Our typical bush week breakfast of tea and toast had just finished. The three of us girls collapsed on our mattresses to await outreach in an hour. Relieved to have an opportunity to catch up in my journal, I made myself comfortable, propping my journal on my sleeping bag table.

Just as I finished, Antoinette suddenly said, “would you like to give the bible study today?

Not wanting to believe my years, I asked her to repeat the question. It was as I thought. Inside, I immediately said, “no” but my tongue refused to say it aloud.

A few hours later, I found myself walking towards the mud and thatch hunt with Antoinette and our translator, Edgar. I had agreed to give the study.

As we approached, several “karibus” (welcome) met our ears. I was glad when Edgar greeted the family warmly and eased the tension of the language barrier. Stooping under the low doorway, I took a last deep breath of fresh air. A woman gestured for us to sit on three short stools around the fire.

Between translation breaks, I tried to absorb my surrounding. From the coner I heard a rustling sound: a raised bed of bricks covered with straw held several guinea pigs and rabbits, contently nibbling on bamboo branched that draped over them. At my feet, chicks explored and pecked at the dirt floor. What caught my attention even more were the black faces staring at me from above their worn out, colorful clothing. They were so serious! What did they think of what I was saying? Did they believe me when I claimed that this world of suffering would one day end in perfection? I looked at the sick daughter lying on the floor, suffering from a chronic illness and knew that the Holy Spirit alone could speak to their hearts.

After a closing prayer, I was flooded with “asante sanas” (thank you so much) and kindly escorted to the main village path. Walking over the crusty dirt I tried to force my feelings into perspective. I had just given my first real bible study – not a practice on a classmate. But I knew it was not really me who had spoken, but the Holy Spirit. From earlier that morning, my attitude had completely changed from reluctance to joy. I felt like saying YES to every challenge. Finally I understood what I felt so joyful, my will was submitted to Christ and I could experience His promise. Exodus 4:12

Julie Penner
USA