Truth or lies?
An older gentlemen came to the gate a few days ago asking for me. (I never met him, but he had seen me drive by.) He shared that a family member just died at the hospital and he was out of money to take care of the burial expenses. He didn't seem to be the beggar-type. He had a clean-cut appearance and even wore a worn-out bow tie.
I have been told by experienced missionaries not to believe such men, that it is easy to be "duped" into their sob story, only later finding out it was all a hoax. I was mentally preparing my polite decline, but also thinking "if he continues to be persistent and sincere, I might go find something for him. After, how do I know? Maybe he is telling the truth?"
Another evidence that God takes care of His girls: Guess who came along? An honest Tanzanian! A man "happened" to come to the gate at that exact moment, who had some business with my neighbors. "No, no," he told me. "This man is a liar. Do not believe him. All he does is go from one foreigner's house to another with false stories." They started to argue, but the new visitor eventually chased the "gentleman" away.
Thank you, Lord! One day at a time. One lesson at a time.