Divine appointments in the village
Although Tracy, Joel and Chloe arrived back to Hope Village a few days ago (hurray!), I have a few small blog postings to share while she organizes her home and her schedule (her priority right now is getting Joel's health back on track.)
I'd like to share this ephiphany I had recently: Living in Malawi as missionaries is like reading a good novel that you just can’t put down. Surprises and clever twists keep you turning the page into the wee hours of the night.
Every day we unravel an amazing human survival story, see God’s grace in a gift from a stranger, gasp at a miracle only God could perform, weep with a heartbroken mother or grandmother, fall in love with another baby, or belly laugh with a Malawian man’s contagious humor.
Best of all, the visits to the villages reveal divine appointments that have been scheduled by an all-knowing Father ... as he guides our every step. Like any good mystery novel, we never know what the next page will bring, but trust that the Author will not let us down.
This unscheduled visit to a nearby village resulted in an impromptu message complete with drama and singing.
At one of our recent visits to Tamari 2 village, Don met 5-year old Steven.
When Don saw Steven’s crooked little body compensating for a leg that had stopped growing, he felt God nudge him to move. Within 3 weeks and 3 trips to Blantyre, Steven was in a custom-fitted leg brace and walking straight. Now running too! We thank God for the Beit CURE International Hospital in Blantyre that specializes in treating the orthopedic needs of children with physical disabilities regardless of their ability to pay.
Steven’s leg was extended over 6” with this brace, and he must now wear special shoes…not your typical village shoe!
On another trip to this same village, Paul and Tracy learned of a very old “agogo” (elderly lady) living alone with no family to provide assistance, losing eyesight, losing weight, without food, blankets or proper clothing. Another unexpected heavenly interruption that couldn’t be ignored. So on our next trip out, we surprised her with a new blanket, new chitenjes (fabric worn as skirts), and enough food to strengthen her weak body and warm her sorrowful heart. We checked in with the village chief and her neighbors to ensure others are checking in on her as well.
After a time of prayer, we said goodbye to her with tears in her eyes as she thanked us for the “riches” we’d laid at her feet. Don’t thank us, we reminded her, but your heavenly Father who has not forgotten you and loves you beyond measure.
The agogo, sitting on her porch, next to her new blanket and bags of food.
A few weeks later, Don and Godwins checked in on the agogo again. She was doing quite well, wearing her new chitenje, and seemed to have a renewed spirit. While there, a few dozen village children and other adults gathered around her porch. Don and Godwins took the opportunity to sit down with them all for a chat, to tell this eager audience about the love of Jesus. “Who is this Jesus,” they said? “What more can you tell us about him?” Don and Godwins, somewhat surprised at this divine appointment, dived into an impromptu message on Jesus Christ and his gift of salvation. They returned again a week later, this time with picture books to help tell the Bible stories.
The audience was young and old, eager and attentive. And now, the village elders have asked them to come back each Saturday morning, so they can continue to receive teachings. Please pray that God’s love will create a new community of hope, faith and love in this small village … a fire that will spread as it warms. And thanks for reading Tracy’s blog faithfully, responding to so many prayer requests and praises throughout the years. It may not be the best-selling novel you read last week, but it certainly is unpredictable and precious in how God’s heart is revealed.
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