His Creation and His People

As the rain fell outside our house late last night, I was overwhelmed by the intoxicating smell of the Frangipani trees flowers. The falling rain was accentuating the aroma produced by the flowers and our entire house smelled like an English garden. Just then the events that had unfolded earlier in the day flooded my mind and the smell of those flowers were a perfect illustration to describe the meeting women that I had led earlier in the day.

Six women and about 30 children gathered on Wednesday afternoon under a big shade tree in Ukhose Village for a time of Bible Study. After teaching them two new songs that they can sing during their church services, I began teaching them more about Jesus Christ. Each of the women in attendance are all born again believers but are very young in their walk with the Lord. As I was praying about what to teach the women, the Lord just kept prodding me to teach them about Jesus, because no matter what they need to know about the One who died for them and the awesome privilege it is to call Him, Father.

At the conclusion of the teaching time, I asked for prayer requests. Amai Daka immediately spoke up and said, “I have great fear when I have to pray outloud because I don’t know how to pray.” It was a huge wake up call for me. The most amazing thing about her saying that was that the Lord had already impressed upon my heart to teach them how to pray according to His Word. Amai Mumba spoke up and said, “I don’t know how to read, can you teach me?” After a brief discussion, Amai Daka and Amai Tembo spoke up and said that they would teach her to read if I could bring them the literacy books. Praise the Lord for the willingness of these two women to love and help their sister in Christ to read! I was so happy and excited as I was leaving the meeting. These women are so young in their faith but they just cling to the things they are learning and are not afraid to ask questions or answer questions. 

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing."

2 Corinthians 2:14-15

What a blessing and breath of fresh air new believers who truly have the joy of the Lord can be for those of us who are years into our walk with Christ. These women’s joy and happiness is contagious and they are definitely the aroma of Christ. God used the rain and the amazing smell of the flowers in my yard to remind me how we are to live and what we are to exude as believers in Jesus Christ.