The Transforming Power of God's Love

A week ago last Sunday, I had the privilege of preaching at a church outside of the city of Arusha, in northern Tanzania. To get there,  we had to leave the main road (which is paved) and enter a terribly rutted unpaved road which would pose a serious challenge to even the best of 4 wheel drive vehicles.


Climbing slowly up the mountain, we made our way to an area known as Siwandeti, to a church that I dearly love, which is pastored by a sweet Maasai pastor named Joel.


The church has torn out the back wall in order to expand the small sanctuary. Partially built, the people in the back rows of benches sit under the open sky, since the roof is not yet finished. Even with this modest expansion, the church is already crowded.


It was in this humble place that I pondered the transforming power of God's love. Pastor Joel pointed out a young man who was singing in the church choir, which is appropriately named "Sauti ya Ushindi Kwaya" - which in Kiswahili means "Voice of Victory Choir." He told me that this changed man, singing and dancing before us, was a result of God's miraculous and transforming power.


Last year, Pastor Joel's church and his home had come under attack from a group of Maasai traditionalists who were enraged over the fact that Pastor Joel did not have his sons undergo the traditional "circumcision" of the Maasai tribe. They blamed him for encouraging his church members to avoid the tribal tradition which involves aspects of Maasai witchcraft.


When the word got out that Pastor Joel had taken his sons to a hospital and had them circumcised by a doctor, an angry mob surrounded his house and attempted to burn it down. Pastor Joel and his family fled for their lives. In the midst of that angry crowd was the young man who was now a part of the church choir. Pastor Joel had reached out to him despite what he had done, and God's love had drawn him in and transformed him completely.


That was not the only example of transformation that I saw that day in church. We had brought 8 of the oldest childen (4 boys, 4 girls) from the Treasures of Africa Children's Home to the church service with us that day. They sang 2 special songs for the church with the oldest boy, Benny, leading on the guitar.They sang a praise song in Kiswahili and a second song in English. It was while they were singing "Here I am to Worship" that I found myself weeping. I was watching one of the boys, Innocent, as he sang with eyes closed and with such a precious spirit of worship.


Innocent was raised in a nominally Muslim family and the name he was given at birth was Ramadhani. His parents both died and he and his younger sister were left stranded. He began to run the streets of Moshi, stealing to survive. A local pastor who lived in his neighborhood, became aware of the children's plight and recommended that TOA take them in.


When Innocent (then Ramadhani) arrived at the orphanage, he was 12 years old and already a toughened street kid. He immediately started bullying our younger children. He was uncooperative and came close to striking one of our teachers who was insisting he do some school work. The orphanage leadership had a dilemma on their hands - and they were seriously praying about removing Ramadhani from the orphanage for the safety of the younger kids.


But after praying about it, they decided to discipline him and give him another chance. Our assistant Director who administered the discipline, made it clear to Ramadhani that he was loved by the staff and that God wanted to give him a future - not to have him lose his life on the streets. But Ramadhani would have to make a decision to humble himself and come willingly under the authority of God and the orphanage leaders.


Over the next few weeks, it became readily apparent that the boy had indeed made a decision. He softened tremendously, became obedient to the staff and was gentle with the young children. Even his teachers at the local government school noted the striking difference. The smoldering anger that was always so close to the surface, was gone.


A few months later, the local church that the children attend was holding a Baptism for those who wanted to make a public committment of their lives to Christ. One of the first to request to be baptized was Ramadhani. He surprised everyone with his answer when the pastor asked him, "What is your name?" He responded, "My given name is Ramadhani, but  from this day forward I want to be called, 'Innocent.' "


God's love had transformed him. As I sat in the church watching him worship that day, I thought of the transforming power of God's love. Innocent is now 15 years old and one of the sweetest and kindest teenagers you will ever meet. He has great hope for the future and his life is a testimony to the transforming power of God.


There is no life that cannot be changed if submitted to God. It is often us humans that give up on people or judge them as hopeless and unchangeable. Yet God's love is ever pursuing even the hardest heart. Hearing the story of that young Maasai man and seeing Innocent worship the Lord, reminded me of that powerful truth. Don't ever give up on loving people and believing for their transformation - God doesn't!



Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!

2 Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified Bible)

AFRICAN REFLECTIONS

        

Last night I was sitting on a bed under a mosquito net in the missionary house here in Tanzania and thinking about how far God has brought us in this great adventure of starting and running an orphanage in Tanzania. Reviewing the journey we have traveled together helps me to keep a proper perspective on the battle we are in daily. I have learned an important life principle in all of this...if you focus exclusively upon the current problem you are facing... you will never move forward. And you will quickly lose appreciation for the victories you have already won.

I can look back and think of the miraculous events which led to us initially finding a suitable place to open the orphanage here in Moshi, and then negotiating a lease and taking possession of the current home for Treasures of Africa. Many long months of refurbishing the building and fighting for the release of our shipping container from Customs at the port of Dar Es Salaam are two unforgettable memories from those early days. Working with the government authorities and eventually winning the Regional Welfare Officer's approval to begin accepting children through the doors at TOA are all part of the process which we will never forget. All of those events were laden with a mixture of struggle and exhilaration as we made our way through a frustrating learning curve of Tanzanian cultural do's and don'ts.

Four years later, I can rejoice over the end result - precious children rescued from poverty, disease and in some cases certain death, now thriving at Treasures of Africa Children's Home. Their happy faces, joyful spirits, healthy bodies and excellent academic progress all testify to the fact that the STRUGGLE HAS BEEN WORTH IT! Yet if we had focused on the incredible difficulty and problems we have faced, we would have shut it down before we opened it! (and several times along the way as well!)

I can look back and clearly see God's hand throughout this amazing journey, helping us along the way and teaching us to trust Him in the darkest hour amidst impossible situations. He has moved every mountain we have faced in the past and I trust that the seemingly impossible ones we are facing at this very moment are no match for His power.

Because of this, I can smile and plan ahead for the next important phase for the Treasures of Africa Children's Home - the purchase of land to build a permanent home for the orphanage. Today we went back to the 5 acre parcel we have found, just a few kilometers outside of Moshi town. This was the fourth day we have walked on it and prayed over it. I trust that God's plans for this place are awesome - to raise up godly and compassionate leaders for the nation of Tanzania. So we delight to trust God for the future in the midst of daily challenges.

So I am confident that the current financial challenges (mountains) will be moved and what is needed for the land and building project will be provided. None of that is too hard for God!  

Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You!

Jeremiah 32:17