Thulani Ndlovu.
He was selling his paintings on the side of the road market. At first I had no intention of buying his work. I haven’t bought much art on the race; being an artist myself I always figured I would just create it myself. But when I walked up to that side of the market, a few of my teammates had already wandered that direction. They had gathered that he was the artist (though it was all work I have seen various places) and introduced me as a fellow artist. I perused his pieces as he started to explain each one.
“How did you get into artwork?” I asked as a looked at a piece I ended up purchasing.
He explained that his brothers had gotten into some things that were not good. They dabbled in poaching, and though for a moment it seemed like a worthwhile profession, they ended up all being shot for one reason or another. That’s when he knew that was not the life he wanted. His mom then later passed away when he was 18, and he explained that his dream of pursuing medicine drifted away as soon as he had to stop pursuing school to care and provide for his sisters.
When he started painting it was as a means of support. But he explained that is was now something he loved to do, and holds onto a dream of reaching NY someday.
He asked me about my life and my journeys. When I explained that we were a group of missionaries the smile broadened and he became excited to share with me that he was also a Christian.
He then proceeded to share his testimony with me. His mother had been a Christian, but his dad was not. It was something that was always “there” but was never a serious cornerstone of his life. But after his mom died and he started to care for his sisters he started to press in. He explained how some people do not pursue Christ seriously, be called himself a prayer warrior.
I talked about how Christ is the only way, that there is only hope in a relationship with him. I asked if there was anything that I could be praying for him, a new friend I had made and encouraged and laughed with.
As everyone was gathering to leave I got to lay a hand on his shoulder and pray for him as a sister of his in Christ. We prayed for provision and creativity, for his relationship with the Lord and his family.
I walked away with a painting and a full heart. It reminded me that everyone has a story and that those stories are made beautiful with Christ.
