Our last day of ministry at the Children’s home for street kids in Lilongwe was yesterday. We had spent the afternoon attempting to learn a board game they play here, and the boys played soccer with the kids that weren’t playing the board game. But one was missing. The week before, I spent the afternoon with one named Patricia. She’s 10, and in a home that is filled mostly of boys, I knew that this one was something fierce, something special. I clearly heard the Lord say last week “love this one” and that’s what I did. She wasn’t at the home yesterday, and upon inquiry, the social worker said she was placed again, but she’d likely be back soon as she always was. I was sad because I wanted to see her again, but I hoped that placement was what she needed.
Today, Nick and I went to the craft market that is near the town square, not far from the children’s home we loved to visit during our time here in Malawi. I was a few stalls away from Nick when I looked back to see that he was there when I saw her. Patricia was a few yards away. She broke out in a run and ran into my arms. We spent a few minutes walking to a few stalls, sharing the limited conversation between her lack of English and my own lack of Chichewa.
We walked hand in hand through the market, looking at the shops, and seeing what they had, but I knew in the moment I had everything I wanted. I had the chance to love on a little girl who taught me about Jesus and the Lord used in my own life, and that’s how I got to end my time in Malawi.
I clearly heard the Lord say to me: “Kristy, I want good things for you, but not always in the time and moments that you think you need them. Trust me in the timing.” I would have loved to have seen Patricia at the children’s home yesterday, but the Lord knew that our time at the market would be a sweet moment, one that reminded me of how good He really is. Those moments are ones that I remember that He is FULLY good. He’s not just good in what he gives me. He’s not just good in providing good gifts, but he’s the one who made the universe at his command, and orders things at his demand. I know for sure that He’s the one behind the special moment I got to share with the one: The one who captured my heart, reminded me of His goodness, and reminds me that I can fully trust Him, even in the timing.
