This weekend, I got to spend some time with a sweet Christian lady named Vivian. I first met Vivian on the medical missions trip I went on to the bush. Vivian freely offered of her time and services to help cook all of our meals for us while we were there. The cooks had a grueling schedule, getting up before dawn and going to bed after dark, just to provide us with nutritious meals. The entire week, Vivian always had a smile on her face and tried to serve us in any way possible.
Vivian always demonstrated a servant’s heart. After the week in the bush, Ellen needed to stop by the local hospital to pay our bills before we could head out of town. When Vivian found out we were passing by the hospital on our way out of town, she asked to catch a ride with us. She wanted to visit a lady from Manko (the village we held the medical clinic in) who was in the hospital. Vivian had never met this lady before that week, and she couldn’t have spent much time getting to know her because she had been flown to the hospital before the clinic even began. But Vivian went to visit this lady, sharing the Gospel with her, and really just showing Christ to her by her actions.
On the way home from the trip, the ladies in my car were talking about Vivian and her sweet spirit. Vivian’s life has not been an easy one. Her husband moved their family to Sabga, a village several hours away from their families. Shortly after, he passed away. Within a year of his death, Vivian also lost one of her children. But, despite all the trials she has faced, she has remained faithful to God.
None of her family is saved, so this weekend, Vivian stopped by our house on her way to her mother’s. Planting season has just started, so Vivian was going to help her mother plant their crops. She was also hoping for many opportunities to plant the seed of the Gospel in her family members’ hearts. I pray that the Lord will continue to use this lady for his glory and that her family would be won to Christ as well.
