More Thoughts from Kifumbira Slum; July 14

Yesterday the afternoon was spent in Kifumbira slum, playing with the children and doing crafts, then prayer walking down the hill on which part of the slum sits into the lower areas where there is a significant presence of witch doctors. I was struck by the filth and poverty and spiritual darkness. A dirty stream blackened with trash and refuse runs down the hill and makes a significant flow by the bottom. We walked along this stream, taking in the sights, sounds, and "aromas," and prayed. Ps 103 came to mind - "there is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God." I was moved with longing and sorrow that these blind suffering people - including the witch doctors - would be loosed from the powers of darkness and one day meet their Lord and Savior by the beautiful river of God.
I have been particularly affected by a little boy in the slum by the name of Michael, who has one shirt that says "Hawaii" on it. He consistently has been the first one to meet me every time we come to the slum, and he holds my hand as long as he can. He has a gentle spirit, and always smiles. It breaks my heart that such children live in a terrible slum such as this. How long oh Lord? I pray that Michael and all the children would find their hope and joy not in this world, but hidden with Christ in God.