It would be hard to go to Africa and not be challenged or
amazed. There is something about every mission that tugs at my heart, but
Africa has so many faces, moments, and stories to share that summarizing seems
like the hardest thing in the world. But, it is a privilege to do so. To share
about the days spent with hundreds of children, many of whom are orphans, the
walks through the villages with them tugging at my hand, the honor to pray for
people in their homes, and the humbling joy that comes from sharing God’s word
with these brothers and sisters. Nearly everyone who is closest to me has been
to this continent and it has gotten inside them – it is a family that I am now
thankful to be a part of.
As if Zambia – its people, its beauty, its body of believers
– had not been enough, there was also the component of leading a group of
college students through this experience. Watching and sorting through thoughts
as they processed being challenged by God, witnessing a slum for the first
time, and were being transformed through the entire experience… It was one of
the most humbling things I have been a part of in a long time. Often times,
when God tries to change us, we resist… These students didn’t. They embraced
it, spoke about it, and did what God was asking them to do. Growth alone is
inspiring. Growth without resisting is straight up convicting. In these
moments, there were rarely words… Just tears and a confrontation that if they
could do what God was asking them to do, then so could I.
It’s been a week since I’ve returned and the thoughts of all
that happened are still very present, still pushing against my tear ducts. I
don’t know why God has let me see what I have seen this year, but I am
grateful. Grateful for the chance to learn from people who have time and
actually spend it on the salvation of souls. Grateful for the chance to be in
the family of people who do not shrink back from what God has asked them to do.
Grateful to spend time with the teachers who faitfully serve classes of 120 students because they know that this is exactly what God called them to do. Grateful to see a group of teenage girls make commitments to Christ on a day
when we weren’t even planning on going to do ministry there. Grateful for the
souls who heard the word for the first time and, in response, said that what
they heard that day they will never let it die… That it would be in that
village forever. Grateful for the testimonies that books could be written
about, but instead, hide in villages in rural towns in Africa and reveal
themselves as presents when opened on a trip like this.
It would be hard to leave a trip like this without gratitude.
I have met brothers and sisters, made friends and family, and it all leaves me
with a sense of awe of what the church is and is meant to be. Thank you Africa,
for giving to me exactly what you gave to so many of my friends that have gone
before me. You showed me your heart and, in response, I carry your heart in
mine.
