Okay, so this week my ministry is at a farm…. Ahahahhahahaah. How ironic?? I literally travel all the way to Africa and I still end up on a farm. Thanks, God!! We are 45 minutes outside of Nsoko on a farm that is part of One Heart Africa. They teach sustainable farming to the surrounding community and employ all locals. ANNNNND GET THIS….. the people that started this ahhhhmazing place are from…… TENNESSEE!!!! Sadly, they are gone this week and we are getting to work with a sweet 22-year-old couple that has such huge hearts for the Lord and farming!
It is gorgeous here. BEYOND gorgeous. I got to praise and worship with my team last night under the African stars and I was so overcome with gratitude for how good our father is. Even with all of my doubts/questions/fears that I have in this season… I have a loving Heavenly Father that loves me and wants me.
This morning I was reading in Acts 10 about the story of Peter and Cornelius. Woah… good stuff. I was reminded of this story today and the lesson that Peter learned. Peter was reminded that God shows no partiality. “ Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right and acceptable to him.”
After talking with one of the workers here, who is in charge of the aquaponics, God reminded me of this same truth. Her name is Zanellea but we call her “Lady Z.” She has two daughters and a husband. She is an incredibly hard worker who takes pride in the success that the aquaponics has had. She knows the Lord. In fact, she knows him well. She knows he sent his son to be crucified for her sins and that he is her Lord and Savior.
The Lord knocked me off my missionary high horse after speaking with her and countless others here at the farm. I’m not here to save anyone. It isn’t my job and more importantly, I can’t. Just because I have taken theology classes and grown up in the church doesn’t mean that I know God any more than these people do.
God sees us the same way. NO matter the location, race, sex, economic background, or political beliefs… we are the same.
What I am here to do is be the church. I’m here to be love and show what the beauty of the gospel is. I’m here to sit and listen. I’m here to sweat and help pull weeds. I’m here to sort beans for the worker’s lunch. I am here to love and be loved.
I’m sweaty and my heart is being refilled. Debrief is in a week or so… which is crazy. I’m exhausted and fired up. I miss home but wish time would slow down. This season is so hard but so good too.
I love you all and I miss my sweet Nash. But I’ve discovered that home is everywhere… even in Africa.
Grace.
