.....the drunk police man grabbed the boy and began to drag him to the awaiting car. What are you doing.......where are you taking him?, I shouted......no response. As I followed the taxi to the dilapidated police station on the other side of town.....I thought, this is the moment where Michael gets to see IT lived out. He gets to experience what relationship in the Kingdom of Heaven looks like. Michael would witness what it means to be PURSUED......the idea of someone moving TOWARDS him rather than away from him in response to his offensive behavior. Now I am not tooting my own spiritual horn.....because God knows my approach inside the police post was anything but Christlike......but as I advocated for Michael's release I began to realize just how foreign this model of relationship is in the world that we live. Not only was there surprise on Michael's face.....but it became clear, from the reaction of the officers, that the idea of anyone willingly hanging around this kid was the farthest thing from sanity. Do you know this boy.........do you know what he is......what he is guilty of, stated one of the officers. No......and it does not matter.......I know him, was my reply.
See Michael.... is one of the many street kids that occupy the streets in the city of Mazabuka where we live. Recently, it has become clear that not only is Michael a street kid....pick pocket...con artist....liar......but he is sort of what you would call the ring leader of a group of street boys. Perfect.......we only find this out after we have started bringing him to church on Sundays. And since then we have had to continuously deal with the messiness of bringing someone who is not like "us" into our fellowship.........fights between street boys while church is going on.........sugar spoons at the tea table being used to stir tea......licked and then placed.......yep you guessed in...... back into the sugar bowl. But you know.... peeking out behind all the blown opportunities......all the words and corrections spoken in anger and frustration.....is a revelation that this is how it is suppose to be. We are humans....we make messes.....but it is in how we respond to that messiness....our next move after encountering offensiveness......that reveals what we have experienced in relationship with our Heavenly Father. Romans 5:8, But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And there it is.......and its all through The Word.....God's model of relationship. That in pursuit of seeing the greatness He has placed inside of every being ever created in His IMAGE live out in their lives.........He is willing to move towards their messiness.
That's the model we are willing to spend ourselves to promote here in Southern Zambia. There are many "Michaels" here in Africa and throughout the world.....we firmly believe that our call, as His Daughters & Sons, is to focus on building relationships that pursue....that move towards those struggling to find love.....acceptance and to learn who He has created them to be. Whether it be through Agricultural Development, Kids Camps, Short Term Teams, Local Church Development, Discipleship or simply to bandage the wound of a visitor at the gate.....we long for others to see the Jesus in us and discover the Jesus in them.
Michael is just the tip of what God is doing here in Southern Zambia through our partnership. At the heart of each of these relationships is the dream of seeing a people without an identity put on the revelation of what is means to be His Child.....that is happening more and more each day. If you would like more information on how to get involved with Eleeo Project here in Central Africa you can do so by following us on Facebook at Eleeo Project. There is not a testimony we experience here without a profound appreciation for the fact that you sacrifice to make it possible......for that we are eternally grateful. The best is yet to come....
With Love & Honor
The Whitfields <><
See Michael.... is one of the many street kids that occupy the streets in the city of Mazabuka where we live. Recently, it has become clear that not only is Michael a street kid....pick pocket...con artist....liar......but he is sort of what you would call the ring leader of a group of street boys. Perfect.......we only find this out after we have started bringing him to church on Sundays. And since then we have had to continuously deal with the messiness of bringing someone who is not like "us" into our fellowship.........fights between street boys while church is going on.........sugar spoons at the tea table being used to stir tea......licked and then placed.......yep you guessed in...... back into the sugar bowl. But you know.... peeking out behind all the blown opportunities......all the words and corrections spoken in anger and frustration.....is a revelation that this is how it is suppose to be. We are humans....we make messes.....but it is in how we respond to that messiness....our next move after encountering offensiveness......that reveals what we have experienced in relationship with our Heavenly Father. Romans 5:8, But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And there it is.......and its all through The Word.....God's model of relationship. That in pursuit of seeing the greatness He has placed inside of every being ever created in His IMAGE live out in their lives.........He is willing to move towards their messiness.
That's the model we are willing to spend ourselves to promote here in Southern Zambia. There are many "Michaels" here in Africa and throughout the world.....we firmly believe that our call, as His Daughters & Sons, is to focus on building relationships that pursue....that move towards those struggling to find love.....acceptance and to learn who He has created them to be. Whether it be through Agricultural Development, Kids Camps, Short Term Teams, Local Church Development, Discipleship or simply to bandage the wound of a visitor at the gate.....we long for others to see the Jesus in us and discover the Jesus in them.
Michael is just the tip of what God is doing here in Southern Zambia through our partnership. At the heart of each of these relationships is the dream of seeing a people without an identity put on the revelation of what is means to be His Child.....that is happening more and more each day. If you would like more information on how to get involved with Eleeo Project here in Central Africa you can do so by following us on Facebook at Eleeo Project. There is not a testimony we experience here without a profound appreciation for the fact that you sacrifice to make it possible......for that we are eternally grateful. The best is yet to come....
With Love & Honor
The Whitfields <><
2 comments:
I don't remember the 2 little boys names who were at church the morning I visited, but Michael sounds familiar. Was he one of them? Brings joy to hear you continue to reach out. Love this post - your hears shine through! Blessings!! XOXO ~Auntie Brandy ;)
Brandy......it is the one and only Michael. God is working in Him.....the best is yet to come! Blessings sister....thanks for sacrificing so that story like Michael are possible.
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