Month: Five. Country: Zimbabwe.
My life in Zimbabwe was way different than life back home in America. I had to learn to adapt to the differences of everyday life which included collecting water from a well (I actually found this very enjoyable!), dealing with power outages almost everyday, commuting 2 hours a day in a 15 passenger van filled 23 people, and feeling like a zoo animal from all the stares due to my pale skin. These things sound unpleasant at best but honestly I didn’t mind it too much. I didn’t come on the race to be comfortable and live in luxury but to be uncomfortable and stretched to a point where I need to fully rely on my God.
Ministry this month kept my team and I very busy! This month we served at 6 different churches where we preached and shared testimonies. We also lead worship, workshops, bible study’s, women’s groups, youth groups, and children’s church. Along with that we also visited homes of church members and did house to house evangelism. Needless to say we were all pushed out of our comfort zones! We all stepped up in ways we never thought we would.
This month was actually the most difficult month of the race this far. I was exhausted from the busy schedule but the thing that made it the most difficult was working with churches that differ greatly on things dealing with spiritual warfare. Honestly, I do not even know how to explain what went down in words. During some of the church services I found myself praying for discernment. I understood that spiritual warfare shows itself a little differently in Africa, however, as I prayed I had no peace in my spirit about what was happening before me. One particular service my team and I had to leave the room because of how wrong everything around us felt. We prayed together, looked up scripture to try to understand, and talked with our ministry host. The truth we discovered in God’s word did not align with what these churches were taking part in. As a team we tried to shed light in the best way we knew how but there was still major disconnect in beliefs.
Honestly, my heart is breaking for the people of Zimbabwe. They have churches. They believe in God. They know their scripture. However, there is something missing. I am still trying to understand what I experienced last month. I am still trying to understand what is happening in the churches of Zimbabwe. What I do know is that I am going to continue to pray for that country! Would you be willing to join me? Please pray for the complete freedom that is in Christ to overflow through the country of Zim!
Throughout this month I learned a lot about the importance of knowing God’s word. Understanding the truth that is in the bible through the Holy Spirit gives you the knowledge and the wisdom to discern what is of the Lord and what is not. I now have greater understanding of the importance of putting on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6). I am going to continue to seek truth and spend time with the one who has all the answers. Even though this month was a challenge I am thankful for the things the Lord has taught me through it!!
Currently my team and I are in Maseru, Lesotho! Lesotho is a small country nuzzled in the middle of South Africa. This month our ministry is to find Christian organizations and churches to partner with in the future. The Lord has been guiding the way and we have already found five solid ministries! I will share more about this month in another blog at the end of the month!
Thank you for all your prayers!
