Yesterday we went to a slum right outside of town here in Bulawayo. It was crazy to think that this level of poverty was 15 minutes from where I lived. There’s no electricity or running water and the people here build their house out of whatever they can find. They live day to day not knowing when their next meal will be.
This is what I thought I would be seeing every day on the race but honestly it hasn’t been. Yes, I’ve seen the poor in most countries I’ve been in but nothing compares to this. It hits me hard that these people are often forgotten about and left to die.
Im honored and blessed to be working with a pastor who wants to do something about it, a pastor who has a vision for the long-term instead of the short term. Every Friday we go visit homes in the bush And evangelize with locals or do kids ministry. I got to hang with the kiddos (my fav) we played duck duck goose and volleyball, then shared the gospel. Since most of the people here don’t speak English our friend from the church, Shephard, did all of the talking. Three of my teammates and I sat th the kids as he spoke.
I had a little 2 year old babe attatched to my hip most of the time. I caught myself falling in love with her. I looked at her and with the innocence and joy and laughter that burst out of that kid I couldn’t have help but see Jesus. He was the joy in this life she was stuck in. He was the innocence. He was the laughter. I suddenly felt how much the Lord loves his children. He wants a way out for us, he IS the way out for us. He loves us beyond words.
Its in the joyful moments where I was tickling her and she rolled in the dirt hysterical.
Its in the moments of gentleness and curiousity where she was amazed by my hair so she was petting me like a dog.
Its in the moments where she hugged me and I got to kiss her sweet little dirty face.
Hes in all of this, every emotion, every moment. He’s even there in the darkness when families are cold and starving. He doesn’t forget about us when life get ugly or hard, he wants to come closer. He wants to hug you in tight and give you hope for tomorrow. Love like Jesus so people know where your love comes from. This love isn’t a weak love, it’s a love that brings hope in these dark places, a love that oversized fear for tomorrow and a love that overwhelms our hearts. That love I can’t help but share.
