At 19 years old, God put a fiery passion for Zambia on my heart.
Today, I am blessed and humbled to be here in the land He put on my heart so long ago. At a point where I was questioning why in the world God intertwined this country into my life.
And then I met Rachael.
Compassionate, inquisitive, loving Rachael. I met her the first day we arrived at Destiny School and there was something different about her. She had this light about her, a spark that made me notice her even though I had 41 students in my class.
During class as I was grading papers, a man came in and took a picture of Rachael. I asked Mrs. Clishese what that was all about, and she explained that Rachael was just put on the sponsorship program. I inquired some more, and slowly but surely I pieced together Rachael’s story.
Rachael’s dad had died two weeks previously. She is the eighth child of nine, and her mother lives in a village several hours away with her siblings. Her oldest sister, Harriett, drove to the village to pick up Rachael and bring her back to the city so she could have an education.
Sweet Rachael is just 10 years old—too young to have a story like that. In Grade 4, she has a hunger for knowledge and soaks up the lessons like a sponge. In just the few short days I was with her, I was blown away.
On my first day, she quietly came up to me and handed me a snack they call “kraka”. Tears welled up in my eyes. This little girl had nothing, but yet she was willing to still give. Rachael is always willing to share what she has with others. Her abundance mentality truly floors me, as she doesn’t have much to begin with.
In addition to her compassionate side, she is also a firecracker. Rachael is always one to lead the kids in song and dance. She loves to play around at recess and is always sharing her snacks. She is constantly laughing and has a joy about her that invites people in to what she’s feeling.
Everything was lining up too perfectly. I talked to Beatrice, the one who is in charge of the sponsorship program at our school, and who just happens to be the Pastor’s wife at the house I’m currently staying at, and she gave me the lowdown. I ended up fasting and praying the next day to know if Rachael was to be mine.
When I talked with Beatrice specifically about Rachael the next day, she explained that Rachael was already on the radar for people to sponsor, so she might not be available.
My stomach dropped and I felt like throwing up.
What?! After praying, fasting, and what I felt like confirmation, Rachael was still up in the air. In that moment though, I was reminded that she isn’t mine, she’s God’s daughter. Whether I take care of her or someone else does, she will be taken care of.
Without even realizing it, I had grabbed on to the idea of Rachael being a part of my life and was clenching my fist so tight. Finger by finger I slowly uncurled my hand and gave Rachael back to God.
The bell had rung for recess and I was playing with Rachael and the other children. A butterfly kept fluttering around me and Rachael and I felt a peace that surpasses all understanding. Beatrice walked up to me five minutes later and told me that I could sponsor Rachael.
It’s indescribable to explain the joy I felt at this moment!
To put this a little more into perspective, I have to back up about a year ago. I was at a women’s conference and they were talking about sponsoring children. At the time, I was already sponsoring children in Zambia, but it was neat to see them bring in a guest speaker who was on a sponsorship program and is thriving because of it. The only drawback with the sponsorship program I’m helping with is that I don’t know these children on a personal level.
At this conference all I wanted to do was sponsor a child.
But God told me to wait.
That I would meet my future daughter/son on the race.
That I would meet them face to face before deciding to sponsor them.
That I would have a personal relationship with them first.
I was so excited for this, but for those who know me, patience is definitely a fruit of the Spirit I’m working on.
I was in Haiti in month 1 and met amazing children, but God told me to wait. I was in Ecuador and I met the most incredible children of God at the special needs orphanage in month 4, but God told me to wait.
It hurt.
I wanted so desperately to meet my child.
But I finally came to the point where I gave it up to God. Because honestly, He knows best.
And so now we’re back in Zambia. Funny enough, I didn’t even think that I would meet my child here.
And now I have Rachael.
Not only was I able to spend time with her, but I was able to do a home visit and meet her sister and brother-in-law. I was able to hear their story firsthand and come alongside and pray with them. To have a relationship with their entire family is something I treasure.
When we were about to leave, Jerry, Rachael’s brother-in-law, told me, “She is now your child too.”
This simple statement floored me.
I’m a mom now!
Maybe not in the conventional way, but I’m honored to be a part of Rachael’s life.
And I’m in it for the long haul with her sister. I plan on seeing Rachael graduate from grade 9, grade 12, and pursue her dreams in life.
I’m coming back to Zambia.
On the way back to school, Rachael slipped her hand into mine.
That memory brings tears to my eyes again. This beautiful daughter of God is now my daughter too. I’m blessed to be able to see her grow over the years.
In this moment of perfect blissfulness, I navigated through sewage running down the street, trash piled high, and kids not lucky enough to go to school trying to pass the time; whether it was playing with a ball created out of scraps, or playing hopscotch in the dirt.
I became furious and angry at God.
Why?!
Why, God, do these children not get to go to school? Why do these people have to live in these conditions? The devil crept in and added his two cents, “You can’t help everyone, so why not just quit? So what if you help, Rachael? There are millions of kids who are living in poverty without an education.”
I felt helpless.
But God gently reminded me that everything works for His goodness. That He has a perfect and pleasing plan for each and every one of us, even when we can’t see it. That I don’t have to help everyone. I can’t. And it’s okay.
However, I can help the person in front of me.
I can help Rachael.
I can cheer on Rachael, love on her, support her, and help her to grow into the woman God has created her to become.
I’m still making a difference in her life.
She is putting the face to the unknown children I’ve been supporting over the years. She’s rekindling my passion that I have for children and education. I’ve learned so much from her in these past few weeks, and I’m blessed to know I have years of learning from her still to come.
Rachael’s destiny is intertwined with mine.
Did I ever think I would go to Zambia? No. Did I ever think I’d come back? No. Did I think a ten-year-old child in Zambia could forever change my future for good? No.
This is why I trust in my Lord and Savior.
Because I didn’t see this coming.
Yeah, I’m a little scared and overwhelmed with the fact of having Rachael in my life. I’m trying to figure out how I’m going to raise the funds to visit her in five years at her graduation. I’m trying to figure how to tell her I want her to try her hardest in school but regardless of her performance I love her unconditionally.
But more than all of this, I’m in awe of my Father’s love for me and Rachael. That He would bring us together here in Zambia.
For those who are skeptical of trusting in God’s plan and notoriously impatient like I am at times, I would encourage you to wait on God and dive in headfirst. In His timing, beautiful things happen.
It took me leaving my country, my comfort, my family, my friends, and traveling for half a year around the world, before I met Rachael.
It was so worth it.
I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
So my question to you is, “Are you willing to trust in Him and His timing?”
If He can do so much good in my life—just a 22 year old girl who doesn’t have it all together, who is still learning day by day, I know He can do great things in you too.
How bad do you want Him?
It’ll take EVERYTHING you have, but you’ll be filled with joy, love, and peace that surpasses all understanding.
