The first day we got to our new home in the village we decided to go swim in the river.
Our walk down to the river included hiking down a rocky mountain path, traversing some pretty slippery trails, and walking along rice paddy walls. (I don’t know a better way to describe this. We walked on the barriers between the rice paddies.)
On the way to the river it was an adventure. Mind you an adventure that didn’t seem logical or likely to end well. But an adventure all the same.
We stayed and swam for a while. The river had a pretty strong current. Actually it tried to steal my pants away from me a few times. The cold water was refreshing and we shared lots of laughs.
On the way back I missed a step on the rice paddy walls. I landed quite hard and almost fell into a rice paddy. I’m so glad I didn’t. That would have added a whole other level of danger and gross to the situation.
After that I slowed down some. I didn’t want to fall again and my knees were a little painful.
As we started to climb the last mountain path to return home I fell to the back of the pack. Then I started to fall behind. One of the young women from the church had journeyed to the river with us. She stayed back with me.
We walked along in silence for a few minutes. Then she asked me a question. “Sister, what is your name?”
“Megan,” I replied. “What is your name?”
I didn’t get it the first time and asked for a repeat. She told me again. Then she told me it meant praise.
(Side note: I don’t know if I ever said her name properly. I’m including the Google translate version here. Maybe you can say it better.)
I told her I liked her name and the meaning. She asked if my name had a meaning and I told her courage.
(Note: I know my name does not mean courage exactly. I didn’t know how much English skill she had. I also think it’s close enough to not matter. My name means mighty, strong, able, and pearl. I know because I have it framed at home.)
We talked the rest of the way back. Simple questions and answers to get to know one another. She kept me going with her simple love and acceptance even when I wanted to give up.
Everyone finished the trail and was waiting on us across the road. I came out of the jungle onto the corn field lined road and saw them standing there.
(Note: Yes. There were SO many corn fields in the midst of the jungle. It felt a bit like Tarzan had moved to Nebraska. It was strange and beautiful.)
They were all willing to rest for a minute. I said to continue on. The church was just around the next corn field.
When we arrived at the church my new friend called me over with her. She offered me water to wash off my feet and legs which were all muddy from the fall. She then proceeded to wash my feet, legs, shoes, and pants with great care. She then led me to a chair and asked if I was hurt.
I felt so well loved by her simple actions.
Then I understood. I knew why she had been named Praise.
I don’t know what her parents’ original intention was but I know what the Spirit spoke to me about her name.
She is named Praise because her spirit, her service, her love for people cause others to praise the Lord. She is a conduit for worship.
She served us so well the week we lived in her church. She and I became friends. I will remember her and pray for her without trouble.
I will continue to praise the Lord for who He made her to be and the gentle service she gives to others around her. I will continue to see the Lord at work in her and praise Him for all He has done.
