Scott, Megan, and I helped Pastor Jo Jo with his visitation ministry at a nearby village. Our first stop was a blacksmith’s home. We got to see his shop where he hand-makes swords and daggers out of scrap iron from vehicles left over from WWII. A tree had fallen on the family’s house last year and they had the materials to finally start building another. Satan had come to destroy, but I prayed over them that they would be reminded that God has come to restore and rebuild. I prayed that the new house will be better than the old one and that they’d be more blessed by it.
We journeyed back up the steep, muddy embankment and down the dirt path through the trees to another home belonging to Pastor Jo Jo’s uncle. He too is a pastor and also the tribal leader of the village. He holds services in his house every Sunday and is full of joy and life even at his old age. We were able to bless and encourage him and his ministry. Before we left, I asked if he would pray for us. In his native tongue he prayed that God’s might angels would go before us and protect us. There was something ancient and powerful about his prayer.
The daily rains leave everything muddy and slippery, but these paths are their sidewalks and driveways. Except for the thatch roofs, their houses are made entirely of bamboo, even the floors. They creaked and cracked under our weight, but they were extremely welcoming and insisted we come inside and sit down. Their tiny homes barely fit all of us, but they were so honored by our presence like we were royalty. Those with cameras took pictures of us and they cherished every word we said.
Most of them were believers, so it was great to just encourage and pray for them. The villagers always say what they are thankful for before giving their prayer requests, which consistently included health and safety for them and their family. It was amazing to see how generous and faithful to God they are even though they have next to nothing. We met a 10 year old girl who couldn’t go to school that day because she didn’t have a lunch to take with her… She still had a genuine smile on her face though. After seeing the poverty of these people and the fact that they still have joy and trust in God, how could any of us complain about anything ever again?
