One morning, as I was studying my scriptures to prepare myself for the day at Bwafwano Compound, I read in 3 Nephi of Christ visiting the people here on the American Continent. He had just issued the Sacrament to them and told them to "Remember..Rembember...Remember Him... and His spirit would always be with them."
As we stepped into the compound, I wanted to remember Him and to walk the dusty road as the Savior had, bringing hope, our love, and God’s love to them. We went out visiting the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted, the dying and destititute. As we approached the porch where a man was lying, dying of AIDS, a hush overcame us all, including the multitude of children following. A few of us encircled around him and his family, visiting and assessing their needs. Skin hung from his fragile bones, flies crawled over his chapped lips and sunken face. He lay only on a dirty, straw mat.
What was I doing here? What can I do? I've never seen a man die like this! I had nothing to give him, nothing to ease his suffering and pain. I had no medication. I had not even a pillow to lay his weak head. All I could provide was my love and a song... was it going to be enough?
"Heavenly Father you are wonderful! You are marvelous! You are excellent! We worship you Lord, because you’re wonderful, and you make us sing this song! He’s got the whole world in His hands, He’s got the whole world, in His hands, He’s got the whole world in His hands, He’s got the whole world in His hands. Heavenly Father you are wonderful! You are marvelous! You are excellent! We worship you Lord, because you’re wonderful, and you make us sing this song!"
As I sang this and looked at this listless man, lying on the ground, I became so overwhelmed with compassion, tears flowed to my eyes, and I knew what I was singing was true. Heavenly Father is Wonderful and He knows the sorrow of these people, they do not go unnoticed. The veil, seemed so thin, and as I knelt down by his side, I held his frail arm and thin hand in mine. I was so overcome and felt that I needed to tell him that God loved him, because he does! I tried to keep the flies from off of his face, but to no avail.
It was an interesting experience for me to hold a dying mans hand that I had never met and to feel the love and compassion I had for this man. I felt like I was truly living up to my baptismal covenants.... mourning with those who mourn and comforting those that stand in need of comfort.
Sometimes we feel like we have nothing to offer, nothing to give .... but a lesson I learned over and over again in Zambia was that...
We Are Enough!
Shanna's miner (rock hunter) dad, found most of the rock. We pick axed, shoveled, prybarred and hauled out the illusive sandstone without too much of a fight, except for a smashed and broken third finger.
