Around 10:00 am: Pastor John’s voice rings out in greeting as he walks through the gate of the orphanage compound. Hosanna, Mark, Nomes, Wes and I are basking in the sunshine on split log benches, waiting for his arrival (I’m also recovering from an intense stomach ache that hit on our drive over, which is fortunately ebbing after a visit to the squatty potty). After refreshing the pastor’s memory of our names, we take off walking down the road to visit his church members and other homes along the way. His goal is 15 to 20 homes before the 1 o’ clock lunch his wife is preparing for us.
Five minutes later: I find myself sitting on a stool in a dimly-lit, mud-walled home. A beaming young couple from the church welcomes us, obviously delighted as well as nervous to have foreign visitors unexpectedly. They’ve both come out of the fields doing farm work to invite us into their home. I am once again amazed at the hospitality of the African culture. Pastor John tells us about this couple’s faithfulness to the church and desire to be in full-time ministry. Their dilemma is financial constraints. I wasn’t planning to speak – my stomach is still unsettled – but I sense God putting a word on my heart for them and before I know it, my mouth is open. “As you are faithful with the small things and serve the Lord with what He has given you, God has greater things in store for the two of you! That is His promise.” I can see the desire and eagerness in their eyes for more of the Lord, and my heart is encouraged by their radiant faces as pray over them, say our goodbyes, and move on down the road.
Half an hour later: It is a full morning’s work. In each home, we share words of encouragement and pray. We’ve now met up with a younger Pastor, Peter. In the road ahead of us we see a guy herding several cows, sheep, and goats, and Pastor John announces, “We’re going to split into two groups now. One group will lead this man to salvation, and the other group will visit another home.” Very matter-of-fact! He chooses Wes and me to stay with him, and we glance at each other to determine who will share the gospel with the cattle-herder, who introduces himself as Augustine.
Wes ends up sharing, with Pastor John translating. As he translates, the pastor suddenly disappears into the corn field, telling Wes to keep talking! John shouts out a translation from the golden crowns and green stalks as he shoos one of the sheep out of the ripe harvest. I can’t help but laugh at the hilariousness of the situation. When Wes finishes sharing the gospel, Pastor John switches roles with us and while he leads the eager young man in a prayer of salvation, Wes and I chase sheep and cows to keep them out of the corn.
And just like that, the harvest has begun!
One hour later: I am in another dim room with Hosanna and Mark. Two brothers tell us about their health problems: one of them, Sam, has had HIV for 11 years and now is also suffering from tuberculosis. My heart breaks for him as I see the dual hope and discouragement in his eyes, and the large lumps at the lymph nodes in his neck. His brother, Paul, tells us about his diabetes. Both are eager to receive prayer.
“Father, do a miracle!” I whisper under my breath.
Pastor John asks us to share a word of encouragement with the two men, but we are itching to pray and see what God will do! I can sense Hosanna and Mark brimming with the same eagerness, hope, and faith that I feel. Finally we pray, asking the Father to heal.
I don’t know if Sam and Paul are healed yet, but I believe they will be! Sam wants to know that we won’t forget him. I see Hosanna writing down his name in her journal as a reminder to keep praying. Please pray for Sam in Kenya! He is clinging to faith in the midst of his suffering – pray that his trust in Jesus would be strengthened and that his body would be miraculously healed!
Around 1:30 pm: As it gets closer to lunchtime, the three of us are welcomed in by another church member, Martha, who instantly pulls out mugs, plates, and bowls, then disappears into another room hidden by a sheet hanging in the doorway. When she reappears, it is with sweetened tea, avocados, and chapati (fried flat bread).
“We only have ten minutes!” Pastor Peter protests.
“But it says in scripture that you should give guests a cup of cold water,” she replies insistently, with a winning smile. Peter points out our water bottles jokingly, but it is too late to argue. We enjoy her company and thank her again and again for her hospitality. Before we leave, her children scurry up a guava tree outside the house and drop the green fruits into our hands.
4:30 pm: I am on the back of a motorcycle, Hosanna sitting in between me and our driver as we cruise over the bumpy dirt road toward town. My mind plays back over the day and I am struck by the differences between what I have just seen and what a similar walk would look like at home. Here, every offer for prayer is met with requests for either financial provision or recovery from sickness and disease. It is so basic, so simple. “Give us this day our daily bread!” When is the last time we were dependent on God to provide a job simply so we could eat? To heal a case of diabetes because we didn’t have money or access to insulin? To provide a new home because we were living in a tiny, dirt-floored apartment?
I really do feel like I just spent the day with the apostles walking down a dirt road in Bible times. This is what Jesus told us to do! He didn’t make it complicated – it was simple!
In response to that, I get excited! This is real. Lives are being changed for eternity as people encounter God. The same Jesus who sent out His disciples is sending us out. He calls us to bring salvation, deliverance, and healing by the power He’s given. It may look different in the U.S., just as it looks different each place we go on the Race. Yet in every part of the world, the harvest is plentiful and the workers are few. He’s chosen us, called us, sent us out. Let’s do this thing!
Photo credit for the amazing pics goes to: Naomi Allen! Thanks Nomes!
