Day 4: Audibles

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21)

This is a perfect description of our day in Africa. We had our day planned out, and it looked a lot like yesterday (with some lessons learned), but God had something different in mind. Something different and significant.

It started out fairly normally. We arrived at Korah a little earlier than yesterday, and it was raining. Because of that, a small number of children had gathered by the time we arrived. We got out of the van and began kicking the soccer ball around with some of the kids. As we were getting ready to move on to the next activity, we learned that something important was about to happen in the community. Would we be willing to help?

It turns out that there were three elders of the community whose health had worsened to the point where they needed to be taken to the hospital. There were circumstances that required extra help: the men were unable to walk, and the road was so muddy that the van could not get down to where they were living.

So we went to help. Over the course of the next 90 minutes or so, our team worked as such a, well, team. A couple of us went with the men to the hospital and helped get them into the building. And others made sure that the children continued to get the love we came to give them – leading them in songs, play, and a Bible lesson. By the time we gathered for lunch, we could look at each other and know that we had fulfilled the Lord’s plan for our morning – not ours.

After lunch came what I was most looking forward to – the awesome privilege of visiting the homes of two Project 61 children that are being sponsored to attend a boarding school. They and their families are so glad to have us there, and thankful for what God is doing in their lives. Both visits included a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, complete with hand-ground coffee beans…and popcorn. Very moving that they go to so much trouble for their guests – and, oh yeah,  the coffee is the best. 

Some of the best days are the ones that you don't plan. Especially when you are convinced that it was the Lord's plan all along. Yep - another great day in Africa.