“Most white people are in the city and we have to go to them. But I am happy that you are not too proud to come out here, to visit me…”
Our friend and translator spoke the words that pierced my soul last night. They lovingly came from the smiling mouth of our new “sister”, Nunung (noo-NOOng).
Nunung is from the people group known as Sundanese which live on one of the islands of Indonesia. We were invited by a friend to go to a nearby Kampung, (Kahm-PUhng) or local village to walk around, visit and spend time with the people.
Not long after entering the neighborhood, we walked up to Nunung’s house/store front. The side dirt roads were dark, filled with stray cats and the welcoming light shining from her open air store drew us in like fireflies.
Following hearty introductions, the ‘hangout time’ began!
Nunung served us coffee as she excitedly yelled at a neighboor on a traveling food moto to come over so we could try a local dish of tofu and soybean meatballs in broth. She introduced us to her son who hid his face in her shoulder and she showed us pictures of her husband as we spent the next few hours conversing through translation.
Along with 90+% of the population in Indonesia, Nunung is Muslim. She told us how she prays to Allah five times a day and tries to be good. She said she holds faith closely in her heart.
One of the girls on the team was able to share her personal testimony and the gospel with Nunung who listened attentively. We were able to pray with her afterwards and she held our hands and received with joy, giving us all a big hug afterward.
Somewhere in the midst of the laughter and smiles, my heart was stirring with a fire about what she had said earlier:
We were not too proud to go and visit her at her home.
Pride?
Is it really pride that holds us back from going to visit our neighbors? To go to the places off the beaten path to love people and assure them that they are seen and known…..not just by us but by a living and personal God?
I used to think that it was busyness or simply just being too shy.
Now I’m not so sure.
Nunung has unknowingly shaken my foundations.
As I wobble back and forth on this newly fractured base, one thing I DO know for sure:
I am a great sinner, but I have a great Savior!
(John Newton)
Every time I let my pride get in the way of a divine appointment, He has lovingly covered me by His blood.
I went to the Kampung last night to allow Abba to speak through me to others…..to my humbling gain, He spoke through a Muslim to me! Goes to show what He is capable of when I lay down my pride and allow Him to take me to the places I would never go if it were still intact. Thank you Jesus!
Please pray for Nunung…..pray that as I spend more time with her in the next few weeks, Abba would water the seed that has already been planted in her heart.
Pray that she would feel the tangible presence of a living God who says it’s not our actions but HIS action that allows us to accept His abundant love.
And please pray for ME! To be able to let go of any and all pride….to have eyes to see those who feel unseen and to have a heart that burns to enter into the places where nobody wants to venture.
“God can never entrust His Kingdom to anyone who has not been broken of pride, for pride is the armor of darkness itself.”
Francis Frangipane
Who are the people and where are the places He is asking you to be rid of pride and enter into with love?
