Divine Appointment

Another ceremony for Tom to attend this week

It was dark out on the street. The kids were already in bed and we would be leaving early the next morning for the airport, but I needed to get in my final farewells to our close neighbors. Thankfully island adults are often gathered outside their homes at night. So I quickly found all the people that I see on a daily basis to give my goodbyes. Most of them already knew we were traveling to Madagascar for a couple weeks, but in island culture it is very important to give a final goodbye right before leaving (they even have a special verb for it). If you fail to do this, then people will give you a hard time about it later.

So I said a final goodbye to the corner store lady, the neighbors right across from us, the old lady that always sits on the road and more. They all echoed their blessings over our trip that we might travel safely and return in good health. Feeling accomplished, I was about to head home when another person popped into my mind, Ma Avasa. Even though I don’t see her very often (maybe once every couple weeks) I remembered that she had complained last time we traveled that I hadn’t said the final goodbye to her. I didn’t really have to seek her out. Her complaints had been more teasing since we aren’t really friends, but I also knew that she would be pleased if I said goodbye. Also more importantly, thinking of her had come out of nowhere and I felt it was God that had brought her to mind.

A friend in used shirt from the US

Now, how to find her? I wasn’t exactly sure where she lived. She wasn’t part of the nightly “hang-out on the street” crowd and she lived tucked into another part of the neighborhood that I don’t know very well. Normally I wouldn’t be exploring the neighborhood at night, but I wasn’t bothered. I entered into the system of alleys hoping my memory would spark once I saw the correct turn. Sure enough the next opening looked familiar and as soon as I turned I heard my name called out. It was Avasa… I told her that I was looking for her mother and she was able to guide me past several doors and up some stairs to where her mother was.

I didn’t know it but just that day Ma Avasa had fallen sick. She was weak and her heart was racing and she didn’t understand what was going on. It is very common to visit someone who is sick, but I quickly told her that I hadn’t known she was sick. I explained to her that we were traveling and that I had come to say goodbye but that I was also glad that I had come because now I could pray for her! After she gave me permission to pray (even though I would pray in a different name), I prayed for her in the local language. After that I left and went home. We went on our trip the next day.

Between our travels and transitioning back to the islands, I had almost forgotten about that little divine appointment, but earlier this week Ma Avasa appeared at our house. She greeted me and asked about our trip, but I quickly turned the conversation to her. How was she feeling? She was full of thanksgiving. She was better and her heart hadn’t bothered her again! I took the opportunity to thank God for her healing. She quickly started repeating what a good person and neighbor I was. I tried to deflect her praise and say that God was the good one, but in her mind that was already a given.

Married 16 years!

Not sure if there will be more to this story. Is this the beginning of a closer relationship with Ma Avasa? Will this answer to prayer lead to more interactions, more opportunities to share with her?  But sometimes great things start with small actions.  Who will God bring to mind next time? Will I be sensitive enough to realize it?

PRAYERS ANSWERED
Thank you for praying.  God has answered our prayers from last week in some very specific ways.  First of all, the twinge in Megan’s back is doing better!  Secondly, the woman who had left returned for more studies and she also brought a friend, who is also very interested in studying. These are the very things for which we had asked prayer.  Tom’s visits with the guys seem especially encouraging of late.  Could it be obstacles are coming down?  We hope so.  We celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary and our teammates took our kids so we could have a hike together and date night!

PRAYERS REQUESTED
Pray for Ma Avasa, that her story will continue.  Pray for more divine appointments like the one with Ma A.  Pray for those who are studying to bring friends, to understand more, and to join in the kingdom of light.  Pray for Elewa as she is hoping to travel soon for medical treatment. She is gathering funds— pray for clear direction and healing for her. Pray for another island brother whose father is sick and alone on the French island. He is looking into traveling to be with his father, but he would have to travel illegally. Pray for wisdom for him.  Pray for our colleagues on the little island.  They have some big meetings this week to decide on the direction and future vision of their work and to help work out some of the kinks in communication and differences so that they can move forward.