walkin' an' talkin'

One of the afternoons we were in Adama, we went on Prayer Walk. We split our team into three groups and literally walked through their community praying for the people. I thought we would walk and quietly pray. Instead we were guided by one of our translators up and down these narrow and sometimes rocky dirt paths. As we walked we were silently in awe of the homes and lifestyle we saw. Tiny mud room homes behind fences and gates of metal, trees, or brick walls. We would stop and talk with anyone who came down the path. Several of the children from the Care Center recognized us and would come greet us and bring us to their home and proudly introduce us to any relatives at home.

We circled around the child, their relatives, and prayed with our eyes open! Before a few of us were even finished praying several others from the community would join around our circle hoping to be included in this blessing. Thankfully with our translator guide, the people of this community were able to hear and understand our prayers for them.

The most touching moment for me was when our group came down the path only to be greeted by on of the little boys from the Care Center. He was so glad we had come down his road! He invited us to come see his home and brought out his grandmother to introduce us. She was much older than we expected, yet so grateful to see and hear our ministry of prayers. She asked us to pray only for her grandson-his health, his growth in the Lord, and protection of his life as he grew. Right before we prayed one of our group members read a portion of scripture aloud that brought our whole trip into perspective. “...Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

Tears of emotion sprang from my eyes as we prayed and I held the hand of a little one leaning beside me. I was overcome with joy to be here, obeying God’s commandment-visiting, encouraging, and praying for these Ethiopian people, yet I was utterly humbled by God’s blessing and provisions on my own life. Why was I born and privileged to grow up in America-in a Christian home? Why were these people here, with barely any shelter or food? Through my tears I thanked the Lord for this realistic picture of his sovereignty. God is a God to all and knows each one of his children intimately. He not only knows my life, my struggles, my friendships, each hair on my head, but He knows these same details of every person living on this Earthly globe. Even these people standing in our circle, an orphan boy and his widowed grandmother in far away Africa! God knows them and provides for them intimately too.

This moment will probably be cemented in my mind for years and years to come. I saw and experienced first hand the meaning of this scripture passage. 

James 1:20 “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”