Kwazi. Kwazi is a little girl I met at Mkhombakati carepoint on Friday. Kwazi is malnourished, she is shy, barley speaks, sad, but she is beautifully and uniquely created by God. Kwazi has a story. I don’t know what it is, but I don’t need to. Kwazi needed me to sit with her, so I did.
Mncobi. Mncobi is at the Bheveni carepoint, which I served at a few times. I saw Mncobi twice, and then I didn’t see him for some time. When I came back he waved at me and said, “Hello, my friend!” To most, I would still be considered a stranger, but to Mcnobi I was a friend. Mcnobi has a story. I don’t know what it is, but I don’t need to. Mncobi needed me to be His friend, so I am.
I don’t even know His name. I met a little boy at the Ludlati carepoint, where I spent most of my ministry days. I sat next to him for some time, and it didn’t take long to realize that he didn’t say much. So I sat with him, and I held out my hand. He put his hand in mine. I sat there and held his hand for about an hour, that’s all I did – held his hand and smiled. He has a story. I don’t know what it is, but I don’t need to. He needed me to hold his hand, so I did.
What we all need is different, but the LORD gives us what we need, in a more beautiful and perfect way than we as people ever could give each other. God knows exactly what I need and when I need it, even when I don’t. I expected God to do incredible things on this trip, and He has, but they look a lot different than my expectations. In fact, they are far greater then my expectations…God is awesome that way. I needed Him to take my expectations and throw them away in order for me to see His plan for this trip and not my own. Something God told me on one of our (very bumpy) bus rides to our carepoints was this: “I didn’t bring you where you thought you were going – where you wanted to be – I brought you where I needed you.” Africa is not at all what I expected, but God brought me where He needed me, and I have never felt closer to Him. I have experienced the indescribable joy of getting to share God’s love with children that don’t often, or never, get to feel it. Seeing them smile is a priceless gift that I will be forever grateful for. Each of us have a story, and, no matter what it is, the LORD has a plan for each one of His children – and it is far greater than you could ever imagine.
Written by: Sierra 7/24/16
