Crafts. In fact she is literally the
face of the ministry as her picture is on the front of the Timbali Craft flyer. Marcia and Julie Anderson were with her just
last weekend for a big retreat for the ladies.
This week her husband died suddenly. They have ten kids – the oldest is 20 years
old. A couple days ago Marcia and I were
out near her house and decided to drop off some food to the family. Turning off the paved road we follow a gravel
road. After some time we veer off the
gravel road onto a narrow dirt path, which leads to a foot path which leads to
her house. Upon arriving at the house we
found a few small buildings — one cement block with two rooms and two or three
other mud huts with thatched roof. There
were several little kids running crying with crusty noses. Lindiwe was in town apparently making funeral
arrangements. We met the oldest
daughter, left the food, and took the second oldest back to the paved road so
she could catch public transport to a clinic — she was sick too.
All this was a very sad and tragic scene of the struggles in
this country made more personal by the fact that we know this woman Lindiwe. Can you imagine being left with 10 children
and little to no income? Through her
bright smile she has communicated the hope the Timbali ladies find in the Lord
and in their small income from the purses they sew. The days ahead will be difficult.
But what struck me most and what I can’t get out of my mind
was the man we met on the way to the house.
He was about my age or older, walking along the dirt path. We passed him as we were almost at Lindiwe’s
house. He waved us down and asked us
where we were going. I figured he needed
a ride but we were going the opposite direction. I rolled down the window and he smiled a kind
smile as we told him we were looking for Lindiwe’s house. He brightly responded that he was the
neighbor — we could see the blue door of his house from where we were
stopped. He then got very sad when he
referred to the sad thing of the husband dying and leaving all those kids
behind.
I suggested it would be a good time for the neighbors to
come around the family and help them. He
said flatly, “In Africa we don’t help each other.” I was shocked. Here he was talking about being the neighbor
and being sad about the loss but stating without remorse or shame that he would
not be helping the family. In this far
flung rural area far off the main road I would think people would stick
together — to reach out and help and be a community. But I guess once again I misjudged the
culture here. Or maybe I just misjudged
the kind face of the man we met.
After we left him to deliver the food I thought of our
encounter and a hundred responses — like the Golden Rule for example — that I
wish would have rolled off my tongue.
Then I wonder about my own heart and how much I truly live by that very
rule. Yes we delivered $20 worth of food
to a needy family. In the days ahead
they will need much more. Here we pass
people every day in desperate need, yet I find it the norm to go about my
agenda with little more than a glance.
But then I think it is not possible to help everyone — not even possible
to help more than a few. But when I look
away am I in some way protecting myself from the reality in my face every
day?
This is my struggle.
I hope that the motivation of my heart is to do more than that man —
that I don’t harbor a sentiment as his, “In Africa we don’t help each other.”
How about you?
Scott,
I’m sure this problem hits many of us on a regular basis.
We are hoping to be more and more like Jesus every day. When I am thinking about what that means, I usually remind myself that He walked among men and modeled life and ministry as we we are to live and minister. In the broad view, even Jesus didn’t direct His personal ministry to masses of people, although on at least one well-known occasion He breathed wisdom on, and fed, thousands. Hearing your broken heart for so many who are desperate and suffering in southern Africa, I can just get a glimpse of the agony He must have suffered as He moved about in Israel.
I am with youI am gonna help the “neighbors” He sends my way (reminds me of a story about a Samaritan traveler). And I’ll pray He sends others like you to minister to all those I can’t help personally.
Your brother,
joe
Great wake up call to us all! Sometimes it is easier to do nothing then a little. I think in my life the keys is constantly seek God’s voice and being obedient to all the little things he asks us to do. He will then place in front of us that one person at a time that He needs to bless through us.
The question I have been struggling with is that I am reaching out with just a small amount of what God has blessed me with. He has been challenging me to bless others with what He has blessed me. 50/50! So am I willing to spend $20 on food for myself and $20 dollars for someone else. When I purchase a pair of shoes will I buy some one else a new pair of shoes. He showed me this through the scripture and one of the greatest comandments is “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39
We are praying for you and your team on the ground and love the fact that you are sharing what He is doing there through your blogs.
Much love,
Tami
Wow, really challenging. What a blunt way to put what most of us have somewhere in our selfish hearts.
Dear Scott & Marcia,
I am overwhelmed with what you are doing. It is truly amazing. Guess all I can say is that my thoughts and prayers continue to be with you. Your mom and I talked just before her DC triphope it was great.
Prayers for all of you to stay safe and healthy too.
In His love,
Linda
heavy stuff i’m reading here. where is the church?