It’s that time again… time to move on. Another bittersweet moment for me. Honestly, I didn’t think I was going to miss this place all that much. But as I was finishing up editing my video, sadness started to hit me.
I realized how many memories I had actually built here at El Shaddai. God really moved around this place, and I got to see it firsthand.
Remember Madida? I wish I was writing about how much he had learned from me these last few weeks, or some redemptive story about how he’s a different boy. Well, sorry to disappoint.
However, God gave me a revelation involving this little guy.
From 3-5 PM, our duty was supposed to be doing homework with the kids and teaching them. 2 hours. I figured out quickly that Madida’s attention span was about 10 minutes. He absolutely despised homework. I would promise play time or treats if he would just give me 30 minutes. It wouldn’t help. He would just slouch in his chair, crawl on the ground, try to leave, or ignore me with his arms folded. And this was a kid who desperately needed to learn.
I would tell him, “I’m only wanting to help you. This is not punishment. We are supposed to do this for 2 hours, and I’m being nice here with the 30 minutes.” As frustrating as it was, I felt like God told me to keep loving him and not give up.
On one particular occasion, we cooked dinner for them and ate with them. Afterwards, I ran and grabbed an Oreo for Madida and my laptop to show him the video I’d made with him in it. I had to prompt him to say “thank you” as a way to teach him manners.
Immediately following, we were supposed to have a worship service all together. We were walking up to the chapel with Madida swinging a golf club around along the way. Before we entered the chapel, I told him he needed to leave the club outside. He was very reluctant, but finally gave it over. Then he proceeded to be upset the entire service.
Somewhere near the end of the worship session is when God spoke to me. The revelation teemed within me. “Isn’t Madida and Tyler a lot like Tyler and Jesus sometimes?”
Think about it in your own relationship with God. You think God ever feels ignored by us? You think he’s ever like, “Hey you!… I have given you LIFE, salvation, freedom from sin, spiritual blessings, food, and a beautiful creation to walk upon, and you’re not even thankful?” Yet, He still chooses to love us. No matter what.
I want Madida to do his homework for his future benefit. In the same way, Jesus says, “I’m not punishing you when life gets hard, or when you ‘have’ to read your bible. I want you to grow closer to me! I have so much more for you if you only seek me! Do you not understand that I love you with a love that surpasses understanding?”
That’s some good truth.
He gives and takes away. When God takes away the “golf clubs” in our lives, is He being mean? Or is He trying to protect us, to bring us into intimacy, to get our attention, to bring Himself glory?
As I leave Swaziland, I believe Abba will continue to move in the lives of these children and the staff here. I believe Madida will look back at our experience together and see Jesus.
So, as we head to India, I am looking forward to what else God will accomplish. I pray I continue to listen to God’s voice.
PS: God has shown me that I have the gift of prophecy, so pray that I continue seeking the Lord in that, and that I will cultivate that gift.
