-Anthony of Padua
It is now less than a week before I leave for Atlanta, Georgia to begin another year of challenge, and pursuit, of blessings and fellowship with God and His people around the world.
Let me say its very cool to look back on it all from this end of the trip.
Tonight I really feel like I need to put aside wrestling questions, theological depths, biblical doctrines, BIG THINGS, moral issues, social issues, His will, His Sovereignty, His Grace, Atonement, Regeneration, Bible teachers, Driscoll, Piper, Chan…………..AGGH!
The list is long and at most times it is an unstoppable train pounding through my head to where it’s easy to completely lose sight of The Lord in the massive and often overwhelming pursuit of the right stuff in the wrong way.
“You don’t need to understand everything, Just Do Good.”
So this time around lets leave it all behind and hopefully tell of and rejoice simply in how Jesus’ love continues to flow all around the world and how He calls each of us to be the hands and feet. Yes, that He, is doing good.
Where?
MANZINI, SWAZILAND.
Who?
Myself and team-mate/good friend Davie Ingram, along with a local man from rural Swaziland.
Because It’s all about Love and God is love.
“I learned more from the tears of homeless mothers than I ever did from any book on Systematic Theology.”
We (Davie and I) had just left the internet cafe and were on our way to the Gym that was in Manzini, where on occasion we would see one of the King’s brothers in his animal skin and have a friendly chat with an extremely muscular nurse named Jerry.
We were talking about something, the specifics of which I will never remember, but what I do remember is noticing this man in the midst of ourselves and then walking right on by him.
Just passing By as we tend to do with out a thought. Not proud of that.
Is it not to share you food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-
when you see the naked to clothe him
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
As I walked past this man, the Lord began to urge me.
“live completely surrendered to Him all of this day.”
“Davie? We need to stop and go speak to that guy, I….. I think the Lord wants us to go and speak to him.” and of course Davie being as he is jumped right on board. No questions asked.
We turned right around and approached him saying hi and telling him our names. Sadly I have since forgotten this man’s name, perhaps Davie remembers and if he feels like doing so he can leave it for us below.
But I can still see his face, I assure you of that.
He was an older gentleman. He had his cane in one hand and a small bag in another with what looked to me like some old clothes in it. His face was aged and rugged. Underneath his right cheek, all along the jaw line down through his neck was a fairly large area of swelling. He had a real sweetness about him. Quiet, broken, humble. Loved the Lord. I was instantly impacted by his gentleness of voice and stance.
I must say that upon seeing this man, after spending the previous eight months on the continent meeting story after story of hardship, this time, sadly, deeply, my heart of stone began to hurt. Compassion was rising up, unusually. Very Strong. I can even now feel it as I recall him.
Its a great fellowship with The Lord Jesus to experience that real brokenness that He feels for “the least of these.” Yes, I did experience brokenness before this, but not like this.
It was only the beginning. I had only seen his face.
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove
from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”
Ezekiel 36:26
“Where are you going?” we asked. He tells us that he was walking to the Red Cross to ask for soup. He had no food at home and this was not occasional but a daily venture for him. His ONLY hope for a meal.
Cane……… Bag………. There isn’t any soup in his hands because there isn’t any soup. Today they sent him away empty handed. There is nothing left to give out.
“Where are you going now?” we continue.
“Home.” he says.
Yes home. Which turns out is four hours away. Walking. Which is what he had to do because he simply does not have enough to money pay for public transport. Which would for us, work out to about a measly 70 cents.
I have said in the past that we cant get by in this world without a vehicle.
Maybe in our world. Which turns out is not the center of the universe. oops.
Each day our new friend walks into the city and then, he walks out of the city. Every day. Four hours in and four hours out.
Blind. On the side of the road, walking eight hours while tapping his stick as he exhausts the only hope he has to eat in a day.
He went on to tell Davie “I have never physically seen my wife, but I know she is the most beautiful woman in the world.”
He was going home to tell five children and a wife there was nothing to be had. Nothing.
Eight hours he walks. I suspect he would walk eight more for each of them.
The Swaziland government does pay him disability. They do give him something and that something is a check which he receives once every three months in which he is paid the sum of 100 South African Rand.
Your at a computer right now. Google. Bing. Yahoo. Ask Jeeves if you want.
It’s nothing short of astounding.
He faithfully saved this “sum” of money from when he was very young and eventually traveled to South Africa to receive certification for switch board operation. He went to school and he was certified.
He returned home with high hopes of getting work only to find that stigma and ignorance would keep any employer in Swaziland from hiring him regardless of certification.
We then took this man to the local grocery store and helped him with as much as we could. His thin frame barely held up the heavy back pack we gave him. He thanked Jesus continuously and said to Davie what I will never forget:
Then, for all around;
Many kinds of darkness
In the world are found-
Sin and want and sorrow;
So we must shine-
You in your small corner,
And I in mine.
O MAN Blair. What a liminal moment!!! Ephraim’s story continues to bless me and God continues to use his story to bless other people. It was amazing to have the opportunity to do some Kingdom Work with you man… Miles apart but let’s keep it going.
Proud of you, bud. Can’t wait to hear what the Lord does when you “just do good” and let Him take care of the rest!
Wow..you are so right..I remember when we were praying about adopting the 4 Guatemalan children..Sarah came down to the kitchen and just said “do it.” It was what we needed to hear. She joins you with the “just do good” message..bless you as your press on..HIS love is for ALL/./.Go God! Lovin you in the place you are right now..
the Bullers
This has no less affect on me then when it happened and you came home and told us all the story and I remember us praying again for Ephraim and his family at debrief! Love this blog Blair and I’m so excited for what God has for you in this next chapter of your life! Praying for you bhuti!
Thanks for telling this story again…somehow you always seem to make me cry…but it a good way. We can’t ever forget…any of it. Im thankful for ya’lls obedience to listen the Lord and minister to this man and his family. I love how God gives us perspective when we least expect it. Love and miss you! Can’t wait to see all that the Lord has ahead of you!
C 🙂