‘Since God in his mercy has given us this ministry we never lose heart.’ 2 Cor.4
It all hangs on mercy. In his mercy, God saves us. We are called because of his mercy, and it is by his mercy that we do anything good or right. God’s mercy is an eternal quality, a measure that does not change with time, or shift with the wind. In Zomba, a few weeks ago, we went for a walk. Mo stood beside a huge tree. The kids made umbrellas out of unusually large ferns. Ferns, and even beautiful old trees come and go quickly. But God, who made the trees and the mountain on which we stood, and the tiniest fern, does not change. He is the same forever.
God, who called Abram and Sarai, calls me. He who fulfilled his promise to give them many descendants, fulfills his promise to me each day. He is with me. He gives us strength and endurance, as many of you have prayed. He shows his glory in the small details of an early morning walk, or the openness of six boys as we study the Bible, or the joy of a full belly. He shows his face in the ordinary people, the least of these, who suffer unspeakably because they have no shoes, or nothing to eat, or no roof over their heads.
The unchanging mercy of God is what carries me when the challenges are overwhelming. Sometimes when a sick person comes looking for help, I grumble and complain, ‘I am not a doctor, you know.’ But then I remember that Jesus is the great Physician, and he lives in me. I can always ask him. Sometimes I get overwhelmed by large, pushing crowds, and long to run away and hide. But then I remember that Jesus also saw the crowds, like a flock without a shepherd, and had compassion. Give me compassion Lord. Live in me.
Sometimes I wonder if our 24 Malawian kids will ever read. It seems like nothing sinks in. But then I remember that Jesus loves each one not for what they know, or for what they can do. He just loves them. He loves their beautiful smiles, he loves their open hearts, he loves them when they are fighting, he loves them when they are crying. Unconditional love. Fill me with your love Lord.
May God show us his glory as we persist amidst many challenges. May he give us the wisdom we lack, and fill us with joy unspeakable. It is hard to write when the days are too full, and the stories somehow too harsh, which is why the dusty website. Forgive us for not writing. Let me tell you some stories that bring hope.
On Sunday mornings, 5 or 6 local boys, including three of our own, come together for Bible study. It has been so encouraging to hear their questions, and to see them turn from answering as they think I would like, and answering according to what the passage of Scripture says. One of the boys came with a song last week. He had been reading in Acts 7, where Luke quotes Is.66, and wrote a song with those words: “Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me?” In a world that is very practical, a picture such as this one was lost on the boys. I asked them how big they think God is, if his feet rest on the earth, and his throne is in the heavens. There eyes lit up as they saw how big God really is, and that he actually wants to live in us.
The house for missionaries is now finished. Matt Smith and a team of builders have been hard at work over these last few months. We are so excited to have a place for Matt , Sue, Brandon and one other whom God will call. This building is a gift from God’s people to us, from start to finish. Our good friend Jeff Hageman brought a team to help begin the project, and sent many of the building supplies in a container. We are so grateful to friends around the world who join with us in this work.
Our Bible School garden is causing quite a stir in the community. The maize is tall and the ears fat. People stop to ask how we have done it. It is a good crop because the field was not burnt at the end of the last crop (as is traditional). Instead, the stalks were buried under the new crop. Beans were planted right in the midst of the corn, so as to preserve moisture and add nutrients in the ground. We hope this field will inspire some farmers around here to think differently about how they farm.
Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs have grown in numbers, and in maturity. We have hit on a program that seems to work. We start with soccer, and divide the kids by age. I set up five or six activities for the kids, and they rotate through. We end with singing and a Bible story before supper. I am enjoying a new freedom with the kids….I no longer feel threatened by their pushing, and find I am able to laugh with them more easily. I am so thankful for this gift. Thank you for praying.
Mary’s (substitute name to protect child’s identity) story is a miracle that has been unfolding over the past two months. Mary came to us along with her two younger sisters, having recently lost their mother and father. They surprised us with their happy smiles right from the beginning. Mary had a lump on her back, which was caused by spinal tuberculosis. We knew she would need medical help, and spoke to our friend at CURE hospital, Dr. Jim Harrison. As God would plan these things, three weeks after Mary came to live with us, a spinal team arrived at CURE to do one week of surgery. Mary was chosen, and scheduled for major surgery. Without the surgery, Mary would likely have been paralyzed within the year. Nine hours in surgery, with bone from the United States and titanium rods in place, Mary slowly came around from the anaesthetic. She had feeling in her toes, and movement in both legs. Hallellujah! Three weeks later, she was up and walking, and smiling again. Isn’t God amazing! He even provided a guardian who bathed Mary in love everyday, and in exchange found a new career path. We are so grateful to Tweni, who gave so much so freely to Mary whom she hardly knew.
These are just a few of the many stories of hope. We continue to thank the Lord for bringing revival to the most desperate here in Malawi. We thank the Lord too for the many who faithfully lift us up in prayer and give sacrificially to the work here. Thank you very much for the love you have shown to us and the people of Malawi.
