Smiling and Story-telling

I feel muscles I don’t think I ever really used before in my life…maybe there was no need. And they are all in my face.

I realized last night that I don’t smile like I used to…I ALL OUT smile now. Like teeth and grin from ear to ear smile. It is huge. I actually compared my “normal” smile to my current smile and boy oh boy….it is huge! It takes over my face. And it happens all the time – from passing people on the street, to talking to my roommate, to listening to worship, to laughing, to greeting….well, anytime a smile is warranted.

And I’ve been very aware of it….

A lot takes over when Christ is the center.

But I diverge.

Because Laloyo is still being worked on (we will get the van back Monday or Tuesday – PRAISE GOD!) we hired a taxi to take all of us to Tegot for Saturday Club. Somehow we all fit in…somehow. Pineapples, water, first aid supplies and 9 people, somehow. Children were given their sponsor letters, gifts and cards from Sarah. We then passed out underpants to the girls to the much disappointment of the boys – but I don’t think they would want to wear pink flower undies. The girls were excited – they ran to the latrines and put them on…some properly, some over their shorts they had underneath their dresses…nothing would stop them to getting them on! Health check up included nail check and trim (Erik was a sweetheart cutting nails of those who had long nails) as well as a teeth cleaning lesson. That included new toothbrushes and a small tube of toothpaste. Excitement.

But then I saw Mama Okot and started hanging out a bit with her. Then Mary and I took her to the unused classroom to talk.

Mama Okot is really Akello Grace.

We talked about her experience in the bush with the LRA for 9 years, the problems she is currently having with her husband who chased her away and then chatted a bit. Throughout the time I felt God telling me to share the story of Esther with Grace. I was like “Eh – God, really?” I then thought maybe it was because I am studying Esther…but then I remembered things don’t just happen. Somehow, I had to figure out a way to share the story the way God was leading me to share it for Grace to feel His touch today. So I prayed as Mary continued talking.

I heard favor.

I told the story of Esther. I told it with the best storytelling skills I muster up.
See, Acholi culture is very story based – back before the war, families would gather around the fire in their compounds for story and history time. This would be a time for all generations to gather and pass on their history and culture since literacy isn’t a part of their culture. This has been robbed because of the war. So, in telling the story I focused in on the special favor Esther had because of her faithfulness to God, her obedience and willingness to do what was asked of her all while knowing God specifically appointed her in that specific timing. She gained favor all while being herself, true to God, obedient and self-sacrificing. All things Grace needed to know, hear and believe so she could walk in the Light with her God. I would watch her face as I told her the story in English and when Mary would translate and elaborate. She was interested in the story. She liked the story. She understood it. She was able to apply it.

This has helped me realize HOW I can share the Word. Since hardly anyone can read, I can express the Word through story telling – kinda like an audio bible. I definitely have to go back to my teaching days when I would share stories with my students…the way I had to relate to them in a way they could readily apply it to their lives…you know, the whole God’s-Living-Word kinda thing.