There’s this thing that happens on mission trips that I’ve learned to expect but always remain surprised by. It’s when the people we go to serve and bless become a greater blessing to us. I wish I could articulate this feeling better, but I’ll give you my favorite example from my time in Africa.
This week we led a SLAM camp in Mombasa, and I facilitated a student visit to a widow. This project was unique in that we served not only a widow, but her disabled daughter as well. I knew going into this service that this girl, Anna, wouldn’t be able to walk. She was paralyzed a few years ago and is dependent on her mom for almost everything. But when we arrived and found her slowly shifting about on a walker in her yard, I stopped dead in my tracks. I felt helpless. What were we supposed to do for her? I was paralyzed by my inability to fix the hopeless situation.
It only felt hopeless for a minute, though. One of the SLAM leaders asked Anna what her favorite praise song was, and a few minutes later the earthen alley was filled with the sound of heavenly worship. The joy on Anna’s face was irreplaceable. We cheered for her as she made steady progress down the lane and she excitedly proclaimed “It’s my God. It’s my God!”
We carried Anna to her house, where we met her mother, Eunice. Traditional African Chai was shared and their story was revealed to us. Although they had walked a difficult path, they never ceased praising God for His faithfulness to them. Anna took me by her side as her “namesake and sister,” and made sure I was given a cup of tea. I got to hold her hand and rub her shoulder as we talked, building a sweet bond of friendship. Anna told me that the day she is able to stand and walk on her own, she will come visit me, to show me our prayers were answered in completion.
There I was again, paralyzed. The weight of the seeming impossibility for me to ever see this sweet girl again broke my heart. I wanted so badly to have faith that God would heal her fully. That He would provide the means for me to come back to see her. That He would give her better living conditions. But how could I grow upset with God when Anna never once blamed God for her circumstances? She told me that Job is her favorite Bible story because of his suffering – it wasn’t his fault, or God’s. It’s a result of this fractured world. But God offers healing to His people through His promises. He is faithful in all things. Anna knew that, and she knew that reading His word was the medicine she needed. I think the community we shared with her helped a bit too 🙂
Even though our parting came with tears, Anna begging us not to go, I now have faith I will see her again. On earth or in heaven, my God will heal her. She strengthened my faith, and I pray that I could strengthen hers – it’s almost a funny suggestion, because hers was already so inspiring. Whenever I drink chai, I will pray for my sister Anna and remember that we can find healing in living out God’s word. It’s time to pick up our mats and walk.