The first month of the race was filled with beds, hot showers, an endless supply of clean water, every meal cooked for us, and rides to-and-from ministry. We lived a very comfortable first month.
This month of the race is a completely different story.
This month we have beds. However, on our beds we set up our tents to keep out mosquitos, poisonous spiders, and our new friendly cockroaches.
This month we have showers…if we have running water.
This month we have yummy food. Food that we cook over a plug-in electric stove that often electrocutes us. When the electricity is out, we have a tiny gas stove to use.
This month we walk at least five miles a day to our ministry sites in the 90+ degree African heat.
Currently Zimbabwe is under an economic recession where the government limits the amount of electricity and water supply that is delivered to the entire country. When we wake up we don’t know if we’ll have electricity or water. When we get home from playing soccer for two hours we don’t know if we’ll be able to shower or cook dinner. My team has become very resourceful when trying to cook meals using headlamps over a gas stove. Or trying to store up enough clean water in preparation for when we go long hours without it.
I never want to forget this month, this feeling. The feeling of comfort being stripped away. My flesh is aching for having a shower when I want it. Or having clothes that are washing machine clean. Yet amongst all that this month has brought, I never want to forget what it feels like to turn to God for this kind of strength.
The kind of strength that the people of Zimbabwe have. The strength that radiates through their smiles despite their circumstances. The strength where they invite you to sing at their church because they want to hear truth from us. Strength that doesn’t come from ourselves alone, but from God.
One morning my teammate, Esther opened her Bible to 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 and we were instantly convicted. It says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Give thanks in all circumstances.
When we have no water, I’m going to give him thanks for giving us water that is safe to drink. When we have no electricity to cook dinner, I’m going to thank him for providing food on our table. When we are completely exhausted from the African sun, I’m going to thank him for giving me this opportunity to come to Zimbabwe to meet His children.
On my 24th birthday, I prayed for a shower. We got home from soccer to no power and no running water. As I blew out my candles on my birthday cake, I couldn’t help but give thanks to God for every single thing this month has brought.
