We began this week in the most incredible way we could have. After team time, we had a quiet hour that we could use to intentionally spend with the Lord, however that looks for us individually. I chose to open my Bible and read whatever pages God turned my Bible to. I opened my Bible to Isaiah 58 and I prayed through each verse by applying it to my life and specifically this trip. During my quiet time, God placed so much on my heart but the verses that stuck out to me the most was Isaiah 58:7 and Isaiah 58:14. I am praying that my joy would come from the Lord and also that my desires would continue to look progressively more like what God wants for me and for my life. I am learning to turn away from the desires of my flesh and blood and shift my desires to match God’s desires.
On Monday, we began sharing testimonies with our team. We shared one or two a night each day this week. I normally get so nervous when I share my testimony. This time, I was very nervous at first but when the time came to share my story, God filled me with so much peace and boldness to share and be vulnerable with my team. Although I was intimidated and hesitant at first to share my testimony, now I feel encouraged and empowered to share more about what the Lord is doing in my life. It is so exciting to me that he has used my broken pieces to share his goodness in my life. Since the beginning of this trip, there has been an affirmation from our leaders that I am enough. Sharing my testimony just reminds me of how good God is and how intricate his plan for me really is.
I have finally gotten used to life in Africa. We’ve had just enough time here to finally get comfortable and I genuinely feel like we got here yesterday. The time has gone by so quickly and we only have about a week left in our host home and then we’ll have debrief before leaving on Monday for Zimbabwe! Jesus has blessed our team IMMENSELY by giving us so much rain at the end of Zambia’s rainy season. As a result of the rain though, we haven’t gotten to do much afternoon ministry this week. Obviously, this was part of God’s plan because our team was able to use our free time to get some much-needed rest, spend time together, and to get acquainted with our new roommate-Wendy. Not to mention..it was 75° outside and I was actually COLD!! We’ve been blessed to have cooler weather that comes along with the rain. We even got to see a beautiful rainbow right around sunset on Friday night!
At first, the culture here was surprising and it was difficult to adjust. The community is getting used to us now and they recognize our faces. Our neighbor, Bupe (pronounced Woopah), is amazing! I’ve spent lots of time at her house with her and her family over the last month. It has been such a joy to get to know and love Bupe and her little nieces and nephews. I’ve gotten to help her with her laundry, dance with them, talk to her about life, hold the little ones, and my favorite part is all of the laughter they bring. The kids call me Kayla and I can hear them shouting my name from their house as we pass. It is such a joy to be able to impact her and her family and they have had such an impact on me too. Bupe’s 17th birthday was this past Sunday (February 10th) and we got to bring her a note and a piece of birthday cake. She was overjoyed and it was great to see her smile.
Luckily, I finally fit more into the schedule more in my classroom now. I usually get to teach one subject a day (usually math) and check that subject and go over it with my students. But, during the time when the teacher in my classroom teaches a subject, I have gotten to go help Sarah in the toddler classroom and spend time with them too! Then when my teacher finishes teaching the subject, I get to check their work again! I’ve gotten to build a few relationships with the kids and they feel comfortable enough to call me “teacher” now! I have really enjoyed getting to know them and especially getting to teach them. It was originally frustrating for me because I wasn’t getting to teach but I am being interruptible and allowing the Lord to use me in ways that aren’t in my plan but apparently, this is in his plan!
I feel so thankful for my team. On Valentine’s Day, I was missing my loved ones a little bit and I got the chance to FaceTime my boyfriend in WiFi for a little bit. But my leaders both wrote a Valentine’s Day note for everyone on our team about what we bring to the team and reminding us we are loved and valued. Their letters honestly made my week and we even spoiled ourselves with some chocolate from the market and we shared Valentine’s Day stickers too. It was a wonderful reminder of God’s love for us and it’s encouraging that we already care for one another so much as a team!
Our field mentor, Julia, is coming to stay with us and do ministry with us this week! AND On Thursday, our teammate Bailey is being reunited with us for our last two countries! I know that God is about to do some really cool things using our team during our last week in Zambia! Please pray that we can continue to grow deeper relationships within our team and that we can continue to become more of a family this week. Please pray for me personally to “be where my feet are” this week and to be present so that I don’t miss anything God is doing during our last week!! Thank you for all of your support!!
P.S. I SAW A GIRAFFE THIS WEEK!!
