born to bear

waiting in line

to receive a blanket

she not quite able to stand 

straight after countless years

of heavy work that begins

in early girlhood

carrying small loads

upon the head

developing neck strength

and courage

some weeks ago

before the storms

I woke with the words

African women 

are born

to bear burdens

the evidence is clear

in the way they tend to

children, families

in the way they love

in the way they pray

in the way they remain 

standing

still

 Be prepared. 

You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. 

Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, 

so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet.  

Ephesians 6:13 The Message

 

Reaching Out in a Crisis

The rainy season was late in Malawi but when it arrived it came with a vengeance.  Newly planted fields are washed clean.  Few homes have escaped damage with hundreds completely fallen to the ground.  There are at least two more months of rain ahead so disastrous effects are expected to continue.

The needs are vast.  It would be easy to be swept away by alternating waves of compassion and frustration at the inability to attend to every need.

I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do. 
Helen Kelller

The OM Malawi team is working to provide both immediate and long term practical assistance and spiritual support to people they already minister to and others.  Currently assessing the situation, the first steps are the distribution of maize and blankets, offering nourishment and warmth; and work on securing houses that are still standing.  Some of these precarious houses are sheltering up to three and four families as people who have lost their homes are staying with relatives.  

Much more intensive work awaits after the rains as OM Malawi makes plans to help in the building of permanent houses, restoring both homes and lives.

eyes to see

I have given you eyes to see

but I ask that you submit them to Me

that I may sanctify, clarify and highlight

where I want you to focus

 

There is much that swirls around you

that you need not pay heed to

Will you choose

to see only what I want to show you

hear only what I want to tell you

and feel only those things I choose?

Then you are truly mine

empty, usable to serve My purposes

 

If the world is offended

remember you are Mine

and not of the world

wait

When you feel lost, little one

think of how much time 

you have wandered from My presence

you have no sense of direction 

without Me

you have no strength

without Me

for this is how I created you

to need me for every step

walking alone, in your own power

you wither and fade

faint in body, mind and spirit

I Am calling you back

to My Word

to My heart

stop trying to run

trying to walk

trying to crawl

before first being still

in Me

wait…

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint or grow weary; there is no searching of His understanding. He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound]. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and [selected] young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted; But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.  
Isaiah 40:28-31 Amplified