As we leave another place, as we leave Tanzania, we say farewell to friends. We say goodbye to people who have served us without reserve. We say so long to the people of Morogoro, people who have made a mark in our story.
We spent a significant amount of time doing door to door evangelism this month here in Tanzania. I would have to say that door to door evangelism is a lesson in many ways. It is a lesson in relationships, a lesson in first impressions, awkward silences, boldness, a lesson in confidence, team building, the gospel, a lesson in knowing the God we serve, falling in love with the God we serve, and many lessons I probably have failed to see. As I think back on this month here in Tanzania, I remember all of those lessons. I remember having to figure out what I am going to say about Jesus. I recall having to realize that I don’t love God as much as I should. I remember awkward beginnings in the conversations as my teammates and I look at each other for the other to tag in…I think about planting seeds and believing God is going to use other people grow those seeds. I remember thinking I have run out of things to say about Jesus, the savior of the world. Interesting.
As we walked up, she sat scrubbing her clothes in a bucket. Another house. Another woman. She welcomed us in and we sat all around her preparing to once again talk about Jesus. After finishing our introductions, we continued on to talking to her about God. As we sat there, the woman looking at the ground seemed so silently troubled. I tried looking into the eyes that were focused on the ground but could not seem to make contact. We usually end our time by asking if we can pray for the person we are talking to and if there is anything specific we can pray for.
She then began to speak as tears filled her eyes and told us that last April she lost her husband and that it has been quite difficult ever since. I tell you about this woman to tell you about another story…
After encouraging her with words of Paul and David and praying for her, we went on our way. Later that evening, she came to church and told us of a dream she had the night before we had come.
She said in the dream, she saw lions with bright faces. She knew in the dream she did not need to fear the lions because they had come to tell her something. She also knew that in the dream they had come from really far. As we sat in the church, we listened and watched as this woman’s eyes filled with tears. She went on to say that she believed the lions in the dream represented the visitors she had had the day before. That the lions had come from really far and so had her visitors…
As we thought about the dream and this woman, we realized those visitors were us. We realized that God is a God who pursues and is mysterious.
I also want to tell you of another story God allowed some of my teammates to be a part of. In the second week we were here, Ellen, Sarah, and Bek walked into a home of a woman whose mother had been paralyzed for four years at this point. After gathering as much information as possible, found out she hadn’t talked much either, and ended by praying for this woman.
Ellen, Sarah, and Bek went back a couple of days later to find this woman walking around and making her way outside basking in the sun. She was walking softly but strongly around the yard as the sun beam down on her. Ever since that first day the girls have gone back only to find her doing better and better.
We all went back yesterday and found her looking especially bright. The daughter of the woman proclaimed God has healed this woman. The daughter explained that she has brought her mother to a muslim shops, the witch doctor, prophet Joshua, and none of those had healed her mother. But after praying the first day, the woman immediately started doing better.
I have to be honest with you and tell you I have not quite figured out these situations nor do I understand them completely. I wish I could say that it made me shout thank you to the heavens and fall down before the God we serve. I can’t. But I can tell you that God is mysterious and faithful and I want to proclaim God is everything and in everything. He is healer. God is jealous. He is glory. He is good. He is mercy. HE is. I can tell you that it has made me take God out of the box that I put Him in and has made me reverently fear El-Shaddai. I can also tell you God has taught me about how much bigger He is than me or my decisions. He has allowed me to be a part of His plan and whether I get my act together or not is my decision. Whether I start confidently proclaiming Him or not is my call. HE will choose who He uses and does not need me – takes pleasure in using me, yes, needs to use me, no. Thank you God that you are unchanging and because you are unchanging and faithful, you do not break your promises. You are ever more faithful and God Almighty. You are I AM. You are King of Kings. You are Alpha and Omega.
Bwana Asifiwe
(Praise the Lord)
