Malawi is known as the “warm heart of Africa,” and being
here just over a week, I can clearly see why. After our encounters with
Zimbabwe and Mozambique, I wasn’t sure what to expect of Malawi, but was
excited for whatever God had in store for us none the less. And let me just say, uhm…. WOW. Coming from
Romania, where the mark of communism is so evident in the cold faces of its
people, it is so refreshing to be in a place so filled with joy. Everyone
waves, everyone smiles, and everyone is so amazing, it is impossible not to
fall in love!
My team, and team Truth are partnered with Harvesters
International Ministries (H.I.M.), which is not only throughout Malawi, but is
partnered with The Rock Church in Pasadena, CA. They go into their local
communities, and into rural villages, building relationships with people,
loving on them, discipling them, and bringing them Bibles. It’s not about getting church numbers up, or
getting people to say the sinner’s prayer, but about bringing people into true
relationships with the Lord, and empowering them within their communities,
building churches from within. It is beautiful!
We are staying with the, oh, so wonderful, Medson Gama and
his beautiful family at their home here in Zomba. While here we get to be a
part of his church, participating in the services, as well as walking and
driving to many of the churches he bishops over, encouraging them, and
uplifting them. We also go around here and other places, going door to door,
and telling people about the love that Jesus has for them. Rather than trying
to persuade them to a church, we go simply to share the love the Lord has for
them, inviting them to seek Him, and praying with them. Along the way we come
across many believers as well, which is awesome because we get to encourage
them, and remind even them of how deep His love is for them.
This is by far my favorite month on the race, and my
favorite place in the world. I am so
excited by the weeks still to come, and blown away that God has so evidently
worked in each of our hearts, purifying us, growing us, and overpowering us
with His unrelenting love. More and more I am seeing how much this entire
experience is such a gift from God in ways so beyond any expectation I ever
had. The more I let go, the more of Him I get. The more I seek, the more I
find. The more I love, the more I am changed and overwhelmed by the power and
abundance of His love. The more I give, the more I receive.
I have never been in love like this, never been more
intoxicated by His Spirit, and never so thankful for the privilege of knowing
Him as I do. I am so thankful for His
sovereignty, for the way that He arranged everything, everything of my past, of
my struggles, of my fears, of my joys, of my growths, of my relationships, of
ME, to prepare me for HIS glory. So thankful that even when I knew not even a
bit of it, He loved me unendingly, and thankful that EVERY day He shows me more
and more how far eternity reaches.
I knew Africa was going to change me even more; I knew that
I was entering a new time with Him, but I didn’t expect this. Thank God that I
serve the One who DID know. Thank Him that He is so far beyond any expectation
I could create, or any timeframe I could muster. Thank God for His
unpredictable, unbelievable, unimaginable LOVE. THANK GOD!!
