Always be Prepared to Give an Account of Your Faith- Sibyl Towner

We had made preparations as a team, the materials were packed.

We were excited to work with the about 100 youth that had been selected by their pastors to come. There were 2 from each village church and the 90 + pastors were at another location for a pastor’s conference.

We had allowed time to meet with our interpreters in Chitipa as well as the World Relief team that we were partnering with in their on the ground long term work and commitment in Malawi.

We were excited. We had in our minds flexibility. We knew that we might have to make changes. No problem. When you are feeling prepared and have all your “stuff” with you flexibility is easily engaged.

What actually happened?

Our flight was canceled causing us to arrive 2 days later in South Africa. We arrived missing 3 bags of luggage. We lost our “flex “time and were on our way to Malawi. We had a 2 hour flight and an 8 hour van ride got us to a motel to eat at 11:00 PM and go to bed and up at 3:15 AM to finish the last leg of the trip to get to the Youth Training camp location by lunchtime, so that we could teach and have soccer and net ball in the afternoon.

I watched the sun rise and had the joy of hearing Stella’s story and how it came to be that she was working for Willow Creek Community Church in Global as the field director for Malawi.

Excitement is still high and we are rearranging what we will do without the expected resources.

Stella said that the last 100 kilometers would be an adventure and they were, unpaved road and in the mountains. The van was working on 2 gears and we within 25 minutes of our destination and the van stopped dead at a government check point.

More time is elapsing and we are being picked up by a van from World Relief.

We arrive at the camp location. We are using a school that is on holiday. The sounds of children and young people greet us. Now I have 30 minutes before it is time to teach and I have not eaten, used a facility, or met with anybody from World Relief.

Jay said that he has not seen me unglued…but for a moment I was disoriented. The lunch was served…eating was with the right hand and then using the out door facilities.

I simply prayed “Lord let me teach your word with kindness, joy and power.”

We began with singing and I rested in the joy of their words and the smiles on their faces, and the movement of their bodies.

Lord these are young men and women you love, you want good for them, you know their struggles, their grief, and their joy. Help us to join in with World Relief and with this community and give our best and grant us the grace to receive their gifts as well.

I taught not with eloquence, but as one who believed that His word is good for life, love, faith and purity. Their was fresh meaning to the text, “Always be prepared to give a good account of your faith,”

Sibyl