MY WORD FOR THE SEASON...

The Christmas Season has caused me for many years to stop and reflect on a word God gives me. A word that has some specific meaning or something God wants me to know about Himself or about what He is doing in my life. Over the years God has given me words like, sacrifice, Light, reveal, renew, rejoice, and surrender. Words that challenge me and move me closer to Jesus. This year again comes a word, a word that reflects what we believe. 

It is word that actually has been following me around for a while now. It is a word I find myself speaking in conversations and in my prayers. It is a word I speak to myself on dark days, and one I challenge others with. It is a word that really represents our theology about God. 

There is such upheaval in the lives of so many today, in people’s personal lives, in marriages, extended families, in communities, and the world. Pain? Financial hardship? Loss? Trials? Job difficulties? Prodigal children? Aging parents? Health problems? Relational hurts? Jesus is ENOUGH. He is ENOUGH because He is all we need. John 16:33-“I have told you these things, so that IN ME you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Over the years we have experienced many trials, heartaches, and hardships. As God has enabled us to have the faith to continue on the journey and as we have chosen to stand with Him, we have come to find this one thing to be true in all circumstances, all the pain, all the unknown, and all the tears-that Christ is ENOUGH. 

In our American existence, we are not privy to the extent of suffering, trials, and persecution others around the world face and those who have walked before us in Christian history have experienced. I try and remember this reality often as I thank God for testing me in another crisis so I can continue to say, Christ is ENOUGH for me. Will I ever experience true persecution? I don’t know, but my prayer is if it happens, with the help of the Spirit, Christ is ENOUGH. If Jesus is not ENOUGH for me in the regular trials of life here in the States, then He will not be ENOUGH overseas or when persecution does come. 

There is a final chapter to history and in the meantime we are to point those around us, despite our circumstances, to the only One that matters, Jesus. Who came to earth and walked among us…Immanuel, God with us!  That is ENOUGH for me. May Christ’s ENOUGH-NESS be the present you accept and unwrap this Christmas. 

https://youtu.be/teUxQpnhezY

A LOST SHEEP NO LONGER...

Florence, Angela, Noriah, and I

It was one of those nights out on the eerily dark streets and bars of Chongwe. My partner on the ground, Noriah and I were bewildered at how “quiet” it was. We had talked to a few people and stopped on the dimly light stoop of one of our usual bar’s and wondered what God wanted us to do. Were we to call it a night? I asked the Holy Spirit to guide us. I felt we were to go down the road toward the truckers. So we did. As we walked, we saw a lone woman obviously waiting for a customer standing out in the middle of a dirt parking lot; we went to talk to her. 

Once again, all of the time, effort, and cost to be there at that moment reveals itself in a woman named Angela. She was from a far away village, now living in Chongwe so she could “work.” Her lipstick fresh, it was clear she was prepared for a night of men using her as she pulled out multiple condoms from her bra. We prayed for her and invited her to church on Sunday. 

On the corner of the intersection Sunday at 10:15am there she stood, ready to be picked up for church. I was truly amazed. Angela went with Agness to the youth service and then came into church. Afterward it was clear something was different. Tears streamed from her eyes. The sermon was clearly for her that day. A life transformed. The tears were a mix of joy, peace, and the knowledge that everything she had done was laid bare in front of the only One who could make it all right. She was overwhelmed. The tears did not stop through lunch, pictures, more talking, hugs, communication with Florence who would now come along side her, and the drive home. It was beautiful. Then she came to church the next Sunday and I was able to give her a Nyanja Bible. God is amazing. 

All of you who pray for us and support us were apart of Angela’s transformed life. Angela gave me permission to share her story with you all. It will only be in heaven that we all will know the full extent of the lives that will be touched through her and her story. Thank you…

Independence Day

Today is Zambia’s 53rd year of Independence. A special day to be sure.  Zambia is so young, yet so firm in it’s identity. Zambia is fiercely nationalistic and loves it’s football but for many there is a deeper yearning for more. More for this country that holds my heart and breaks it all at the same time. More for this country where dear friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, partners in ministry, and my loving oldest daughter live. More for this place that has so much to give and yet struggles to overcome the poverty and darkness that seem to overtake so many on a daily basis. 

Coming off a big week in Zambia with the National Day of Prayer just last Wednesday and now today the Day of Independence, I know we share the hearts of many of our friends in Zambia as we pray for this country to be open to what God wants for it. My brother in Christ and ministry partner, Pastor Luke B, shares in a Facebook post a prayer that I would like to share-

“We continue to declare an open heaven over Zambia. May your glory God rise upon this nation and let all our enemies be confounded and put to shame in the name of Jesus. We pray for a release of wisdom, foresight, knowledge and understanding, a release of courage and confidence to our political leaders. We declare the government of the Lord Jesus Christ and his kingdom to increase upon this nation. We speak the spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness. May God establish this nation.”—Pastor Luke Buleya. 

