Love For Africa

Yesterday someone asked me what I thought heaven would be like. I laughed and told them that I didn't know exactly what it would be like, but I knew that if heaven was the most beautiful place you could ever be, where you are surrounded by love and only feel joy- that there was only one place I had experienced like that so far on earth.

I closed my eyes and I can hear the beautiful sound of hundreds of little children laughing and singing together. I can see their shining eyes and bright smiles. I can feel their inexhaustible hope, dancing in the air like electricity. Their steadfast joy engulfs me, and the significance of the things of this world quickly become dim. Their love is tangible. I am embracing as many children as I can at the same time. I am surrounded by overwhelming love.

These children I am embraced by are all barefoot on a street of absolute filth. None of them own a toothbrush or a pair of shoes. Most of them haven't eaten solid food or had a drink of clean water in days. They are homeless and don't understand what a "home" even means. Tonight, they will sleep together, huddled in the streets of the slums. Some of them are sick and have been sick since they were born. Every single one of them is an orphan. Some of them witnessed the death of their parents. Some of them were abandoned and discarded like garbage the day they were born. Some of them have debilitating disabilities. Some of them are deaf, blind, or mute. Some of them need the support of another just to limp down the street. They are exhausted because they beg for food all day long, every single day. In a situation that seems should be completely hopeless...they have un-containable joy.

I am completely in love with the children of Africa. Their joy is the most captivating thing I have ever experienced. Their undying hope is trusting that god will provide for them. Their absolute belief that he loves and cares for them makes my faith pale in comparison.

Walking down the street with these children is the closest thing to heaven I have experienced. God’s redeeming, unfailing love for the least of these is the most powerful blessing he can allow us to walk in.  God picked each of them out and chose them because he loves them ("You didn't choose me. I chose you," -John 15:16). Sometimes people ask me why I chose Africa for missionary work. I tell them I didn't choose Africa that Africa chose me. Africa doesn't need me, I need Africa. These beautiful children don't need me, I need them.

In the book of Judges, Chapter 6, a man named Gideon is called on by the Lord to step out in faith and fulfill a mission.  Gideon isn't so sure, he asks God if he has the right person, and Gideon questions God that he (Gideon) is actually qualified to complete the mission to victory. "The Lord said to him, 'Go in the strength you have...am I not sending you?'" I hate to break it to Gideon, but he probably was highly unqualified to complete God's mission. We are limited, but God is limitless. "His strength is perfected in our weakness." (2 Cor. 12:9). Gideon didn't want to accept God's call at first because he was afraid he wouldn't be able to do it. God tells Gideon in Judges 6:16, "But I WILL BE WITH YOU." When God looks upon us, he does not see a worthless thing.

I wonder how much more responsive to God's call(s) we would be if we believed God was really with us.  That He had His strong hand upon our backs and was really going out before us and following behind us with His army of angels? Would we fear the future, or be confident? Would we be like Behemoth, and calmly lie among the reeds of the riverbanks of the Jordan and remain, "Unafraid, though the river rages and surges up to his mouth." (Job 41:23). Christ sees beyond barriers to a broken life. These children’s sweetness and devotion comes from someone seeing beyond their wounds to their wonderful hearts.

When I think of Kenya, I do not feel overwhelmed by poverty or brokenness. I continually see God moving and rescuing the lost ones each moment.  God's goodness has no beginning and no end. It walks hand in hand with his justice, mercy, and love.  He planned every moment of these children's lives before they took their first breaths. "Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in your Book and planned before a single one of them began." -Psalm 139:16

God Word tells us that He greatly treasures a gentle and quiet spirit. He cherishes the moments our "trust is without borders".  Even among total depravity, when it seems all our hope should be lost, we can be like these children and choose to trust in the character of God even when circumstances tell us we shouldn't. This is what fuels my love for Africa. I love that standing among these children; I know that I am the one who is the least of these.

♥ In His Love,

Mad

"Deep in your heart you know that not even one of the good promises the Lord has made to you has failed.   Every single one of them has come true." -Joshua 21:45