November 3, 2009
A Devotional: Alex
Posted by Dacia
The following story is the personal account of one man’s journey to Africa in 2008. It is his story of obedience, surrender and transformation.
“My first time in Malawi showed me a whole different world that I had, until then, never been exposed to. I went with a very sincere hope that I would be able to do something, even if it was small, for God’s Kingdom. I expected to see sick people, and looked forward to praying for them. The number of orphans was tremendous from what I had read, and it was my plan to spend as much time as I could just loving them. Most importantly, I knew that I would not come back from this trip the same. I prayed that God would use the trip to transform me and give me more of an understanding of how the Gospel is affecting the world.
I would say that the moment that had the greatest impact on me was when I visited a child named Charles, who is sponsored by a good friend of mine. I was instructed to not only deliver a few presents to Charles, but to give him a big hug, look him in the eyes, and tell him that he never has to worry, because God will always provide. I was following those steps with no problems until I looked into his eyes and began to tell him that everything would be okay. In that moment, I felt an overwhelming sadness, as all of the difficult living conditions that all the kids faced flooded my mind. Luckily, I was able to complete the hug, finish the sentence, and stand up and turn around before any tears were visible.
Being transformed at that moment was not the most pleasant feeling, but I thank God that it happened. I will not boast in the fact that I became sad. However, I will boast in how awesome God is. Those words that I spoke to Charles, about how God provides, are completely true. For ages, God has been providing for His people, just as He has and will provide for Charles and the children in Malawi, just as he provided for a sad man who almost couldn’t give a few encouraging words to a child. At that moment, I fully depended on God’s Spirit to fill me and allow his love to work through me. May there never be a time when I, or anyone, fail to realize that we are and should always be fully dependent on God.”
-Alex, 2008
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
-Jeremiah 29:11
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
-Proverbs 3:5-6
Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.
-Isaiah 50:10
