Discouragement, Tears & Hard Work

Sunday, February 7, 2016 The morning sun was already beating down upon us with intensity.  The dust from the roads of the slums hit us in the face as we walked to where the church once stood. They had worked so hard and sacrificed so much to have a place of worship.  The dirt floors had been covered with large cement tiles.  Wooden windows had been put in for ventilation and light.  Iron doors had replaced the wooden doors to make the church secure.  

The pastor even had a little office attached to the church made of iron sheets.  Now it was gone ….all gone.   

Four rental homes now fill the same plot of land that was once used for the church.  The land within the slums has become more valuable as the population expands.  Someone offered the owner a  big lump sum of cash and he took it. Without a thought for the church people they were pushed off the land.

For some the thought of starting over was too much but others stayed the course. They salvaged what they could and piece by piece it was carried to a new leased lot. The setting was much the same with garbage piles, waste and the closeness of other buildings pieced together with rusty ragged iron sheets.

They worked through their discouragement and tears and once again had a place to worship. It had a roof and four walls and a door to lock.  It was complete and the school children could return for their studies.  Sadly they were robbed, not once but twice.  The slums are full of crime and evil takes over the land when the sun sets.  They had cut through an iron sheet and the children’s desks and their chairs, were gone.  Anything sale-able was taken. The church had been emptied out. Mama Rosie wanted to give up.  She had nothing to work with to teach the children.  How many times would they build up the church and school and then see it all disappear?  

The children had a surprise this morning! The new baby chairs where set up outside for Sunday School and they quickly filled with happy little children. Well, all but one!  Every once in a while I meet someone that is terrified of me.  “Joy Linda” screams when I am near her.  I tried to approach her slowly and reach out my hand for her to touch.  I tried to give her a piece of candy but nothing helps. There is just pure terror on her face.  In some cases, usually in remote villages, children are taught that white people will eat them.  It is a statement that settles within the little child and fear takes over.

Sunday morning service began and there were many happy faces. It had been awhile since they had seen me. I was told it was “too long, we thought you had rejected us.”  The worship team was strong in song when a troubled woman who had been visiting the witch-doctor caused a disruption.  She came confused, troubled, mixed up, lost, and needing help but she left transformed, set free and with great peace……all because of Jesus!

After the service gifts were given as a token of love from those in America.  Neck ties were given out to the men and handmade money pouches were given out to the women. 

My mom, Charlotte Towne, made slippers for all of the children. New Testaments were given out to everyone who could read. They will treasure these gifts as they know someone in America loves them! 

The stench of sewage is always nearby; you can taste it in the air. The hot sun beats down upon us and the dust off the garbage filled land swirls around our faces as we walk to one of the nearby homes. The women have worked hard and cooked a meal for us to eat.  

The hot sun beating down upon the iron sheets has turned this home into an oven and the warmth from the small jiko (charcoal stove) raises the temperature even more. 

The edge of the bed is used for a couch while we all sit close together around the one coffee table for a time of celebration and feasting.  We pray and rejoice that once again God has brought us together.

Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,  not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.