How is this trip even possible? From how it came to be to affording it to dealing with the most stressful year I’ve had Between work, bouts of depression, family health issues, my uncle’s sudden passing, joining a charity board, fundraising, last minute tooth infection 2 weeks before my trip that I now need for oral surgery and all while pulling 12-14hr work days almost every work day plus weekend work….its been a year and only half way through it!!
At a dark and very unhappy moment earlier this year I felt lost, and yes very depressed. Even my close friends were noticing I was more tired and down, I was noticing I wasn’t smiling as much. With work loads getting overwhelming and life out of balance I needed to find a way back to my happy place, It was then I remembered my 2014 trip to Zambia! Such an incredible memory and group of people, it was life changing and I needed to get back!! That night I went online to a workout based website I’m part of, similar to Facebook, but no one knows my real name there. I posted a couple pictures and just how much I wanted to go and get back to a deeper meaning in life. The next morning I woke up to a Facebook message that I noticed was sent less than 6 hrs after I made my post. My friend in Zambia was asking if I felt called to come back to Zambia with a group he knew from North Carolina. My jaw dropped, couldn’t believe the timing! It was a sign for sure! That started the talks and prayer of what I knew on my gut God was calling me to do. Then came the thought of how to afford it. Even working 12 to 14 hrs a day wasn’t going to pay for that trip in such a short time. See going to Africa in August and staying in Livingstone is quite a bit pricier than our last trip that happened in November. Well wouldn’t you know it, I’m part of the 3.0L VW/Audi dieselgate scandal settlement and after over 2 years of waiting the courts settled in April, perfect to to pay for my trip. I got my vehicle fixed and received my sorry money which paid for 80% of my trip!
This trip means the world to me and it must show because everywhere I turn around its like people are getting the bug to help us help those in need. Friends are coming out of the blue donating money, jerseys, toys, balls, toques and most importantly, prayer!!! In a world where there are so many selfish people and we are told “you deserve it” I think we need a reminder there is more to life. We need to remember our humanity, how to help each other and especially how to truly love each other!! We get so caught up in our day-to-day lives makes it hard to stop and look around. So here is the question, what truly makes you happy? I mean giddy happy where you’re glowing? Where people around you are affected and can’t help but be affected? What can you do to take your thoughts off of yourself and learn the pure joy in working hard for helping others? We were not built to be selfish, we are built to be in relationship with one another, what better way to do that than to give someone a hand up. Life a life of purpose!!
As we go into this time of travel I just ask for prayers for safety, for luggage to arrive on time and for our team to be energetic and ready and willing to truly listen to what God would have us do while we are there!
I thank the Lord for this opportunity and for each and every one of you who are helping and praying for us! God will bless and multiply our works! Now…..let’s go drill some water wells!!!!
God Bless!!