Zoa is a Greek word to bring new life. Team Zoa (Will, Jeff, Nathan, Caroline, Mandi, Alyssa and myself) was a season of planting seeds. It was a season of growth and the beginning of new lives for each member of Zoa. It was a season of discovering. We experienced firsthand what life was like without running water or electricity. We learned how to live on the bare necessities of life. I’ve learned how to appreciate not only the smallest of things but the unexpected things (for example, I remember one day in Malawi, Africa I was laying in my tent exhausted and extremely hot. I was covered in mosquito bites, and itched like crazy. I smelled but didn’t want to make the mile long trek to haul 40 pounds of water in the blazing sun to take a bucket shower. I was hungry and was craving fruits and vegetables. The thought of another bowl of nshima (flour and water) was far from appetizing. I missed home, I missed freedom, I missed having the option of being alone, and I missed my family. I began to journal and I found myself mad at God, I didn’t feel like we were making an impact on the villages. I was upset about the relationships I left behind. One thought lead to another and I grew frustrated. But then God gave me a sense of peace. He told me to be thankful. It was really hard at first…Thankful? For what? I began to list things I was thankful for…. I am thankful to experience life in Africa, I am thankful for the stillness of nature and being able to live in a tent for a month, but then he took me deeper, I am thankful for being able to endure harsh conditions so that way you can teach me compassion.)
That is just one experience of many in these past four months on the world race. I have learned to love the people were serving, my team and I have learned to love myself. I have learned to see people in a new light. This past season has been a season of discovering the world from different point of views but also has been a season of becoming more self aware and discovering my identity in Christ. It has been a season of preparation for what lies ahead. God has been planting seeds in me and in the rest of team Zoa, He has been watering us but now he has brought us to a new season.
We just experienced our first team changes. Of course I will miss team Zoa but I am so excited to see how each of us blossoms over this new season the Lord has blessed us with.
Training Camp
Month 1: Zambia
Month 2: Malawi
Month 3: Estonia
Month 4: Lithuania
Final Team picture
I love you Zoa! You will always be my family!