My heart wrestles in prayer for Zambia in the same way. It is not by accident that God is battling over this place to rid it of it’s past demonic darkness and the sins of man today. The spiritual battle is raging and I believe for an important reason. Zambia is ripe for harvest. It is ready to receive the wisdom and understanding of God, but it will take people to get in the trenches with those like Pastor Luke and us. Those who will fight against the mixing of religions, the tribal and traditional witchcraft practices that mingle with going to church on Sunday. Those that will fight against the poverty and lack of medical care that rules people’s lives and the abuse and violence against women in marriages, families, and communities. The lack of trained pastors and a false sense of salvation from a nationalistic standpoint keeps many deceivingly comfortable. Fighting against the mass influx of the prosperity gospel from the North, which is at an all time high, is a full time job as well. 

There are seven countries that boarder Zambia and I believe God is fighting for more than just Zambia. It is for the bigger picture, the impact Zambia could have on the surrounding countries in terms of physical, emotional and spiritual needs. The word I hear for Zambia is REFUGE. And Zambia could be a refuge, in terms of food production, care of displaced people’s, and the spiritual teaching and guidance it could give to those who would come to this country of peace. But it must rise above where it finds itself at this moment in history. And this is why we must battle on to bring the Kingdom of God against the kingdom of darkness. We can join God where He is working, where we see the battle being fought. God is moving around the world and it is so exciting to think that God might be setting up a nation like Zambia, to be a light in the middle of Sub-Saharan Africa. 

Join us in prayer for Zambia and what God is not only doing throughout the country but in the village town of Chognwe and in the community of Chibolya. 

WONDER

The miles wore on as we neared the end of our trip out West. I tried to stretch a little still bound in my seat and though tired of driving, a smile spread across my face. A childish smile I have been more aware of wanting. It comes when we see God in new things, things He has created and given us to enjoy. His creation, His beauty and the vastness of His diversity in this world is utterly amazing. I feel concerned that we do not have a sense of wonder about God and all that He has created and is doing and is holding together as we go about our lives. 

Though curiosity may have killed the cat, I believe curiosity and having a sense of wonder is essential to our spiritual walk. To my surprise, I am not the only one pondering these things. The next morning after returning home, I opened my email and a blog I subscribe to for missionary women, touched on this exact concept. Confirming that this is not superficial or unimportant for those in ministry or otherwise. The author shares a quote from Andy Stanley which states, ”Everything in life conspires against our sense of wonder: age, experience, our jobs, even our church.” Let’s look at what is sucking the life out of our wonder and curiosity and then let’s do something about it.

We must look up and out, beyond our computer screens, beyond our houses, our neighborhoods, our cities, and yes, beyond our own countries. This is because God is out there! Being awestruck by a waterfall in Zambia or by a mountain in Wyoming is giving glory to God for what He has made. Even being a little scared as we drove up and over a mountain in the dense fog was, I have to admit, I little exhilarating. Stopping to see a rushing river cutting through a mountain cavern and giving God glory for his handiwork shakes the spiritual realm. That my friends, is the result of our wonder….worship of God, the creator of all things. Let us never lose our wonder that we may worship! 

GONE TOO FAST...

Is it literally August 8th? I do not know where this summer went. I look at the lake as I pass it by on my numerous trips into town and feel I have not fully grabbed hold of this pleasure at my fingertips. I feel a sudden urgency to soak in the sun and feel the lake breeze these next couple weeks and….well, what am I doing! (pack up computer, get beach chair, get in car, drive up to lake)

So here I am now, sitting in the sun on the grass in front of the lake as I write. The sun is warm and the clank of the flags on the metal poles as they whip in the wind pairs well with the caw of a seagull. Making the most of the time, the most of the summer, always seems to eat at us when August hits us here in the upper Mid-West. There is this sense we are missing out on the one thing we are given to enjoy. Summer. 

Though, the reality of my summer, even without the sun, the lake, or the vacation that seems to always elude us, has been amazing in different ways. I spent two weeks in Zambia in June and saw God move in mighty ways. The lives of girls and women were touched with truth and love and men came to Christ. New ideas and visions were given to us for future projects and ministry. Getting red Zambian dirt blown in my face was absolutely perfect. 

