A Humbled Explorer

Today was an incredible day for me. I worked with the Education Department Head here in Zambia as we traveled around to different LCA's bringing them supplies. Because it's the new school year, the cleaning supplies were running out, so we went to several communities--Chilenje, Mtendere, and Kalingalinga--to get cleaning rags, detergent, toilet tissue, wax for the floors, and some soap. Just for your knowledge, it takes a while to get places in Lusaka. First of all, the roads are congested with traffic. Secondly, all the roads aren't paved, especially in the communities, so you are dodging pot holes and people to get down the road. Needless to say, it took a while for us to collect the supplies and drive out to the 3 LCA's we visited.

Along the way, I got to know my new coworker a little better. One question I asked him was: did you know you would ever work for an organization like Family Legacy? He answered no and went on to say that after grade 12 he went into accounting school for a year, then to project management for a year. I said, "Oh so how and why did you end up here?" His answer humbled me immediately. I was speechless. He shared a little of his background by telling me that while he was a discipleship leader, he was able to go in the field and talk to the children about Jesus and their circumstances here on earth. He said, "I'm here because I can relate to the children, because they are orphans. You know, Megan, I am an orphan too." Ahhh. I was broken. Here I am trying to pour into the beautiful orphans of the communities, and I'm sitting right next to one as we work together for the same goal. Many of the Family Legacy staff here are the same boys and girls that were living on the streets...but God has restored them and given them provision so that they can communicate with the children to say, "I was where you are, but God has rescued me. And He will rescue you too."

I listened to him as he shared his story of losing his dad at age 5 and his mom and sister at age 18. He jumped from family member to family member, but once his mom had passed, no one really paid much attention anymore. He had to take care of his 5 sisters as well as himself. He is still working to get himself through school and many times during the week his family members are calling him for help with food, or rentals even though he's having to fully take care of himself. And now he is the one leading an entire education department with the goal to help the same child he used to be. It's phenomenal and incredibly humbling--especially when he said so your mom and dad are coming to Zambia huh? I nearly cried when I told him, "Yes, yes they are coming and you will meet them!"

I'm SO thankful for what God has done in my life. He has given me more than I ever deserved. He has shown me the answer to the question that so many people have asked before, "Why leave everything behind and move to Africa?"

My answer: "Why not?"