Fasting
Wambula Saka, our Director of Operations, walked into the room and declared, “We are fasting today.” “Who’s fasting?” I asked, “Is the cook at home sick today?” “No,” declared Wambula, “the staff and students have all decided to fast until 3:30pm, but don’t worry, we’ve arranged food to be provided to you.” My immediate reaction was relief, followed by a feeling of immediate conviction. Students who have lived through food scarcity and were now eating three healthy meals a day were willing to give up their breakfast and lunch to focus on their God, and here I was relieved that I’d be squirreled away in the conference room eating my lunch. While at the same time they would be using their food-free cafeteria as a lunch-time house of worship. With my conscience leaving me with no choice, I volunteered myself and my niece Kristin to join in the fast (even though she was about to coach in the village).
Later mid-day, I joined the girls in the cafeteria. They spiritedly sang worship choruses after which Wambula gave a powerful talk taken from the Book of Esther reminding us that before Esther approached the king with the plight of her people, she and her people fasted for three days and nights. When she entered the presence of the king, he offered her “anything” up to half his kingdom. Wambula closed his talk by reminding all of us that our Maker is our King of kings, that He too hears the prayers of our heart, and that the discipline of fasting is a pathway to the ear of God. The time together closed in prayer with each young student and staff member taking the time to present their private requests to God.
Ten weeks in and the students at GSA are practicing a spiritual discipline that literally makes a western Christian queasy. Did I survive? Of course I did! Does it look like I fasted? Nope. Is it a sobering reminder that we need God more than we need food? Absolutely. Was it another opportunity for me to be humbled? You bet!
Let me close by asking you to keep the GSA teachers and leaders in your prayers. Educational success stories are flowing! Children are growing and their character is showing! (Sorry for the bad poetry). But we are well past the “honeymoon” now, and people are having to learn to live with one another. Teachers are being challenged to grow and be innovative, and our leaders are being called to be courageous in so many ways. Those of you who work in schools know that community is a fragile thing, and it too requires nurturing and even at times some pruning. May God continue to go before and with GSA and its team.
For His kingdom,
Dean