change a thing! I am content! I am thankful for all that I have been blessed with in my life! Every day with the Father is a new adventure. I cannot wait to see what tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day, etc., hold for us!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
A faithful Father!
Last Friday, we had a review/ assessment/ quiz to see how much we were getting in our language class. Books were closed. We had to pronounce, conjugate verbs, and know numbers. It was comforting to know how much we had gotten and challenging to realize what we have not. That night we had the team over for pizza and movie night, so we were up late.
Saturday, we went to the marche to stock up on food and my change purse was stolen. Thankfully it was not much by our standards since we had already gotten the shopping done. Then we had a couple that is dear to us visit, but it was more of a business call due to a meeting all day with our team leader. Then the team was over that night along with the couple for dinner. Another late night!
Sunday was a good time of fellowship and praise with the team. Then spent the afternoon planning the week's homeschool. Up late again because of talking to Grandma.
Monday found me just worn out. One should never wake up tired. I nonetheless woke up to meet with the Father. In Ephesians 3, the Father fed me a tremendous prayer that Paul prayed, which I needed that day. The Father is good! That morning was language school and homeschool. The team over for lunch. Then we finished homeschool and then went to bed early.
Today was another great time in the Word of Ephesians 4. The Father is faithful to meet us and feed us well from His Word. Make a date with the Father today!
Saturday, we went to the marche to stock up on food and my change purse was stolen. Thankfully it was not much by our standards since we had already gotten the shopping done. Then we had a couple that is dear to us visit, but it was more of a business call due to a meeting all day with our team leader. Then the team was over that night along with the couple for dinner. Another late night!
Sunday was a good time of fellowship and praise with the team. Then spent the afternoon planning the week's homeschool. Up late again because of talking to Grandma.
Monday found me just worn out. One should never wake up tired. I nonetheless woke up to meet with the Father. In Ephesians 3, the Father fed me a tremendous prayer that Paul prayed, which I needed that day. The Father is good! That morning was language school and homeschool. The team over for lunch. Then we finished homeschool and then went to bed early.
Today was another great time in the Word of Ephesians 4. The Father is faithful to meet us and feed us well from His Word. Make a date with the Father today!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Tests of Obedience Part 2---I have more children!
Due to technical difficulties like not posting for almost 3 years and forgetting the info to log on and changing email addresses, Rich set me up with this new blog. Hope you like it.
The last post was so long that I decided to make this a 2-parter, so here is part 2.
"And the King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me'" Matthew 25:40
Before I tell about this morning, I need to give some of you some background info. In this country, I cannot speak for anywhere else, there are young boys who begin begging on the street for money as young as 3 years old. They do not do this because they think it is fun. Their parents, for whatever reason (financially unable to care for, etc.), have given their children to a leader in their faith to be cared for and instructed in the religion, which does not sound all that different from Samuel at first glance. The boys,though, are then sent out daily with meager food provisions to beg for money and then they are to "bless" those that give to them. Thus these boys are essentially orphans, emotionally. For reasons I will not expound on in this blog, we do not give the boys money as a general rule, but rather food that we might have on hand. In town, it is difficult, because I typically do not carry food with us in the truck. However, at home, I have a much harder time saying no, because I obviously have food here.
The other day, one of the boys had come by, and I had given him some food. He said, "jaap naa la yaay," which means literally, "I catch you mother." I understood the words but had never heard that phrase before. Essentially what he was saying was that he was calling me as his. I have a new son, who has the same name as Rich's Senegalese name. They are hungry to be nurtured!
This morning, though, Dad took me deeper. A boy came to the door and I gave him what I had, a banana and a Vitamin-C tablet. He tried to "bless" me and I asked him to stop and know that I had given this to him in the name of the Son. I came in to wash dishes as I had been before he came and Dad prompted me to question why I did not want him to "bless" me. After answering why, Dad prompted me to begin praying for and blessing them as I have opportunity.
No sooner had that conversation finished with Dad than another knock came at the door. I checked and saw 3-4 boys. Dad does not waste time!!!!! I grabbed a couple of bananas and a few more vitamins. By the time I got back to the door, some more boys came running, making the number more like 8-10 boys. I gave out what I had of the bananas, smaller pieces than I had intended, and what vitamins I had at the time. I came back in for more vitamins and went to hand them out. As I handed out the vitamins and banana, I prayed over them all in their language that Dad would care for them, since He was the one that created them. They asked for water and I gave that to them as well. None of them even tried to "bless" me but left with smiles.