Even coming back to the busy July calendar at camp was exciting as we battled for the kids coming to camp and for the dear, sweet college staff we are over. It was tiring and thrilling all at the same time. Staying up late to pray or to talk to someone does not bode well for my sleep schedule, but this is the joy of kingdom work. It is the joy of being a part of things that last for eternity. Because there is something more important during this season. Something more urgent than the fleeting summer sun. The work of the kingdom. Let us not become so infatuated with the sun, the waves and the excess of this life that we ignore the plight of the poor, the oppressed, and the lost.

Seasons come and go and we continually regret the past one and try to envision the next to be what the past one was not. Let us not miss out on the season that is before us, an urgent season of doing the work of the Father. Doing things that matter forever. And along the way, whether it be the dust or dirt of a foreign country or the breeze of Lake Geneva, let us not miss out on the joy of doing the work of God. Because soon, this season will be…Gone too fast…

Revelation 22:12-13, “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

ONE MOMENT IN ZAMBIA

2011-Visiting Precious' kids she left behind

I am not sure what my heart needs to tell. For if it tells what it knows, I feel I somehow lose the power of it in my soul. A kind of unspoken secret between God and me. If it tells, I have to use words to share what only my heart can feel. If it tells, will the fullness of it sitting in my chest seep out of me, leaving me with something less? 

I don’t know what my heart needs to tell. Does it need to hold onto the moments that are only for me or pour out the brokenness and emotion the world needs more of? I am not sure my heart is ready to verbalize the harshness of Africa again. What it so easily takes while we stand by and watch. 

I just don’t know…I got back from Zambia about a week and a half ago. I couldn’t write anything. I felt like there was a weight on my heart. I couldn’t shake it. Leading the trip meant my heart had to take a back seat. It must be second. Second to schedules, meetings, recording receipts, thinking about the plan for the next day, and making sure everyone else is ok. My heart was  drowning in pain, the tears were being held under, not allowed to come up to the surface. 

My heart ached to just weep at night in Zambia. I longed to sit out and lie in the dark and cry out to God as I wondered about the stars that He holds up in the sky and yet the people he allows to fall here on earth. People like Precious. 

The name came out of her mouth like a knife to my heart. The pain was immediate, the blow so violent I almost went to my knees. Unbeknownst of course, to the sweet girl who uttered the name, her name, innocently in a small house in Chongwe just 2 weeks ago. The name was a fierce reminder of a person, a life, a mother, a widow, that Africa stole. I don’t feel the need to share the whole story of Precious in 2010, for those that were there, it is understood. Her story is the story of many I have encountered. But the seven years between then and now had only given it time to gather power silently in my soul. It is a story that I never want to be normal. Her story of heartache, pain, hopelessness, widowhood, HIV/AIDS, and the future of her 5 children that would be left with nothing after she died. 

I left the house to gather myself, although I didn’t know if I wanted to. I stood outside, knees weak and tears flowing, lips quaking, chest heaving; so taken aback by this uncontrollable response to a name. I wanted to stay in this with God…

But gather myself I did.  Through the heartbreak and emotion, we must get up and with God, continue the work. I always ask God to break my heart for what breaks His and I am thankful that He answers. When the heart is close to the poor, hurting, and lost, it is close to God. 

I am grateful for the opportunity to be broken again and again in Zambia and be able to hand my broken heart to God as He draws it out of the depths to give the pain and tears, life giving purpose and passion. 

“Would you be interested in going with me to Africa?”

If you are like me, your initial response to this question would be…NO. Maybe you would come up with one of a million polite excuses (like I did) about why you cannot. For me it was financial concerns. “We do not have it in our budget,” I said. Some time went by and Kristin asked me again if my daughter Emily and I would like to go to Africa with them. That is when I made a tactical error in mission avoidance. I told her I would pray about it. And then, against my better judgement, I actually did pray about it. Much to my surprise, God answered that prayer by putting a desire in my heart to go to Africa. I was genuinely excited about the opportunity to see the Lord prove His faithfulness to us. We certainly did not have the budget to go to Africa, but we knew this was not a problem for our God. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills; coming up with the funds to send us to Zambia was no big deal for Him. And he did! He proved Himself faithful.

This became the theme of our trip to Zambia. The Lord is faithful. One of the things I love about International Teams is how they look to see what God is doing in a location and try to join Him in that work. It is tempting to approach missions like we have the answers to the problems of the world. That is an arrogance that our friends in other parts of the world may recognize quicker than we do. The reality is that Jesus is the answer, and He is already working in these locations. So, the approach we took in Africa was to look for what God is doing, look to see what resources are already in place, look to see what God’s people are accomplishing – and join into the work.

