Swahili Bible
Irene
Flora and friend
Thursday, July 19 2007, 10:22 pm
Wow. Today was a big day. As Evan wrote, we had our last day in Sokoni One. Tonight’s time was amazing as we again went around the circle and everyone shared their highs and lows today. I’ll touch on a few. It was neat to hear how Ellie Mann had really bonded the last few days with a little guy and all week the two of them had played marbles. He would pull the marbles out of his pocket- so proud. The majority of the marbles were broken in halves or fourths, yet prized possessions of his. When it was time for Ellie to go, he reached in his pocket and pulled out the whole marble that he had, and gave it to Ellie. He wanted her to have it. She talked about how she was overcome with his generosity, giving her the best of what he had to offer. It was amazing to walk through the village, through all of the smells and trash everywhere, seeing how proud of their homes and their families these children are. We heard a lot tonight from our group about how incredible it was to be sitting there in a one bedroom house the size of a closet, holding hands with these African families, taking turns praying for their families as we went to the different houses. One person talked about how in one of the homes they visited, they looked up and there was a bible verse written in Swahili on the wall. Christin Hartsfield talked about looking through a Swahili bible and realizing just how big the God we serve is.
Alexis (Young Life staff Africa) shared one of his highs for the day. He talked about observing Flora Theden with this little baby boy that she had been holding. Flora was so concerned for him and took great care of him. He was hurt and his wound needed some attention. Flora took some alcohol and put it on his wound. We all know how alcohol stings, and as a result, I think it’s safe to say most babies cry. This baby didn’t. Why? Alexis proposed it was because this child felt loved loved- safe in the arms of Flora and maybe this child doesn’t always feel that love.
We knew it would be hard to say goodbye to these children, but I don’t think we knew quite how hard. Irene looked up at me today as I was hugging her and trying to pull away and she wouldn’t let go. She finally looked up at me with big eyes and said “Quesho?” (which means tomorrow) and I had to say no. I tried to “keep it together” but failed. For once, I didn’t care. I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen to Irene. What would the rest of her life look like? I have to have faith that she is God’s child; not just “my girl” for the week. What a blessing it was to be able to hug this precious child, pull her in close for the last time, and silently pray for her. Thanks y’all. Off to Lego!
by ASHTON THURMOND
Wow. Today was a big day. As Evan wrote, we had our last day in Sokoni One. Tonight’s time was amazing as we again went around the circle and everyone shared their highs and lows today. I’ll touch on a few. It was neat to hear how Ellie Mann had really bonded the last few days with a little guy and all week the two of them had played marbles. He would pull the marbles out of his pocket- so proud. The majority of the marbles were broken in halves or fourths, yet prized possessions of his. When it was time for Ellie to go, he reached in his pocket and pulled out the whole marble that he had, and gave it to Ellie. He wanted her to have it. She talked about how she was overcome with his generosity, giving her the best of what he had to offer. It was amazing to walk through the village, through all of the smells and trash everywhere, seeing how proud of their homes and their families these children are. We heard a lot tonight from our group about how incredible it was to be sitting there in a one bedroom house the size of a closet, holding hands with these African families, taking turns praying for their families as we went to the different houses. One person talked about how in one of the homes they visited, they looked up and there was a bible verse written in Swahili on the wall. Christin Hartsfield talked about looking through a Swahili bible and realizing just how big the God we serve is.
Alexis (Young Life staff Africa) shared one of his highs for the day. He talked about observing Flora Theden with this little baby boy that she had been holding. Flora was so concerned for him and took great care of him. He was hurt and his wound needed some attention. Flora took some alcohol and put it on his wound. We all know how alcohol stings, and as a result, I think it’s safe to say most babies cry. This baby didn’t. Why? Alexis proposed it was because this child felt loved loved- safe in the arms of Flora and maybe this child doesn’t always feel that love.
We knew it would be hard to say goodbye to these children, but I don’t think we knew quite how hard. Irene looked up at me today as I was hugging her and trying to pull away and she wouldn’t let go. She finally looked up at me with big eyes and said “Quesho?” (which means tomorrow) and I had to say no. I tried to “keep it together” but failed. For once, I didn’t care. I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen to Irene. What would the rest of her life look like? I have to have faith that she is God’s child; not just “my girl” for the week. What a blessing it was to be able to hug this precious child, pull her in close for the last time, and silently pray for her. Thanks y’all. Off to Lego!
by ASHTON THURMOND
2 comments:
Drew!!! Everything sounds awesome! I am proud of you. Way to work. I can't wait to her more stories when you return. I had the Beth Chetham with the apostals crew here today. I have gave her this NW ATL blog link and she loved it.
How incredibly precious is this time for each of you and those of us who have the privilege of sharing your lives - we are praying that each moment brings you closer to Him and to each other (that all might know Him), seeing with His eyes, feeling with His heart, working with His hands, speaking with His words, ... picturing you sharing spiritual highs and lows as you are geographically juxtaposed with the great rift valley and kili and temporally juxtaposed between the ending of one day and the beginning of the next biblically at sundown ... pray you can see the significance of this ... each report causing us to sing anew with you, How great is our God! In Him+
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