From Leaps to Steps

Imagine going to Africa for a summer and coming back without a huge, impressive story to tell. Something that I want to be able to say at the end of the summer is that my trip was absolutely life-changing, that God worked in incredible visible ways, that my spiritual life grew in leaps and bounds. These types of things have been on my mind recently. And they are wonderful to pray for, but I was getting to the point that I was worried and felt stressed out that something crazy-out-of-the-ordinary was not happening. Yes, I'm enjoying exploring different aspects of the culture, meeting lots of great people, and getting my feet wet in various areas but I was letting fear hinder me. My fear was that I would finish my trip and not be able to report that it totally changed my life. I feared that maybe it would be mediocre or that the trip would be less than I expected it to be.

As I was travelling to a village by boat a few days ago (I will post about that experience soon) I had a good conversation with a Zambian gentleman who challenged me to concentrate on the small things. He didn't know it but he talked through some that I had been struggling with. It was basically a mini-sermon on the boat ride. It was great. He was passionate about helping others grow in Christ. During our conversation he mentioned how people tend to want to jump to do BIG things for God. We want to go to Africa and be used in incredible ways that impress others and that make us feel accomplished! He was right. I was convicted but was also encouraged to focus on the small things and to be faithful with them. This removes some of the pressure of waiting for something huge to come along. Maybe God wants to work in ways that are not so obvious or that just take longer to realize how he is working. Yes, God is working in wonderful ways here and he is growing me in my walk with him but I cannot be obsessed with waiting for one or two incredible events to happen. I might miss out on the beauty and blessings and growth that happen in daily life. And God uses seemingly small things to change our lives such as some of the conversations I've had recently. The man I talked to used the illustration that if we try to take huge leaps we will be clumsy and off balance. If we are willing to take small steps toward what God is preparing for us then we will be steady on our feet and will learn how to humbly and passionately live for Him.

This is not supposed to be a disappointment or a downer even though that is what it feels like sometimes. It is meant to be a reminder and a challenge to seek God without being distracted when there is a lack of "fireworks" events. Praise God that he works in other ways as well! I love my faithful God. And whatever He continues to do with my time in Africa it will be rich and beautiful and I want it to honor Him with however He chooses to work. Please pray that I will learn how to faithfully walk closely to Him even if the steps seem small.

Ray of Hope

I want to tell you about one of my experiences that I had last week. It was on a sunny Tuesday afternoon and I was joining the team that was in charge of the sports ministry. This ministry has organized sports teams, such as soccer, for young men. They also go out into communities and play games with children. So last week we climbed into the back of what they call "the long-bus" which is simply a pickup with a cover over the truck bed. In Zambia they are not as concerned about seat belts so we just hopped in the back and sat on the mattress that is provided for comfort. We went across town to the largest village in the area. It has a population of about 90,000. When we arrived we got out and started handing out copies of the gospel of John to people that were near. A friend and I got asked to dance by a drunk man, we declined his offered, and continued passing out Bibles as we walked on our way. A few minutes later we got to the place where we were greeted by a group of children who were eager to play games with people who cared about them. The program was very simple. We played a few games, sang songs with them, and helped them memorize a bible verse. When I was observing one of the activities, one of the leaders of the sports ministry took me aside and explained further about the community, about the lives of the children, as well as how the ministry has had a tremendous impact on the lives of these children and teens. Alcohol addiction is a serious problem for many of the fathers and some of the mothers. This leads to thousands of children living in the villages who are fatherless or who don't receive proper care from their fathers. Many of the children grow up in desperate need of guidance while their fathers are spending their time in one of the many pubs that are sprinkled all throughout the villages.

Lazarous praying with children in Makalulu during Global Day of Prayer

The men at OM who faithfully venture out into these communities seek to guide these children and desire for them to know Christ. They act as fathers to many children and teens who need love and attention that is not always received at home. I was somewhat depressed as I walked through the village and saw the poverty and thought about how many people were in need, physically and spiritually. There is so much need among the thousands of people living in just this one community. But that afternoon, as I observed the activities and learned about the lives of the children, I caught more of the passion that these men had for them. They offer a ray of hope in the midst of what sometimes seems a hopeless place. Please pray for this ministry that God would use even these few men, ministering throughout Kabwe, to introduce these children to Jesus Christ, who is the only one who can give them life.

