Meet David (a security guard at a large sisal plantation in Mwatate) and his family. (In many countries in Africa, parents use the name of their first born, thus we are called Baba and Mama Chuck.)
David was God’s divine appointment when Jerry came to Mwatate a few weeks earlier looking for over 1,000 Makonde people which research says are there.
We return to Mwatate today, as planned, and have the opportunity of visiting Baba and Mama Sarah in their home as we make a plan to meet with a Makonde man, whom David has heard about.
As we enter the small three room mud/brick house, sitting on the frame of their settee, bare of cushions, the poverty in which they live is evident. We notice an abundance of water containers along the wall, more than ten – 20 liter water containers and a separate huge container that must hold at least 50 gallons – this is a very dry place and water is a problem, so they store as much water as they can and use it sparingly.
Mama Sarah carries in a pot of hot, sweet tea which she serves us without milk, more evidence of their poverty and Sarah runs in with three small round pieces of fried bread in a plastic bag which her mama puts on a plate and sets before us – one for David and one each for us. This situation is difficult, we know they don’t have money to do this, but it would be insulting if we refuse their hospitality. Jerry takes a piece of the bread and divides it for the two of us and we ask Mama Sarah to join us and eat the remaining piece, which she does.
The Makonde man was to meet David earlier in the day, but he hadn't shown, so the new plan is to drive a short distance out of town to see the Mwatate Baptist Church property returning by David’s house to see if the man has come and then take David to work as we leave town.
It is now four o’clock in the afternoon; we've dropped Sarah and Ruben back at home, took David to the sisal plantation to begin his shift of work and are headed out of town. We are disappointed, we didn't meet the Makonde man -- couldn't find him anywhere.
The cell phone rings – it’s David – the Makonde man has come to the plantation gate where David is stationed, can we return? We looked at each other and smile – of course we can!
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David and his wife are believers. There was a real atmosphere of peace and contentment in their home even in the midst of poverty. Pray for God’s protection upon them, for health, for their needs to be met, and for God to lay His blessing upon them.
Using some special gift money which was given to us, a Bible was given to David, in appreciation for his help. Pray that God would open His word and the Holy Spirit would light this home with understanding and growth in relationship to Christ.