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!