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We began the day with a walk to the local market to purchase fresh produce. Along the way, I was also able to find some baby items at a good price for my great-niece, Ada, and for my granddaughter, who will be arriving in May—a small joy tucked into the morning. After dropping our items off, we separated into two groups and headed out for our widow visits.
When we arrive at a widow’s home, we are always greeted with a firm, welcoming handshake. Any children who come to see who is visiting also shake everyone’s hand—no matter how small they are. It is incredibly sweet. Once greetings are complete, we remain standing while one of our interpreters opens our time with prayer. Then we sit, check in with the widow, and listen as she shares how she has been doing.
Each visit includes time in God’s Word. This year, our theme is prayer, and we have been encouraging the women with the reminder to “cast all your cares on God, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Afterward, we present each widow with a gift of flour, oil, sugar, and a few other essential items. Their gratitude for these simple necessities is always humbling. We close each visit with prayer, lifting up any specific requests the widow shares.
One widow told us how thankful she is to God for her home. A few years ago, rain would pour into her house, and she would huddle in a corner with her children and grandchildren, trying to stay dry. They would bring their bedding and sleep together, moving from corner to corner as the rain shifted. Today, she has a tin roof—God provided through Voice of Hope—and she spoke with joy and gratitude for God’s provision and protection.
Later in the afternoon, we visited another widow and cooked supper together. We prepared a cabbage “stir-fry” and chapatis, which were absolutely delicious. We had fun attempting to help roll and flatten the dough, though it was clear the ladies could have done it much faster without us! I was struck by the creativity and resourcefulness of the home—a coffee table served as a cutting board, a surface for rolling dough into balls, and later was carried outside to the cooking area where chapatis were cooked over an open fire. Afterward, it was brought back inside and used again to set out the food for supper. With no kitchen counters, every item serves multiple purposes.
It was a full and meaningful day.
Written by Cynthia Prisque
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
