The one who said "Thank You!"

Pastor John Maloba and I first met each other at an Open Arms medical camp in Kipkaren the summer of 2013. The Lord gave us favor with the Muslim people who came through the prayer tent that year. We have had opportunity to minister together in the prayer tent at subsequent medical camps, including January 2016 in the Kambi Teso slum where Open Arms International has a feeding program for poor children.

Pastor Maloba invites me to preach at his church - Hopewell Baptist - every year. I was able to honor his request this year on February 14th. After I had preached, a woman came forward to greet the congregation because she was visiting that day. The pastor asked if I remembered her from the Kambi Teso medical camp. Yes! I certainly did remember her.

We prayed with several thousand people who passed through the prayer tent during our five days of medical camp. This woman was memorable.

I rose to tell the congregation why I remembered her. I asked the church members if they knew the story of the ten lepers that were healed. (Luke 17:12-19) They responded "Yes." I told them this woman was the one who returned to thank Jesus. She had been healed of vision and hearing problems when we prayed with her, and she was the only one to come back to the prayer tent after seeing the doctors and say “Thank you!” before she left the camp. 

She had kept in contact with Pastor John, after they met at the medical camp, so she could attend his church. I was very happy that she came on the day I was there. It was great to see her again! She brought her brother with her, and the two of them joined us for lunch at the pastor's home after the church service.

 

Maundy Thursday

Thursday, March 24, 2016

When I realized today was Maundy Thursday, I was reflecting on that day in 2005 when I had an encounter with the Lord during our evening service at McMinnville Covenant Church. I often call it my “knocked me off a donkey” experience when the voice of the Lord blindsided me with the words “You’re going to Africa!” I had to leave the sanctuary, and spent the next hour on my knees in the chapel (an emotional wreck!). I finally returned to the service in time to take communion from one of our pastors. He called me the next day to ask if I was okay, because he could see my swollen, red eyes when he served me the communion elements.

As I was reflecting on that life-altering event today, I realized that I have usually referred to it as the day the Lord called me to Africa. Then I immediately corrected myself, and thought “No. It was a command to go to Africa.” Soon after that thought, I opened my email to read a Holy week devotional I received today that stated:

Editor's Note: Today is Maundy Thursday (or Holy Thursday), the day Jesus celebrated the Passover, the Last Supper with His disciples. The derivation of the word Maundy comes from the Latin word “command” and refers to what Jesus called us to do when He washed the feet of His disciples — love and serve one another.

Coincidence? I think not! I have never seen that definition of Maundy before today.

I did a quick search on my iPad calendar to see what was the date for Maundy Thursday in 2005. It was March 24^th. Okay this is getting a bit freaky now, because TODAY is March 24^th! In fact, Maundy Thursday has not fallen on March 24^th since 2005. 

God is having a playful moment with me.