Another aspect of the ministry of International Teams (especially Kristin even though she will hate to see her name here!) is seeking out the invisible. It is intentionally looking for the individuals or groups who are overlooked by the people and systems of society. On this trip, that was demonstrated in two ways. First, Kristin has a heart for the young ladies (in too many cases young girls) who are caught in the world of prostitution. She actively seeks these girls out and prays for them, seeking to build relationship with them and teach them of the love of God in a way that lets them see their value and dignity as His image bearers. 

The second way we sought out the invisible was with the men of an especially poverty-stricken area. We discovered that there have been many programs and not-for-profit organizations who have targeted the women and children of this area, but no one has sought to come alongside the men to give them a hand up. There are many obstacles for men to overcome in this place – unemployment, hopelessness, drunkenness, apathy, etc. The goal is to come alongside them and let them know there is hope in Jesus. Through Christ these obstacles can be overcome. In meeting with them we discovered that they have a great desire to see their community transformed, but do not feel they have the skills to make that happen. They talked about the need for skills training and individual discipleship. This is an idea that can develop into a working solution!

A trip like this truly changes a person. Emily and I are not the same as we were before. But, the faith muscles we exercised in the past few months leading up to the trip and while in Zambia will atrophy if we do not continue the work here in our own community. The challenge now is to look and see what is God doing in our own hometown? Who are the invisible people that are being overlooked? Emily and I have been discussing these questions since we arrived back in the US. I encourage you to discuss them in your communities as well. Let us join together in the work of God by seeking out the invisible and coming alongside them!

Written by: David Hollingshead

ON THE MOVE

I was pondering my shoes the other day after a walk. They are looking worn, and quite dirty. I thought about when I bought them, where they have been, what they have experienced, and the fact that they have traversed many parts of Zambia. 

These shoes. These shoes that were bought on sale at REI before my first trip to Zambia in 2008. I thought to myself at the time, that I hoped to have occasions to wear them besides on this one trip to Africa. Little did I know they would find themselves on my feet in Africa for the next 9 years. These shoes have climbed up on top of walls to place brick for orphan homes. They have walked alongside women and girls, listening to their stories and hearing their hurts. These shoes have marched into the darkness of the night and onto the streets where girls and women are exploited.  They have shuffled through the red dirt of Zambia and plowed through the African bush. Shoes to help me move and stay in motion. 

Motion. If we don’t ever get up and get going we will never go out from where we are. We have to move to get near other people. To be in relationship with those God is calling us to. An anonymous quote says it all, “We cannot expect the Lord to guide our footsteps if we’re not willing to move our feet.” 

As our Lord did in his last days, we must not shy away from walking down the road to Jerusalem. Jesus was aware of the road that lay before Him. He was not deterred. He kept moving toward it. His feet kept walking. I wonder if Jesus ever thought about the comfy KEEN shoes he could have had if He had come to earth a tad later! But regardless, He did not wait for the Father to pick Him up and move Him supernaturally to Jerusalem, He was always on His way there, on mission. John Piper states this from a sermon in 2002, “When Jesus says, ‘Follow me,’ and says it in the context of going to Jerusalem and having just been rejected in Samaria for going to Jerusalem, he is clearly saying two things, not just one thing. He is saying: ‘Follow ME.’ And he is saying ‘FOLLOW me.’ There is me, and there is my mission. There is a person, and there is a path. There is a sweetness, and there is suffering. There is Jesus, and there is Jerusalem.” 

To follow means we have to move. God is on the move, will you get your shoes on and set out on the path regardless of how tough it may be?

HEALING RAIN. LIVING WATER. BOREHOLE WELLS.

It is that sound on the roof, you know it, the pitter patter of the first drops and then the deafening roar of rain pouring from the sky. The sound drew me to go out on the porch and watch it soak the ground, bringing life to the hardened soil. In Zambia this year God has answered their prayers, quite overabundantly I might add, for rain. The past 20 years have been less than adequate but this year it has almost been too much. 

I love being in Zambia during the rains. But this year, it was not just healing rain for the ground but for my soul. It was an overabundance of love, support and encouragement pouring from dear people, our partners in Zambia. 

The theme of water on this trip was quite easy to spot. The miraculous way in which we got the bore hole wells set up, sited, dug and the hand pumps put in, was truly exciting. Really, you have no idea! These wells will now give life giving, clean water to the community of Chibolya! See the rains could only provide water that was in reality, still dirty when collected in their hand dug wells. Going deep into the clean underground water table is what it took to give water that makes a difference. And it is the same concept with the true Living Water, Jesus. You can try to dig your own well, try to get to clean water on your own, or go to the source, the life giving water that Jesus talks about in John 4. It’s Jesus that makes a difference. 

