Dear Friend,
Last night I turned to a Christian family for a bed for the night and without hesitation I was given shelter. I walked quickly down the road carrying only my sleeping bag and blanket. Since my departure was a bit rushed in the end, I had nothing else other than that which I carried in my handbag, namely a purse with no money, a New Testament and Psalms, a notebook and pen. Although I arrived after supper, something was left for me and I settled down to read, but being too tired I soon climbed into my sleeping bag. I was soon ready for sleep, but it didn’t come for a while, as I went over the week’s events on what was my last day of poverty. After a short time, I felt a warm sensation creeping from my toes to my head and I am convinced God’s hand was in that. A sense of it’s all right now, there there, and I almost cried. Although alone and in a strange situation I felt safe, no hand would touch me.
Today at church, washed and in clean, ironed clothes I felt strangely remote from the first service of the day and although I wanted to dearly, I hadn’t the energy to sing. Other friends asked how I was and how the week had been, their concern touched me and we exchanged a few words. Although my written capabilities have remained relatively unchanged this week, I have found myself fighting for words and being continually thirsty hasn’t helped. This morning I can only describe how I was feeling by likening it all to having one of those out of body experiences and watching myself sitting in church. By the time I was at the second service of the day at 11.30am I was back to full voice in the choir. As I write this I have suddenly realised not a single note has passed my lips all week. That’s so strange as I usually sing constantly.
We were invited out to lunch today to celebrate the 18th birthday of a young lad we’ve known most of his life. I almost cancelled, and would not have been telling a lie if I’d sent apologies of being under the weather. In the end I ate sparingly, chewing every morsel slowly. It was difficult being surrounded by all the food, but what made it better was that plates were almost licked clean and there was no waste. I did however almost bring home some bottles of wine which were left on the table, what exactly for I don’t know since I don’t drink wine. That has been my only meal, but tomorrow I’ll return or try to return to ‘normal’ whatever that is. I’m hungry now, but I’ve learnt to ignore it.
I must tell you that I feel blessed this week that apart from that little blip earlier in the week my health has been fine, no flare up of niggling little medical conditions. That had worried me, but apart from being tired and sore from all the walking and the car wash yesterday, physically I feel fine. The rest of me, well, I don’t know yet. My primary aim this week was to raise awareness of the plight of those living in poverty, and to pray constantly for my brothers and sisters in Christ in Maridi, I pray that has all been achieved. I wanted to stand shoulder to shoulder with everyone in Maridi and walk with them in their troubles.
So, I’m coming to the end of our time together, but I will be in touch again later in the week to let you know how I’ve been settling down to that ‘normal’ life I mentioned earlier on. I must thank all of you for taking time to read what I’ve written this week, and for your support which carried me along.
Your sister in Christ,
Lynn