I think our live are defined more by the day-to-day moments than the big events that take place. In the end it seems like it's the small triumphs that make the biggest difference, the ones that add up to change. And they're the ones that stick with me at the end of the day. Moments like these.
Every Wednesday I meet with 16-year-old Nichole. She has struggled so much since giving up her baby, battling depression and confusion and having difficulty in her relationships with her family now. So each week I listen and counsel over coffee, we study the Bible and pray together, and God is bringing about a sweet friendship. Despite the difficulties He is really working in her life, and she has a true sensitivity to His word and Spirit. Recently in discussing the supernatural and cultural superstition, she confided how on her own initiative she removed the family talisman from around her waist and said, "God, I put my trust in YOU!" And on one of her darkest nights, she felt a pair of arms lift and hold her until morning. I told her, "Girl, that was your Daddy-God!!"
Each time Bethany, Alli or I intervene with a baby something happens-sickness, vandalism, you name it. Only days after taking a baby in forthenight and situating him with a safety family, two of my tires got slashed. I was parked in my "safe" neighborhood and someone inexplicably took a knife to them, though nothing else was touched. No attempted break-in or other vandalism, just irreparably damaged tires that had to be replaced, something factored neither into my budget nor my schedule. But God sent me favor and guardian angels along the way. Floyd changed one tire for me, my friend Christianne gave me her car the following day to replace it and run my errands, my friend Nick came home to change the next tire for me, and when he found it was impossible to remove due to being rusted on, two colored workmen in the neighborhood came and using their own tools assisted us in changing it. Returning to the tire shop, my friend and fellow All Nations member Cedric showed up for vehicle repairs and was able to offer me encouragement. He gave me a hug and said "You know you're doing something right girl or Satan would just leave you alone. You're damaging his kingdom!" Amen.
Thursdays are another challenge entirely. Do you know what it's like to try to communicate with someone and teach them english when neither of you speaks the other's language? Yet that's how I spend about two hours every week with my friend Khayakazi in Masi, who is only xhosa speaking. We meet over coffee or in the library and attempt to visit, learn basic english phrases, and I try to learn xhosa. By the time we finish I'm always mentally and emotionally exhausted but it is worth it. My attempts at xhosa create no end of laughter and delight to her and I confess it helps not to be seen always as the pulled-together white woman, and I am learning! Khayakazi and her siblings are one of our Vulnerable Children families, and God has been doing amazing things for them. A sponsor recently donated an amount to provide rent for a year, allowing them to move from their rotting shack, and after months of promoting her resume' Khayakazi recently got a job!
Last weekend I went to visit Gina, one of the young women who had changed her mind about abortion. She had been waiting weeks for an opportunity to have me over and show me her new home. It is the most humbling thing to receive that kind of hospitality; welcoming me into her tiny room without shame, she sat me on her bed, made me tea with way too much sugar, and peanut butter and margarine sandwiches on her remaining slices of bread. We laughed and cried together, she shared her heart, fears, and hopes, and we read the Word and prayed. The following day when I fell sick, Gina went and bought air time just so she could call and see how I was, then continued to sms and pray for me throughout the week. "…But she, out of her poverty, put in everything-all she had to live on." (Mark 12:44b) Jesus is doing beautiful things in her heart and life, and I cannot wait to see what He has in store for her and this new baby.
In reading John again in The Message, I came across this verse I’d marked with the date 20/06/2008. ‘Jesus said, “I’m not crazy. I simply honor my Father, while you dishonor me. I am not trying to get anything for myself. God intends something gloriously grand here and is making the decisions that will bring it about. I say this with absolute confidence.” ‘ (8:49-51a) Visiting later with Christianne, I was reminiscing about this time two years ago, when the LORD was moving on my heart and I would soon take the steps to apply and move to South Africa. I shared how I’d sat across from Mum and stated, “I would rather quit my job and live by faith on the mission field, but I feel like that would be taking the “easy choice”!” We laughed together over how ludicrous that sounds, yet amazingly enough it’s proved true! Just this month I was dealing with surprise expenses (like new tires) and budgeting not knowing where money was going to come from, only to receive the month’s statement from my church in Tulsa for the exact amount needed! Amazing. This is our life. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.
