After 27 hours on a bus, with the only “bathroom” stop being
in the middle of a field, my teammates and I were greeted at our homestead by
the entire village singing and dancing for the “visitors.” We were led to our
grass huts to drop off our things, and then take tea before going to bed. At
dinner, we were told we needed to give the sermon the next morning at church,
which I hesitantly accepted.
The next day after dancing in church, we went to the homes
of Compassion International children to evaluate how they are developing
physically, mentally, and spiritually. This was followed by meeting and
greeting the town, including the police chief, on the back of Pastor Tom’s
motorcycle. To top off the day, we led a fellowship for the villagers and “gave
them the Word of God.”
We then began our week of ministry by teaching school,
attending a funeral at which we became the honored guest, and cut ribbons and
blessed new homes built by Compassion. A few days later, we shared with HIV
victims, encouraging them with scripture, and also helped to share with the
women of the village how to be good wives, all things I am highly unqualified
to do.
Being in the village of Ajaa B, I am realizing how important
complete dependence on God is. Not only am I living in a homestead full of
grass huts with no water or electricity, but also I am constantly thrown into
situations of which I am not qualified. Each day I must ask God to carry me
through, and to help me encourage and love His people who I cannot relate to. I
know God will be faithful, and the next two weeks are going to be exhausting,
but God’s strength will be made perfect in my weakness. I pray that He is
glorified in each situation that I could never accomplish without Him.
