Christianity has truly taken root in Africa.  That’s what I concluded after
hearing this story from a layman James Nyangindu of Shinyanga, Tanzania.  He had
taken the train from Shinyanga to Dar es Salaam, the capital city which is
situated on the Indian Ocean seven hundred miles away.  The train is always slow
and crowded.  Third class is indescribable.  The trip usually takes about
thirty-six hours.

       
When the train got to the Ruvu River some seventy miles from Dar es Salaam, the
passengers were told that there was a derailment ahead.  Therefore the train
would stop at the overpass on the highway going to Dar es Salaam.  There three
buses would carry the people the rest of the way.

       
James got set for the mad dash.  It was every man and woman for himself or
herself.  Then he noticed this mother with four children and their suitcases and
bundles.  She was struggling to collect everything together as the other
passengers ran past.  James just couldn’t abandon her, even if it meant missing
the bus.  He helped her carry her suitcases and bundles, and slowly accompanied
the woman and her children to the last waiting bus.  They made it, but not by
much!  Jesus says that his Father provides for the lilies of the fields and the
birds of the air, and that he will provide for his children even more so.  But
if you want a test of your faith in God’s providence just try to do what James Nyangindu did.