During this trying time - with people are isolated and nervous, perhaps even scared of what is to come - Marion Medical Mission (MMM) thought their supporters might enjoy remembering past miracles and connecting with others to pray for everyone affected by the virus, both here and around the world. They are sending a short devotion each Monday, Wednesday & Friday morning, continuing until quarantine restrictions are lifted. These devotions have been written by volunteers and staff members about their experiences with MMM; each is uplifting, positive and beautifuly written. We think these devotions are timeless and may provide comfort and connection for those who read them and pray with them. If you'd like to be on added to that list, email MMM HERE
Sharing the love of Jesus by providing safe, clean, sustainable sources of drinking water to the extreme poor in sub-Saharan Africa, Marion Medical Mission is one of our mission partners at Grace Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas, and we STRONGLY encourage you to read these devotions to learn more about - and pray for! - their mission.
Where is My Help?
Carol Nussbaumer
Volunteer, Colorado
"I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1-2
Who knew Malawi has so many hills? The mental image of Africa is one of a flat Savannah, but Malawi is on the edge of the Great Rift Valley and it has a lot of "up, up, up, down, down, down." With distressing frequency, MMM wells are located on a hill or across one and down in the next valley. Our personal psalm may begin "I lift my eyes to the hills and I can't possibly do this" and maybe followed by "Lord, help." Exactly so. The psalmist isn't saying the hills provide our help (they really don't care!) but that our help comes from God. God is the one who made this earth, putting hills and valleys and flatlands just where they should be. And He put us just where we should be, too. We can be sure that we are in Malawi because we are supposed to be here at this time and in this place. We may not understand why (after more than 20 years I still question why I am here year after year!) but we can be sure that there is a reason.
Part of the reason, of course, is to help provide protected water for people who do not have it. That is the visible reason for MMM and it is incredibly important. Not just because of the clean water (vital!) but because it allows msungu to go up and down those hills as the women carrying water do; lets them really see and feel poverty; lets them experience the unbelievable faith and joy of these African friends who know, deep inside, the truth: "My help comes from the LORD." Every time I come, I learn again that lesson. I say to those who ask, "I go to Malawi to get my faith renewed." Many of the Africans we meet have no other source of help except God and they rejoice in that help. We also have no other source, but we don't always remember to rejoice. Or say thanks. Being among people who pray easily and constantly, who rejoice with song and dance, who give gifts freely shows me God's love daily. Yewo Chiuta!
Application Question: What mountain (physical or mental) is keeping me from serving God with all my heart, strength and mind today?
Prayer: Almighty God you made all things from the smallest grain of sand to the highest mountain and, because you made it, it is just right. Father, sometimes the mountains look too hard to climb or I fear what may be on the other side. Please enter my mind and heart with the sense of your presence and give the strength to go on.
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