Do to the least of these.

  Seriously, this has probably been the best week I’ve had since I’ve been in Africa…or maybe I should just rephrase that and say that this week was a perfect picture of why I’m here.  I’m not saying that because my week started out by watching the Superbowl in the middle of the night and watching the Giants beat the Patriots, but because this week I heard the voice of the Lord everywhere.  I followed His lead and cared for the least of these.  That is when life all makes sense.  When you are doing that, you know you are exactly where you are supposed to be and no where else in the world could you be happier.
   On Thursday, Amber and I had to stay home from family ministry because we had to leave early in the morning to go to the Primary School to teach seventh graders, which I will be doing every Thursday.  Anyways, we were home by ourselves on this particular rainy day.    While we were sitting in the living room just talking and reading, two random ladies came to our door step to just find some shelter from the rain.  Amber got up to talk to them, and since we couldn’t find the keys to the gate, she just spoke with them through the gate.  They asked permission to sit on our porch and try to stay dry.  Of course their request was granted.  While I was sitting there a thought to invite them entered my mind, but before I could think it through my phone rang.  It was Hilliary.  She said, “Hey, as we were leaving two ladies were walking up to our porch to stay dry, invite them in for tea.”  I knew that was exactly what we were supposed to do.  So we searched for the keys, found them, and invited them in for tea.  Their names were Velma and Gloria.  Amber and I fixed them some tea and just chatted with them about their families and other small talk. 
   When they finished their tea, Velma turned to us and asked us for some prayer.  We were like…of course, what can we pray for?!  Turns out they were walking around to all the flats around our house to find work. They were asking if we could pray that peoples hearts would be softened so they could find some work.  So thats just what we did.  We prayed.  We talked some more.  Velma shared that at her previous job she would world 8 hrs a day and only be paid 3 Dollars a day.  She even continued on to tell us that she asked her employer for a Xhosa Bible.  She got her one, but followed to tell her that she took it out of her pay.  It just broke our hearts.  After we talked a little, Velma felt that it was their time to go ask for work, so I ran upstairs and gave them my umbrella to help keep them dry.  They promised they would come back with any news they had…and maybe just for tea. 
    As they were leaving, God was telling me I needed to do more.  A few weeks ago a bunch of us were having a friendly competition and threw a bunch of money in the pot, but kinda forgot about it.  Anyways, God told me, give it away. NOW!  So I tell Amber to go catch the ladies.  She runs out in the rain to stop them and I run upstairs to get the cash.  I split it and take off down the street.  As we walk up to them and hand it to them, Velma met us with resistance.  She told us she didn’t come for money but just for prayer.  We assured her that we wanted to and it was a gift:)  Gloria was so shocked and she instantly began crying.  It was so sweet.  I don’t know their exact situation, but I do know, that God was providing.  It was sweet to be apart of it.
   The ladies came back on Friday to let me know that the owners weren’t there on Thursday and they were hoping to catch them.  I’m still waiting to see what happens.
   
    Do you remember me talking about meeting a girl named Andiswa last semester at the clinic??? Well since I have been back I haven’t been able to find her.  I’ve been really bummed about it, but on Thursday, she came back!! I was so beside myself.  I ran out from behind the counter and pretty much tackled her when I gave her a hug!  She couldn’t believe I was back.  I got to talk to her a bunch and then we made plans for the weekend.  Yesterday Hill, Katie, and I took her out to eat and then had her over to the house to hang out. It was so fun.  She made herself right at home!  If you think about it, just pray for her.  She has TB but also that God would grow a relationship between us.  Maybe I can disciple her or something. 

  I think this is long enough for now.  I have more, but I’ll give your eyes a break:)  God bless.