The long awaited return trip to Zambia is in the books, but not without leaving a lasting and eternal impression on me, not to mention some nagging jet lag over the past week or so. Being in the schools after four years, comes with a perspective of incredible progress that might not be as obvious from year to year. It is staggering to consider the growth in facilities, staff, curriculum, training and general care for the children in the schools. To be sure, the challenges seem insurmountable to my weak faith, but the take home from this trip is one of God powerfully and tenderly defending the orphan amidst hopeless surroundings. I witnessed incredible human souls, my brothers and sisters in Christ across the globe, as the hands and feet of Jesus to His children. It was an enormous privilege to be a part of His good plan in the midst of such sacred work.
My first trip to Zambia was a tangible expression of "the joy of the Lord" as true joy shined in the lives of defenseless orphans. Their lives continue to testify of the joy and strength that comes from knowing Christ, but the protection and provision of the Lord for His children was overwhelming to my eyes, my mind and my heart this year. Each morning we drove through impoverished streets on the way to school. As we entered the gates, hundreds of the most beautiful children greeted us, waving excitedly with bright eyes and eager smiles, each of them having just finished the long journey to school on foot through the same poor surroundings. Every morning my Zambian partner would check the fingernails, hair and teeth of her students and then remind them of general needs and upkeep. This struck me deeply as someone noticed the details of their lives with tender care, something we take for granted in our comfortable homes, but that orphaned and vulnerable children go without each day. She was in tune with their physical needs and tended to them. The school day is gloriously routine with scriptures, prayers, great progress in reading and with daily nutrition. Books and desks are a luxury and lunch/recess includes a continual wave of dust in your eyes and face, so unlike the schools in the US, but the joy of learning to read is no different from my kindergarten classroom in Texas. Kids are kids no matter the age, race, class or status. My students in Zambia had the same enthusiasm for the power and ownership of tackling words, sentences and meaning in books. Like so many of the American teachers serving, I struggled with how I could help the most during such a limited time. The Lord answered my prayers beyond what I could have imagined as we were matched with our Zambian teachers and classrooms so perfectly. The mission for this trip was a focus on a reading, my passion in the classroom. As these schools serve the most vulnerable children and the orphans of Zambia, the need is great, beyond my understanding, but I am truly grateful to be used in a very small way in the Lord's unfathomable work on behalf of His children and to see so clearly His loving care and protection for each of them.
One of the greatest joys of this trip was a reunion with my sweet Francis, our sponsored child. I am overwhelmed with thanksgiving to God for the incredible strides in his life since we first met. Having lived in the darkness and hopelessness of the streets in the compounds for much of his life, Francis is now overcoming that darkness with faith and hope and even goals to make a difference in the world. We had a number of meaningful conversations. Our final exchange and goodbye included me reminding him of our great God and His faithful provision and protection for him. Once again, after waiting 4 years for this treasured visit, the growth in his life, physically, intellectually and spiritually, is overwhelming. God's good work shines brightly in the midst of what seems impossible. While I am not comfortable or gifted in mission work (I go reluctantly in many ways), I am keenly aware that Heaven meets Earth in such a place as this. I long to spend eternity united in fellowship to these saints and friends of mine.
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and a buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place-- the Most High, who is my refuge-- no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation." Psalm 91
