Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Psalm 136:1
…tragedy
Tragedy abounds. Not a day goes by that I don’t hear another heart rending story. A woman dies leaving her five young children in the care of an irresponsible and drunken father who has other wives and takes no interest in them. A baby dies of AIDS and the mother’s family is blamed even though the father was the carrier of the disease. Another father disappoints his children by “forgetting” to pay the school fees after running off to the city. A mother kills her own child by putting a stick in its mouth shortly after giving birth. An eight year old schoolboy is tricked into becoming involved with witchcraft. A cornfield ready to harvest is destroyed by wandering cows and a family staves off starvation this year. A drunken husband beats his wife and children, and in a fit of rage throws all the children’s clothes and kitchen supplies into the toilet.
…comfort
Joy abounds. I have never seen a people so ready to laugh, to enjoy one another’s company. They are a people who in spite of immense heartache find moments of comfort, especially by being together. We never hear of an ailing or troubled person left alone to deal with his trouble. A sick person’s room is filled with well-wishers. Children left to fend for them selves find a place to eat and sleep by a neighbor’s or auntie’s fire. The community shares the joy and the pain.
…gratitude
Hearts are full of gratitude despite the many reasons to become discouraged. It is said, you are as many people as languages you have learned. Although I still speak English here, a new facet is emerging in my worship and way of thinking as I live in this culture. I have never been so close to the earth, to life, to death, and to the tragedies and triumphs that are experienced on this level before. As I worship alongside my Cameroonian colleagues and neighbors, I am learning to rejoice in God as never before. The sincere gratitude for God’s provision eloquently emerges as our harvest offering becomes the highlight of our worship. Our offering consumes well over half an hour as each of the 800 people attending dance forward and bring the first fruits of their crops to present to the Lord. The exuberant singing evidences their complete faith in God’s sufficiency to provide for every need, emotional and material. Above all He provides for our souls and gives us hope for the future. He is truly our Jehovah Jireh, our provider. His grace is sufficient for me.
…tragedy
Tragedy abounds. Not a day goes by that I don’t hear another heart rending story. A woman dies leaving her five young children in the care of an irresponsible and drunken father who has other wives and takes no interest in them. A baby dies of AIDS and the mother’s family is blamed even though the father was the carrier of the disease. Another father disappoints his children by “forgetting” to pay the school fees after running off to the city. A mother kills her own child by putting a stick in its mouth shortly after giving birth. An eight year old schoolboy is tricked into becoming involved with witchcraft. A cornfield ready to harvest is destroyed by wandering cows and a family staves off starvation this year. A drunken husband beats his wife and children, and in a fit of rage throws all the children’s clothes and kitchen supplies into the toilet.
…comfort
Joy abounds. I have never seen a people so ready to laugh, to enjoy one another’s company. They are a people who in spite of immense heartache find moments of comfort, especially by being together. We never hear of an ailing or troubled person left alone to deal with his trouble. A sick person’s room is filled with well-wishers. Children left to fend for them selves find a place to eat and sleep by a neighbor’s or auntie’s fire. The community shares the joy and the pain.
…gratitude
Hearts are full of gratitude despite the many reasons to become discouraged. It is said, you are as many people as languages you have learned. Although I still speak English here, a new facet is emerging in my worship and way of thinking as I live in this culture. I have never been so close to the earth, to life, to death, and to the tragedies and triumphs that are experienced on this level before. As I worship alongside my Cameroonian colleagues and neighbors, I am learning to rejoice in God as never before. The sincere gratitude for God’s provision eloquently emerges as our harvest offering becomes the highlight of our worship. Our offering consumes well over half an hour as each of the 800 people attending dance forward and bring the first fruits of their crops to present to the Lord. The exuberant singing evidences their complete faith in God’s sufficiency to provide for every need, emotional and material. Above all He provides for our souls and gives us hope for the future. He is truly our Jehovah Jireh, our provider. His grace is sufficient for me.
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1 comment:
Hi Stephanie,
How good to hear from you through your post. It is a joy to read your thoughts. It is amazing to me how people can be filled with joy in the midst of misery...only God. I'm reminded of my time in Haiti when I read about your experiences here.
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