April 19…..
Slow moving wake up today. Sleep was tough to find last night. Not sure why, but a little extra coffee will be helpful today. Roosters are crowing this morning back and forth and the birds are singing in the background.
Thessalonians 1: 9-20
Back at the mission house……
What a day, I think I have said that before…..we first went out to see the work being completed for the new church in Zomba. Those men are working hard. The women are working hard! Two women were carrying 5 gallon buckets on their head filled to the top with dirt. They sleep there so that nothing will be taken. The view from the top where the church is being built is beautiful and for lack of a better word, overwhelming. Seeing all the stores, people and homes below…..a lost city in need of Christ. I could envision the Pastor and others up there praying over that town. We got to see the Pastor as well. We visited his home church the last 2 years we came……still so full of life, energy and a smile that just makes you smile. He likes to move during worship songs and doesn’t hesitate to reenact with my husband upon meeting again! What joy!
We then headed off to Nasedegu. It was decided that we would visit huts where someone had stopped coming to church or had never come to church or to Christ. Pastor Jonah would let us know before we got to a hut what the circumstances were so we would better know how to minister to them. Walking the dirt paths, Stanley and Pastor Jonah lead the way. We stopped at Pastor Jonah’s home, I just needed to say hi to the ladies I saw in the little courtyard. It was encouraging to hug them and chat with Misozi as our interpreter. I love our connections. It is like revisiting old friends…always welcoming and smiling. I could have just nestled in there and kept chatting, but the men were waiting on the path to continue our mission for the day. We continued on the dirt paths, (Just being real, it was hot and humid! And you know how I can sweat!) stopping along the way to say hi, waving and hugging until we arrived at the first of many homes. We were looking for someone at the first home but she was not there. Stanley told Ovi “she is not here”…..Ovi’s wisdom, “there is someone here we are suppose to talk to”. What a reminder, we may have plans, but God sets things up as He wants. We traveled to many more huts/homes explaining the Gospel and encourage others. We had opportunities to pray with them and ask “how can I pray for you when I leave” moments. I will continue to pray for each that we were able to minister to- Muslims, non believers and believers. May the seeds planted today be watered, may they flourish.
Today, I was reminded and shown in real ways how connected women are to each other. It doesn’t matter where we live, we can have the same struggles, the same challenges. A prevailing conversation today for women that have not returned to church was “I am too busy.” They shared about how they have so much to do (taking care of children, their homes, their gardens) or family showing up or being too tired. Can sound familiar, doesn’t it. We as women can all have different things pop up, different things pull you in different directions and energy levels that seem depleted or non existent. As we have been studying Daniel, one of the examples I have taken from that book is Daniel’s prepared intent to honor and worship the Lord. Prepared intent……man that is big! I (you) are challenged to be intentional with our time with the Lord, to guard our time with the Lord. Set the week up to be ready for Sunday. Prepare our hearts to worship Him with our church family on Sunday. Don’t neglect meeting together. The enemy can pull us in all different directions……..Lord help me, help us to be intentional with our focus.
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