Africa: Joy in the Midst of Poverty

Can More Stuff be A Curse, Not a Blessing?

Sitting (as an honored guest) on a stump in the shade of a giant acacia tree was the most humbling and one of the most moving experiences of my life. We were in Zimbabwe attending "church" at an Ndebele tribal village. The twenty-five or so people in attendance wore their finest modern clothes and lounged on the dirt, unconcerned that there was no roof, floor, podium, padded pews or worship band. They told us of their great appreciation for the man who allowed them to hold services under the leaves of his tree—which stood next to his one-room thatched home. (The "facilities", standing twenty yards away consisted of rusted tin walls about five feet high, no roof and two holes in the ground!)

Shy smiles and fleeting eye contact was the most many of them could manage, so intimidated were they to meet Americans. Their tribal pastor prayed, officially welcomed our small group and then delivered a rousing sermon. As the worship began, these people (mostly women) were soon on their feet—at least those who were physically able. Shoes are a scarce commodity, making foot ailments and deformity common.

Transformation took place before our eyes as they smiled with their entire faces, sang and danced for the Lord. "Rock out" has never been better demonstrated and "passion" doesn't begin to describe the depth of emotion and energy they invested in their praise and celebration of God. Soon our little band of traditional, white church-goers was dancing, singing and laughing along with our African brothers and sisters. Even if we didn't understand the words, the message was clear.

The sentiments they conveyed to God were not "gimme" prayers (gimme health, wealth and happiness), in spite of the great need and the obvious lack of the first two. What these sweet people clearly expressed was their love of Jesus and their deep gratitude for what He provided them; grace. This was a living picture of Psalm 22:3, "God inhabits the praises of His people."

I may have more stuff and fewer life-or-death burdens but they have an abundance that I lack. Pure unadulterated faith, hope and love—for one another, the Lord and life itself. No load is too heavy to weigh down their joy. No obstacle is too big to diminish their communion. The focus was entirely upwardly-focused, not on the circumstances surrounding them.

The lesson I learned that day has remained embedded in my soul, but while it is first nature to these tribal folks to cast all their cares away and be delightfully free in their time of worship, I still have to work at it.

If you attend church, do you (or have you ever) worshipped God with such complete abandon? Do life's difficulties sometimes suppress your ability to experience joy? Can creature comforts be a curse as well as a blessing? What are you willing to do to gain the free spirit our Ndebele friends showed us? Comment below.

Diane Markins

*To contribute to Zimbabweans in severe need please visit this link

** To see this as a devotion visit CBN.com.

Desperately Seeking Joy

Not feeling that Joy to the World? Sometimes life can be hard. Whether we’re dealing with something as huge as a potentially terminal illness or as (comparatively small as) a strong-willed toddler, we all go through times that we’d like to hit the fast-forward button and warp through.

But wherever life has landed you today, there is something in it for you. Even in the most trying times there is take-away value if you endeavor to invest yourself fully and do your best. The Bible says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2

Yeah, yeah, sure! I’m all caught up in my joy when things are going wrong and I’m struggling to remain standing. Well, I guess you can see that it’s a good thing I’m not pastoring a church. I stumble and falter through the tough times…looking and hoping for the joy, but it doesn’t always come easily. The thing that keeps me motivated to seek it is the promise at the end of that verse—“lacking nothing.” If I find joy in the most trying times, that promise always seems to be fulfilled.

At this moment I know a precious woman who is suffering with a long-term illness while caring for her ailing mother and home-schooling her young daughter. Yet she is joyful because she loves them and considers it a gift to care for them. I know a man who recently learned that his brother (55 years old) is likely going to die shortly from cancer. Yet he is joyful that he has a job which allows him to travel across the country frequently to spend time with him. I know a family that has worked hard, served God and been wise with their finances for many years but is facing an uncertain economic future. Yet they are filled with joy because they are OK today.

There is something in those trials for each of them. The trial will end but if they give up, cop out through drugs or alcohol or just wallow in misery and complaining every day, they won’t emerge with the gift they were meant to receive.

Holidays can trigger difficult emotions and bring about trying circumstances, but there is joy to be found in the midst of it. Look around and find the joy, or try creating it for someone else. You’ll surely get a big return on your investment.

Share a struggle you’ve been through where you found unexpected joy. This will encourage those who may be on the same journey. (You saw some of my joy at the top of the page!)
Diane Markins