by Joanna Morrison, January 2012
I have my instructions: ‘Not too airy fairy Jo, so I can find pictures to go with it.’ So here I go with a down to earth update with lots of real live faces to go with it. I would like to give thanks for visitors who breathe life in to us. Two days after we buried our friend Daryl we all gathered around the fire-pit at the Martin’s house to remember and laugh together. Kids told stories of Daryl’s heart to bless, how he would treat them to lunch out if they happened to be out anywhere near lunch time, how he would catch them in his famous game of ‘Made you look!’ Gradually the fire died down and the kids headed off to bed. A few of us remained standing around the fire when the truck pulled in. ‘Oh yes, we have visitors arriving today.’ It seemed so incongruent, like an invasion, until Pam and Jerry Steinberg walked around the corner and embraced us. Immediately, Rebekah and I both knew that here was a couple that would be part of our healing.
Let me count the ways. Pam took the load off me at the gate, and dressed many, many wounds in my stead. She brought laughter and life everywhere she went, regaling us with stories of her infamous bike, and its numerous repair jobs. She painted with Kalina every Friday, and often enticed the boys and I to join in as well. She enhanced our worship with her beautiful violin, and her open heart.
Jerry and Pam moved into the Martin’s old house, which is now where Matt and Emily live. It was a transition time. They hosted prayer gatherings and potluck dinners there, and we got used to new faces in the Martin’s house. Jerry brought out his sheets of terrible jokes, useless to Malawian pastors, but a welcome relief to Daniel in particular, and the rest of us as we watched him laugh. Jerry’s book came along in strides. Who knew that Bangula would be an ideal retreat in which to write a book? It turns out that the interminable heat, together with the language barrier, not to mention the absence of phone calls, provide an excellent venue for book writing.
Jerry taught at the Bible school and blessed the pastors as they graduated. He also met and encouraged Patrick, with deep theological discussions, and guitar lessons. As a mum, Jerry blessed me by spending time discipling my firstborn son, who is growing wings and seeks to fly. I wonder what picture Mo will find for that!
After a few weeks, Pam began to wonder out loud whether their son Michael might also come out to spend some time with us. He did, and little did we know how he would bless and encourage us. Michael is a photographer, and very quickly he and Mo could be found poring over pictures in the ‘light room.’ Every day at about 4 p.m. when the light is perfect, Mo and Michael would wonder off to capture the light and the faces of our children. A gift was being given, and received. Joy was being restored. Now, when Mo says he is going to the ‘light room’ I give thanks, because I know this brings life. Thank you Michael!
Visitors come in all shapes and sizes, and we are never quite sure how it will work out, but God has been faithful in bringing justthe right visitor at just the right time. Recently our netball team received a boost when we had our very own coach drop in from England. It turned out she could also sew and got busy on netball bibs identifying the players and their positions. Angela’s visit culminated in a first ever netball game between the girls, and the mums and missionaries. The competition was stiff but the outcome not really a surprise!
With a fleet of trucks and many homes, obviously we would welcome a mechanic or a plumber or an electrician at any time. With a school full of children hungry to learn, we are always in need of teachers. As we face various challenges, we are encouraged by God’s provision and the encouragement he lavishes on us.
As the rain refreshes the earth this morning, and the greening of the land has begun, it is a time to give thanks and to put our hope in the one true God, who is not surprised by hunger, or famine, or deception. ‘Then what can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or hardship? Can persecution, hunger, nakedness, danger or sword? Through it all, overwhelming victory is ours through him who loved us. For I am convinced that there is nothing in death or life, in the realm of spirits or superhuman powers, in the world as it is or the world as it shall be, in the forces of the universe, in the heights or depths – nothing in all creation that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ Rom.8: 35, 37-39 Amen!
