Today is November 15, 2012.
One year ago today, I was boarding a plane to come to America. I had served in Zambia for 11 months and was
heading home for the holidays. I
remember the feelings that were rushing through me. I remember hardly being able to contain the
excitement that was bursting out of me.
It's neat reflecting on what the Lord has done in my life over the past
12 months. What a rush. So much has
happened in my life, spiritually and emotionally! I have experienced radical faith that will
never cease. I have experienced life in
the quick and vast expansion of the ministry.
I have experienced death in the loss of a sweet child. I have seen miracles happen when Zambian children
AND American families have been transformed right before my eyes! I have
literally watched an education department double in size and in quality. I have
developed deep friendships in the staff over here.
I have had the privilege of watching a 31 year old woman
give her all to education. I've seen her
NEVER give up, even after hundreds of teacher interviews and so few hires. I've watched her be away from family in some
of the most difficult times in their life.
I've watched her become the face of Education successfully. This girl has inspired me, encouraged, and
stood beside me when everything else seemed like it was falling apart. I've become a better employee, a better
friend, and a better person because of who she is. I've watched her love me
like a sister--even though we share a bathroom, kitchen, dining room, living
room, and office together. :)
I have had the privilege of watching a 46 year old wife and
mom lay down the life she led in America to come over and serve for 10 months
without her husband. I've watched this
woman pour EVERYTHING she has into Zambian woman and children--teaching them
what a "family" looks like.
I have had the privilege of serving under my boss, a 37 year
old man who has literally given his heart not only to the ministry, but to his
staff, passionately. He works harder
than anyone I know. I have watched him
show appreciation to his staff. I've
watched him give his full time and energy to making sure that Zambian children
are receiving the blessings they deserve.
I've watched him, after a long long long day at work, pull into his driveway
and jump out of his car only to scoop up his sweet daughters, who run to him shouting,
"DADDY's HOME!!!"
I have had the privilege of watching a 37 year old woman
serve her family each and every day as her husband keeps the entire ministry
moving forward. I have watched the
sacrifice she makes being away from her children's grandparents and
friends. I've watched her give her heart
to her children as she develops a life in Africa that they can find joy
in--horseback riding, sleepovers with friends, movies on the projectors,
campouts, and swim time.
I have had the privilege of serving beside my best
friend. A 26 year old woman with a heart
of gold--one that literally beats for the children of Zambia. I've watched her transition into Zambia after
such a long wait. I've watched her be on
her knees for me and my son. I've
watched her stand firm in delivering to the children of Zambia what they
deserve. I've watched her in the
beginning stages of implementing strategies and key items that will make this
ministry a better ministry. I see the
Lord working so intensely in her life and it's an amazing place to be in.
I have had the privilege of watching a 25 year old man leave
his friends and family to stand beside Zambian men training them how to
construct buildings properly. The
training and oversight he was able to give those men is something they would
have never received in their lifetime.
I've also watched him sit with Zambian boys listening and counseling
them on the causes and effects of bullying.
I've seen the joy that comes from those same Zambian boys when he ends
his busy work day and plays soccer with them.
I have had the privilege of watching another 25 year old man
serve in one of the more difficult areas of the ministry. I've watched this guy transform into a deeply
servant-minded man. I've watched him leave what he's doing to drive an hour and
a half in traffic just to get assets to a school that we need. I've seen him sit on the porch of a house
sharing his heart for these kids. I've
watched him tear up at the stories that the children at the Tree of Life
share. I've seen him give everything he
has to making our most popular program run more smoothly.
I have had the privilege of watching a new family lay their
life down for the work God has for them here in Zambia. The husband, a 27 year old man, moving over
to launch programs that have drastically changed our ministry for the
better. I've seen him take his sweet
baby girl for a walk around the complex just to have some father/daughter
time. I've seen him plan and orchestrate
events that have ultimately provided a month's worth of Zambia's staple food to
3,100 orphaned and vulnerable children.
I've seen him sit through hours of meeting in order to make his programs
run more efficiently for the ministry.
I've seen his wife, a 29 year old woman, serve his husband,
her sweet daughter, and the other staff members in the complex. I've seen this woman sacrifice her time and
energy to making sure 300 table cloths are washed, dried, and ready for the
next big week of camp. I've seen her
often pushing her sweet daughter in the wagon teaching her about what she's
seeing through those darling eyes. I've
seen her find her niche in Zambia--meet new friends, plan to lead a bible
study, serve those she know with all her heart.
Not only have I had the privilege of serving beside these
individuals, but I've also watched how much this ministry has grown in one
year. I've love to share this with you
so that YOU can praise the Lord, our creator, for the works he has accomplished
here.
November 15, 2011
- 4 American staff
- 6 Private Schools
- 1 Residential Home for 30 children
- 10 Tree of Life homes for about 135 children
- 3,000 sponsored children receiving education
- 25 teachers
November 15, 2012
- 8 American staff
- 15 Private schools
- 2 Residential Homes for 95 children
- 22 Tree of Life homes for 276 children
- 5,100 sponsored children receiving education
- 48 teachers (and counting)
What an amazing God we serve. I can't wait to see what
November 15, 2013 will look like.
Oh Lord, we give you all the honor and praise for the things you've accomplished through your people in Zambia. We serve you with a willing and obedient heart! You, oh Savior, deserve ALL the glory.
"A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in
his holy dwelling." Psalm 68:5
Comments
Post a Comment