8-18-2007
I praise you Lord for Compassion.
For a mothers love and dedication.
I’m thankful to have discerned your Spirit.
May your grace and mercy abound in my sin.
I was to speak instead I smiled.
I was to pray, so why then did I walk away?
Ten of us loaded a bus early this morning leaving Maun destined for Nata, about 3.5 hours away. As people load you see them walk past generally if something strikes you as odd it gets easily dismissed. Today what I noticed a woman board with a blanket draped across her front as if she was caring something that extended diagonally from hip to shoulder. She found her seat next to the window one row back kitty corner from where I was in the isle.
When we arrived in Nata nearly everyone got off the bus either because it was
their destination or they were taking a break before continuing the ride to Francestown. While our group was gathering our belongings the seats behind us unboarded leaving this mother and her bund
le. Just before the stop I had thought she was nursing an infant as a feeling of awkwardness was felt. As I rose out of my seat I looked her direction to smile at a baby. Instead I saw the head of a child about the age of eight. The rest of it’s body so emancipated that it wasn’t noticeable. This was a
child facing death, most likely AIDS. I instantly felt the need to start a conversation with this
mother…but all I did was smile back again. Christy was in the seat in front of here and asked, “Is he sick?” She responded, “yes”. I felt the need to turn around in the aisle and ask if we could pray for them, instead I continued to walk away.
I battle and wrestle with the spirit of fear, why should this family suffer without knowing Christ because of my sin? Thankfully my God is bigger than me and will pursue His children whether or not it’s through me.
I have seen little children freezing in the cold, barely clothed, malnourished, and hungry for days. However, this child will forever remain in my sights. His life is the true devastation that so many in Africa are witnessing…the one gift of Hope that I have to share, I missed this time. Please join me in praying for this mother and son over the following weeks. Pray that other Christians will be placed in their path and will be obedient to share the new life of Christ Jesus.
