Immeasurably More {Malawi Monday}

I love Ephesians 3:20, and am especially digging this NLT translation....

"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think."

There has been many occasions in my life where God has shown me that He can indeed do infinitely (or NIV translation says, "immeasurably") more than I can ask or think (imagine), but it seems sometimes I need a reminder of this. 

Before Christmas, He let me have another glimpse of his mighty power.

There have been 2 brothers around 7-10 years old that have shown up at Esther's House in the past. Dad was a witch doctor and boys liked to "wander away" and dad would get mad and chase them off. The first time they showed up, social welfare got involved and the boys ended back up at home with dad and that was that.

Right before Christmas, the boys showed up again. We found them laying outside our gate, sick with malaria and hungry. It was later in the day and their village is pretty far off, so we fed them, bathed them, dressed them in clean clothes, and gave them a place to sleep. I called social welfare again the next morning, and got the answer "take them home". I was feeling so frustrated! Wasn't anyone going to help them? What could I actually do? The boys had a dad, a family, they weren't a fit for our program. So I loaded up my 4 kids and our Abusa (Pastor Stanley) and we bumped in and out of potholes down a long dirt road until we eventually wound up in their village. 

We met dad and older siblings and learned that their mom had died several years ago. Culturally in Malawi, when a mom passes away, the maternal grandmother cares for the children (not dad). In this case, grandma was unable to do that, so dad was doing the best he could for his 4 children. He explained that every time he went out to the field, the boys would run off. We listened, encouraged, talked to the boys and then it was time to go. Still not feeling a peace. 

Then, Pastor Stanley asked the dad if he was indeed a witch doctor. He stuttered around and eventually admitted that he was. Stanley shared the Good News of Jesus with him. He said no one had ever told him about that before! He explained how this man's charms had no power, but that God in Heaven is All-Powerful. The dad decided to follow this Jesus and prayed to surrender his lifestyle of being the village witch doctor. He came to Esther's House a few days later, with all his idols and charms in tow, to meet with Stanley and  Bruce (our house dad) and burn them. Stanley has now gotten the dad plugged in to a good church in his village where he can learn more about what following Jesus looks like. A family transformed.

We drove back home with smiles plastered on our face. Stanley and I each talking to each other about how we had no idea the boys'  story would end this way. God had done wayyyyy "more than we could ask or imagine!" 

I drove out thinking this situation was "hopeless and God reminded me that He is the hope giver. 

I drove out thinking that the boys were going back in a terrible situation and God showed me that He is in the business of transforming hearts and families.

I drove out thinking that this was a problem that was on me to fix and the burden felt heavy. God reminded me that He is the only answer and He carries our burdens.

I drove out thinking that no one was going to really help these boys and God reminded me how much He loves His Children and wants all to come to reconciliation with Him.

There is hope in Malawi, not because any Americans are here, but because HE is here!

He is faithful and He will always knock our socks off and do "infinitely more than we might ask or think."

And what a privilege that He allows us to go along for the ride and see Him in action.

 

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