Lift up the eyes

One year ago, I wrote my first blog. It was just after the Idai cyclone hit Africa and a lot of Malawian families were homeless. We were desperate as Foundation, because we did not know how we would be able to provide help, being as small as we were as foundation. However, while we did not expect or planned it, we received the financial means to help and build huises and we were able to help 51 children the past year, with the help of sponsor parents.

While writing this second blog, we are in a worldwide crisis, leading to a global lock down. It was not until Februari 27th that the Corona virus reached the Netherlands, before that time, it was 'only' present in China, which is far away. Today, we are in the midst of the consequences of the virus, both in The Netherlands and in Malawi. Other disasters, like the locust plague or the famine in Kwanjana disappeared from our view. We are grateful that we, as foundation, were able to provide with emergency aid again.

The concerns about the Corona virus hit 'our' village Kwanjana as well. The school is closed, as was ordered by the government. The fieldworkers have to work from their homes under stressful circumstances. The health care systems in Western countries are hardly able to deal with the consequences of the virus, let alone what the virus would cause in Africa!

And still...

There is One that is above all this. We are looking around us so much and especially in this circumstances we usually forget to look upwards. Our prayer is, for everyone, including our field workers and the people in Kwanjana, that our eyes may be lifted upwards, towards Him that is in heaven, to pray for grace and preservation.

En toch...

Er is er Eén die erboven staat en regeert. We kijken zoveel om ons heen en juist in deze omstandigheden zo weinig omhoog. Daarom mag ons gebed voor een ieder, inclusief onze veldwerkers en de inwoners van Kwanjana, wel zijn dat we onze ogen opwaarts zullen heffen tot Hem die in de Hemel zit en zullen bidden om genade en om bewaring.

I like to share a poem with you, based on Psalm 91.

I shall dwell in the secret place

And kneel before your throne of grace.

I shall look upon your holy face

And abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

You are my tower and my fortress,

You are my God and you are boundless,

You are my light even in the darkness,

When I abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I shall not be afraid of the terror by night,

Nor the arrows that fly by day.

For you are glorious in my sight,

And nothing can stand in your way.

A thousand may fall by my side,

And ten thousand may fall by my hand;

Yet I dwell in the shadow of the Almighty.

In you alone forever I stand.

Your angels watch over us night and day,

Lest we dash our foot against a stone.

In times of trouble we cry to you,

We cry to you before the throne.