It was our 3rd night on the bus – and we’d just gotten
news that because of a storm, we’d be spending another night
sleeping at the border. Just a few miles from Malawi – the end of
this travel week was in sight — little did I know what blessing the
Lord had in store for this particular night…on the border of
Mozambique and Malawi.
news that because of a storm, we’d be spending another night
sleeping at the border. Just a few miles from Malawi – the end of
this travel week was in sight — little did I know what blessing the
Lord had in store for this particular night…on the border of
Mozambique and Malawi.
After receiving instruction about our
evening and sleeping situation on the bus – we disbursed and I
heard the Lord say “Christy, grab your water and go find Lucas.”
Unloading from the bus, I did just this. It wasn’t hard to track
him down – he was sitting by a wheel of a semi-truck. “Hey what’s
up?” I asked, not sure what I was supposed to say or do in this
moment. “Is that a person?” I asked, as my leg touched something
warm, dark, practically invisible in the cover of a moonless night.
“Yes” he said, “it’s a little boy. I found him sleeping here
against this wheel.” Without thinking, my heart melted and I took
my place on the other side of this sleeping little African boy. “Hey,
can you help me move him to rest on me?” Lucas asked.
evening and sleeping situation on the bus – we disbursed and I
heard the Lord say “Christy, grab your water and go find Lucas.”
Unloading from the bus, I did just this. It wasn’t hard to track
him down – he was sitting by a wheel of a semi-truck. “Hey what’s
up?” I asked, not sure what I was supposed to say or do in this
moment. “Is that a person?” I asked, as my leg touched something
warm, dark, practically invisible in the cover of a moonless night.
“Yes” he said, “it’s a little boy. I found him sleeping here
against this wheel.” Without thinking, my heart melted and I took
my place on the other side of this sleeping little African boy. “Hey,
can you help me move him to rest on me?” Lucas asked.
I saw my brother’s heart worn on his
face. He was moved by this little boy, and in this moment he had a
chance to be a daddy. We tag-teamed to gently move this little boy to
a softer sleeping place – and only moments after resting on Lucas,
he sprang awake. His wide eyes searched our faces for an explanation.
Were we safe? Where did we come from? What should he do? Rubbing his
back, we told our little friend our names and that he was okay.
face. He was moved by this little boy, and in this moment he had a
chance to be a daddy. We tag-teamed to gently move this little boy to
a softer sleeping place – and only moments after resting on Lucas,
he sprang awake. His wide eyes searched our faces for an explanation.
Were we safe? Where did we come from? What should he do? Rubbing his
back, we told our little friend our names and that he was okay.
At this moment the Lord gave me another
step “Give him your water Christy”. “Oh, okay” I thought and
handed it to him. He guzzled the bottle in a matter of seconds. “Now
feed him.” I searched my mind to remember if we had any food
accessible on the bus – and Lucas offered some of their team pb&j’s
+ cookies. The little guy ate these carefully – as re refilled his
water and he drank more and more. He sat cuddled up against Lucas –
snacking, and growing in trust. He grew sleepy rather quickly and clutched both of my hands in his. He held on tight. He held on hard. I cried – thankful the only light was that of red-headlamps all around. We asked him for his name – and even had our Spanish speaking squuadmates Tara + Phil attempt to maneuver through some Portuguese – but no such luck – all this little guy did was nod at everything we said. Tara prayed life and destiny over this little boy – and it encouraged me to do the same. A coolness filled the air with the hint of rain – and our friend began to shiver. “Give him your shirt Christy”…”Okay Lord” I thought as I wrapped his shivering African shoulders beneath this warm covering.
step “Give him your water Christy”. “Oh, okay” I thought and
handed it to him. He guzzled the bottle in a matter of seconds. “Now
feed him.” I searched my mind to remember if we had any food
accessible on the bus – and Lucas offered some of their team pb&j’s
+ cookies. The little guy ate these carefully – as re refilled his
water and he drank more and more. He sat cuddled up against Lucas –
snacking, and growing in trust. He grew sleepy rather quickly and clutched both of my hands in his. He held on tight. He held on hard. I cried – thankful the only light was that of red-headlamps all around. We asked him for his name – and even had our Spanish speaking squuadmates Tara + Phil attempt to maneuver through some Portuguese – but no such luck – all this little guy did was nod at everything we said. Tara prayed life and destiny over this little boy – and it encouraged me to do the same. A coolness filled the air with the hint of rain – and our friend began to shiver. “Give him your shirt Christy”…”Okay Lord” I thought as I wrapped his shivering African shoulders beneath this warm covering.
Due to limited space – I realized a few of us would be sleeping in fun situations for the night – so I had my pillow and sarong tossed to me from the bus window – and curled up next to my nameless African friend. At first he laid on the ground – but I motioned for him to rest his head on the pillow. He scooted next to me and covered himself in the sarong. Lucas was on the other side using a balloon for a pillow – but our friend saw no need for this. He made sure there was room for 3 heads on that tiny-baby pillow – and just a little blanket for everyone. It came time for me to head back to the bus, so I left the guys there – and ended up camping next to Natalie. I’m thankful for sweatshirts. I’m thankful for friends. I’m thankful for lessons you get when you spend a night under a semi- at the Mozambique border. I’m thankful for water, for food, for warmth, for shelter, for family.
When the morning came – it was time to process our visas and passports. My little friend hung around, watching our large group curiously. He still wore my shirt – and hung around long enough for me to ask a local bystander his name. Emmanuel. “Of course, ” I thought to myself, getting teared up once again as I remembered what Emmanuel means, “God with us”. God was with me and my squad every step of our crazy-long-epic travel expedition to Malawi. He was with us at the border that night. He was with us on the sweaty, smelly, joyous, worship filled bus. He was with us – and he send a little boy bearing that message to remind me that He NEVER LEAVES US NOR FORSAKES US. We don’t need to worry about what we will do, say, eat, or where we will sleep, because God will give us what to say when we need to say it. He will provide sleep when we need it. He is our supply. He gave me literal, step by step instructions for this little boy – and then reminded me that GOD IS WITH US. Thank you Lord!
love, love from Malawi!!!!!!
