I thought this week would be a burden and inconvenience because I had to travel to Lilongwe solely for the purpose of obtaining our squad’s Mozambique visas. A process that should’ve taken only a few days has turned into a two week project.
Baby
steps.
But instead of seeing it as difficult week, it has actually been one of my favorite weeks out of the race so far. Becca and I have been staying at a hostel in Lilongwe and have walked just about everywhere we could far and wide, meeting so many people from Malawi and other fellow travelers from across the world. I’ve had the luxury of sitting, listening, witnessing, ministering the word of God, and praying for people all throughout the day as I hear their stories. God has opened my eyes to so many things, namely, His hungry and needy people. I mean this physically as much as I do spiritually. Knowing that someone will be hungry today while I budget for three meals a day has broken my heart so much that it can’t help but be filled with the compassion of our Father.
Yesterday, we came across a situation that left me in tears. Becca and I were walking home just before dinner and I heard a man singing, joyfully, as he played his nylon stringed guitar and handmade kick drum. I sat down to enjoy it and a man knelt next to me offering the Christmas cards he had painted himself. I didn’t have any money to give him but we had just gone to a local grocery store and I had purchased a few packs of porridge for myself to eat as the next several meals over the course of the week. I inquired to get to know this man who was begging me to buy his cards. His name was Collins and I offered to pray for him but he refused and just wanted money for the cards, so I decided to get up and start on my way home. “Sister, please!” He called out while following us through the market and grabbing my arm as he continued to put his cards in my face. The whole time, I was just asking the Lord what to do….Jesus what would you do? My heart was hurting for this man, but I knew deep down, money was not what he needed.
“My sister, I have nothing! I am your brother! I have no food in my house.” Collins cried out in desperation. That’s when my heart just broke. That’s my brother and he’s hungry like a billion other people in the world. I turned and managed to say, ” I’m so sorry, I wish I had more,” as I handed him one of my meal packets.
* * *
I wish I had the means to feed ten thousand people like Jesus did. I wish I could save the world at times too, but I am just one woman on a budget. Even though I only have $4 a day for food, that’s more than what most people here have in a week. I know I am not superman or called to save the world and there will always be needy people, but I have been blessed and know that I’m called to bless others because of that.
God loves me so much and trusts me with the blessings that he has given to heal the sick, clothe the naked, and feed the hungry. I am called to be someone’s miracle, even if it is just one person.
Katie Davis wrote, “The truth is the 143 million orphaned children and the 11 million who starve to death or die from preventable diseases and the 8.5 million who work as child slaves, or prostitutes, or under other horrific conditions 2.3 million who live with HIV add up to 164.8 million needy children. And though at first glance that looks like a big number, 2.1 billion people on this earth claim to be Christians. The truth is if only 8 percent of the Christians each cared for one more child, there would not be any statistics left.” This was convicting for me to read.
We are the miracles for many people. God’s faithful servants. If you’re reading this, I pray you would join me in this battle and the LORD would put it on your heart to be someone’s miracle. Help just one less person be hungry or stay warm today.
* * *
“You’ve got gifts that weren’t given to line your life with; they were given to be a lifeline to others.“
-Ann Voskamp
“For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.”
Deuteronomy 15:11
“When the poor and needy seek water,
and there is none,
and their tongue is parched with thirst,
I the Lord will answer them;
I the God of Israel will not forsake them.” [God wants to answer through human agency]
Isaiah 41:17
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Luke 12:33-34
