It’s no secret that I love trees. If there’s a good climbing tree around, you best believe I’ll be up it in 0.5 seconds. One of the biggest ways I connect with God is through nature, and it’s been crazy how much God has spoken to me through trees this month.
On Saturday, we had the opportunity to go to a prison and witness the baptisms of seventeen prisoners who have recently given their lives to Christ. After the baptisms were finished, the prison chaplain looked over at me, and out of nowhere he said, “You are going to have a new name…Chanda.”
I had no idea where in the world this was coming from or why this man that I just met was suddenly renaming me, but I laughed and asked him what the name meant.
As he explained, he pointed to the tree we were standing next to and said, “Chanda is like this tree. It is like a tree with many roots that can not be shaken.”
Little did he know how much this seemingly random name would mean to me.
It reminded me again of how much God provides for me, and when I rely on him—when I am rooted in him, I am like a tree with many roots that cannot be shaken.
And so my name is Chanda. Deeply rooted in God.
Tomorrow, we will be leaving Mansa and starting the long journey to Livingstone for debrief. There, we will have time to reflect on the past few months, spend time together as a squad, and learn about what we will be doing next month in Cambodia!
Hope to talk to you again soon!
