Excited. Impatient. Thrilled. Nervous. Eager. Anxious. Willing. Restless. Prepared. Apprehensive. Ready.
Emotions running through my mind, heart, and body from the ends of the hairs atop my head to the tips of the toes on my feet.
Under the dark night sky I moved closer and closer, at what seemed a snail’s pace, following the curved and hilly, roughly paved road.
I look out the window. Something is glowing in the distance. As we approached I could see it was not one but many items glowing. Luminescent lights, breaking up the cool, dark night. Beautiful.
Is that it?
Driving from one village to the next, I questioned, is this it?... is that it?... Is this Masealama? Each village en route to Masealama had nothing visible but the small lanterns illuminating the outside of each home. Tens, hundreds, perhaps, thousands of lights, were shining through the darkness, under the array of stars in the sky.
This image will forever be burned into my memory.
It was my first glimpse of not only Masealama, but of the surroundings of what would become part of my weekly life traveling between the villages.
I remember my first night often. Thinking of how strange it felt, having all those different, confusing emotions running through me. I also remember thinking that this must have been what Bethlehem looked like on the night of Jesus’ birth. I can’t explain why I felt this way, it just was.
When I think more about the view the Magi had looking down upon Bethlehem and the gifts they were bearing for the new born king, I begin to think of myself traveling from a foreign land just as they had and I too was bearing gifts. However, the gifts I had were not physical like the gold, frankincense, and myrrh, but were gifts that God has blessed me with. The gifts I bore are those that allowed me to be in South Africa and to serve those in and around the community of Masealama. In thinking this I do not attribute myself to being a Wise man, but appreciate the feeling of being more connected with such an important story of the Christian faith through this scene.
This scene makes me thankful for all that God has provided me with. It reminds me of how blessed and fortunate I am. For without Him, I would not be here. I would not be surrounded by the amazing and welcoming people that make up the Masealama community, experiencing my faith with my own hands, nor growing as an individual on a global scale.
The image of Bethlehem and the image of the villages en route to Masealama, will serve as illustrations to my faith.
It is my favorite image.