TIA- This Is Africa

My journey begins

I was informed the other day that "This is Africa" (TIA). It was told to me by a young man who took
pride in the place and in the culture that he identified himself with. Now as I observe different aspects of African culture I tell myself that "this is Africa." It has so many unique characteristics and ways of life that I have been discovering as I live in Zambia. I arrived last week on a Sunday afternoon in Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia. Before I came, a Zambian jokingly assured me that despite some stereotypes I would not be greeted by elephants at the airport. Thankfully, he was right, not that I have anything against elephants but it was nice to be warmly greeted by a few of the Operation Mobilization staff members. And over the next few days I had many "Welcome to Zambia" greetings waiting for me. I finally arrived at my destination (at least a 2 hour drive from the airport) after experiencing a Zambian market, paying with "Kwacha," and riding on the left side of the road. After having my first Zambian dinner I settled into my room which, despite another stereotype, was not a hut but a building with electricity and running water. I share a room with a few other women and being in a room full of bunk beds reminds me of my previous summers at camp. I came thinking that I would have cold showers all summer but to my pleasant surprise I was blessed with having warm showers available.

I'm in Zambia! :)

There are already so many things that I could write about and I don't know where to start. I guess I will just start with a picture of some of the things that I have been up to and then explain more of the heart of my experiences. At the Operation Mobilization base (where I am staying) part of the focus is on missionary training and they offer classes that run for at least 2 months. There is a discipleship training course and a missions course. The classes are designed for Christians who want to come and have focused time in the word and learn how to better minister to those in their home countries. Those that I share a room with are all students of one of these courses. Last week I attended some of the discipleship sessions and this week I am focusing more on getting out into the community and being involved with the outreaches. One of my favorites so far has been going and helping out with the disabled ministry. We meet on Thursday afternoons in a little building in one of the nearby villages. Disabled people from the area come and there is a time of singing songs and of teaching from the Word. After that, the men, women, and children, break off into small groups. This allows for more intimate times of devotion and discussion for the adults. The two times I have attended I have helped with the children. We play games and do crafts with them until we all meet back together and have closing anouncements and prayer. I have also been involved in visting Nikoli and Makwati schools and helping in the pre-school class here at the OM base.

Right now the student and staff at OM are meeting every night for a time of prayer. These prayer times are taking place during the ten days leading up to the Global Day of Prayer which is this Sunday the 27th. The prayer times consist of some praise and worship followed by someone leading the time of prayer, sharing scripture, enouragement, and challenges, and praying for the world. Last night was very impactful. The man who led it was talking about being servant leaders. He read from John 13 about Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. Instead of literally going around the room washing each others feet (which we could have done but there were at least 25-30 people there) we had a time where we went around to each other, put our hands on each other's feet, and prayed for that person. It went on for a while and it was a blessing to see people humbling themselves, approaching each other, and praying specifically for each other.

It has also been a journey trying to figure out what an African mindset is like. It differs from mine in so many ways. People have a harder time understanding personal devotion time and I have realized how much of an individual mindset I have coming from America. I've also been amazed at how early some people here wake up and clean. Just here on the base some of the students are supposed to get up at 5 or 6 something and do their assigned chore. And then in the afternoon they clean some more. Today, against what my flesh was telling me to do, I asked if one of the ladies wanted me to help with the work she was about to do. We went back to the house where I'm staying, got brooms made of straw, and began sweeping the leaves in the grass. I was complaining (in my thoughts) and thinking that it was silly and pointless. Why, instead of spending time doing something else would she come back and sweep leaves? I realize that we have been told to keep our surroundings clean but I didn't think that sweeping leaves was important. But as I thought about being a servant and honoring the lady I was helping, I continued sweeping. I prayed for God to give me a better attitude and remembered that I had already given my day to him. I also began thinking of the American equivalent of what we were doing, which was raking the leaves. It just looks different here. I still felt kinda silly sweeping leaves but God was gracious and he is continuing to teach me things about serving him and living for him even when I didn't see the task as very important.

