The Wind Changed Everything

The wind carried the spark, that lit the bush, that burned the house, that burst into flames … that destroyed 57 homes. Smouldering embers replaced family dwellings. Emptiness replaced familiar routine. Hopelessness replaced daily living.

Everything was changed.

Elton has a wife and two children. Thankfully they survived the fire, but they lost their possessions to the flames. When told that he had been selected (by the community leaders) to attend a two week workshop on farming God’s way, he was not happy. Why leave his family, who especially needed him now, to go off for two whole weeks and learn something he did not need, or even want? Eventually, he reluctantly agreed, packed the little he had, and climbed very half-heartedly onto the bus. In telling his story, he mentions how – on arriving at Clouds End – he felt something happen deep within. Something he could not explain. A feeling.

Following the initial introductions, the group were shown to their accommodation. Elton read the sheet of paper handed to each guest regarding house rules, and immediately grumbled at the part requesting people not to smoke. Why should he have to give up his cigarettes? He lay the pack next to his bed. There it was again … somewhere, deep within that place which he kept locked, was the feeling.

Elton describes spending much of his childhood being angry. Later, as a teenager, he went to church for a while before giving in to peer pressure. Pushing any knowledge of God aside, he followed his friends down the well trodden and destructive path that teenagers all over the world are so often drawn to. Meantime the Father waited. He had plans for Elton, plans to give him a hope and a future.

Having been given Shona bibles on their first day at FfF, the trainees formed groups in which to study the Word. Each group was asked to do a skit of their interpretation of Luke 7:36-50 and present it at devotions on Friday morning. Africans are born story tellers, everyone loves a story! The results were both entertaining and moving. To the delight of everyone watching, several skits were typically peppered with good natured Shona humour, while the message of forgiveness clearly shone through. Undoubtedly, God’s word had penetrated.

Elton’s role was to speak on the passage which had been enacted. I had never laid eyes on him before devotions. Let me describe what I saw:

I saw a young man with the most gentle face, and what I perceived as a tender spirit, speaking with real conviction. Unfortunately I do not speak Shona, so I had no clue on what he was saying, but his expression and body language alone were enough to move me to tears. He read from his new Shona bible, which was already wonderfully grubby. In just four short days, the folded and curling pages had very evidently been turned over and over again by enthusiastic fingers. He kept pointing to the Word as he spoke, and I wondered if perhaps he was someone who preached within the community. As he used the word ‘Mwari’ (God) his hand went to his chest, speaking not only of the heart, but clearly from it. Turning to Craig, I asked if he was one of the few believers in the group, but Craig shook his head. Like most, Elton had arrived without Jesus. I was deeply stirred. Was this man, who spoke with such conviction, just a babe-in-Christ? I could only imagine what he would be like after a few years in God’s hands.

Afterwards I was able to listen to Elton’s story. That was when he told me how God had touched his heart since coming to Clouds End. The man, who had so grudgingly boarded that bus, and so defiantly put the pack of cigarettes next to his bed, was being transformed. I asked him what he felt had been the most important thing he had learned on the course so far. His response came without hesitation, “In learning the greatness of God and how I am His child. He is my Father, and I am His son.” His expression showed he believed it. That inner revelation ignited a burning desire to know more about Jesus, and yield to Him. Once again I marvelled at our indescribable God, Who has taken something bad, and turned it around for good.

The Wind carried the spark, that lit the heart, and ignited the Truth, that burned away the deception, and brought freedom. Hope has replaced defeat.

Everything has changed.