“One journey changed everything” – a missionary moment

Growing up as a new believer, I used to disdain the biblical characters who gave excuses when the Lord called them to any task. Why would anyone dodge the honour of being called by the Lord? Many years later, I clearly heard the Lord calling me into ministry and I also gave excuses!

At that time, I was enjoying my young married life and living my dreams. When the call came, my initial and strong response was a resounding NO. I did spend much time in prayer and seek sought guidance from more mature believers, and it was very clear that the Lord had indeed called me to leave my job and follow him.

However, I cited my family responsibilities and other valid excuses. Anytime that nudge came, I would quickly remind myself of the foolishness of leaving a well-paying job in order to trust “someone” for provision. The secret excuses were of course the reality of losing the prestige and the societal rank of the working class. I wondered, “What will happen to my kids, my youthful wife, my ageing parents and all those who depend on me if I quit my job?” These were pertinent questions for me.

One journey changed everything and made me yield to the Lord. It was a clear night, with a breeze. I was in a bus travelling back home from visiting my parents in another city. As I enjoyed the bus ride, listening to music, my seat belt on, I descended into a deep strange sleep. I woke up to horrible screams and cries, commotions and more cries and thought I was having a bad dream. Actually, we were involved in a terrible road traffic accident! The bus was upside down and I was hanging in the air, still strapped to my seat; around me, there were many casualties and blood was everywhere. My personal belongings were lost (or rather stolen) and after I walked out of the bus, I stood and watched badly wounded passengers taken to the hospital in ambulances. Despite being a medical professional, I had no energy to help, as I was in shock myself. Meanwhile, questions resounded in my ears: what would have happened to my kids, my wife and my ageing parents and all those who depend on me if I had died in this fatal accident? Would prestige and societal rank matter at all?

This was enough to make me yield to the calling of God and I submitted to him: He spared me as a warning. I tendered my resignation letter at work and informed my wife. When I told my close relations about the decision to quit my job, they were not pleased. They asked me the same question: “What will happen to your family and all those who depend on you?” Some actually thought that the accident had affected my brain and I was acting strangely due to the trauma.

Nine years after being broken and reshaped by the Lord, we are serving him as cross-cultural mobilizers in Lesotho. Our task is to gather the African Church for the Great Commission, and we are joyful and at peace!

-Levi “Kgotso”, Malawian mobiliser in Lesotho