We were evangelizing door to door in the hot, African sun to the people of the Meru tribe; weaving in and out of mazes of corn, coffee beans, and mango trees; and kicking up clouds of bright, red dust from the dirt paths. We migrate to the shade when we can to shield ourselves from the ultraviolet rays pounding down on our faces and shoulders. We greet old women walking down the paths carrying firewood and water jugs on their backs with a “Habari” (How are you?) and a smile. We meet children on their way to school or children who cannot afford to attend school wandering the streets who interrogate us as we walk with “What is your name?!” and “How are you” and receive numerous high fives. As we walked that day one of these children began to follow us. I asked him his name and he replied with mumbles. I replied “Oh, what a great name.” Even though I had no idea what he had just told me. At some point one of my team mates gave him a piece of paper to write his name on – “Lint”. (Lint also drew a cat on this paper-making him my favorite) Lint followed us all day. Walking through the corn mazes and dirt paths, trudging up hills and through ditches full of rocks. When we entered homes to share the Word with families, Lint often took the most comfortable seats and some families even gave him water to drink while we were there. At the end of the day Lint began walking home with us and then waved and skipped down the dirt path to his house. At first, I was perplexed as to why this young boy had followed us all day long. Why he chose to walk so far and go into the homes of strangers. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized how much power God has in even the smallest situations. Lint had been there as we told a old women about how God is a refuge and our strength. When we told a family who’s home burnt down that God makes beautiful things out of broken people.
As we told of God’s love, hope, truth, strength, grace and power. As Lint turned down the path his brain was filled with an abundance of God’s TRUTH. I couldn’t stop smiling. I felt that we had accomplished more that day than most others. Because that day God spoke to the heart of a child. And I have no doubt, Lint is going to become a marvelous child of God.
As Lint skipped down his street, we asked our translator, “Do you even know who he was?”
Our translator answered, “He? Lint is a girl.”
“Oh…Of course.” We all answered together.
Well, Lint, You are God’s daughter. Live for Him every day and never forget His great love for you.
