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June 26th, 2012
Love and lightbulbs
I parked the car out front, sure of where I was going. We noticed the normally locked gate to the Free Methodist church in Magwegwe North was not locked. Someone must be here. I know almost anyone it could be, so I told everyone to jump out. Let’s go find out who is here to say hello.
We were driving around to pray over areas where Forgotten Voices works and hopes to work. Our driving had brought us to this place, as we were just passing by. Sundays are sacred days for churches, so we weren’t here to do work, but to pray. Someone was inside.
We knocked on the front door to the church, without response. No worries. We walk around back. On the way I point out this and that about the church, memories of so many trips coming to life in quick fashion. It is good to be “home”.
I show my teammates where the outside bathroom is as I yell greetings through the open window to the bathroom inside. Still no answer. Then, we hear noise through the back side door. We find Theo, a good friend, standing on a metal garbage can, using it as a ladder to fix a broken light. Standing by the light switch is our friend Fibion, our Spiritual Ministries Advisor at Forgotten Voices and the Pastor of the church. Without pause, I give them both a hug and offer to help, jumping up on the trash can to try.
For 20 min we keep trying to switch the bulbs, trying to determine whether there is enough power. In doing this simple task we trade updates on what’s happened since the last time we saw each other in March and talked by phone just a week ago. It is good to be home.
More than ever before I am struck by the enormous success of our ministry, not just in orphan care but in the ways our network of local contacts has grown. The fact I could drive to a church of a friend, unannounced, walk in to find a light bulb being changed, and it be perfectly normal helped me to see what God has created — friendship that goes beyond work.
Out of the many moments of pride since starting Forgotten Voices this trip has been full of the ones I think I’ll cherish. This trip has helped me see that the system of orphan care we are helping invest in is working.
This system is working 24/7, 365 days a year. The Church is alive and I’m thrilled to be joining it. My first trips were about our triumphant entry, with great celebration. Now, I come and help fix light bulbs to help their ministry to orphans see. The work is going on year roumd and I am now just part of it. I like that.
-Ryan
Tags: #FVAfrica, children, church, orphans, partners, prayer, Ryan Keith, Travels in Africa, zimbabwe
Filed under: General Blog, Travel Blog
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