Peter said to him, "We have left everything to follow you!"
"I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. — Mark 10: 28-30

I had just received admission to Africa University in Zimbabwe and had to leave my friends and family members for this journey. My first year was spent on the school campus without a place to visit and without making any real friends. None of my classmates who were from Zimbabwe ever invited me to their homes, even when I offered to pay all the travel expenses!

The next year, when I changed from the school of Management to the school of Theology, I met a friend — Mathias. In April during Easter he was invited as a guest preacher to Harare, preaching at two United Methodist circuits, Gampozuma and Cold Comfort UMC. He asked me if I would go with him. I was excited to go!

During the four days in Harare at the Easter program God gave me two families who opened their homes to me and welcomed me as a family member. They showed me love. This reminded me of Mark 10:28-30. In following Jesus we will have brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers even when we are far away from home! Today, I am no stranger to Harare because I now have places where I feel at home completely!

Prayer:

Lord, help us to remember that you will restore to us friends and family when we trust you in our faith journey even in distant lands. Amen.

Thought of the Day:

With God all things are possible.

Prayer focus:

People who are far away from their families.