God's Timing

Hindsight is 20/20 and if I knew then what I know now things would be different. I've heard both for as long as I can remember. And, like a lot of truisms, I had to experience life in order to agree with both. All of us can look back on times and events and now understand what happened. For ten years Donna and I questioned why it was taking so long for the doors to open for missionary service. We knew in a way that really cannot be explained, that we were ordained to serve God outside our native country.


We arrived in Zambia near the end of September. After a week of orientation and adjusting, which never ended, we faced our tasks. I got busy and worked hard learning all of the responsibilities that were mine and there were many. I had to learn how to operate our electrical grid, supplemented by two massive generators. I needed to understand and operate our fresh water system which provided water to more than a thousand people.


Donna had to find her place in the medical complex. The hospital didn't know what to do with an EMT. So, Donna began working with the primary health program and infant nursery. She told me more than once that she didn't really want to spend time with the babies. I knew why, her heart is pure gold and filled with compassion. So, she did what she was asked to do, work with babies.


Ten days after we were settled in, about 50 miles to the south a baby was born in the area known as Chavuna-Chinjawa. The malnourished mother died in the delivery. Her newborn was placed on her stomach as the family dug the grave, for both. The burial of both mother and child was halted by an uncle who came to the village as he heard the moaning and wailing.


For two days he carried the near death infant to the bush hospital. Along the way the only nourishment he could give the infant was stagnant water from puddles. He entered the bush station compound and found his way to the reception area of the hospital. A white nurse in a white uniform was standing by as the man placed the infant in her arms and announced the mother was dead and the last name of the family. He turned and walked out of sight, returning to his land of drought and death.


The ten year wait was perfectly timed by God. He knew what was to take place and today we rejoice over His grace. At times the plan of God is obscured and we are apt to wonder if we are in the right place.


If you are His child and your desire is to be found faithful, you are in the right place.

Tedd Galloway is a former missionary and is currently the pastor at West Adrian Community Church. His book, A Mother's Heart Moved the Hand of God, is soon to be released through, Morgan James Publishing. You can follow Tedd on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. His website is, www.teddgalloway.com