Dad often tests our obedience, and often I fail. But sometimes, I actually listen.
So very thankful we picked up that large bottle of Vitamin-C tablets at Costco with my brother and sister-in-law, so my being sick had a useful purpose. Thanks Todd and Kristi! It might make it a couple of months at this rate, hee hee hee!
The last post was so long that I decided to make this a 2-parter, so here is part 2.
"And the King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me'" Matthew 25:40
Before I tell about this morning, I need to give some of you some background info. In this country, I cannot speak for anywhere else, there are young boys who begin begging on the street for money as young as 3 years old. They do not do this because they think it is fun. Their parents, for whatever reason (financially unable to care for, etc.), have given their children to a leader in their faith to be cared for and instructed in the religion, which does not sound all that different from Samuel at first glance. The boys,though, are then sent out daily with meager food provisions to beg for money and then they are to "bless" those that give to them. Thus these boys are essentially orphans, emotionally. For reasons I will not expound on in this blog, we do not give the boys money as a general rule, but rather food that we might have on hand. In town, it is difficult, because I typically do not carry food with us in the truck. However, at home, I have a much harder time saying no, because I obviously have food here.
The other day, one of the boys had come by, and I had given him some food. He said, "jaap naa la yaay," which means literally, "I catch you mother." I understood the words but had never heard that phrase before. Essentially what he was saying was that he was calling me as his. I have a new son, who has the same name as Rich's Senegalese name. They are hungry to be nurtured!
This morning, though, Dad took me deeper. A boy came to the door and I gave him what I had, a banana and a Vitamin-C tablet. He tried to "bless" me and I asked him to stop and know that I had given this to him in the name of the Son. I came in to wash dishes as I had been before he came and Dad prompted me to question why I did not want him to "bless" me. After answering why, Dad prompted me to begin praying for and blessing them as I have opportunity.
No sooner had that conversation finished with Dad than another knock came at the door. I checked and saw 3-4 boys. Dad does not waste time!!!!! I grabbed a couple of bananas and a few more vitamins. By the time I got back to the door, some more boys came running, making the number more like 8-10 boys. I gave out what I had of the bananas, smaller pieces than I had intended, and what vitamins I had at the time. I came back in for more vitamins and went to hand them out. As I handed out the vitamins and banana, I prayed over them all in their language that Dad would care for them, since He was the one that created them. They asked for water and I gave that to them as well. None of them even tried to "bless" me but left with smiles.
Dad often tests our obedience, and often I fail. But sometimes, I actually listen.
So very thankful we picked up that large bottle of Vitamin-C tablets at Costco with my brother and sister-in-law, so my being sick had a useful purpose. Thanks Todd and Kristi! It might make it a couple of months at this rate, hee hee hee!
Tests of obedience
"Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him. For to this end also I wrote that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things." 2 Cor. 2:8-9
So this week, my Word study has focused on prayer and the importance of blessing others. These verses from today pretty much sum up the week.First, we got to our town. Like everywhere else in the world, there are those that for one reason or another are not all there mentally. One lady in particular has "her corner" in the same place that we find convenient to park. In the middle of the week, Dad laid it on my heart to go pray for her. I resisted not knowing why or for what purpose exactly or even how she would respond. Dad continued to press the issue. I was impressed to pray for Dad to restore to her the mind He created her to have. I know that He is able to do more than I could ever imagine, so I finally obeyed. Rich drove us over there and stayed in the truck with the kids. I tried to go give her a little food but she waved me away. I tried to give her a little money and she waved me away again. I reached out to touch her arm and she did not move. She did not wave me away, nothing. She just sat and let me touch her and pray. I prayed in her language, as best I could, though not as eloquently as I might have in English. I tried not to think about what anyone around me/us was thinking as they passed by where we were, though I felt the eyes of them on me. Now nothing miraculous happened as far as we might assess, i.e. she did not come suddenly into her right mind or anything, but who of us knows why God laid that on my heart. Maybe it was for her to have a human touch. Maybe it was for the people to see compassion in action, since they are so used to her. I know it was for me, for Him to test my obedience, and for me to do what He says despite how crazy others might think I am.
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