*This blog was written on 12/23/16
The last 36 hours have been a little rough here in Talanga. During ministry yesterday afternoon, we got news that a woman in our village had experienced a tragedy like nothing any of us have ever seen. You see, the power goes out frequently in the village and most times comes back on pretty quickly. Yesterday was a little different. The power went off and this mother decided she’d light a candle to illuminate her small, wooden home that housed her, her four sons, and her nine-month-old baby girl. Normally, she’d leave a little wax around the candle to prevent it falling over but this candle was basically down to nothing so she figured it was safe. She lit the candle and took the 5 minute (or less) walk up to the Pulperia to buy more candles. She just wanted to light up her home.
What she found when she returned home was something no mother ever wants to see. Her house was in flames and her baby girl was inside. There was nothing she could do. While she was gone, the candle turned over and caught the bed linens on fire. Her daughter was on those linens. In the span of about 10 minutes she lost everything she owned and her only daughter. Can you even imagine?
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4
Today we had the opportunity to reach out to the family and help them prepare to rebuild. Our construction team went to take down what was left of the house so that the land would be clear to later build a brick house in its place. This afternoon the mother and her sons came to the compound where we had homemade tamales, clothes for the boys, and a few toys waiting for them. All of the girls on the teams here decided to give this woman some of our clothes so that she’d at least have things to wear. As I sat and looked at my clothes I’m ashamed to admit that I found myself really struggling. I’d pick up a shirt and think, “This is the only nice shirt I have. What if I need it?… This is the only white shirt I have, what if I need it?” How absolutely ridiculous. This woman literally lost everything and I’m worrying about which shirt I could bear to part with least. What is wrong with me?
In the end, I decided to give her both shirts because I was disgusted it was even an argument I was having with myself. I felt so selfish and greedy. The family left with bags full of clothes and gifts, something very small in light of the incredibly heavy circumstances.
When the construction team came back from clearing the destruction, they brought something very interesting with them. Among the rubble, scripture was found relatively intact. The scripture was from none other than the book of Job. I saw it and my jaw dropped. Job, like this woman, had everything he loved taken from him and still remained faithful to the Lord. I can’t help but think that wasn’t fate. I’m not saying the Lord took this woman’s daughter and home on purpose. But if you fast forward to the end of Job, God blesses Job in ways Job couldn’t even fathom. It’s my prayer that God does the same for this woman in her season of immense pain.
The gift wasn’t the clothes and toys we gave this family, it was her allowing us to bless her in a way we never could’ve anticipated when leaving back in October. I ask that this Christmas season and New Year, you decide to be that gift for someone. Give a stranger help in their time of distress, especially if it is hard for you to do that. God blesses those who intentionally become the hands and feet of Christ.
Love always.
KM
Support Raising Update: I am currently just over $3,000 away from my FINAL DEADLINE of $16,561. That. Is. Awesome. But I still need your help! I have to have this deadline met by January 31st so if you’re able, please prayerfully consider giving to this mission. I’m not ready to come home yet!
