Africa. My heart is so happy being back on this continent. I have missed these red dirt roads that seem to permanently stain your feet. I’ve missed the clouds that hang so big and low they almost look animated. I’ve missed the deep, colorful sunsets that paint the sky. I’ve missed the skirt wearing and kids tugging on my hair to the point of pain. I’ve missed people pointing at me saying, “White!” because there are no politically correct terms. I’ve missed the food and the simplicity of the lifestyle.
My team is staying 30 minutes outside of the capital, Lusaka, in the bush with a family of five kids. Their dad is the pastor of Great in Christ Church, our partnership for the month. Their family has given up their rooms so we can have beds to sleep on, and they cram into one small room. When you think of the typical African bush living, this is how we are living this month. No running water, cold bucket showers in a tub, electricity that goes in and out, extremely limited wifi, hand washing clothes, mosquito nets that keep out the many, many creepy crawlers from crawling right into our beds and heat that makes it hard to fall asleep at night. Washing my hair by the well has become easier than doing it in the tub (plus I have some little helpers!). These conditions put some people way outside their comfort zone; but for me this feels like home.
I may be in my comfort zone here, but God is certainly pushing me outside my comfort zone in some different ways. This month as we partner with a local church, we have been asked to do a lot of preaching and teaching. If you know me at all, you know speaking in front of people is not my forte. Ironically enough, I did ask the Lord to stretch me this month in Zambia in some new and different areas. He has delivered!
Members of Great in Christ Church are participating in the Daniel fast and gather for a time of prayer and worship almost daily. My team has taken turns with each of us giving a short sermon each time they meet. Another part of ministry is visiting clinics around town. While we are there we help clean the facility, hand out bananas to waiting patients, pray over the sick, and preach the Gospel. We never know how many waiting areas/groups of people we are going to preach to, so we all come prepared with a short word to share. So far I have talked at church on coming to the Lord just as you are and at a clinic sharing a few verses from Isaiah 53 (God carrying our disease/pain). Orphanage and children’s outreach will be part of our ministry as well.
You may or may not have seen my new team via Facebook. Please pray for continued bonding and growth together. We’re off to a great start, and I cannot wait to see what the Lord will show me through these wonderful people.
Fun fact: I tried fried caterpillar that our host offered us. Dad, I would’ve loved to have seen your face just watching me eat it!
