Three days ago, a dirty but roadworthy land cruiser drove onto the Gimbie compound and Kelvin Sawyer climbed out. Kelvin is AHI’s traveling repairman. He drives the length and breath of Africa, fixing everything from water pumps to anesthesia machines. His stories kept us long into the night, one of which I will retell here. (Kelvin, apologies for any inaccuracies—it was pretty late when you told this one).
Two years ago Kelvin took a ten hour “short cut” through a remote section of Zambia. The road consisted of a narrow gap between tall trees. The gap was choked with grass seven feet tall, which continuously jammed in front of the radiator. The engine started overheating and Kelvin ran out of water long before the short cut rejoined the main road. Kelvin prayed. Seconds later, a head poked through the grass. “Do you speak English?” asked Kelvin, figuring his chances were zero. “Of course I speak English” replied the head. A thin woman climbed through the grass. She was carrying five gallons of water. The radiator filled, the woman and Kelvin hiked several miles through the bush to a village with a well where they completely replenished Kelvin’s water supply. Kelvin asked the woman where she lived. “Right here” she said, pointed to a patch of beaten earth a few feet from Kelvin’s land cruiser. “I am building a home for my children.” Kelvin punched the coordinates into his GPS and made a mental note of the location. The next year Zambia faced a serious shortage of food. Kelvin took the same short cut, carrying extra water as well as corn, sugar, and salt. He arrived at the woman’s hut after dark, but he found it and gave her the supplies. Kelvin was overwhelmed by her thanks…
Most people think of missionaries as doctors and preachers, but workers of all kinds are needed to bring in the harvest. The hospital repair work is too large for one man. Gimbie could keep Kelvin busy indefinitely, but he is urgently sought all over Africa. When Kelvin does visit a hospital or clinic, funds are often so short that complete repairs are not possible. Please pray for Kelvin, pray for Gimbie, and support God’s work in Africa.