Our friend, Angel, invited us to her village. The word ‘village’ in the local language is packed with meaning. Almost everyone who lives in the city has a village. This is where they are from and where they call home – the place where their big extended family networks. For some, especially those for whom life has not gone as hoped because of divorce, death, poverty, and multiple marriages, the village isn’t always the nicest place to go to. There is a lot of gossip in a village.
Nevertheless, we were invited by Angel to come to her village to celebrate the birth of one of her grand children. We loaded into a twelve-passenger van with a total of 25 to 30 people and started on what turned out to be a five-hour drive. If I had known about the journey beforehand, I might not have agreed to go, but in the end, we were both very happy for the experience. Traveling like that seems to draw people together (in more ways than one), and though we could have afforded something a bit more comfortable, we enjoyed the time with people.
In the village my husband met lots of men and I met many women and children. Some asked us good questions. We were thankful to be in such a rural area and wondered who else had ever gone there before us. I chatted with a lady who was blind and asked for healing. I prayed for her. She didn’t miraculously receive her sight, but maybe she will soon. We don’t leave the city very much, and so this trip gave us an opportunity to share with others.
A couple in Asia
“How beautiful are the feet of those who
preach the gospel of peace. Who bring glad
tidings of good things.”
Romans 10:15