Jehovah Jire

10 July 2008
As we were making the long trek from Lusaka to Ndola yesterday, we were following a small bus with the words “Jehovah Jire” painted on the rear panels. I asked Foster the meaning and his reply was The Lord Will Provide, the name of God first found in Genesis (chapter 22) when, in faith and obedience to God, Abraham was about to sacrifice his son Isaac, but the Lord provided a sacrificial ram instead. When I remarked that I had just read that very passage while on the airplane, Foster, in his wisdom of few words said, “It is God speaking to you. He will provide for you.” And indeed, the Lord has already provided. He has provided the means for us to be in Zambia, He has provided a wonderful friend and mentor in Foster, He has provided the prayer support of so many, and the blessing of His children in our lives. God has revealed Himself to us through all of this, and we have experienced His love and mercy through His provision.
Today, our first day in Zambia, we of course visited the building site and our children. Teddy, our friend and one of the teachers was first out of the house to welcome us with the traditional Zambian handshake and a warm hug. He quickly ushered us inside the house where all classes are now meeting, and the children were anxiously waiting our arrival. There is nothing quite like being welcomed by a child. Their huge smiles, greeting us in unison, many calling us by name, and then of course with their welcoming songs and clapping. And we were reminded once again why we are here. To love His children.
We also visited baby Peter today and delivered food for him and his family. Peter is the child who lives at Baluba and was brought to the OMNI mobile medical clinic in May, where he and his mother both tested positive for HIV/Aids. And this is where the tears began in earnest. I saw a young woman, with a tiny baby held tightly in her arms, much older than he appears. As we approached, Sharon, the mother, smiled and greeted us in the traditional Zambian manner – an extended handshake and a tiny curtsey. But for baby Peter there was no smile. His beautiful big brown eyes, wide and desperate, had a pleading, haunting look. And he looked straight into my eyes, and his tiny hand reached out for me. As I held that sweet little hand in mine I prayed. I prayed for this child Peter and his family, I envisioned our Father’s loving arms embracing him, and I thanked God for the blessing of this tiny life. I looked at their surroundings – their home – a barren looking place, a small mud brick structure, only two blankets with large holes lying in the dust propped against a few weeds to dry – not even a string for a clothes line. And I looked at their clothes – torn and tattered, worn and dusty. And I looked at Peter’s older sister, Gift – petite and beautiful, but no smile, no trace of happiness, and I wondered what will become of her in the days to come. Tonight, the tears continue, as we cry out to God... “The Lord Will Provide.”