Rocking out to Marimbas

Christian Women Leaders

Irene Mparutsa,our Zimbabwean United Methodist missionary to Cambodia, was welcomed by our congregation with traditional African music, dashikis and joyous song.   A dozen marimbas were played vigorusly, and yes, we even danced!

Irene and Pastor Steve continued the theme of "sanctification,"  focusing on the sanctification of society, i.e., the impact on society when people of faith "clean up our act."   Like the yeast in the dough, someone once said--Jesus, I think.

Irene told of a Cambodian boy who needed a heart operation, which would cost $4,500 in Pnohm Penh.  "We never have $4,500 in our reserves," she said.  "I told them what missionaries and pastors always say when we are at the end of our wits, 'Let's pray for a miracle.'

"The next day I received a call from the Board of Global Missions saying, 'We have a medical team of Volunteers in Mission who could come to Cambodia.  Do you have anyone to refer to us for heart surgery?'"  Irene paused.  "Slowly I am learning to rely on God's grace to fulfill  our every need."

The United Methodist Men at Long Peak UMC gave her $2,500, which she said she would keep in a separate fund for special needs.