Well it’s been
a few days since I last wrote. I have gotten over a cold, been tested for
Malaria, and slept a lot. While I was sick I had times of missing home, but
then I was reminded that God is always with me and wherever I am with Him, that
is my home. Sickness is often a great reminder for me of my weakness and
humanness. Being sick reminds me that I can do nothing without the help of my
Lord. Edith, my host took such good care of me and I was better in a couple of
days. I had to miss a trip into the village but my team caught me up and it
sounded like an incredible experience for them. I am so grateful for my room
and bed here at my home in Malawi, because I no there is no way I would have
made it being sick in a village.
My first day out of the house after being sick was church. I
figured I could stay awake for a couple hours and I am so glad that I went.
People I didn’t even know were asking if I was feeling better and giving me
hugs and words of encouragement. It felt like the whole church had noticed my
absence. I was incredibly overwhelmed with the close relationships I have
formed here in only three weeks. I love that I have the gift of time on this
trip, I can continue to grow and build these relationships and learn from these
wonderful people. I was so glad to not be sick anymore.
Monday was a day off for all of Malawi to celebrate their
independence. I met with my mentor in the morning to chat and then the team and
I were off to a 4th of July party that a friend from church was
throwing at her house. It was a few days late but such a nice idea. I had
completely forgotten about the 4th of July since I was sick and
sleeping through the days at that point. We made a cake and potato salad to
bring to this patriotic BBQ. I was surprised at the amount of British people
that were there, but I guess it was really a white persons party with a few fun
Malawians thrown in! We had a blast, eating, meeting new people, listening to
country music, talking about tradition, and sitting around the fire pit. I came
home smelling like smoke but it was worth it to experience a little bit of home
for a night.
Tuesdays are our days in the village helping out at Grace of
God nursery. The last time we went there I was suffering from allergies and jet
lag so it wasn’t my favorite experience, and that upset me. I wanted to love
the village and not let the dirt, and the hard lifestyle bother me. I went into
this day rested and with an open mind. We got there and while everyone else
helped with lunch I immediately picked up two babies like I usually do. There
were puppies running around as well so the kids and I played with those while
we waited for lunch. At one point this sweet little boy ran up to my and hugged
my legs and just stood there and wouldn’t let me move. It was the sweetest
thing, so we just continued to stand there for a few minutes in this hug. I sat
with the babies as they ate lunch, tried feed me and touch my earrings at the
same time. The interns and I then went to eat the lunches that we had packed
for ourselves in a different part of the village and we ended up playing UNO
with our friend Ben, which believe it or not is extremely popular here. After
the lunch break we went to the Grace of God bible study where we sang songs
with the kids and I got the chance to teach them the song, “Awesome God” and we
practiced it a few times before Krysti, another member of my team told the kids
a bible story. When Bible study was over we went outside to play. We had
brought toys with us so there were a few soccer balls being kicked around and a
large colorful parachute was floating up and down as the children figured out
how to use it. I was watching them create a dust cloud from a distance when
someone asked me if I knew how to make balloon animals and luckily I did! I
soon became the balloon animal lady and had a mob of eager children all waiting
for their own. I only remembered how to make a dog, but they didn’t seem to
mind. We started blowing up water balloons with air and letting the wind take
them, and the kids chase them. Then the real water balloons emerged and lets
just say we all got pretty wet, but the kids loved it and that’s all that
really matters. We left shortly after that but I take so much comfort in
knowing that we will be back next week to share God's love again.
Today we went to Chisomo Idea, which is a ministry started
by a Flood staff member back in San Diego that grew up in Malawi. His name is
Noel and he got a soccer scholarship to San Diego Christian from Malawi and his
goal is to run a soccer ministry so that kids here can have the opportunity to
develop their skills in soccer and maybe end up getting a scholarship like he
did. The ministry does a lot more than coach soccer but today we went to the
practice. It is held on a large dirt field in the back of a village and there
were a ton of boys and girls there ready to play as well as a bunch of village
children. As we played with the kids in the village the other kids did their
soccer practice. I saw that many of them are playing with one soccer shoe, but
that didn’t stop them from being amazing. The little children never let go of
our hands and would sometimes fight over who got to hold them. I had some fun,
giggly, little girls asking me my name and calling to me unexpectedly. They
loved me so much it literally hurt. I thought they were going to dislocate my
shoulders from pulling on me so tight. After laughing, and playing with them I
took a few over to a small dirt ledge and sat to watch the practice. I had one
little girl on my lap that would just stare at my face, touch my earring and my
face, and pet me hair occasionally. I had another little girl nestled into my
side, taking a nap under the warmth of my arm, and a few others sitting with us
as well. It was a beautiful and relaxing moment of just sitting in Gods love. I
didn’t need to be crazy and wild for them to have fun with me, I was tired and
they could see that. All they wanted to do was sit and be loved by me, so
that’s what we did.
I have been reading this book title, “Kisses from Katie”
about a girl my age who moved to Uganda a few years ago to do Gods work and
ended up staying permanently and adopting 14 girls. It is an incredible book
that was really challenged me especially since I am in Africa and I can see the
devastation she is talking about everyday. She has been through so many
obstacles but no matter how painful she keeps giving glory to God and through
her story you can see His faithfulness. There is a prayer that she shares at
the end of the book that really meant something to me so I wanted to share it.
“Lord, may we choose you every moment of every day. We want
to be fully committed to you. We want every day to become a day we say “yes” to
you. We repent for lukewarm-ness, from mediocrity, from normalcy. We want to
shine so brightly for you that others cant help but see and feel your love.
Lord, on the days where helping just one more person seems
like too much, help me to choose you.
On the days when satan whispers, “You cant save everyone,
why are you trying?” let me choose You. When harsh words are easier to find
than kind ones, let me choose You.
Father like Paul I know what I want to do, what I should do,
and yet I find myself failing and discouraged. Thank you for Your grace. Thank
you that You who sit so high would look low upon people like me and use us as a
vessel for you. How blessed are we to be called servants, to be able to share
in your kingdom and share your love with others. Thank you for the cross, where
you have given us peace and holiness. Father, we long to say yes to You.
No comments:
Post a Comment