RICK SCOTT
Recently I had the privilege of going to the Child Legacy Mission in Malawi, Africa. Oliver Johnson and Jules Roy invited me to join them on the mission trip. I knew I would like to go but I wondered what I could contribute there. They reminded me that God will use me if I go.
I was 76 and had never been overseas before. I prayed for guidance and I knew that I was going. After 2 days of airplanes and airports I knew the Lord was with me because Oliver and Jules were still speaking to me.
We were met at the airport in Malawi by a driver and van from the mission. I have always enjoyed thrill rides at amusement parks, but none of those were as scary as our ride to the mission. After 10 days of riding on Malawi dirt roads I wondered if my inside body parts would ever find their way back to their proper positions? (They did).
It was very humbling to meet the hospital staff at the Child Legacy hospital. They provide maternity care for the women of the area who would otherwise get their care from the village witch doctors and midwives. Getting to pray with them and for them as well as some of the women patients was amazing. The women walk to the hospital for their care. Some of them walk many miles to get there. They receive medical services free of charge from Child Legacy because they have very little money. The hospital receives no assistance from the government. What an incredible ministry in the name of Jesus!
We spent some days following the well pump repair team that Child Legacy offers to villages who are fortunate enough to have a clean water well. When a well pump breaks, it stays broken. Villagers have no way to pay for the parts and labor. The village women would come out to greet us with singing and dancing. What a joy it was to experience! Pastor Yohan, a wonderful, Godly man, was our driver and interpreter. Oliver preached while I pretended to help with the well repair. Jules produced a big bag of candy which disappeared quickly. One little piece of candy was a big deal to children who have nothing.
God gave me a message to give to the mothers and children. I told them how much Jesus loves each one of those beautiful little ones and what a blessing it is to be their parent. 25% of the children under 5 die in Malawi. Each child needs to know how important they are to our loving savior.
The villagers wanted to pay the pump repair team with a meal. That's all they could give. Child Legacy tries to give an audio bible to as many villages as they can. The player in solar powered and the bible is in the local language. What a blessing for many villagers who are illiterate and can't afford a bible if they can read.
We attended a home church in a nearby town one evening. It was attended by mostly women, children, and chickens. The women sang and danced to the Lord and Oliver preached. Jules and I prayed for the people there and I was very humbled to see God working in the middle of such poverty.
Sunday we attended the mission church, and what an experience that was. The music, (and dancing), are amazing to be a part of. Oliver preached, and he was on fire! Only problem was having to slow down to allow for interpretation. Not Oliver's style, but he worked through it.
I didn't know what I could do on a mission trip, but God showed me that even an old guy with no missions skills can experience the mighty hand of God if I just go when I'm sent.
He did make me even more thankful that He has allowed me to live in this country my whole life. God has blessed me and humbled me so much because I obeyed His call to go to Malawi with Oliver and Jules.