Seed of Hope

Sunday 18 February 2018

Gogo Diane

Every once in a while you meet a person that changes the way you look at life.  A person that speaks something you hold in your heart and brings it to life. Gogo Diane is one of those people. She's a seventy five year old Zulu woman.  She sometimes can be found helping out at the Richardson's (the place where we stay). Last Sunday evening, she attended the church service at Oasis. She tucked herself right behind us. Even though the evening service is the same as the morning service, she came because she knew we would be there. Her face is always bright, her headdress usually colourful, and her spirit just shines brightly. She has a consistent fountain of praise that bubbles up from with in her, in word and in song. She is a delight!

When I asked her about her life under Apartheid. She said she grew up in it, and didn't know anything different, it's the way things were. But she did know who she didn't want to be and made decisions to keep herself from the vices of corruption that were so prevalent in the rural areas.  Growing up Zulu, meant that she also participated in Zulu worship of ancestors (read Isaiah 8:19), which also includes animal sacrifices. Despite the darkness of the political landscape and spiritual darkness that is part of Zulu culture, there was a longing inside of Diane, a heaviness that couldn't be lifted.

 In 1990, as she puts it, "Jesus found me!"  I love that phrase. Because it is a reminder that God is always searching, always looking for people. When she attended a sewing class at a local centre, another woman, who is a follower of Jesus, befriended her. This woman told her that she would be praying for her. And once a week, she eventually started praying with Diane. Through this relationship Diane was found by the God who created her for a beautiful purpose. Being part of a church family has enabled her to grow in her faith and develop in her understanding of what it means to express the joy of the Lord in all circumstances.

If you keep reading into Isaiah 9 it says that "on those living in a land of deep darkness a great light has dawned" and goes on to talk about The One to Come, a child to be born, a son to be given, A Wonderful Counsellor, A Mighty God, An Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace: Jesus.

It's always humbling when the words of God come to life right in front of your eyes!

I am thankful to have met Diane. I am thankful to be one on whom the Light of Jesus has shone, through her graceful spirit. I am thankful for a Saviour, Jesus, who continues to search for people, in all places, of all colours, that they too might allow His Light to Shine brightly in their lives.

Give thanks for Gogo Diane and continue to pray for the Light of Jesus to shine brightly through her!

Deve

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