"On our second expedition to the Mukuni Chiefdom one of the many experiences I was pleased to be apart of and so blessed to be used by the Lord was with a young mother named Gertrude a single mother 18 years old with an 8-month old baby girl. The first day I met her was in her mother’s garden. She was very reluctant to talk to me. She would not make eye contact and just was not interested in talking or engaging with myself or the other missionaries. I felt in my spirit she was struggling with shame and guilt. I invited her to our night meeting where I hoped she would go to hear the word and be part of worship.
The group I was with was able to serve Gertrude and her family in their garden tilling the ground and pulling weeds, preparing the ground for planting a garden. After being able to bless them in a physical way the message was given on the parable of the good soil and bad soil (Mark 4). This family heard the word and was grateful for it. Leaving that place I just knew the seed fell on good soil.
The next day while ministering at an influential elderly woman of the
villages hut, I saw Gertrude walking past the hut about 3 times. I got
up knowing she came to speak with us, I asked her to come in so we could
talk. I was able to encourage her and tell her how much Jesus loved
her, and how special she is in the Lords eyes. Her eyes brightened up,
and her down cast head was lifted; she was seeking after more of the
Lord. She was seeking His forgiveness and approval and He gave me those
words to speak over her. The importance of her role in the village and
in the Kingdom of God was spoken over her that day. I also had the
privilege to pray for her and her baby that His provision and protection
would be upon them. I prayed that this women would see herself as the
beauty that God see her as, so that she my step into the abundant life
He has for her, and not settling or turning back in the opposite
direction. That day she followed us to other huts and listened to us
minister. Each place we went I was walking hand in hand with her. What a
beautiful thing in my life to walk with a young Zambian woman down a
dirt road taking the message of life, hope and redemption to all Gods
people. I am learning Gods love is shown and shines through words,
deeds, smiles, hugs, laughter and relationship.
I was able to say by to this young woman before leaving; in her I saw a new spirit one of strength, hope and joy. She was renewed in receiving his goodness, and I am confident that she will walk in His righteousness. She will be a great mother and will impact many lives in her village around her.
He bore our sin and shame. He took it upon himself and we receive his full forgiveness and approval when we accept and understand that his blood has covered us once and for all. There is nothing in our lives we have done that we cannot receive forgiveness for. There is no sin that is to great for our great God."
It is such a great delight to see God at work here! As you can see, sometimes it is more powerful to spend time doing daily life with the villagers then just preaching to them at meetings. Spending quality time serving them communicates great value to the people we meet and softens their hearts to hear about Jesus. Trust, the daily life of African villagers is CHALLENGING. They carry heavy water containers (usually on their heads, with a baby strapped to their backs!), they cook over an open fire, they hand wash laundry, they water huge gardens a bucket at a time, and care for livestock. Having a Westerner "get dirty" helping them is a massive blessing and they will never forget it because it communicates great care and love for them.
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| We asked the students to carry water one evening to experience how challenging getting water is. |
Glory to God!
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