A Time to Laugh

Lines were drawn.
Sides were taken.
Sleeves rolled up and muscles flexed.

We had a fight on our hands.  Or better said, with our feet. 

The kicking and shouting wasn't coming from whiny kids, it was coming from winded pastors. 

Malawi against Zambia.  "Flames versus Bullets."  Who needs the 2010 South African World Cup when you can have the football match of a lifetime at a Pastor's Conference!

The called-worker clash took place in Zambia. 

The pastors and missionaries from both countries convened in Chipata, Zambia for a two-day October conference. We had marathon sessions of Bible Studies (from the book of Malachi), papers (topics:alcohol and alcohol abuse, role of man and woman in God's Church, Pentecostalism), devotions and business meetings.     

The benches were hard and our bums sore.  The heat was grueling and the food filling. 

We yearned for a break.  We had to work off the heavy nsima we had eaten.  We needed a time to stretch, a time to play, a time to run.  Solomon would have been proud: we also needed a time to laugh. (Ecclesiastes 3:4). 

And we got it. 

What else can one do when two rag-tag teams of out-of-shape football wannabes push their bodies to the limit on the pitch?

Even the President of the LCCA - Malawi Synod, Pastor Riphat Matope, got in on the action. Shoeless, but not gutless, he put on a show of iron will and sheer persistence. One play will live on forever in our minds:  Pastor Matope was determined to catch up to the ball as it was speedily bounding away from him.  Had an impala joined the race to the ball, Pastor Matope would have outrun it.  But along the way he got his feet tangled up and for a time he was horizontally airborne - streaking through the sky like a Boeing 747 headed for a crash.  Nose down, he skidded to a stop.  Thankfully unhurt. (Surprisingly, considering the fact that this pitch was nothing but hard ground, not a blade of grass to be seen!)   

When the big man stood up and the dust settled, he had a smile on his face. Both the onlookers and the players exploded with laughter.  And it hasn't stopped since!   

When the final whistle blew, the Zambian Bullets had already found their mark.  They could claim a decisive victory.  The Flames from Malawi were smothered, 3 - 1.  

But the dousing didn't dampen the spirit between the two groups of called workers. If anything, it engaged it.  Enlivened it.  Even today both sides are still talking and laughing about the "Flight of the President."

Was the football match the most important part of our conference?  By no means. Not even close.  What can surpass the Word of God?  What can supersede the gospel of Jesus?  What can replace the grace gift of God in the life of man? 

The football match wasn't the most important but it was most integral.  We got to see the side of ourselves and our brothers that doesn't usually come out in long drawn out meetings or heavy papered conferences.  Though soul ministry is as serious as it is eternal, there is also a time to laugh! 

Football is a part of life here in Africa.  You can't drive too far down the road without seeing a pitch full of boys kicking around a ball.  This nationally loved game has been a part of our national pastor's lives - their whole lives!   

I don't know if the Apostle Paul ever kicked a football or played goalie, but with the Thessalonian Christians, he did share more than the gospel:

"We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well..." (Thessalonians 1:8).   

The people had become dear to Paul, Silas and Timothy.  I wonder, what part of their lives did they share?   Just what did he mean?  To what was he referring?  Was he thinking only of all the work they did day and night?  Or was he referring to some lighter times.  Eating meals together?  Sharing adventure stories?  Visiting?  Doing projects?  Making tents?  Camping in the rain?

I don't know.  But the Lord certainly moved Paul and the others to share their lives with their fellow brothers and sisters in faith. 

Might it be good, even wise, that we do the same?

Has it been some time since you've done that?  Invited someone over?  Played a group game?  Visited with others?  Gone on a trip together?  Walked the great outdoors?   Hiked a path?   Blazed a trail?  Enjoyed a lighter moment?  Has it been awhile since you've had a good laugh?

Could it be that the ones who would appreciate a little more of your time and life (and good laugh or two) is your own family?  (Have you ever heard children complain that Mom and Dad spend too much time with them?)

If nothing else, find a ball and a bunch of people.  Even if you, like me, stand on the sidelines to watch and take pictures, chances are you'll be talking about it for a long time. 

The wise man was right: 

There is a time to laugh.
_____________________________________

In Christ,

Missionary John Holtz, Malawi Mission Partner

  A stuffy room and hard benches didn't stop us from studying the role
   of man and woman in God's Church with Pastor Mpule leading us.

                                   "Let the games begin!"

Mission Partner Communique, November, 2009

1.  Luke 5:  1 - 3
2.  Mark 4: 35 - 41
3.  Mark 5: 1 - 8
4.  Mark 5: 18 - 20
5.  Mark 6: 30 - 44.
6.  Isaiah 43: 1,2a
7.  Mark 1: 17

In Christ,
Your Mission Partner
Missionary John Holtz
Malawi, Africa