"Tolemi totela." This song resounded time and time again in our meetings, prayer services, conferences and just walking around the compound while in Africa. Translated into English, the song means, "We want to thank you Lord." What a prayer. Very simple. Straight to the point. And they meant it. To stand in the middle of missionaries, pastors, and others who have been persecuted for their faith, discouraged, and continue to be faithful, these were the words they were crying out to God. At some point, I just stopped to listen and of course, in the still and calm of the moment, God began to ask me what I was thanking Him for.... what was I believing to be faithful for? Why was I singing the words of this song? And I began to think more than anything, how thankful I was to be in Africa, to see people with His eyes (as I had been praying), to hear with his ears, and to touch with his touch. I thanked Him for the kids that we had worked with that he had given me great influence with, including Innocent, this precious little 9ish year old boy who had just latched onto me for some reason. I thanked Him for the girls at the AIDS orphanage who told me that I should stay in Africa because they just liked me and I believe they sincerely meant it. I thanked Him for the girls who had lost parents and sibiling to HIV and AIDS and how they learned the song, "Amazing Grace," singing over and over again, "I once was lost but now am found." Those sweet words have just stayed in my ear along with so many other things. I thanked Him that he is using the chaplain at the local hospital to pray for those who otherwise have never heard of Him and I thanked Him that in the midst of loss and poverty that He is still sovereign and good.
How faithful and loving is the God we serve. May you thank Him today for what really matters and give grace to others who do not quite understand Him. May He give you grace for the small things and strength where it is needed.
-Melissa, or "MaLeesah" as said by the Africans
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