As we arrived to our final destination in Zomba, Malawi I instantly knew God had sent 5 Alive somewhere special for the month. We are staying with Pastor Gamma and his wife in their home. I am already experiencing love in a way I never knew before. This man and his family are serving us in a way that I know they would serve Jesus if He was staying at their house. They have gone above and beyond. They have re-arranged their entire house so we could be comfortable, Mrs. Gamma cooks for hours on end so we can enjoy a delicious meal, and they do this with genuine love. They do not have much at all and are giving us everything, and not regretting a second of it. I see that they enjoy this, and actually love it.
If you read my last blog you know how my backpack had an unfortunate encounter with several gallons of diesel fuel. Pastor Gamma’s 2 teenage sons spent hours scrubbing my soiled belongings, in the heat of the African sun. They smiled and joked and laughed, and would not let me help. I tried and they would turn me away. As I ate Rose’s amazing lunch of tomatoes, chicken, and rice I heard her sons in the backyard scrubbing my backpack.
I had this sick feeling in my gut the whole time, and it has nothing to do with the food. It felt way deeper than just being humbled. It was my….my pride. What an ugly word! I know I have never loved someone the way they are loving me. If that is true that says a lot about how I love Jesus. Pastor Gamma and his family know no end to servanthood in its purest form. I believe we are all called to be great servants. Jesus was the greatest servant of all.
He has been calling me for quite some time to step up in greater ways of servanthood and selflessness. I just don’t get how you can give out way more of yourself than what is comfortable and be happy about it all the time. I do in small ways, but to pour your life out completely for others is beyond me. I also just feel uncomfortable to be served in this way. It is difficult to accept such great acts of love. When you think of Jesus it is quite humbling to accept his great gifts. He came not to be served, but to serve.
To conclude, my backpack and belongings still stink…and gas is permanently clinging to the fabric, but God is using this gas to show me pride I never knew I had, and to reveal to me the servants heart He calling me to live out in a much much bigger way.
“The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.” Ecclesiastes 7:8
