The Salt of the Earth

We have enjoyed going to church here with the Bradshaw’s.  It’s wonderful hearing the congregation worship and praise “Yesu.”  

This past Sunday was the last service for the Bradshaw’s in the church they attended this three years, so there was a lovely dinner in their honor at one of their homes.  We have eaten in different family’s homes a number of times and each time there was a specialty served — “matoke.”  It is in the banana family and is steamed in banana leaves.   Interesting taste.  There is also a way they cook ground nuts that are ground and seasoned and also steamed in the banana leaf.  And, what a feast each time.  We feel so blessed to  share their treasured food with us.

At home we plan for days or weeks before we invite people into our homes for a meal. In the midst of plenty, we can be stingy with our hospitality. Here, it is “come on in.” We have been in more than 10 homes for food and hospitality in 3 weeks, often on the spur of the moment. We have so very much to learn from these people.

Anyway, at this farewell dinner, the Reverend Wilberforce directed our attention to these words of Yesu.

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored?  It is no longer good for anything,  but is thrown out and trampled under foot.”  (Matthew 5:13) 

Just prior to his blessing, we had shared about how wonderful we had been welcomed into everyone’s homes and how kind they have been to us.  So, the Reverend referred to this scripture saying how important it is to remain the salt of the earth and not ash.  Apparently, he went on to say,  people of Africa cannot always afford salt, so they put ash in their shakers pretending it is salt.  He was impressed by how the Bradshaw’s had carried the essence of the Ugandan people to us, as the salt of the earth.

We were sharing how we met the Bradshaw’s in Cambridge last March and during our time together we decided to go to Mityana, Uganda and he spoke of them now being missionaries for Uganda when they come back to Maine.  

(Elizabeth) The morning after this loving event, we meditated and prayed together to open the space for what is next for Chuck and Beth.  They have served so well this past three years and their plates have been so full.  Now what?  I could share my experience of retiring six years ago from my 38 years of ministry.  I know how difficult it is to let go of what was to be an open instrument for what is.  I understood their need to continue serving.  It is so fulfilling to know you are serving a calling.  What I have come to realize in this time period is how in every moment, being present in love with whomever I am with, is how I can serve — just in the process of living life itself.

We are so happy to know they are going to be tucked in our home for awhile until their next plans are given.  They will meet our church family and hook up with some old friends in Portland.  Please be with them in your Hearts and prayers as they are making their move.

One other thing that impressed us with the Sunday meeting, with the Reverend and their church family, was his comment on “Loving your neighbor ….”  He said “There are no neighbors here.  A child in this home goes next door and sees his/her “auntie” or “uncle” or “jahjah” (grandma) or  “gahgah” (grandpa).  The wives and husbands are available for any help needed in the community.  It’s all family here.”  This took our reason for being here to an entirely different level; into the ENACTMENT of “ubuntu.” 

(Elizabeth)  After the meal, we all went outside to get a group picture to record this special event.  I took the Reverend aside and spoke to him of my dear friend, Stan, back in N.C.  He is someone who has this context of “everyone as family” and he is an African who was born in N.C.  I asked the Reverend how this happens.  He simply said, “It’s our roots — wherever we are.”  Wow, did that go deep in me.  We can learn a lot from our African friends.

Thank you for this Grace-filled experience.  It reminds us of this song …

  

Yesu, Yesu, 

fill us with Your love, 

  

Show us how to serve,

  

The neighbors we have from You.

Sending a HUGE Hug,

Elizabeth & Steve