In Need

I admit it.  The past few weeks have been rough.  I’ve been tired.  I’ve been frustrated.  And, to be quite honest, I haven’t liked Africa very much.  Things here that are completely common have been wearing on me.  Things like…

My friend Jesca’s sister-in-law had a miscarriage last year, and her body didn’t completely get rid of the baby.  She developed an infection, and treated herself with the wrong kind of medication for a year before she died.  She was 22.

I have a precious friend named Ayiko (“Happy”) who is 4 years old.  He’s bright, giggly, and such a joy… the kind of kid I would gladly fold up and put in my suitcase to bring home.  His toothless grin is just a small part of his charm.  But then you realize that 4 year olds aren’t supposed to be toothless, and the only reason he is, is because all his front baby teeth have rotted out.  Which just makes me sad.

My friend Irene runs a business and is struggling financially.  I’m working with her on how to manage her money and be a good steward of what God’s given her.  Buying her cooking charcoal in bulk would be one small way to save money.  Charcoal here comes in basins for $1.50, or in large bags for $10.  A bag should last at least two months, while the same amount’s worth of basins would only last about a month.  But if word got out to Irene’s friends and neighbors that she had a whole bag of charcoal, people would come to her, expecting her to share… and culturally, she would be obliged to.  The large bag wouldn’t last any longer than the small basins do.

I visited a village this weekend with a friend, and quickly bonded with a 5-year-old girl named Sylvia.  As we were preparing to leave, her mother asked me, a perfect stranger, if I wanted to take her with me.  I almost said yes.

My heart has been hurting for Africa.  I have been so pained over the way things are here, over the difficulties and struggles of life that really don’t have to be.  I’ve felt an utter helplessness for life here, for the sweet people I know here who work all day, every day, just to keep food in their bowls, a roof over their heads, and their children in school.  And I have been reminded, more than ever before, that the only hope for Africa is Jesus. 

When Ayiko, the toothless 4-year-old, arrived at our house the other day for volleyball, I went out to greet him and Carol, the student he comes with.  (Carol is one of our students and Ayiko is her neighbor.  He started tagging along with her to volleyball and Bible study a few weeks ago.)  As soon as Ayiko saw me, he went to Carol and took a big, fabric-wrapped something from her and gave it to me.  Then he got really shy.  I asked Carol what was going on, and she said he wanted to give me a present.  I unwrapped it to find a carving of two giraffes, one big and one small.  I was thrilled, stunned, and completely humbled.  I thanked him over and over, and then went to put my prize inside the house before I started crying.  When I came back outside, I asked Carol where this out-of-the blue present came from.  She said Ayiko told his mother “he wanted a gift for his friend.”  How sweet!

A few minutes later, when Ayiko had gotten over his unusual shyness, I went over to him and asked him, “Did you know that giraffes are my favorite animal?”  He looked at me, grinned, and nodded.  “You told me!”  (Well, at least there’s one male in my life who pays attention!)

Jesus knew that I’ve been struggling.  Been heartsick.  Been grieving over the way life is here.  And he knew that I needed to be loved on by my sweet, pint-sized friend.  To know that, no matter what, I’ve made at least a small impact on a small person in Africa.  And that Africa has made a big impact on me.  He knew what I needed.   And He made sure I got it—in just the right way, at just the right time. I have to remember.  I have to trust Him.  And I have to believe that He loves my friends and all of Africa more than I could ever begin to.

“…my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:19