I would like to tell you a few stories from the people of Kachibora. Margaret was in a car accident about a year ago. She sustained injuries to her back, legs and arms. Since that time she has been restricred to a wheel chair and her sister has needed to move in to help raise Margaret’s 5 children. We had the opportunity to speak to her a few days back while doing door to door evangelism. I had always thought our duty as missionaries and the ones bringing the word was to be an encourager to whomever we encountered. I would have to say we all thought that this would be the case when we entered Margaret’s home. Instead we found a woman whose faith was in no way tarnished or lessened but had grown in the year since the accident. The love and Presence of the Holy Spirit could be seen shining through this woman. Though still bound to a wheel chair she professed her love of Christ and joy in the relationship she continues to have with Him. Margaret’s injuries have started to heal over the year and she continues to believe complete healing is coming to her! I wish I could explain the encouragement I felt to hear her words and the strength of faith she continues to have!
Another day we came to the home of a young woman, who had just recently moved in with her sister’s family. Emily was at first very receptive, but shy when we spoke with her and asked how she was doing. After some encouragement we learned that she had moved from another town to be with her sister because she had a baby, and the father had left shortly before the birth. While she was happy to be able to be with her sister and thankful for the help her sister gave with her new baby, she was very unhappy. In the past few months she had fallen into deep depression and considered taking her own life. While her sister had allowed her into their home, she was very upset with Emily and the new baby. She often ridiculed Emily for what had happened, thus increasing Emily’s depression. While speaking to Emily we could see how much it hurt to share these things with strangers. We were able to pray with her and ask the Lord for blessings and protection for her and her baby boy. By the time we left she had proudly shown us her baby and allowed Anmari to hold him. We were all able to see a new life in her eyes as we left. It had nothing to do with us or our contacts that came that day, but everything to do with Emily being reminded of God’s love, grace and compassion. I truly hope she continues to see that and that her sister does as well.
In a house we visited just the other day we had the priviledge of meeting Bennet and Steven. Bennet was unable to work due to an injury and Steven was unemployed as well. Once of the first things that Bennet shared with us was that he and Steven had been wanting to go out that day but for some reason he felt something keeping them at home. Sure enough we showed up! Bennet also said that he had been troubled by many things in his life but had come to the point that he desperately wanted to give his life to God and accept Christ into his life! All he was waiting for was the opportunity and a little guidance! Our contacts from Deliverance Church did an amazing job of speaking life over Bennet and helping him and Steven accept Christ into their lives!
These are just a few of the many people God has given us the privilege of meeting. I wish I could share every single story. The best way I can sum our experience up is by saying that I am more encouraged by being in Kachibora this past month than I have ever been my entire life! I truly can’t wait to see what God’s plans for our team and squad our for the rest of our time in Africa!
