Hello from Zambia! We were welcomed at the airport by our outreach coordinator and journeyed into town. I was excited to soak it all in but my overstimulated and tired brain limited me. As we drove the dirt roads to the place we now know as our temporary home, the base, I continued to be in awe that I was in Africa.
After a 45-minute drive, we stepped out of the van and were welcomed and greeted by the base staff. We spent the rest of the day taking tours of the base and the village, meeting new people, and settling in. A sense of peace washed over me as God reminded me that he has always been here and that he isn’t leaving. It’s quite obvious that God handcrafted this country, the people, the culture, the SUNSETS, the STARS, the river, it’s all so beautiful, and it all points to a beautiful creator.
“And I begin to realize, more fully, what truly brings joy. Joy is found in relationship with God, and in caring for your neighbors. And these things can be found no matter where you are.”
God’s joy is evident in the smiles of the kids as they play football (a.k.a. soccer) or catch small fish in the river. God’s love and provision abounds as two women from the village invite us in to try their nshima, vegetables, and fish; they’re overjoyed by visitors. God’s movement and power is displayed in small groups studying the Word and applying it. My eyes and ears rest on God’s creativity in music and art. God’s expression is found as we dance and sing at the Sunday morning gathering, his faithfulness in each testimony. And I begin to realize, more fully, what truly brings joy. Joy is found in relationship with God, and in caring for your neighbors. And these things can be found no matter where you are.
Please pray for all of the REACH teams as they begin their six months of outreach in Ecuador, Indochina, Israel, the Mediterranean, Thailand, USA (Phoenix), and Zambia. Pray that their appreciation of the world and God’s work in it would grow. Pray that they would know how to be bearers of love and light in these new settings.