100 Days of HopeSample

Jesus is Enough

Nearly nine years ago, I had the privilege to go on a mission trip to Arusha, Tanzania. During my time, I was able to meet with children living in the villages. Particularly meaningful was the opportunity to meet John and Joshua.

Because John and Joshua’s parents had divorced and neither parent was willing to care for these young men in their early teens, their grandmother cared for them. Besides their grandmother, their only other relative was an uncle who was known to be the village drug addict.

The grandmother and boys were very involved in the local village church and benefited in many of the projects offered through the church. As we went to visit their home, the first thing I noticed were two words written in chalk on the door post above the entrance to their home, made of sticks and clay. The words, written in Swahili, said Yesu Anatosha.

As we entered the home, we saw a corner with sticks and ashes where the meals were prepared. In another small area, there were just a couple blankets on the dirt floor where the boys slept together. On some of the walls, other Biblical passages were written in chalk.

We asked what Yesu Anatosha meant. Having seen the home, the conditions they lived in, and the complete lack of this world’s material goods displayed there, it was humbling to hear that Yesu Anatosha means “Jesus is enough.” A stark reminder of what Peter said in 2 Peter 1:3 that “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness.”

We asked the boys what they wanted to be. In spite of all they’ve been through, John shared his desire to be a pastor and Joshua, his heart to become a missionary.

No matter what challenges we may face, we can rest assured Yesu Anatosha…Jesus is enough.

Prayer: Father, thank you that whether we are in times of trial or prosperity, you are enough. Help us to recognize your abundance in our lives.