“Listen…” I told the guy as we walked out of the grocery
store. “If you lied to me about having eight children, what’s happened in your
past, or not being able to find work…I Don’t Care. But please use the food we just bought for something
good. You said you needed it and
that you didn’t even want money, so don’t sell it to get money for drugs or
alcohol. If you don’t need the
food, bless someone else with it.
This is a gift from God and not from me. Got it?” He
said yes. As we parted, he asked
me another question and then he was gone.
store. “If you lied to me about having eight children, what’s happened in your
past, or not being able to find work…I Don’t Care. But please use the food we just bought for something
good. You said you needed it and
that you didn’t even want money, so don’t sell it to get money for drugs or
alcohol. If you don’t need the
food, bless someone else with it.
This is a gift from God and not from me. Got it?” He
said yes. As we parted, he asked
me another question and then he was gone.
Over time you can get pretty calloused living as amissionary. People ask you for
money, food, and everything else you can think of, ALL THE TIME. I’ve noticed a change in my demeanor
since I arrived in Kenya four months ago.
I used to listen to people’s stories and be moved by their plight. But after learning and seeing how the
vast majority of these people are con artists, I’ve become more closed off. As soon as I’m approached now, I don’t
trust the person and I go into the conversation already saying “no” in my
mind.
So, I expected this conversation to be nothing out of the
ordinary. I would listen for a
minute and then tell him that I wasn’t going to give him money and that I had
to go. But something was
different. Something inside of me
really felt for this guy. I felt
like God was saying help him. So,
we talked for a bit and then he made his plea. He said he didn’t want money, but he needed food to feed his
family. I told him I’d help him
out and then we headed down the street.
ordinary. I would listen for a
minute and then tell him that I wasn’t going to give him money and that I had
to go. But something was
different. Something inside of me
really felt for this guy. I felt
like God was saying help him. So,
we talked for a bit and then he made his plea. He said he didn’t want money, but he needed food to feed his
family. I told him I’d help him
out and then we headed down the street.
We walked in to the grocery store and this guy was eyed by
security and workers as we walked around.
It was obvious he was dirt poor and wouldn’t normally shop there. He proceeded to pick out the largest
bag of everything we were buying and my initial reaction was to go for the more
economical choice. However, I
heard God whisper…get him the best.
security and workers as we walked around.
It was obvious he was dirt poor and wouldn’t normally shop there. He proceeded to pick out the largest
bag of everything we were buying and my initial reaction was to go for the more
economical choice. However, I
heard God whisper…get him the best.
As we checked out and got ready to part ways, he asked me a
question. He asked if I needed my
receipt as he tried to grab it from my hand. I put it in my pocket and told him yes; then we parted. Soon after, I realized what had
happened. He wanted the receipt so
he could go back to the store and return the items we had just bought to get
the money. That hurt…I was angry…I
wanted to punch this guy and teach him a lesson. This is why I don’t do things like that! I hate being taken advantage off and
being lied to.
question. He asked if I needed my
receipt as he tried to grab it from my hand. I put it in my pocket and told him yes; then we parted. Soon after, I realized what had
happened. He wanted the receipt so
he could go back to the store and return the items we had just bought to get
the money. That hurt…I was angry…I
wanted to punch this guy and teach him a lesson. This is why I don’t do things like that! I hate being taken advantage off and
being lied to.
And then God whispered to my heart again…
“I told you to buy him that food.”
Me: “But I
don’t understand why. Why would You
ask me to buy food for someone who is crooked? What if he sold the food and
bought drugs or alcohol?”
don’t understand why. Why would You
ask me to buy food for someone who is crooked? What if he sold the food and
bought drugs or alcohol?”
God: “What if? So what? You do
what I place on your heart, and let me worry about the details.”
what I place on your heart, and let me worry about the details.”
Me: “That’s
hard for me to do though…especially if I feel manipulated. Especially if I get taken advantage
off.”
hard for me to do though…especially if I feel manipulated. Especially if I get taken advantage
off.”
Then I realized that God was revealing more of His heart to
me. He was letting me feel His
frustration and pain because of how many people take advantage of Him and the
gift he has given to us. How He
feels our pain when we hurt one another and don’t love each other well. And that’s a hard place to be…but
it puts things back into perspective.
me. He was letting me feel His
frustration and pain because of how many people take advantage of Him and the
gift he has given to us. How He
feels our pain when we hurt one another and don’t love each other well. And that’s a hard place to be…but
it puts things back into perspective.
Give…even if it doesn’t come back.
Obey…even if you don’t understand fully.
Love…because Christ first loved you.
