Gift of God’s Word

How precious is God’s Word to you?

As I handed her a New Testament I could see how precious this was to her.

Both of her sons have wounds that have needed to be treated. We have been cleaning and dressing them. During the time she has been coming, she has listened twice as I shared about the Great Physician who can heal our hearts from the infection of sin. After the second time, she prayed and said that she had trusted in Christ.

Yesterday when she came back, she requested a Bible to read. It has been very difficult to get Bibles as the only ones we can get are about $15 each. We’ve had to be very selective with who we give them to. Pastor has also shared that some sell the Bible they’ve been given because they are so expensive.

How difficult it is not to give someone a Bible when they ask! Oh! How it tears at my heart! We can go into any dollar store and get one for $1! How blessed we are!

I felt impressed to give her a Bible, but we don’t have any extra right now. I remembered about the New Testaments we were given, one for each of us. Knowing that it will be a little while before my youngest is able to read in Chichewa (and that she also has a full Bible), I offered it to her.

As I handed it to her, I could see how precious it was to her. When one of her boys picked it up, she took it and said “Careful with this,” while wiping it with her wrap. She started talking so quickly that it made it more difficult for me to understand what she was saying.

When I asked if we could get a picture together, she agreed.

After we took a picture, she said she wanted another picture, while starting to hug me and adding in English, “Hug.” So I gathered that she was wanting a picture hugging.

I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed hugs! I think it was the first hug I’ve had where I didn’t initiate it. My eyes started watering and I had a hard time holding back the tears and the smile.

I pray that she’ll read it and grow in the Lord. I pray that her family will come to know the Lord as well. She lives closer to Phokera, but a distance still to the Bible lesson so the Lord would really need to impress on her heart and give her the desire to walk that far to attend.

Pray for the Bible situation. We’ve been told that we may be able to get a few more of the New Testaments from the company that is printing them, but it will barely touch the need.

And when you’re at church hugging the cute kids, don’t forget the adults…you never know how much that smiling face may need a hug.