I was invited to visit the village of one of my friends. It is about 10K from my house and I really wanted to go see and encourage the people there. So I thought “Eh, 10K isn’t that far, no worries! Plus, I know that Marsha has been out here before- so if she can ride there on a bike, I can too.”
Well…. This was no paved, relatively straight 10K journey....and as we began I noticed that my handlebars were acting funny - they were getting looser by the minute. We were riding up and down big hills, carrying our bikes overs streams, crossing on little logs and stones. We were crossing through brush on extremely narrow paths where there was grass taller than my head; and all the while the handlebars were still loose and shaky. Keep praying!
Well we finally arrived (in one piece Praise the Lord!) to my friend’s compound. Upon arriving my friend looked at me and said “So Leah, you are ready to preach this morning??” Now, naturally, nothing had been mentioned about this before. Nobody asked me to come visit their church AND to preach. However, you will be happy to know that I came prepared :) **Always come with a sermon or speech in your pocket while visiting because it is inevitable that you will be asked to speak. It has never failed.** So I answered graciously “Ah, I am very happy to preach.” Keep praying.....
I was then invited into a hut for breakfast. They presented me with a huge plate of food: asiida, and something else that I couldn't identify. **I don’t ask because I have learned it is better to eat in ignorance than to allow the knowledge of what I am eating to gag me!** Now, church was supposed to begin at 10:30am but when we arrived not a soul was there- people were all drunk from the night before. SO, I was taken into another hut where I was fed another meal. Yes, 30 minutes after the huge breakfast I couldn’t finish I was required to eat more :) About an hour later everyone had been rounded up from the community and there was a full church. The service went well and I shared my sermon “When God speaks in New Ways” and it was amazing to see the people listening. With over 75 adults 100 children in the room there was not a peep while I spoke.After service I greeted everyone and their dog (or goat in this case) and was guided back to the hut where I sat with the elders and was fed another meal.Goodness gracious!! Soon after that I went outside to speak with the women and children. They are so lovely....and broken. I am beginning to learn that the common question is “When will you come back here?? When will you come visit us again??” Keep praying....
After about 5 men tried to fix my bike (no one was successful by the way), we returned back to my friend’s compound. We were chatting and as I was holding a baby it peed all over me (remember: no diapers here)! I was discreet and I don’t think anyone noticed. **Why be discreet you ask?? Because they probably would’ve made me bathe there and then use their clothes if they would’ve noticed (no thank you!).** Then they took me into the hut and guess what they gave me?? ANOTHER huge meal!! What???
As dusk was approaching, it was time to journey back (note: I learned that Marsha did travel here, but it was on a motorcycle, not a bike- joke’s on me ;)
Whew! And at last I made it home…. After having my skirt ripped off (did I forget to mention that??), traveling over 20K, jumping through rivers, preaching the Word, getting peed on….. After eating 4 huge meals in 6 hours, encouraging the people, playing with the children, and getting covered in dust – my heart was beyond happy. This is what I was made to do and I loved every minute of it. These people are in desperate need of encouragement and truth. And when they see the effort that I go through, I promise you- they listen. Even though I know that the effort I made was small compared to the effort they made in welcoming me….Even though I know my trials are nothing compared to theirs….the Lord gives me a voice that is strong. Keep Praying.....
Oh merciful God, hear the cries of your people! Let my life be a part of your answer. Let my life be a part of their song of reconciliation with You. Let my spirit draw people towards Yours. Let people see that you have remembered them and as a result praise your name. What a humbling and amazing task awaits all of us.
