In Awe of Jesus

November 20, 2013

Family and Friends,

Here in Kazovu, a remote village in Rukwa Tanzania, heath care is non-existent. It is very difficult for anyone to receive care for any type of sickness. There is a Duka la Dawa (shop of medicine) in the village that can provide basic medications but at high costs. So, most people who become ill never have the opportunity to receive care. Because of this, death is frequent among the young and old of Kazovu. At least once a week, we attend a funeral of someone who has passed or hear the cries of their loved ones while in our homes at the school. Even those who are able to make the journey to Kirando and go to the doctors, sometimes are not able to overcome the effects of malaria, typhoid and other dangerous diseases.

I will never forget the faces of the family that walked past us one day. A father was carrying his 8-year old son on his back. His son had died at the hospital in Kirando. How can I possibly bear to see this? It broke my heart and that image will forever be in my mind. But recently something happened that hit a little bit closer to home and I must share it with you because of its significance to me and also the amazing power of God that was poured out.

My friend Baraka became extremely ill about two weeks ago. It started out slow but then became a very serious issue. One day we were playing cards under the mango tree and everything was fine when he suddenly stopped playing and looked down at his lap and didn’t look up. I kept saying, “Baraka, Baraka, are you okay?” He slowly looked up at me and said nothing. But his eyes said everything. He was in need of help. When we arrived at his home, he collapsed on his bed.

The next few days he felt fine in the mornings but then at about 4:30pm every afternoon he would have the same symptoms; chills, then a high fever and he could not speak in full sentences (most certainly symptoms of malaria). One night, Jonathan, Kibona and I were all in Baraka’s room trying to help him take medicine. We had to lift him up and hold him there and attempt to get him to drink the medication. It was such a sad and scary moment, this full grown man we have to feed like a child. He would every so often make eye contact with me, and though he could say nothing I knew he was saying, “Help me please.” I immediately started to pray on my knees and asked God to bring a miracle to him.

After a while Jonathan began asking me questions about certain passages in the Bible. We ended up studying together for over an hour next to Baraka and I could feel the presence of God in that room.  I continued to pray over Baraka. The way Baraka had been breathing was short little gasps of air, like it was difficult for him to get oxygen. While I prayed over him the Spirit of God regulated his breathing. Even if he was still sick, for the rest of the night Baraka rested peacefully. How incredible is GOD?! He is powerful to help those who call upon His name.

The next day we convinced Baraka to make the journey to Kirando in order to receive more care. He stayed there for four days and returned happy and healthy. God rescued him. No doubt about that.

The last few weeks have been problematic in regards to sickness for Kazovu Secondary School’s staff.  I was sick for a day (only a stomachache and some minor cold symptoms), a new teacher named Annie was sick once. It is true that the environment we live in is tough. In such a hot place with malaria mosquitoes everywhere it does not surprise me that sickness is common, but it is very frustrating. When the teachers are sick, the students don’t learn. Today for example, the only teachers who are not sick are me, Annie and Jonathan. The other four are at home sick. I pray every day that sickness would leave this place.

Now enough about sickness…

The rains have started!!! As of yesterday we have had extremely powerful rainstorms daily. Last night it was so loud it woke me up! I am thankful for the rain though, it makes the temperature here much less intense. I even wore a jacket yesterday! I know, crazy for November right? I am amazed every time I look at my calendar and remember that it is almost December. It really does not feel like it. How can it be November 20th and I get a sun burn at the same time? Definitely feels like the longest summer ever.

The students took a trip to Kipili this past weekend. They went by boat (about a 3 hour journey) in order to play football (soccer) with the students of that school. Because of the severity of the waves when it was time for them to return they ended up sleeping in Kipili and returning the next afternoon. While they were gone I enjoyed very much having some time to myself. Baraka and Annie were here too but I spent a lot of time alone to pray, think and just relax. It was much needed. In a place where being alone is seen as a negative thing, I was happy to have just a little.

The girls taught me a game yesterday at school. It involves a Fanta soda bottle, sand and a ball (made out of plastic bags). In the middle is an empty bottle surrounded by a pile of sand. Two people from one team stand in the middle and dodge the ball that is being thrown at them from the opposing team. If they get hit, they are out. If the other team allows the ball to pass behind them then the two players in the middle try and fill the bottle with sand as fast as they can. If it becomes full, then they empty it and start again. Whoever has the most filled bottles at the end of the game wins. I played with them and had an absolute blast! Getting some much needed exercise and also getting super dirty and laughing harder than I have in a long time. We had so much fun. We will probably play again today unless it rains this afternoon.

Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by some of the tough things here. But I still find so much joy and happiness in Jesus. Every day He reveals more of himself to me and I am able to experience His presence and peace.

A message that was particularly encouraging to me was the sermon by AJ Swoboda. He spoke at LifeCenter Church in Spokane two summers ago and I have it on my iPod. Last night I was listening to it and found that I connected with it in so many ways. If you would like to listen to it, it is on LifeCenter’s website. It is called “Deliverance from the Jail cell.” Now I am definitely not saying that I feel like I’m in jail, far from it. But the message does ask the question, “Who are you strapped to?”

God has definitely strapped me to Kazovu Secondary School and all the people in it. The message talks about hope and how hope is not found in our situations but in the fact that the tomb is still empty. There is so much power and truth in that statement. God has given us His Spirit as a helper in whatever situation or circumstance we find ourselves in, whether it is in a rural village in Africa, or in our homes or workplaces. God is faithful to those who are willing to crawl on the lap of Christ and say, “Abba, Father.”

After listening to this message I found great joy in ‘rocking out’ to the song “Beautiful One” by By the Tree. I experienced so much joy in the Lord as I worshipped Him and replayed the song over and over again.

I am so in awe of Jesus and His grace, peace, power, faithfulness and love. He knows me more than anyone and knows more about what I am going through than anyone else. I am so thankful to have Him as my helper in times of struggle and in times of peace.

As the holiday season approaches I feel many things. I am so sad to not be with family during this time of thankfulness and celebration. I can just imagine the food, fun and games that will be shared in the traditions of the holidays. But, I am also happy because I know that God has placed me exactly where He planned and that I am being used for a higher purpose.

So this Thanksgiving I am thankful for Kazovu. I am thankful for the students here that I have come to love and care for so much. I am thankful for the friendships that I have made. I am thankful for good health. I am thankful for ugali (for as much as I really can’t stand it, it keeps me strong and well fed). I am thankful for my home and a bed to sleep on. I am thankful for my family and friends for without them I would not be here. I am thankful to know that people are praying. But most of all, I am thankful for Jesus Christ. I am thankful that no matter what happens He will remain the same today, tomorrow and forever.

Love,

Emily