Moments from Maramba…
I meet a 6-year-old boy named Paul today, while walking home from the soccer pitch. He slips his hand into mine confidingly, and doesn’t let go, even when I get caught in a long conversation with one of his elders. He’s six already, but he still wants to hold my hand. Father, if the touch of a hand draws these children closer to Thee…
…let it be me.
I play games on the sidelines today with the girls who are too young to join those on the field. One of the girls, shoulders slouched and gaze averted, looks as if she has been made fun of a lot. Or abused. The cuts and scars on her neck… what do they mean? They make me shiver. Father, if I can show her an acceptance and warmth that she may have never known before…
…let it be me.
I sit for a while this afternoon with the women who care for the compound where we’re staying. Precious and Bridget are two of the sweetest African “mamas” one could hope for, this far from home. There is a Bible laying open on the table before them. When I ask them about it, they read the passage to me and ask, “What does this mean?” Jesus, if I can share a cup of tea and thoughts from Your Living Word to their hungering and thirsting hearts…
…let it be me.
The young man who maintains the grounds of the compound walks by slowly as I read this morning. “Talk with Him,” the Holy Spirit urges me. After a bit of debate, I slowly get up and walk over to where he is working. His smile is shy and quiet as he names the flowers and vegetables he just planted. Jesus, if I can impart value and dignity to him…
…let it be me.
The older woman cooking her lunch on the stove tells me all about her family as I wash dishes nearby. Then she excitedly invites me to cook nshima (a grits-like staple food made from cornmeal). I am too relationally drained to do so today – but Father, if I can value what she values, if I can learn from her…
…let it be me.
Our neighbor Eliza, who looks about my age, walks up to the gate with her baby, William, strapped to her back, snoozing in a colorful “chitenge” wrap. Her eyes tell me that she would love to be my friend. She proudly shows off her baby, and introduces me to her parents nearby. Does she have a husband? God, if I can give her a friend for these few short weeks…
…let it be me.
“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do His work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve Him…” – 1 Timothy 1:12
I am tempted to give in. I am tempted to “do just enough to get by”. I am tempted to dream about the future and let those thoughts rob me from the gift of the present. But today, Bridget’s words bring tears to my eyes: “Jesus will give you the strength to do what He calls you to do! You will finish this journey. You will finish strong.” …how did she know I needed to hear that today?
Here I am, Lord. Let it be me.
