God’s timing is always perfect. It was perfect for Hester on Friday.
Hester lives in the township called Tokyo Sexwale (pronounced “sek-wal-leh”), the community that is only 1 block away from where we live in Jeffreys Bay. It is a community that the enemy temporarily has a grip on through drugs, danger, alcohol, abuse, poverty, prostitution, AIDS, sickness and death. From first glance, the tin roofs falling down, the trash filling the sidewalks and the flooded mud floors of shacks seem as though this community is destined to perish. But once in a while, there are glimmers of hope because a small light begins to shine and the praises of God start to penetrate the darkness. Hester is one of those lights.
When I first met Hester, she was sick. So sick she couldn’t eat. I sat in her humble home, and listened to her tell her story in Afrikaans while my friend Virgil translated. She talked about her heart condition, the pain in her chest, the weakness from not being able to eat and the horrific hospital visits she endured. As I listened all I could do was intercede for her and then I laid my hand on her heart. I felt my hand get warm upon her heart and the Lord spoke a sweet soft whisper – a promise to heal his daughter Hester.
You see, Hester doesn’t have a job. She doesn’t have a salary. She doesn’t have a degree or even a car, but Hester has a passion. Her passion is to bring the good news of the Gospel to people that live in the darkness of Tokyo Sexwale. She walks through the community identifying people that need help – either physical, emotional or spiritual help. She begins a relationship with them and at the same time meets their felt needs. Through relationships Hester is able to talk about Jesus and his unconditional love. She is able to teach about healing and freedom. Slowly light begins to fill each home.
When I went to visit Hester in her home last Friday, I was expecting her to be laying in bed, hurting, hungry or discouraged. But what I found was Hester alive, energized and praising God through song. She was walking, laughing, and even dancing to the healing God had brought to her. It is clear the Lord needs her. She had just finished mopping her floors and picked up a shovel to begin planting a garden. I didn’t know she was going to plant a garden on Friday, but the Lord did. And he chose me to plant it with Hester. I showed up at the pefect time to help her. Her back was still stiff and legs a little sore, so I got on my knees and planted her two favorite vegetables; tomato and cabbage. We talked about Jesus and His goodness and made plans to eat the tomatoes when they were full grown.
Hester lives in faith for all her provisions. Because of her obedience, the Lord continues to provide for her in miraculous ways. The Lord chose me that day to be a part of His provision of food though planting seeds in a self-sustaining garden. Now Hester can continue to plant seeds of love into others’ hearts because she can be well fed. It really is an honor to serve Him, no matter where and to whom He asks you to serve. It is an honor.
God’s timing is always perfect. It was perfect for me on Friday.
Christina,
What a neat story! Your whole mission there is like a garden that you are asked to tend. If you nourish and water the different plants in your “garden,” they will grow and florish just like you are beginning to do with Hester. Others that you don’t know about yet will suffer from lack of attention and “malnutrition.” You are the “gardener” that God has chosen to carry his Spirit, his nourishment, to them. Your are His hands, His feet, in that garden that you have been led to.