We hopped on the bike, challenging the rain, and off we went…headed in the direction of Mondikalok as Thursdays here entail. About half way there, the rain found us. So, as many others chose to do as well, we stopped and waited under a tree that was easily a thousand years old. About 10 minutes went by and we decided to continue on our journey, trusting the rain was finished for the time being.
I’m so grateful we didn’t turn back.
Upon arriving, we greeted all those we came across and made our way to the shop we always go to first. We were quickly informed that no one from the group was around. So, we visited. Then, as God is always so faithful to do, He sent a woman who looked to be in her 60’s our way. I knew upon seeing her that the interaction was going to be interesting. To no surprise, she immediately walks straight up to me and tells me to give her money. She grabs a package of biscuits, as if I had already told her I would. Before I could even respond, Scovia tells her that if she has the money she’ll buy them for her. She did, and the Abuba got her biscuits. That wasn’t enough for her, though. She them came to me and told me she wanted 10,000 shillings. This is when the 2 men we were sitting there visiting with stepped up. They began talking to her and Scovia began telling me what they were saying.
I was pleasantly surprised to hear that they were explaining to her that she should be thankful for what was graciously given to her already. Instead, she wasn’t satisfied and was asking for more. They were telling her that by asking for more she was saying that what she was given wasn’t enough. I was listening, knowing God could very well be setting the stage for me to step in at any moment and turn the focus on my sweet Jesus.
The time soon came.
In the midst of this woman saying so many things that were out in left field and telling me like 5 different names when I asked her, shoving something in her mouth and spitting (I found out it was some fresh tobacco mixed with ashes…so gross), she began saying that Jesus followers are happy. It was go time. So, I attempted to ask her who Jesus was to her. She then began singing a popular hymn sang here. She really was pretty funny and seemed so random. I knew different. I feel pretty comfortable in saying that it wasn’t just Kiden (what I was told her name was) I was speaking to.
Confusion isn’t of God.
She wouldn’t respond to anything I said to her, but just kept asking for money and taking my arm and putting it next to hers, comparing our skin. I just kept looking at her, specifically her eyes, and couldn’t help but be overwhelmed with the Truth that Jesus loves this woman. He loves her fully. I wanted nothing else but to love her the same.
The men began telling her she needed to go. She was now beginning to annoy them. I sat there praying that she wouldn’t leave until Jesus was finished with what He wanted accomplished…regardless of what that looked like. She didn’t leave.
Scovia asked me what I wanted to do since none of the group members were there. So, I told her we could just visit for a bit more and then head back to the office. Right then another old woman walks under the awning of the store where we are all sitting. She was beautifully tall, wearing a bright African printed dress. She was using her hands and Scovia leaned over and informed me that she was deaf.
Of course she was. I smiled as I watched her talk to the men with the same noise for each word as she used her hands to convey what she was saying. I can’t help but be amazed at the fact that we as humans always seem to find a way to communicate…and here, without the gift of sign language. It’s signs alright, but ones that they have just had to figure out over time and adapt to. So, it wasn’t but a minute or two before the woman who was deaf picked up on what was going on with Kiden.
Then, a moment in which I could not hold back my laughter happened. The deaf woman turns to Kiden (as she is continually putting her hand out and asking for money from me) and motions with her hands, “What is wrong with you? Do you not have ears to hear? She has told you already she doesn’t have money to give you!!!” It was perfectly understandable and beautifully done so quickly. I found myself in awe.
The deaf was asking the one with hearing if she had ears to hear.
Powerful. I was trying to drink it in. It was another one of those moments. One of the moments where time seems to stand still and Jesus is so tangible and real. The truth of the situation was that Kiden had physical ears to hear alright, but the deaf woman pointed out that she simply wasn’t listening. But, the deaf woman heard it loud and clear.
Scovia and I got up after that and decided to walk back to the motorbike. I took 3 steps, Kiden took 3 steps. She was my shadow. She wasn’t leaving my side. The deaf woman was close behind her. Followers. The physically deaf and the spiritually deaf. We stopped at another shop to greet one of the Mama’s and so there we had all of us standing there. The deaf abuba decides to take her opportunity to now gently ask me for money for what she signaled to be for food. Y’all, it became comical at this point. This is when Kiden looks at her like she’s crazy for now asking me. This whole time the deaf abuba would jump back any time Kiden would touch her. She was very clear she didn’t want Kiden touching her. It broke my heart. It was clear that Kiden had a reputation in the village of being “crazy”. So much so that her touching people caused a reaction.
So, we’re standing there and Kiden leans into the deaf abuba and she shakes her finger at her telling her to stop touching her and then realized that Kiden has a package of biscuits and signs out for Kiden to share with her. What does Kiden do? She graciously says okay. So, I proceed to open the package for them and the split it in half. The next thing I know I’m signing to convey something that I knew was something Jesus wanted to say to this deaf abuba. It had to be of Jesus, because the message got across the first time loud and clear. I told her, “You don’t want her to touch you…but you are okay with her sharing her food. How is that okay?” She smiled and put her hand up and crossed her two fingers telling me that she and Kiden were now one and she was okay with her. Right. Regardless, I got my point across. Rather, Jesus got His point across.
Scovia and I continue on and as we’re walking by a number of men who are working on bikes and such they say something to Scovia. She turns to me and tells me that they asked her if we could teach them something from the Word. They wanted to learn about Jesus. The next thing I know there are people gathering under the tree. How can one turn away from people wanting to learn about Jesus. I just couldn’t justify saying no.
Up walks a boy who closely resembles Yaba. There was more clarity to this boy, but walked like him, talked like him, looked like him. He wobbled his way over and sat under the tree. The deaf woman sits next to us on the bench. Kiden sits on the outskirt of the group of people as she was told to by the men. Men, women, and children, about 20 in number, sat there, waiting to learn about Jesus.
I sat there for a few seconds just looking around, looking at the faces before me, asking the Lord to show me what it is He wants to say to them. Sometimes I just feel like I am transferred back in time. Sometimes I think God clears everything out of my mind and shows me how He saw things, how He sees things.
Self-righteousness. Sinners. Humility. True repentance. The Pharisee and the Tax Collector, again. Luke 18:9-14. Go.
We finished and one of the men spoke up and thanked me for sharing Truth with them. He then introduced himself as the chief of the village and a born again believer.
Wow. I get to do this. I get to do this.
Everyone dispersed after praying and Scovia and I finished our 3 minute walk of a journey to the motorbike. Kiden followed close behind, of course.
We drove off…with me praying that many are that much closer to knowing Jesus than prior to us coming. I pray that God will give them ears to hear and eyes to see….spiritually. I pray that the chief of that village will be purposeful to encourage the Word of God to be shared there. I pray so many things…but mostly that Jesus will be truly known for who He is.
No comments:
Post a Comment