I was reminded of an important lesson and verse from the
bible the other night. As we boarded our first bus on our trek home from town
the other night, after a long exhausting day I was tired and ready to be home.
As I slipped my ear buds in and turned on my ipod, I was looking forward to a
silent journey until we reached home and I could get in bed and just sleep. Not
two minute after I starting listening to music I was tapped on the shoulder by
my Tanzanian neighbor. It turns
out one of my teammates was having a conversation with a lady and the fact that
we are Christians came up. The lady she was talking with was also a Christian
but the man that tapped me on the shoulder was not but he overheard that we
were. Most Tanzanians speak limited English so I was surprised by this mans
perfect English as he opened His mouth. He started by asking me if I was a
Christian, as to reassure himself that he had overheard that correctly. I said
yes and then he said, “Please tell me what is so good about Christianity?� He
was very polite about it and seemed to be very educated as well. I was able to
answer him but our conversation was cut short by our having to switch buses. A
seed was planted which is great, but I was reminded that we are to always be
ready to give an account of the hope we have in Jesus, even when we are
exhausted and cramped up on a hot African bus.
I was also reminded today of how well the Lord knows me. It
seems simple but to be known is one of the greatest feelings and to know that
the Lord knows me even better than I know myself is just great. He knows me
inside and out, up and down, everything, absolutely EVERYthing about me and it
does my heart wonders. This realization meant especially a lot to me today. As
we were on our way into town for our day off I realized that I in fact needed
some time alone, alone with the Lord, alone with my thoughts and as we were on
our way to a new hang out spot in Dar Es Salaam I wasn’t sure what this would
look like. As we arrived at our destination I was looking around for a secluded
spot to have some alone time. I saw a small shop labeled Classic Caffe
“Tanzania Coffee House� and I was obviously drawn inside. I felt the cool
breeze of air-conditioning, umm yes please! I walked to the back of the café
and saw a wonderful, quiet spot in the corner to sit, umm yes please! As I
opened the menu my eyes were immediately drawn to the iced coffee, umm yes
please!! And as I looked up, right beside me was a power outlet for my
computer, umm yes please!!! All these things are readily available and easy to
find in America I realize but in Africa it’s a rare occasion to find all these
things in one place. I immediately felt immense love and an immense feeling of
being known by the Lord. He knew what my heart needed today. Today is my teams Sabbath,
our day of rest. The Lord knew I needed rest and He knew exactly how to provide
that rest for me. He is such a good Father, Papa, Daddy, (baba in Swahili), to
His children.
“Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone
asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.”
-1 Peter 3:15-
