written by Joanna Morrison, photographed by David Morrison
Miracle of Life
‘Do you see a lot of miracles?’ is a common question from our visitors. I often feel slightly embarrassed when I answer that we don’t see immediate miracles such as ‘blind eyes seeing’ or ‘deaf ears hearing.’ Recently, my embarrassment has caused me to reflect on the miraculous. What defines a miracle? Was Jesus’ birth in a stable any less miraculous than his resurrection? Yet, few recognized the miraculous in his birth. Angels sang, shepherds came, wise men travelled from the East. But what about the owner of the stable? Or the soldiers who wrote down Joseph, Mary, and newborn baby?
Jesus’ entire life from conception to resurrection was miraculous. How else does a virgin conceive? How does a boy know his Father? How does a fisherman recognize the Messiah? How does a prostitute receive forgiveness? How does a dead man walk? How does a blind man see? How does a dying man forgive? How does a huge boulder roll away? It is all the power of God.
When I broaden the definition to include any demonstration of God’s power in our lives, I see miracles galore. Each time a sick child recovers, each time an abandoned child comes home, each time truth wins over a lie, each time love is passed on, I witness a miracle.
This Iris girl suffered with spinal TB and then later Tuberculoma. She has survived and now finishing up standard 8. A walking testimony of God’s provision and grace.
When I am looking, I see. That’s the plain truth of it. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and miracles are there to be seen. It is the power to love those who lie and cheat and deceive. It is the power to talk about sex with teenagers, equipping them to make healthy, informed, and good decisions. It is the power to pray for the sick even when we don’t see immediate healing. It is the power to rearrange our school one more time because we are short teachers again. It is the power to mediate where there seems to road to reconciliation.
As I look around, I see miracles. Moses reaches out to rub little Peter’s back. Big, strong, determined Tatenda strolls around with baby Holiness in his arms. Cecelia freely gives her clothes to those who have none. Thandy carefully prints out and explains a map for a visitor who is always getting lost. Boys fix bikes so others can ride. Costly forgiveness happens. Family is born. It is all a miracle.
Two Iris girls enjoying a ride and a run thanks to donors who have provided the bicycle, and Iris children who are fixing the flat tires so the enjoyment continues.
Discipleship is a miracle less glamorous, but worthy of our time. Jesus spent three years training twelve ordinary men who became the church fathers. As we invest in a few children (67 out of 1 million orphans in Malawi), we trust that the miracles will follow. We are training them in righteousness, raising them up as Christ followers, teaching them to forgive. We are modeling love, and expecting transformation.
Bible school pastor students wearing new shirts donated from Canada.
We are looking for teachers who will serve their students, parents who will teach their children truth. We are looking for politicians who steadfastly speak the truth and keep their word. We are looking for doctors committed to preserving life. We are looking for churches who love Jesus. We are looking for the kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven.
Our Iris Primary School team of missionaries and teachers.
Next time someone asks me if we see miracles, I will answer with an unequivocal ‘yes!’ It is all a miracle. We daily ask God to heal the sick, and he does in his time, and we trust him. Father, give me eyes to see what you are doing in our midst. I don’t want to miss even one miracle. Help me to be present to the here and now.
Three of our younger Iris children enJOYing the big puddles after a rain.
Blessed are the hungry who have experienced the grace of God’s provision for their families.
Maria, the single mother of 6, has miraculously planted a vegetable garden beside her mud house.
