Anyway, this afternoon was pretty gray. There were some sleepy young ones and some sick big ones. Sam, Elisabeth, Lilah, Tyler and Granddaddy were all taking a nap. Rather than wake up the house, or search for a dry spot outside to homeschool, we took the day off. I put in some headphones and listened to a great Bible study while the big kids played out in the drizzle. When the Bible study was finished, I went out back to see how Caroline and Catherine were doing with the laundry that might dry over the weekend.
Although I hate to admit to these hardworking ladies that I was just sitting for an hour, I was telling them about this Bible study that I had just listened to. The pastor was talking about how it doesn't matter what is culturally acceptable or relavant. It doesn't matter what language we speak or what country we are from. The Holy Spirit and the Word of God are enough to reach people's hearts.
Caroline answered, "Yeah, dem munos can preach, bah?" (Translation: "Yeah, those white guys can preach, you know?")
I said, "Caroline, I just was saying it doesn't matter what country we are from. It is the Holy Spirit that is the One reaching people's hearts! Your Iteso (Julius' tribe) husband can preach very well because of the Holy Spirit too!"
She agreed, and we carried on talking about our cassava crop and whatever else came up.
A little while later, Tyler woke up still not feeling well. He asked me to go find Julius and see if he would teach tonight's 5:00 Bible study. It was 3:40. I found Julius walking back from the chicken house carrying a hammer, a stuffed Elmo, and his 18 month old daughter. All of which were covered in mud. I asked him if he was up for the challenge. With his hearty laugh, he responded, "Well, I may only teach for some thirty minutes, but we will see what The Lord will do!"
An hour later, Tyler and the older three kiddos watched some cartoons in Daddy's bed downstairs, and his parents played upstairs with the littlest three. I was blessed to go into the study.
The Lord is really doing a great work in Julius. At one point, he was sharing about how much the Word of God means to him. As a young boy, I'm guessing about ten years old, his father and mother both left for a few days. There was no food, and no money to buy any. There was just a little bit of water. He said by the second day he was so weak, he could no longer speak.
The rest of those gathered threre in the hut tonight could identify, but Julius knew that I had never been in that position. I grew up in a home where when I was nine, I complained practically daily that I had to share a room with my brothers... and if I couldn't have the exact same Puma sneakers as her when I was in fifth grade, I might as well just die. Interestingly enough, I thought that we were pretty poor in that stage of my life. My single mom was busting her rear to keep the lights on in our two bedroom apartment, but we never missed a meal... Or a whole day's worth of food... Or three.
He spoke right to me as he opened his heart. As the only non-African in the room, other people even glanced at me for my reaction to his vulnerable humility.
"There was no food in my small mud hut at that time, but I had a Bible. I prayed that God alone would be my strength. That I would desire Him more than my food."
This is why we are pouring into the handful God has raised up. We need to get out of their way... Out of the Lord's way. They can reach their own people much better than we ever could dream to. Julius finished teaching, finished feeding the flock, and I was Thanksgiving-evening-busting-at-the-seams-filled. It blows me away how much he has grown in such a short time. God has truly given him a gift.
Later, I saw Caroline and I said, "That Iteso can preach, bah?" She just about lost it she laughed so hard!
Praise Jesus, He Is so Wonderful and so Faithful... May The Lord Bless The Goodens To The Fullest... Marlene P.
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