I could type for days about how good The Lord has been during our time here in Zambia. We have made life transforming friendships with Zambian brothers and sisters in Christ, prayed for countless people struggling with everything from not knowing The Lord to illness to demon possession, met Korean missionaries that blessed us with a traditional Korean meal and encouragement for the rest of our journey, experienced both town and bush living arrangements, eaten deep fried caterpillars, gotten spoiled with spaghetti, warm showers, a pool, wifi, and dessert by an American missionary family, loved on a ton of beautiful children, and bonded together as a team. On top of all of those things, we got to sleep in beds at a safari lodge where elephants, monkeys, and baboons are a normal meal attraction for our days off.
However, in light of all of the things that The Lord has done this month, He keeps bringing me back to one specific memory. Our ministry assignment for the day was street evangelism and we found ourselves on a back road speaking to a group of construction workers. My teammates and I were disheartened by our previous conversation with two older women. So it was frustrating that one of the men was adament to purchase one of us as his wife. Without thinking, I muttered “ndine odula”, a phrase that our Zambian friends taught me, that simply means that I am too expensive. As you may of guessed, the men were taken aback and almost offended by my response. Immediately, I felt the Holy Spirit leading me to share the fact that I’m “ndine odula” because I have already been purchased by the blood of Jesus. It was a beautiful moment to share with those men that the only thing that separates me from them is the fact that I can boldly approach my Father in heaven because of the blood of Jesus Christ that has been poured out over me.
It is profound that The Lord gave me such a groundbreaking memory in my first week of the race because it is essentially setting the pace for the ten months of ministry that are to come. I was reminded that regardless of what I go through, good or bad, joy or pain, that I’m on this journey for one purpose only and that is the gospel.
I truly believe that this revelation was not meant just for me or even other World Racers, but for all of you back at home supporting me as well. Our purpose on this planet as followers of Christ is first and foremost sharing Him with the rest of lost world around us regardless of the circumstances. This is not because we have to but because our love for Him is so profound. Please know that you have been placed where you are in life for a specific purpose. Every new day that you’re given on this planet is an opportunity for you to not only share Christ with everyone you come in contact with. In that process, you will find yourself growing to look like Him more and more every day.
P.S. Thank you all for your love and prayers through this process. Please keep them coming.
