A year of learning; One year serving in Zambia.

Things we’ve learned about ourselves and living in another culture while in Zambia:

We are way more flawed yet way more loved than we ever thought possible.

When we are at the end of our rope his grace is perfectly sufficient.

There is so much beauty in the uncomfortable.

There is value in sitting with the lonely and broken.  In the midst of this sitting you will realize the depth of our own brokenness and find beauty in our own ashes.

That there IS beauty from ashes.  I’ve always heard this and never fully grasped what it meant.  Zambia, oh Zambia; you have taught me well. 

We have to praise him even when circumstances around us tell us he isn’t good.  It’s at the core of KNOWING that he is good and we will choose to worship.  (Climbing the mountain with open hands--- holding onto nothing.)

He is capable of carrying us, even when we are like that two-year old child kicking and screaming the entire way.  What a gentle and kind father we have.  Slow to anger and abounding in love.

The most important thing we could possible do is speak when he says speak and shut up and get out of the way when he says get out of the way.

Being still is about so much more than being still.  It is about an inner peace of knowing he IS God and is working. Trusting his entire plan.  Through storms. Through joy.  Through moments of being unsettled. Through questioning.  Through doubt.  It’s a deep knowing and trusting that HE IS who he says he is.  That he is good even when circumstances around us don’t make us feel like he is good.  

When the only thing left to do is be still and pray; He absolutely fights the battle.  HE brings JUSTICE.   HE loves loves loves children.  He loves the fatherless and vulnerable. Oh how he loves them.

This theme of HE is faithful, HE is constant, HE is trustworthy continues in our lives. 

He REALLY does work every situation for the good of those that love him and are called according to his purpose.  Even situations we wouldn’t put ourselves in.  Situations that HE wouldn’t put us in but is with us to walk through.  BUT works every single situation for our good.

That IT is absolutely normal to want to quit to even THINK about wanting to run away and quit.  THE important thing is that YOU DO NOT quit.  Perseverance at it’s finest. 

That when it feels like everything is falling apart and we are completely at the end of ourselves.  THAT is when GREAT things start to happen.

Learning to open up our grasp on what WE think our DREAMS are.  They are our dreams because he gave them to us in the first place.  HOW they unfold.  What they look like may be completely different than we ever thought.  That is perfectly OKAY.  (Remember HE writes the VERY BEST STORIES.)

That Mother Teresa said it best, “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.”   This quote has taken on a whole new meaning in my life.  This year this quote took on a whole new meaning.  Zambia. What you have taught us.  Zambia has reminded me of how much my FIRST ministry is my own home.  Zambia has reminded me again and again the IMPORTANCE of the family unit.  WHY God designed children to be in FAMILIES and NOT institutions.  WHY Family is so important.  It has brought so much not only full circle in my mind but also confirmed the things I have felt so passionately about. 

This time has showed us all how LITTLE patience we are choosing to use.   How much more we need to take that free fruit that’s readily available.  It’s not about attaining.   I’m reminded that the fruits of the spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control are GIFTS so readily available for us to grasp.  HE paid the ultimate price of the cross so we can take and USE these beautiful fruits to make our lives a whole LOT sweeter.  HOW often do we use them? How often do we make excuses not to?  In my own life I’ve made excuses, “I’m just not patient.” Or “That person really deserved …”   Really the truth is we have access to these beautiful fruits and have to choose DAILY to take hold of them and USE them.  Our lives will be a whole lot sweeter when we do.

That God surely is NOT in this little box we put him in.  OH guys, if we could ONLY grasp how much he is NOT even in a box.  

That every single culture is such a beautiful display of a piece of the heart of who God is.  That we can see him a lot more beautifully when we allow our scope of diversity to open.   That diversity really does make the world beautiful.  I am so thankful the Lord placed us in Lusaka vs Mongu. We would have never experienced such beauty.  Guys we need each other.  Stop the wars and embrace our differences.

That maybe the issue isn’t being or feeling “used” or “taken advantage of” as much as it is being willing to live with an open hand and give freely and generously.   Are we giving more than we are expecting something in return? 

We are responsible for only how we act and respond.  Not the response or actions of others.

Just because things are done differently DOES NOT make them wrong.  Even when every part of us feels that they are.    

A new depth of what unconditional love looks like.  No words. 

Little smiles. Holding hands.  Watching faces light up when they believe they are fully loved and excepted and finally believe that they are the GEM you've been telling them they are.  OH the beauty.  

How much we do that hurts more than helps.  Even in our very best intentions. 

 

What community in essence really looks like.  The beauty that comes from it.  It was so amazing to experience a deeper level of community through this beautiful team we hosted.  Who so graciously welcomed our little family right into their tight nit community.  Our children were so absolutely loved on.  We each were and were able to love in return.   It was beautiful.  

 Also time experiencing being SO welcomed into a community here in Zambia.  People who are a phone call away knowing they have our backs and are on their knees. Close by.   To pray with us.  To let us scream a few **choice words** (or many) with no judgement (mom read past that one if you are reading this).   This beautiful community that he is building here in Zambia.  I have a loss for words.  Our hearts are full.    When you wander into the unknown I have to admit it is scary not knowing when you leave your tight nit community across an ocean.  BUT GOD, OH GOD… does he provide.   I could sing of his faithfulness.  Steady and unending.  While we miss our community an ocean away.  This season oh what a beautiful community the Lord has provided.  Wow, the things we are learning from each other.  Breath taking beautiful.

“God (absolutely) NEVER wastes a hurt if we allow him to write our stories.”- Nate Saint

     While we have to admit there has been times of such uncertainty.  Wondering what in the world we willingly “got ourselves into.”  Tears and tears of not knowing the outcomes of circumstances and situations beyond our control.  Things being way different than we would have willingly walked into.  What WE would have missed if we wouldn’t have went ALL IN.  If we wouldn’t have been willing to get out of the boat.  Just like Peter there are times that we completely feel undone and unworthy.  We are reminded to gently, “fix our eyes” on him.  Friends, he does carry us.  He will carry you.  Could it be that all along when everything that you felt so alone in.  That he was there.  Right with you.  Feeling the pain.  Holding your hand.  That as in that poem that is so beautiful, he was carrying you when you saw only one set of foot prints.  YOU are never alone.  WE are never alone. 

If you search for me with your WHOLE heart…. YOU WILL find me. -Jeremiah 29:13

My heart will never be able to express the gratitude to every family member, friend and even stranger who came along side of our family to serve over this last year.  It simply would have been impossible to be here living and serving.  The encouragement from friends from far through a video chat, fb message and email.  Listening. Praying. Encouraging.  We simply couldn't have done it without you.  Thank you for walking this road with us.  Thank you for being a part of our growth.  We are humbled. 

                                    

                                                         Continuing to serve together,

 

(and family) 

Psalm 91