Yesterday we were part of bringing a gift to a lovely woman named Nonlhanlha. Her name is pronounced noan-slan-sla and it means ‘fortunate’.
I met Nonlhanlha a few weeks ago when our ministry partners Simanga and Mxolisi suggested we pay her a visit. She is a very soft spoken, gentle-spirited woman. She sits on a mat on the ground outside her tiny hut most days, watching the busy activity on her homestead. Nonlhanlha is HIV positive. A little over a year ago she suffered a stroke which paralyzed the right side of her body. She can not walk or fully use her hands. Her speech and eyesight are very limited. A few months ago neighbors pulled her out of her mud/stick hut when it caught on fire. Can you imagine? Laying in your hut, knowing it was on fire and not being able to get yourself to safety? No…neither can I. Nonlhanlha now lives on her brother’s homestead who moved here from South Africa to watch over her. There are a few other relatives, women and young children, also living on the homestead. This is where I first met her a few weeks ago. She was surprised to see us, but pleased to have visitors. We spent some time just talking with her and her brother. Nonlhanla shared that she felt far away from God because she is unable to get herself to church. She expressed some fear that because she isn’t attending church, that God no longer sees her or pays attention to her. Through the ministry partners, I did everything I could to assure this dear woman that God does see her and that he loves her with an unfailing love. I tried to convince her that she could commune with God from right where she was sitting. I asked her if she had any favorite songs that she remembered from her church going days. She sang a few verses of a beautiful song as Mxolisi and Simanga joined in with their deep,smooth voices. What a holy moment! We prayed with her. When I opened the Bible to read some Scripture with her, her face and eyes absolutely came to life! This woman was hungry for the Word. She closed her eyes and took in every morsel as though it was feeding her deep within. After I closed the Book ,I asked her if she had a Bible? She told me that she did have a Bible, but after her stroke she has a very difficult time reading it. As she was telling us this, again, I could see that hunger in her eyes. As we walked away from her homestead that day, I started praying to God to help us find a way to get the Word back into Nonlhanlha’s hands and heart. In the past we have had a couple talking Bibles, solar powered devices which play the entire New Testament in (this case) SiSwati. How could we get one to Nonlhanlha? After some asking around here on the ground and even some research on the Internet it seemed that finding one of these things may be a bit more complicated then I would have hoped.
Then, this past weekend a team from the States arrived. After their orientation to the ministry and to the area of Nsoko, a few of us were casually chatting. The majority of the team members are nurses, here to do medical care and run free clinics. As we discussed what the days ahead might look like for their team, one of the members says: “We also brought along five talking Bibles in SiSwati.” God had answered my prayer that started weeks ago. Nonlhanlha would have a way to feed on the Word every day!
So…back to yesterday…
It is so hard for us to imagine (who have about 10 Bibles in our homes, Christian radio blaring, churches on every other corner) to be without the Word and regular fellowship. We take so much for granted and do not hold it as such a precious gift the blessings we have. Thanks for the reminder!
Keeping you all in my prayers – and praying that God’s Word continues to spread, be shared and given!
Carla
Oh, what a great post! Loved, loved, loved, hearing about Nonhalahal and how God truly does see her and answered your prayers for her by provided food from heaven! It is also exciting to see how the Lord is answering OUR prayers for YOU as you build His kingdom!
The kids are going to love seeing the pictures of “Bart” and Jake and Claire chasing him! I know from experience that the chicken doesn’t taste quite as good when you have to chop, pluck, prep and cook the thing yourself!! HA!
WE LOVE YOU!!!!
Our staff arrives tomorrow so we are working at a feverish pace to finish preparations! Thinking and praying for you each day!
What a wonderful story! Thank you again for sharing your day to day ‘adventures’ with us. I love you.
What an amazing story and a wonderful answer to prayers. Maybe we shouldn’t be so surprised when our prayers are answered, but it gave me chills when I read that the new group had those perfect Bibles with them. It was fun watching the kids chase the chicken, too. We love you, Jen, and enjoy always reading about your experiences.
From what I hear Mxolisi has a lot of practice catching chickens but usually they are in a pen. Great post – I laughed out loud.
Jen, I love reading your posts. I think I cry about every time, but it is a good cry. A cry because I am so amazed at what God is doing. It makes me yearn for such things here and it encourages my heart. Much grace and peace to you, Eric, and family!
Moving story! Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂
Wow…what a story Eric!! That just brought a tear to my eye & a smile to my heart at the same time. You guys are amazing & God is even more amazing. Keep the stories coming as they are such great examples of God’s love for us & how He really does listen & answer our prayers!
Stay healthy & Blessed,
Jeff
phil, $55. They are so cool!! jeff, My MOM writes these blogs(: Just want to give her the great writing credit she deserves(:
Such a great post Jen!! Sending you guys some love from Manzini!
Great story, don’t eat the chicken!, you should start raising your own!
Very touching story! Sometimes God works in not such mysterious ways. But I don’t know how you can eat a chicken that you named 🙂
It was a great story.Not such a happy ending though for Bart!! Are you really having Him for dinner tonight? Somehow we dought it. Love to you all, Mom & Dad
I just love a good story that ends up with chickens.
By the way, what is the cost of said bibles? they sound like an excelent tool.
your brother from another mother,
phil