Lovemore

I’d like to introduce you to the young man who is our translator. He has an unusual name and an amazing story. Lovemore was born amongst about 4,000 people attending a Christian conference on the Love of God. When I say he was born in the conference, I mean, right there, during and in the midst of the conference. Because the conference was about the Love of God, he was named The Love of God.

Lovemore didn’t talk until he was five years old. And then he began talking and hasn’t stopped since. He speaks eleven languages: Portuguese, English, French, Ndau, Senna, Barhive, Tchewa, Shona, Chiute and Nhundwe. Sometimes we think he is mixing all of these at once! Lovemore is now 24 years old. Yesterday he translated for Ron as Ron preached in the jail. Last week I went with him to the market to be with him while he preached. First he went to the chief and asked permission. When we came back there were a dozen or so older men sitting and waiting for him. I don’t know how they knew he was coming or where he would preach, but he preached for an hour the good news of Jesus straightforward and challenging.

Over the weekend Lovemore spent two long full day translating. He was so tired Sunday night that he couldn’t find words of any language to translate the message Ron had been asked to give on the final night of a youth camp. But later that night on his way home long after dark he came to a young boy who had been beaten and was bleeding from the head. He stopped for this boy and took him to the police station. But he didn’t leave the boy or the responsibility to the police; he then took the youngster to the hospital and paid to have his wound dressed.

Several days later Lovemore found a young girl with no clothes. She had been sleeping in the rain all night. Lovemore found clothes for her and found out her parents had kicked her out of the house. She wanted Lovemore to take her to the police. Why, he asked, had her parents kicked her out, because she went off with a man? Well then, the problem is not for the police, the problem is you. Did your parents tell you not to run off with him? Yes, she said. Then you were disobedient and now you are living with the consequence. I am going to find you food and tell you about Jesus. He will show you the right way to live.

Yesterday, in the market, a 19 year old man showed Ron papers with a diagnosis of AID’s . He wanted money to buy cream for the sores on his arm. In these situations we lean on Lovemore’s wisdom. He said we must find out his situation. Who does he live with? If you give him money he might go around to other girls. He needs good food more than cream. Someone needs to show him how to prepare the food and take care of himself and go with him to buy the food so the money goes to food. Today Lovemore arrived with two things for Mateus: a book on AIDS and the Bible. He needs to know about AIDS and that Jesus Christ heals AIDS.

I could go on and on with Lovemore stories, but I’ll stop there. Here he is on his Raleigh M-80 that one of you generously donated. We mentioned that he spoke eleven languages, but only listed ten. Follow this link to hear the last one!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6z4O6zN1WHI