Minding my Father's Business

I’ve walked through this corridor several times before and have usually found that door closed. Sometimes it’s hard to tell whether that’s because the inhabitant is away or if the old one left and a new one is expected or whether they are inside, catching up on some sleep after all of last night’s hustle. 

Yesterday, the door was wide open. She sat on a mat just right outside her door. She was talking to her friends a few meters away. I came closer, greeted her and exchanged pleasantries. I had come by to invite everyone to the weekly meeting (bible study) we hold in their community. I could tell she had been drinking. She had received me with a smile, a black polythene bag rested on her laps. It contained gum and some green leaves. She was chewing. She declined to come to the study because she had already had one too many and was eating away at her leaves. 

However, she went on to tell me how thankful to God she was; He had saved her from an attacker who had tried to strangle her to death. These kinds of stories are not new in this kind of area; it’s almost the order of the day and night. I sat… right next to her - listened to her testimony. 

She told me she loves God but is held back by two things; alcohol and prostitution. She went into her one roomed space, came back with a bible. Read me some of her favourite Psalms… 70 and 35. She told me how optimistic she was that one day God would enable her come out of this street life. We shared some more scriptures; discussed trust, the power of God, the love of God, His mercy, His grace. 

We prayed… together. As I stood up to leave she said, “webale nyo, mpulila nzizemu eh suubi.” 

(“Thank you so much, I feel like my hope is restored) 

Uncannily, most of this week one of the songs that has been on replay for me is “Togwamu Suubi” by Sandra Suubi. I shared this song with her. We listened. She kept murmuring “amen” under her breath. 

After the song was done, I stood up to leave. As I walked back to my colleagues, I thought to myself what a blessing it had been to share that moment with this woman. Amazed at the longing in her heart, the hunger, the desire for more than what she has settled for. 

There are souls out there hungry, thirsting for the living water. Searching for the bread of life. There are lives out there seeking for answers. Yearning for hope. Are we out there taking this message to them? 

Am I intentional about sharing the good news? 

“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 

15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”’ Rom 10:14-15 

This woman also reminded me about Mary and Martha in the bible. She halted the conversations with her friends, put away the leaves and listened to the Word of God. 

Do I long for nothing else but to sit at his feet, listening to Him? Am I busying myself with everything else but time in His presence? While there, am I still in awe of it all or have I gotten so accustomed that I’m now jogging on the spot? 

“ I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.” Psalm 81:10