As I sat on the airplane mid-flight waiting to be served a drink, I prayed about specific things I had on my heart regarding this trip to Zambia. Before I knew it, the flight attendant was three isles back. I asked about a drink when she walked by, and she said that I had missed my opportunity. When I arrived to SLC airport, I learned that my bag was not checked through to JFK, so I had to go to baggage claim and recheck my bag (and pay the $25 fee again to Delta to have the bag checked). I scrambled through security to make it back to the gate before my flight left. When I arrived to JFK, a rode the shuttle to the hotel. I arrived to learn that they did not have my name on the roster for a room, and the one in charge was already in Africa. Only one thought ran through my mind: why does this keep happening to me??
God gave me the solution. Numbers 22:12, 23:20 “you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed…he is blessed, and I cannot reverse it”. We have been blessed with ALL spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3), and that blessing cannot be reversed! Because of this promise, things things shouldn’t happen!!
My roommate arrived to the hotel and checked us in, and all other issues that day worked themselves out. I was reminded that God is in control and He has given me ALL things so that I could be a blessing to others; and the rest of the trip was nothing but blessed!
One of the first blessings occurred on our 15-hour flight to Africa. I sat next to two amazing women, soon-to-be mentors, Jasmine and Janette. While not many words where shared between them and I, those that were shared were powerful. Janette gave me a word, Hebrews 11:6, which would resonate throughout the rest of the week: from the Zambian pastor at Sunday service, from our leader as we prepared for bed one night, and from a Zambian interpreter during our medical clinic. Obviously, this was something I needed to hear. Later on in the week, an invitation to bunk 2 for popcorn turned into a devotion/prayer session for each other; many words and promises that God had told me over the last 6-12 months were declared and prayed over me by those from bunk 2!! It was a powerful night! God gave me a new insight into who He made me to be and what He is calling me to do!
We spent six days in Zambia working the clinic. The first day, we packed medications into individual bags for the patients. The next five days, we worked in two different towns, Sioma and Senanga, to provide free medical and dental care to those in need. Each day, hundreds were lined up as we arrived to the clinic site. Veronica and I worked in the “Weights and Temps” portion of the clinic, which seems to be the most insignificant part of the clinic; however, I felt it was one of the best places to be. We were privileged to see and interact with ALL those who entered the clinic. We were the first “white” smiles they saw as they entered; we handed out treats and stickers to the kids as they waited (and to the adults that wanted to partake). We searched for needs of the people that we could fulfill (clothing for the kids, glasses for the elderly, etc). We sang songs, prayed for those who entered, and did what God placed on our hearts; we played with the kids (with balloons and bubbles, soccer balls and bouncy balls), and we made ourselves available to help in other areas of the clinic when needed.
Thousands received medical care, many for the first time, and hundreds were saved throughout the 5 days of clinic. Many people traveled many days to come to the clinic. We sent some people to the hospital for critical illnesses or for issues that we could not provide treatment for. At one point, we ran out of malaria medication, but God provided more!!
While the Zambian people were blessed by our team, we were blessed immensely by them and their country! Working with the interpreters and with Reaching a Generation to provide this free clinic; living on the Zambezi River for the week; watching the sunrise and sunset over the water; experiencing Victoria Falls (the largest waterfall in the world) and Sioma Falls; resting under the star-filled sky at night, soaking up God’s goodness; morning devotions with the group as the sun rose; experiencing church/worship service with the adults and kids; teaching the kids new games (jump rope, “doe doe ja” (duck duck goose in their language), and making new friends!! While they had so little physically, they were incredibly humble and worshiped our God like I’ve never seen before!
It was a relaxing and refreshing week! God made ways where there seemed to be no way! I left a huge part of my heart in Zambia, and I would return in a heartbeat if I could; however, I know God has amazing things in store for this upcoming year. The blessings are not over yet; they will continue so that my team (V Squad) and myself can be a blessing to the next 11 countries on our itinerary!
But let’s not get too far ahead…Next week begins training camp to prepare for the World Race…
