For the duration of my time in Malawi I lived, along with 11 other girls, with a pastor and his family, who is married with 2 daughters living in the house. So, 15 girls and one man. Let that sink in.
This man is a man of many words, many expectations, and much faith. He lives his life with the determination to help people to the fullest of his abilities, and in giving others his time, patience, and fullest love, he becomes a blessing to so many. Oh, and that’s his name. Blessings.
When we first met, Blessings was waiting for us in a shopping center parking lot at 9 o’clock at night, and he proceeded to wait longer while we fed ourselves at the resident pizza, chicken, and ice cream place. He gave us the upmost respect from the beginning. Over the course of the next week he introduced us, with excitement and zeal, to our community and new culture. He welcomed us into his home, and, even if for a short while, he became part of our family as much as we became a part of his.
There are stories I could tell you about our time with him, and those will come in due time, but the words on my heart for him now are of a story he shared with us.
Blessings felt the call to become a pastor at a young age, and he pursued that with integrity and endurance. He met his wife at a church he visited early on in his pastoral career. In this time he left his home and was welcomed into the home of his sister and her husband. After a short while, they made the decision to move, leaving him the house, and not much money. But God came through. He married, found a home for his new wife and himself, and began to build not only the family, but the ministry to which he was called, the ministry he lives by now.
Fast forward some years and he has found himself involved in Adventures in Missions (shout-out). He’s become a host for teams who are seeking the globe for those who need love, and he lives in a house that doesn’t hold those he’s welcomed into his family. So, people start to talk, because this is a man who cares, and who others care for, and though he doesn’t let it stop him from what he loves, he doesn’t have what he needs physically to accommodate his mission. A couple who worked as coaches for Adventures heard about the need Blessings had, and they decided to bless him (haha, get it?). Within a short stretch of time Blessings’ house was fit to accommodate not only his family, but the extra family he brings in every year, blessing not only him, but those who’s lives meet paths with his.
And I’m one of those people. The time I spent in Malawi was definitely a challenging one, but well worth the extra bit of family I got to create and enjoy. I got to see this man lead with a faith and courage, knowing that he can keep doing what he’s doing, and if any need arises, it’ll be taken care of. He doesn’t slow down for anything, and he certainly doesn’t allow a small bump in the road derail him from the goals he’s determined to accomplish. What a man.
God bless you, Blessings.