It was so humbling to give life giving water to the community of Chibolya and be able to share about the true Living Water to this community (and give out New Testaments!). A community God has picked out of all Zambia so we can join Him and pour our lives into. I prayed as I left on this trip that I would be, “poured out as a drink offering, an empty vessel for Him.” God is so amazing that as I prayed that prayer He was already planning on filling me back up in the home of and through the care of our partners. Healing rain. Living Water. Borehole Wells. 

Healing Rain

The Dance

A shadow heart in the rocky dirt of Chongwe

Today is February 14th. A day of love. I have been thinking about what this day means as I sat with a dear sister in Christ earlier who is not married or in a relationship but love still abounds in her life. I set off on a walk after she left and thought about love. About earthly love, puppy love, romantic love and then I thought about who is the true love of my life. I put on my music and thanked Jesus for being the lover of my soul. 

Now, I do love my husband and our marriage. All that God has brought us through and to. I love that I get to experience marriage in this world and all it entails and represents. What I love most about my husband though, is that he loves me less. Less than Jesus. Now, don’t get all bent out of shape and send emails stating that I am a humbug about Valentine’s Day. I am all for it, but there is a everlasting love that goes beyond this world. Ben and I won’t be married in heaven (at least according to most biblical scholars on those verses). We will be to each other, brothers and sisters in Christ. What freedom that should bring to us here. It is all about Jesus. It takes the pressure off of the expectations we have about love in this life. It frees us to fully enjoy earthly love without depending on it outside of Christ. What Christ did for me on the cross by shedding His blood to be the atoning sacrifice for my sin that had to be paid so I could be made right before a holy God is the most overwhelming act of love I could ever experience. Jesus wants to love the socks off of you in ways earthly love can not touch, even marital love. It is so profound and so deep. It is the most intimate relationship you can have. And while I love being in the arms of my husband, being in the arms of Jesus is that much sweeter. It is in this truth that Ben and I will stand side by side with our hands outstretched to the One who loves us more than either of us can love each other and turn our gaze to something greater than both of us which is the kingdom work that is laid at our feet. And it is with those same feet that we follow the lead of our Lord and Savior in a dance that will continue on into  eternity. And as I walked on in my thoughts on this sunny day, this song came on…We Dance. 

We Dance (Official Lyric Video) - Steffany Frizzell Gretzinger & Bethel Music - You Make Me Brave

MY WORD FOR THE YEAR-FOCUS

With a whole year ahead of you it can seem as if the horizon is quite vast. It can look either exciting or overwhelming depending on your point of view, but regardless, there is much to take in. Those little squares on your calendar long to be filled in, days begin and end and the future desires to be defined in the here and now. Trying to take it all in is almost too much. 

So, here I am in the year 2017, embracing the holy unknowing, the mystery and what lies ahead. As I was thinking about a word God wanted me to hold onto this year, I was also in the middle of finishing a Bible Study and writing a review for it on Amazon. It came to me as I was writing, the Bible Study was the prep for what God wanted me to know about this year. The review for, “HIs Last Words: What Jesus taught and prayed in His final hours,” was the trigger for what is important in this New Year. I was sharing in the review that the study was, “…not only in title, but in content, about Him. All about our Lord and Savior. The focus is on Him.” Well, there you go. That is what this year is going to be about. IT IS ALL ABOUT GOD. 

The word FOCUS then is the way in which I will do this. To FOCUS is to pinpoint what you want to see clearly. You then, by no other choice, let what is in the periphery fade. God is who I will keep my eyes focused on. I will let all that is trying to pull me away, or detour me, or distract me, fade to fuzzy. 

What is it that you are focusing on going into this New Year? Is it on something or someone other than God? FOCUS. What if Moses, Nehemiah or Paul would have lost FOCUS? Regardless of time, hardship, years of struggle, naysayers, battles, discouragement, beatings, hunger, attack or trials, they held their gaze on the One who is worthy, despite what it meant for them in this world. 

The world is full of stuff that fills the periphery. Don't let any of it pull your FOCUS off God. It takes work to stay focused on something. So we need to be ready, we need a plan and we need to be diligent in keeping our eyes on Him. You will get tired, your eyes will hurt and you will want to look at something else at some exhausted point, but don’t. He is all that we need. The vast horizon of the New Year is upon us, let us narrow our view to what is important, let us not look to and fro but fix our eyes on Jesus. And not surprisingly, that becomes all the clarity we need. 

Psalm 16:8, “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”