Trustworthy - what does it take?

Our first introduction into the work of Life In Abundance (LIA) was Saturday afternoon when we went to visit a brand new partnership between LIA and Burayu Presbyterian Church. The bus dropped us off on the last paved road. We exited the bus and began to walk through the dirt streets which had become mud due to the rain during this rainy season. Across tiny creeks and streams, stepping stone by stone down one street, turning onto another, and journeying deeper and deeper into this community.

Not very far on our journey, I felt a tiny hand grab a hold of mine. Looking down, I peered into precious brown warm eyes of this little boy who may have been about five or six (we later learned his brother was a student in the LIA school.)  Every few steps, I would look down and with a huge smile, he too gazed up at me.  This young man journeyed with us through the mud streets, across streams, and joyfully abounding from rock to rock and grasping tightly onto my hand.

After several minutes, I questioned Sarah (our team leader)..."will his mother be OK with this?" She simply smiled and said, "it's OK." You see, although we may see the way the people in this community lives as poverty and feel sorry for them...I am a bit jealous of the trust and community that I saw still alive and well. A community where parents don't fear the safety of their children. A community where the children can run and play freely in the streets without worrying about abduction. They still live in community here and expect their children are simply out playing. Oh, to have that simple way of life again!

Trustworthy - I am not sure why I would consider myself trustworthy to this little boy, especially from his perspective, he did not know me, but he knew my hosts. Life In Abundance, as we would see demonstrated over and over again, has developed a reputation...one of trustworthiness. They, not I... their Jesus, not me is indeed worthy of their trust. While I was a white stranger in this community, LIA was definitely not!

A trust that has provided the opportunity for a partnership to be forged with this Presbyterian church who is currently in the process of building a school (background in above picture.)  A trust that has cast the vision of what education will do in and for this community. This school will provide the hand UP out of poverty to so many children through education and opportunity. I look forward to seeing this young boy in 3 year, in 5 year, in 10 years as he become a young adult who will pursue his dreams and he too sustaining himself and his family while pursuing his dreams for his future. This little boy who trusted me enough to walk down that muddy street hand in hand with me, his Jesus has great plans for him...plans to prosper and not to harm! Tank you Lord for allowing me to be trustworthy through you and your reputation.