By Wednesday, we all were getting much more comfortable with each other. The kids were opening up with us and were thirsty for the gospel. While Patrick and I spent time with each child individually, Heavy was teaching the boys the evangelism tool Evangecube.
They got it so quickly. They learned the gospel in both English and Nyanja and were excited to share it with their neighbors. They would be excited about Thursday's activity, but we couldn't tell them about it yet.
I spent time with Isaac that day, and I saw the healing of the Lord personified. Isaac lost both of his parents a number of years ago and now lives with his sister. He is 16 and she is 18. He helps her sell charcoal on the street and so badly wishes to be in school. When asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, he said "Uncle T, I want to be a man of God." Amazing that a young man could have nothing, and yet have everything in Christ. We are called as Christians to follow the example of Christ and preach the gospel while meeting the needs of the less fortunate. When I look back at scripture I'm reminded that Jesus did not just forgive sins, but he also provided for physical needs. We are called to do the same:
The Final Judgment
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Matthew 25:31-46
I reference this verse not to guilt trip anyone, but rather to prompt you to check yourself. We don't serve to get grace; grace by definistion is unearned favor. We serve because we've been shown grace.
Today, Isaac is well fed and will be attending classes at a Lifeway Christian Academy. Thanks to the generous commitment of Trey and Brittney Simeone, Isaac is experiencing what the Lord intended for him.
