Sorry for the long delay folks in updating this. Our internet was hit by lightening about three weeks back and we have only just been able to get it back working. And, thankfully, just in time for Christmas :)
A wee story for you that has had me smiling at the oddest times over this past weekend. We have the daughter of a chief from a a different district at our hospital for treatment. At first, I was a little intimidated by her, not knowing how, culturally, I should treat her. A chief is a big thing and he and his family demand utmost respect. But actually, she turned out to be pretty chill and quite a lovely lady and we've become friends.
There is also a little girl, maybe about five (mom doesn't know what year she was born, but she hasn't started school yet), the daughter of one of our patients. Her name is Joy, and that name is a perfect fit for her. She always has a huge, slightly shy grin on her face, dancing eyes, and just the sweetest little personality. She has taken to following me around quite often as I go about my work at hospital. She has also decided she really likes the chief's daughter and I've seen them share many long chats together. From what this lady has told me, she is quite the little personality!
Little Joy has one dress, a summer dress that once was cream with pink flowers. Now, it is grey, almost black in places, and a bit ragged.
I noticed one day that her dress didn't seem so filthy any more. I asked my friend about it and very nonchalantly she replied 'oh, I took it and washed it'
A few days later, I stopped to greet the cheif's daughter and we chatted for a few minutes in the corridor before our little friend pranced up to join us, wearing, I noticed immediately, a brand new chitengi outfit with a long sleeved shirt and shoes, and very proudly showed off to me the two kwacha coins she was holding.
"Ah, this one is a good girl" my friend pronounced. Everything she gets she must share with her mama. I gave her a scone yesterday and she ate half and took the other half to her mama. Today I have given her two kwacha so she can get two scones, one for each of them."
I laughed and because I am still learning only the language gave my little friend a tickle and sent her off to get her scones.
"But where did she get the new clothes?" I asked once she was gone
"Oh, I gave them to her. She told me when she was putting them on 'I've never has these before'. She was meaning panties. She has never had before. The Bible says 'if we have we are to give to those who do not have'. That means if I have two or three pairs of panties, I am to share with the one who doesn't. That is part of what being a Christian is, we take care of others. And at least, this Christmas she will have something to smile about."
My first reaction was a bit shocked- I never would have paraphrased that passage is quite that raw sort of way. But then I smiled and I have been smiling ever since. This lady nailed it right on the head, yeah it's raw and maybe to some a bit vulgar or crude, but it's real. It's that verse- in as much as you have done it unto the least of these (a poor little girl from an unknown village, not even in this lady's district, the youngest of 7 children) you have done it unto Me.
I don't think my friend realized just how many people she has made smile this Christmas. Yes my little friend Joy, but her parents also, myself, my missionary colleagues I have shared this story with, perhaps some of you, the angels in heaven, and yes, even our Lord Himself- a kindness like this done to the least of His He counts as being done to Himself.
I think it's so amazing to see. This lady has power and position. She has the best of everything that one can possibly have up here in rural Africa. The position is more than just a mayor's daughter, the prestige and power that go along with it are huge! Perhaps, closer to a minor king's daughter. And she noticed this little girl and showed a huge kindness to her.
This little anecdote reminds me of a verse in Paul's first letter to the Corinthians: tho He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor, that we thru His poverty might become rich.
He is the Son of a great King and He noticed us when we were filthy and covered in sin and shame and not fit to greet him never mind to wander freely into His space and sit down and chat. But He noticed us and loved us and He gave away all His riches in order to clean us up and wash the sin stains off our soul and so present us to faultless to the Father.
Now, I didn't expect this to turn into a Gospel message, but there you have it. My little friend Joy had a choice to make, she could have refused the gift the chief's daughter offered her. But if we could speak to her she would laugh at us if we even suggested such a thing. And we have a choice too, we can refuse to accept God's gift of salvation through His Son, but that means eternal separation from God. Or we can come humbly and thankfully and receive this great gift God has offered us- salvation, forgiveness of sins, and the beautiful robe of righteousness that only His people will wear.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this little story as much as I did. It certainly has made me smile this Christmas. I think it's the best Christmas gift I could have received this year.
Hope you all enjoy your Christmas!!! Greetings to all of you! I think and pray for so many of you each day. I can't be with you, but as Paul wrote to the Phillipian believers: 'I have you in my heart'
Merry Christmas
