...for such a time as this... by Susan Caldwell

John 9:1-3

“And as He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should be born blind?” Jesus answered, ‘It was neither that this man sinned nor his parents; but it was in order that the works of God might be displayed in him.’

The presence of Christ in Africa:

*Widows caring for orphaned children in Malawi - the undesirable caring for the unwanted – those who were abandoned to die being offered life by those who were abandoned by death – the least valued loving the lost valuables
*First feeding center visit (in the middle of nowhere) – so scarce, so sparse – very little shelter, very short supplies – an impossible task facing an overwhelming need
*Second feeding center visit – long drive, long day, long road to find unwanted answers – seemingly so hopeless, constantly being asked; “sponsor” me, take me with you, pick me, choose me, save me – given an uncomfortable amount of misplaced honor and worth – making me painfully aware of my unworthiness – Save me too, Jesus
*Then the singing began – perfect pitch, perfect harmony, perfect acoustics – unbelievable joy in their faces and voices – physically poor but spiritually rich – I want what they have, they want what I have – each must give up what they have to receive the other – God help me for I am poor in spirit
*The longest day, the final feeding center, a lasting impression – 5 widows at a well working together; a common burden, retrieving a plastic bucket from the bottom of the well; a common need, drawing the water; a common daily task, preparing a meal for 200 plus people; this is how they have built their friendship – joy permeates from every pore of their bodies – laughter while they work to recover the bucket – dancing and celebrating when it is brought up full – No sense of entitlement or reward for their work - I am humbled, I build my friendships on; a common enemy, a common fear, a common complaint – I rarely sing with joy while I am toiling under a burdensome task – I demand payment or accolades for my efforts – Get away from me Lord, for I am sinful
*Celebration and dedication of the YL Training Center in Dar – lots of singing, dancing, crying – much more comfort here; comfort in lifestyle, comfort in similar vocabulary, comfort in the familiar, comfort in feeling known – I am safe here – I am home
*Most surreal day – starts with a national press conference – lunch overlooking the Indian Ocean – then a drive into/through utter poverty – visit a Sister of Mercy orphanage/convalescent home/sanitarium for the mentally and physically impaired – touch, play with and hold, you Jesus? – and end the day sitting on the beach at a resort – are you present here as well?
*An epiphany; in my economy changing, cleaning feeding the babies would be the least stretching “job” while changing and cleaning the mentally ill or dieing would be beyond my abilities; yet, Irene sees it differently; she says, ‘Once the adults are cleaned and feed they are happy, but the babies take constant care and are sometimes very fussy.’ So Irene begins praying for the Sister’s who care for the babies, because they need more patience and energy – Oh God I often pay a much higher cost trying to avoid what is the greater gain because I depend on; what my eyes see, my abilities are, my economy is
*Arusha – Surrounded by jobless men, orphaned and homeless, endless needs everywhere – Alexis says “God’s favor falls on some” – causing me to start searching desperately for an answer/a middle ground to live in – one where I do not under use my potential because I am overwhelmed with a deep sense of unworthiness, or where I lose perspective and begin to think; I am worthy, I deserve more, I have “the” answers – I don’t want to get stuck here in the sin of self-absorption – Lord let me hear the words of truth and help me to believe

“…I again saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift, and the battle is not to the warriors, and neither is bread to the wise, nor wealth to the discerning, nor favor to men of ability; for time and chance overtake them all.” Ecclesiastes 9:11

3 weeks of daily opportunities to learn again, Who God is and who I am not.

That my life is not the measure of; success or comfort or spiritual depth but it is God alone who measures a man’s worth.
All of creation, all things living have value and purpose because all things are created by God for His glory, His good pleasure; this includes the broken, the unwanted, the ones who are blind in sight and the ones who are blind in spirit. (John 9:1-3)
Man’s (my) wisdom is always folly
I infect more than I affect life around me…and still God’s love for me is full of mercy and grace. I am humbled and thankful to receive God’s favor, for such a time as this…