So within the past week I’ve had several opportunities in
ministry to love on the little ones in the area. They come up out of curiosity
most of the time, and are surprised by the love that a stranger seems so
willing to give. Right, wrong, or different: I’ve noticed that African women
don’t seem as cuddly and nurturing as women back in the states. So it’s
understandable that these little ones just melt when I wrap them up in my arms
and just hold them.
I went into the home of a woman named Annette the other day
during door-to-door evangelism. She had such a sweet spirit about her, and was
absolutely beautiful (which I thought might be weird if I told her, but I did
it anyways). After talking with her a little while I found out that she was a
single mother of 5, and her sister had died of HIV recently, leaving behind 2
small children for Annette to care for as well. Financial difficulties are
understandable with 7 children, much less in an economy like Africa. She had a
silent strength about her; a faith that seemed like it could weather any storm.
I got the chance to encourage her and pray for her, which was amazing! And to
top it off I got to hold one of the cutest babies I’ve ever seen while praying-
I thought my heart was going to burst…
I can’t really explain the effect these kids have on my
heart. When I see these babies sitting in the dirt, with their 4 and 5 year old
siblings caring for them my heart longs to go to them. It seems my only desire
is to sit with them, sing songs, play games, and tell them that me and Jesus
love them. When I take them into my arms, and they seem to conform themselves
against me, my heart overflows like a wet sponge. It seems that every time I hold a baby they
fall asleep in my arms. I guess I’m not much of an Evangelist, because I don’t
really care if they pray the sinners pray, all I care about is loving them.
It’s like when I’m holding them my body begins to radiate love- I unconsciously
begin to hum and rock and pray over them; praying that somehow they can feel
God’s love as I hold them.
These children are precious little gifts from God. When I
hold them I know why God has me here. They are my heart, and this is my
ministry. Thank you so much to all of you who have helped me get here, and thus
helped me discover a piece of God’s plan for my life.
