As I mentioned in my previous blog, my team and I were in Mozambique for the past 10 days. We were helping a guy named Don at an Iris center that he runs. There are about 10 guys that live at the center. Recently, there was a guy that got kicked out of the center because he was stealing from Don. He was sent to jail, and then Don bailed him out and told him that he would continue to help him, but he could not live on the base anymore.
On Sunday we were all at church-about a 5 minute walk from the house. In the middle of the service one of the guys came in to tell Don that someone broke into his house. It was the guy that just got kicked out. He was only in the house for a matter of seconds because he realized that someone had seen him go in. The only things he managed to take were mine and Seth’s IPODs-as they were sitting close to the window he broke into. As soon as we realized what was going on some of the guys jumped in the van to go find him. The whole day we tried to find him. No luck.
The next day we were all on our way to a different Iris base about 30 minutes away. Don received a phone call from the guy that stole the IPODs. He admitted to stealing them, and he said he would give them back if we gave him 500 meticai (about $20). At this point I had to really think about this. I didn’t want this guy to think it was ok for him to just take our things, and then get rewarded for it with our money. I didn’t want him to think we were okaying the way he feels he has to get money. He says he did it because he needed money for food, and a bus ticket to go see his mother. I wanted him to know that he doesn’t have to steal to get what he needs to survive. Also I wanted to do whatever I had to, to show him Christ’s love and character. So we prayed about it and discussed it as a team and with Don. How could we show Christ’s love and conviction at the same time? Then God told me-“Give him the money, and get your IPOD back. I AM the judge of all people, and I will convict his heart and transform his life. You show grace and love to him, and forgive him for taking your things. You are not rewarding him by giving him money-you are showing him MY grace”. Then God reminded me of the story about the prostitute woman that was going to be stoned for her sins, in John 8:1-11. Jesus came and told them, “you who have no sin shall cast the first stone”. And they all left without stoning her. Interestingly enough, this happened to be the very story that Jesse shared at Som do Ceu that same night. Som do Ceu is a youth event that takes place weekly in Maputo, Mozambique.
This really showed me that it is not my place to judge people and condemn people for their sins. I have just as much sin as this guy that stole-it just looks different with our human eyes, but sin is sin to God. God is the ultimate ruler and judge. We will all have to answer to Him face to face one day. I believe us giving him the money showed God’s grace and love for him.
After we had gotten our stuff back he called Don again. He said to tell the missionaries I am sorry. We forgave him, and told him that God loves him. I believe there will be fruit from this.
Glory be to GOD.
