On our third day of ministry in Malawi, Africa, I met a tiny angel in tennis shoes who gave me the courage to be bold.
We pulled up to the isolated village in our rickety white bus. No sooner had we stopped than flocks of children surrounded us, shouting, “Mzungu! Mzungu!”, which translates to, “White people! White people!”
We climbed out of the van and took in the breathtaking view. Malawi is certainly not the tourist center of Africa but it is stunning nonetheless. Apart from the usual red brick huts with thatched roofs and scattered trees, this village was set against the backdrop of a single rocky mountain. Thunder clouds gathered ominously a few miles away, bringing the slightest breeze to the sultry air.
Though it was a beautiful sight, I couldn’t contain the unsettled feeling in my stomach. It wasn’t just nerves: it was terror. I knew that I was going to have to speak to these people about Jesus and that scared me more than I wanted to admit.
As we began walking to an even more remote village, I found myself beside a little girl. She stood out from the rest of the children because instead of the brightly colored sarongs they all wore, she had a very nice store bought white dress paired with beat up sneakers. I could tell that she was very proud of her dress because she kept brushing the dust off of it.
I extended my hand to her and she very shyly took it and did not let go until we arrived at the village ten minutes later. I learned that her name was Anna and she was six years old. Her quiet devotion and shy joy calmed my heart and my nerves. I felt myself beginning to genuinely enjoy the scene.
People began to gather under a large tree and before I knew it there were 150 or more people waiting to listen to us speak and my little white angel was in the very front row. As my teammate shared the salvation message, I kept meeting her eyes. My heart felt fuller with every smile I evoked from her.
The pastor with us asked if anyone would like to accept Christ and so many people raised their hands that it brought tears to my eyes. Anna raised her hand, too. I watched her lips move as she prayed the prayer of salvation in Chichewa and I thought that I had never seen a scene so beautiful in my entire life.
When it came time for me to speak, I no longer felt nervous because I knew that I would do anything to encourage the faith of these new believers, especially my Anna. I spoke without fear, knowing that my Father would give me the right words.
Anna clung to me the entire walk home and when we left I gave her a tight hug. I do not know what the future holds for her but I will always carry her smile in my heart. She has a church community to care for her and I pray that her faith will grow and be nourished by those around her.
I am learning every day here in Malawi how perfectly our Creator cares for us. He knows all of our needs and fulfills them. He knew that I needed reassurance and he sent me a little angel to calm my fears and give me a reason to fight. He knows when I am tired, when I am angry, and when I am scared. All I have to do is run to Him and He will provide rest, peace, and shelter from the world. He does it in unexpected ways. Sometimes I don’t even know that it’s Him at all. All I had to do was come to Him with an open and willing heart.
“But the Lord has become my fortress,
and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.” –Psalm 94:22
