Angel... Perhaps a Real Angel?
Sometimes we have the rare opportunity to see “Jesus with skin on.” Such was the case last night when we were relaxing at Angel and Steven’s home in Uvira, DRC. We had walked down a dirt, rocky path in between other homes to the back of the cement complex. Ducking to clear the headway of the gate, we entered the small, bare dirt, enclosed yard. Along the cement porch sat not only Angel, but also five brightly clad Congolese women. Shyly, each one stood to greet us, Congolese style: a long handshake while kissing first on the right cheek, then left, and to seal the friendship, another kiss on the left.
Angel had asked a few of the vulnerable women she has been helping to come and share their lives with us. Respectfully, Roger asked each one if he could take their picture. We hesitated, but then asked if they would be willing to tell the story of their lives. After a few silent, lingering moments, the first one began to talk. As she finished, other’s hands shot up to be the next one to speak. Even while they shared, one by one more women slipped through the gate and onto the porch, silently joining the others sitting on the freshly swept, narrow porch.
Eleven women; eleven stories. A sample of what is being done through one life being the hands, feet and voice of Jesus. How does she do it? Woman after woman told their story. Angel would go to a village and walk freely here and there. Seeing a woman, sitting, doing nothing, she would ask, “Why are you sitting here? You have nothing and yet you sit. Do you want to be a lady? A lady does not sit and live in poverty and do nothing. A lady can do something. She can change her life.” It’s in that moment, that I can hear Angel asking the same question that Jesus himself asked, “Do you want to walk?” It’s there Angel’s invitation is made, “Do you want to rise up and walk, or do you want to sit here day after day victimized, powerless and lame, without hope.”
Woman after woman testified that Angel told them in a way they could hear, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” Her words are strong, but filled with truth, “A lady such as yourself cannot just sit. You can do something to begin supporting your family. I feel sorry for you that you live like this. Come, let’s share life together. I will show you how you can help yourself and your children.” Many are being cured. They really are picking up their own mats of discouragement, disappointment, hopelessness, and they are walking. (John 5:1-15)
Twenty-six women all tolled. Fifty began, 26 are choosing to walk; 24 unfortunately cannot. For a year now these women sitting with us have been coming to Angel’s home. She teaches them about life, hygiene, about choices, business skills, life skills. Then, she invites them to receive even more education in areas of agriculture, tailoring, small businesses. Are they walking? Yes! At different stages, as we all know too well. Some crawl; some stand and timidly take first steps; others walk; and some hear the sound of the gun announcing the race has begun and run with all of their might.
We had opportunity to visit the homes of some in all stages. Precious, sweet, powerful, courageous women.
PENDEZA: This beautiful, pregnant, abandoned mother of three lives in a tiny stucco house on the edge of town. Angel spoke to her and she responded. She went to class; she loves fabrics, colors and has a dream. She knew others in the community who are dying colorless yards of material. She joined the group in buying dyes, material, designing amazingly beautiful reds, blues, and magentas of cloth to sell to the tailors in town. Her dream? To learn tailoring, to be able to buy her own equipment and be able to do the job from start to completion, dying the fabrics and make them into beautiful clothing the Congolese value so much.
NELY: Wow! Check her out in the photo. This very smart (the African word for stylish or cosmopolitan) businesswoman's very presence speaks to her success! Once sitting in severe poverty, literally sitting, doing nothing, now she owns her own clothing store, is profiting from her skills in agriculture, and also raises ducks and chickens for her income. She now lives in a large, rented home, with new furniture, beautiful dishes and pots and pans, bedding, clothes, and pays school fees for her children. She has time for us today because there is someone who works for her taking care of her own dress shop for women in town. The story is the same. Angel came, invited, taught. Today Nely is a testimony to what God can do as we obey. Rising up and taking the first step, she now runs and teaches others the power of hearing and responding in obedience.
God connects us to powerful, amazing people out here in the world and He does it in miraculous ways. Angel is just one example…a very significant one. We are excited and privileged to come alongside of the work she is already doing. She has vision to reach more, to help more. The Congolese women are many. The needs are great. The suffering is almost unspeakable and of epidemic proportions. But we are here, in one small town in this huge nation, able to connect you with them and come from beneath and support, encourage, and lift them to the One who can do more than we could ever think or ask or imagine. Its here the lame will walk and the blind will see and know the Prince of Peace, the God of Hope and the Love that endures forever.
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