Zambia- the sixth country I have been to this year. The sixth new unknown that I walked into. The first place I left my heart.
When our contact picked us up, all six of us piled into an old Toyota mini van with all our packs. It was a tight fit, but hey on the World Race you get used to that. After driving for a while we pulled down a long drive way, through an equipment yard, more drive way, and finally up to a house. We were told we were at home for the month.
We met Jackie, our host, and pretty much just set up camp and passed out for the night. The next morning we learned what we were in for. Our home for the month was also home to 14 guys, ages 15-24, all living with a ministry called DreamRunners.
Our first week of ministry was hard. The environment we were working in left all of us feeling the heaviness of spiritual warfare. Practically our whole team was getting sick, and it was just a hard week. However our refuge was at the house where we were encouraged by getting to know these amazing guys.
Our second week was good and bad. We were supposed to put on a retreat for women in a rural village, but because of sickness myself and two of my teammates had to stay behind. Our teammates fought for us to have the rest that we needed to recover and be able to serve the rest of the month.
During that week I got to know more of the guys. I even gained a little brother, Bobby. He is the youngest of the guys, and we just clicked. Getting to spend time with him and pour into him was one of my favorite parts of the month.
Little by little I fell in love with this place. Not necessarily with Zambia, but with the DreamRunners. I fell in love with these guys who were seeking the Lord. I fell in love with a place where I could see God working and growing them, and I even got to be a part of it.
Each morning we started the day with devotions with the guys at 6 AM. One of the last mornings we were there I felt like God was asking me to speak up. He wanted me to speak about finding our identity and knowing who we are in Christ. I spoke about the freedom God gives us when we look to Him instead of others for affirmation. Galatians 1:10 has been my verse for the past couple of months.
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings or of Christ? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Not only did I become close with these 14 new brothers of mine, but God opened my eyes to gifts He has given me and the passion and desire I have to disciple others. I had the opportunity to talk and encourage many of these guys. Each time my courage and boldness grew.
Last month was tough with the ministry we were with, but what God did to me and through me made the month one of my favorite months ever. I can’t even describe the joy and love I have thinking about last month and each of those brothers that God placed into my life.
Bobby, Peter, Frank, Syd, Kelvin, Samuel, Floyd, Mex, Danny, Dixon, Simon, Elvis, Gibson, and Douglas, thank you for last month. Thank you for letting God use you to help me grow. Thank you for treating me like a sister and wanting the best for me. Thank you for all the conversations and unexplainable funny moments. Thank you for all the memories I will forever cherish.
So it’s been a few weeks now since our team left Zambia, and each day it becomes more apparent that I have left part of my heart there. There isn’t a day that my team mates or me don’t bring up a funny memory from last month or talk to one of the guys and share a greeting from all of them.
Leaving was hard, but it is such an encouragement to know that these guys are seeking the Lord. Please join me in praying for them as they grow into the men that God has called them to be.
