I’ve been trying to find the words to describe this trip to Zambia. First I must say I was honoured to be able to go and felt so blessed by everyone! Brian, Marenga and Patrick are such a blessing with such pure hearts to go after God’s will and to help those in need you can’t leave them without the passion they carry!

Brian ( on the left) is probably the happiest person you’ll ever meet. He always has a smile on his face and has a personal mission to make all who are around him  smile! Him and his wife Sylvia are such a blessing and so full of passion! They welcome everyone with open arms into their homes and love all who are around them. There life is truly based on God’s will and direction!
     Patrick (in the middle) is one of the most passionate story tellers and preachers around. The way he  makes words come alive and the listeners on the edge of their seats, it’s a gift! Hard to believe we was once shy! He is a man of few words, or so he says, but he has a gift too reach others in such a dramatic way.
     Marenga ( on the right) is a pastor and is one of the humblest, giving men you’ll ever meet. There were a few times on busy days he would skip eating to give his snack to someone else how was in more need. Pretty sure he’d give away his shoes off his feet if he saw someone in need, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d already done this before. He has a smile that welcomes everyone and such a huge heart for the remote villages around, his whole life is to help others.
    These three men in Zambia create the most amazing dynamic and unique team. They balance and thrive off of each other and I know God brought them together for a reason. These men are my African family, along with their friends and family. They inspire me and push me to be more than I thought I could be. They encourage all and no matter the challenge they push through.

 

This trip is the beginning of something big in my life and the growth in process of a seed that was planted 6 years ago. With 101 sponsored children ready to go to school, 3 VBS day camps with the kids and 8 bore holes almost completed, this trip has Changed thousands of lives,  not to mention our own! All I can say was it was only by the grace of God we got that far. With set backs, sicknesses and extreme heat we had our share if challenges, not to mention the extreme lack of gluten free food for myself ,  but  the Lord brought us all through safely!

   So now I sit on a plane, descending  into Nairobi, staring at the sun rising over Mt. Kilimanjaro reflect on what’s all happened. I can’t believe the trip is over,it went way to quickly! Africa is a whole different world from Canada but has taught me so much. Its a slower pace of life and though it’s also far from perfect it’s people seem way more receptive to thanksgiving than our first world countries. One thing that really got to a few of us was the openness and lack of judging. There’s a freedom here in expression and worship that you just don’t get back home. They all sing with such passion and full volume, I stare  in wonder why I feel so suppressed in my own singing and why I can’t get over the self judgment and worry about what others think. Same goes with the freedom of movement. These people just flow and feel the rhythm! My question is why can’t us Caucasians do the same? What is the restrictions we put on ourselves? Something I really need to take a page from is the African hospitality. They welcome everyone with open arms, when they see a stranger they invite you in, sit you down and offer you a drink if they have any. They let you speak and take their time not rushing you as if you’ve interrupted their day. Our north American daily lives get so wound up and self centered on how to get ahead we forget to live in the moment and enjoy those around us. We stayed over a week in Brian’s house with his wife, 4 girls and another friend, and there’s 7 of us. Not once did we feel like a burden, just a welcomes guest with overwhelming joy and love.
   Being out in the villages ,  and even on the outskirts of the main cities, you look at just how different and hard life is for people out here. Mud huts that literally wash away after two years. Hand dug pits for washrooms, no close water, no electricity, most of them don’t even have shoes! Seeing the village children running on extremely hot, rocky dirt playing in bare feet just made me realize how tough they really are. We need to remember just how much we have to be thankful for. Our lives are only complicated  by our own selfish ambitions, wants and pride! If we took more time with God, then family and friends, maybe we’d see more of the joys in life and less stress. We’re all a work on progress and I’m no different. This trip was an eye opener but it will still take work to ease up on my life long workaholic, self centered focused life.

Take a time out, look around you and give thanks for all you’re blessed with!