Some of the school children excited to have their picture taken

I will write more soon but I don't want this post to get so long that people reading will get bored or have other things to do. Thank you all for your support and prayers!

Immunizations and Visa

Praise God that I got my immunizations! Now my prayer request would be that God would work things out with my visa and that it would be ready in the next few days. :) Thanks for praying everyone!

Africa Mimi Nakupenda

Zambian Flag

So... I'm going to Africa. This is something I've been waiting for ever since I was at least 8, maybe younger. To see the details of the trip being fleshed out is strange but very exciting! :) I praise God for providing for me as I get ready to go to Zambia for 12 weeks this summer. Right now I am enrolled in a Missions class here at Bryan which is a class taken by all of The Acts Project interns. We have been reading articles, listening to sermons, gathering for class, and praying with each other as we learn what it looks like to carry the message of the Gospel across cultures. We meet in one of the professors homes so it is a very unique environment seeing as how it is a college course. We have studied some of the history and theology of missions and now we are getting into more of the study of what it looks like for us personally to live in another culture. It is so encouraging to get to meet weekly with other students who are going to experience many of the things I will get to experience this summer. Lately, I have had times where I would get overwhelmed at thinking how different the culture is going to be while I'm there. Today I read Joshua 1:7-9 which says

"Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Please pray that I will keep my eyes focused on God because he is going before me and I don't need to be afraid. He commands us over and over not to be afraid. In the first chapter of Joshua the Israelites are told 4 times to be strong and courageous! I think that means I should listen up as well. ;) 

Don't get me wrong, I am super excited about this trip! God is going to do so much! Yesterday I touched base with the team in Zambia and found out more of what it will be like living there and working for Operation Mobilization. Throughout this semester I have been meeting with a friend who went on the same trip last year and she has been teaching me about the culture and praying with me. God has generously blessed me with her encouragement and support. He has also given me more hours with my on campus jobs this semester when I probably needed it the most and he is also sending people to support me financially for my trip. So I have much to be thankful for. Praise God for carrying me through this semester! :)

Lastly, here is a song about Africa that I discovered a few years ago. The song is called "Africa" by Paul Coleman Trio. The phrase "Africa mimi nakupenda" is actually swahili I think (which is not what they speak in Zambia), but it means "Africa, I love you."

~Jessica

Approval!

Praise God!
I now have full approval to complete my communication internship in Kabwe, Zambia with the Operation Mobilization (OM) team. This is going to be one amazing summer! :)

~Jessica

Something is Stirring- Kabwe, Zambia

Hello!
This blog is meant to document the stages of my trip to Africa next summer (2012). At this point, I am still waiting to hear back from one of the Operation Mobilization representatives as to whether or not it will work out for me to join the team in Zambia. If the response is positive I will be spending 2 1/2 months in Zambia. Most of my time will be spent in Kabwe along with a few weeks in Mpulungu. This past fall I applied and got accepted into a program called The Acts Project at Bryan College. This program sends students to multiple places in Africa, Asia, and Europe partnering with different missions organizations. These students earn an internship where they gain unique hands-on experience in a cultural environment that is often very different from their own.


For those who do not know I am a communication major at Bryan College in the small town of Dayton, Tennessee. My minor is in missions which is something that I have had a passion for ever since I was little. I have never been out of the United States before and have barely even been out of the south. This trip will be a huge leap for me but doing mission work overseas is something that I have dreamed about for many years. There are be plenty of things that I'm scared about but plenty more things that I can't wait to experience. God has done amazing things in my life and He will continue to do things that rock my socks off. God is my strength and my light and He is worthy to be praised. I can't wait to see what He will do in the coming year with all of this. Could you pray that I would be able to rest in Him and trust Him completely?

Blessings,
Jessica