We Must Be Crazy

“What in the world are we doing here?”

We would be lying if we said that question has not gone through our minds or come up in conversation multiple times in the last 10 days. I mean seriously, who in their right minds gives up the comfort of family and friends and the potential to make a lot of money; the ease of life in the US sheltered from the real need of the world, to spend a year and a half fundraising to turn their lives upside down and move to Africa as missionaries? We would have to be nuts to do something like that! Well, we’ve always been a little nuts (I type this as Luke is subsequently dancing and brushing his teeth). Even so, we’ve definitely had some freak out moments since we arrived in Zambia.

New people, new sights, new sounds, new smells. We have a new definition of clean, a new definition of sanitary; a new definition of normal and appropriate. Potholes have taken on a whole new meaning, as have snails, flies, waiting lines and power outages. And because we are in a sort of limbo, waiting in the capital until we can settle into our new home in Solwezi in early January, we have a lot of time to think, and ponder, and question, and doubt.

Keep in mind that from our first date, our entire relationship has been focused on getting here – serving God in Africa, so to question that call is to question the last six years and the entire future. (One conversation earlier had us discussing the “what ifs” if this mission thing “didn’t work out”… Med school? Hospitality? Missions pastor?) But God is good, and just when we’ve convinced ourselves that we really are crazy and need to rethink our plans, He provides a voice of reason and reassurance in the least likely of places. The team here in Lusaka had a dinner and movie night tonight, and went to see The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, the latest of the Chronicles of Narnia movies (yes, there is a movie theater here, and it was only about $3 each!).

Throughout the movie, various characters are tempted to turn back or away from the mission at hand, distracted and lured in by things like wealth or power. Upon discovering the stream that turns everything to gold, Edmund excitedly told Lucy how rich they would be back in their world, with all the luxuries they could imagine. But they are reminded they can’t take those luxuries with them. Or even at the end when Caspian has the opportunity to cross into Aslan’s country with the prospect of seeing his father, he knows that for right now he must stay because the people of Narnia need him. Each character has to face down his or her major fear or temptation, and stand strong through the trials, knowing that the ultimate reward will be greater.

“’I tell you the truth,’ Jesus replied. ‘no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age … and in the age to come, eternal life.’” –Mark 10:29-30

There are so many things we could have if we threw in the towel and returned home. The opportunities for success by the world’s standards knock at our doorsteps. But we can’t take our riches with us from this world. Life would have very little meaning and purpose for us if we were not fulfilling God’s purpose for us. The people of Narnia needed King Edmund and Queen Lucy for a time, and at the end of this movie, it was clear their time there was over and they had fulfilled the purpose Aslan had for them. Their cousin Eustace though, would surely return as the people of Narnia still had a need for him.

For now, we know God has a purpose for us here in Zambia. In these few weeks of limbo, it is easy to get clouded vision, distracted by the frustrations and discomfort, letting temptations and lies creep into sight and mind before we have a chance to dig in and begin to really serve. In his new book about serving others, a dear friend from our church back home wrote, “It’s like using a video camera. It will automatically focus on the subject you want to shoot, but if something pops up between the camera and the intended subject in your field of vision, it will change its focus to the unwanted obstruction. You need to re-focus on what you wanted to see originally.”

Originally, we wanted to see God glorified… to see people from every tribe, tongue, people and nation praising and worshiping Him at His throne. We wanted to see orphaned and vulnerable children experiencing love. We wanted to see our Zambian brothers and sisters empowered to take the gospel to those who had no hope. And despite the temptation of an “easier” life or a life full of material wealth, we know that God’s purpose and plan for our lives will bring much greater reward than we could ever obtain for ourselves. We don’t know when, like Lucy and Edmund, we will return home to stay, but for now know that God wants to use us to help his people here. Despite obstacles and temptations, we know His purpose will reign true. As Reepicheep says when talking of Aslan’s country, “we have nothing if not belief.”

“The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:17)

On African Soil

The title of this blog is deceiving. There really isn’t a whole lot of soil here… it’s more a red, sandy clay that when dry creates a slightly abrasive surface on all floors (think: sandpaper) and when wet, a thick red clay, similar to the kind you would use to create pottery by hand. Basically, though, it’s everywhere.

Anyhoo, enough about the soil, although you’d be interested in all the things climbing and crawling along in it, like giant centipedes and snails and cute little lizards… And then there’s the things growing out of the ground, like the mango trees, which aren’t quite ready for eating raw, but when cooked take on a flavor and consistency similar to cooked apples. There are absolutely amazing flowers as well – some lilies and other familiar ones, and some that look like they belong in the rainforest.

Speaking of rain, we’ve had some rain basically every day. The power has stayed on since we’ve arrived, though our water was off when we first got here. Today was actually sunny most of the day and Luke and I went out on a walk and visited a nearby market. We had gone to a grocery store when we first arrived to get milk and cereal and fruit and meat and such to last a few days (to my Dallas friends, it reminded me of Fiesta), but the market is completely different… especially considering the route we took had us basically going through the town dump, jumping over ditches where sewage mixed with rainwater ran alongside the alley way. I realize as I write this that a few of you are probably freaking out a bit about the “conditions” in which we are living – don’t worry – it’s not like that everywhere; even so, we constantly praise God for His provision in our lives, and for allowing us the opportunity to see what blessed lives we have lived.

So at the market, you can buy clothing – likely imported, used clothing, stacked in piles and definitely not very clean. You can also buy fresh fruits and vegetables. Planning to make spaghetti tonight, we bought a few tomatoes and a green pepper for about 500 kwacha each. That’s roughly a dime in US dollars. We also bought a large eggplant for 3,000 kwacha, about 60 cents (and we hear we paid the “white man’s price” – significantly inflated from what the local Zambians would pay). Also along the market path were butchers, barbers, and other tradesmen of sorts. We found a route back to the compound that involved trudging through much less waste and sewage – directly to the door of our compound.

We are currently staying at the Evangelical Church of Zambia compound outside Lusaka, Zambia. We have a quaint little guest house here until we move to Solwezi in early January. It is interesting living out of suitcases and crates, and one box that we had to open and now think we will have to replace before moving north. The first two nights we had dinner with other missionaries, but cooked our first real meal here tonight, making spaghetti with makeshift pots and pans and serving utensils. We look forward to settling into our own kitchen and buying spices and such and having a refrigerator bigger than a small dorm fridge. We also look forward to digging into “daily life.” Daily life right now basically consists of sleeping, cooking, eating and conversations here and there with the few missionaries here about what we can expect (or basically, not to have expectations). We’re learning early lessons in slowing down and taking life as it comes. We will be getting our car tomorrow night, and then may venture out a bit and explore as time allows.

We will fly to Solwezi Monday-Thursday for some time with the Bruce family before they head back to New Zealand. We will then spend Christmas and New Year’s here before moving to Solwezi. We hear that we will be attending a presentation of “Messiah” next Friday and have a big barbecue, or “Brie” for Christmas. We will try to update as we get settled in, but definitely appreciate your prayers as our entire lives and all that we know and are accustomed to are changed and turned upside down.

Thank you for your prayers, your encouragement and your support!

Note: I was not able to post this last night while it was still true. Shortly after going to bed, it stormed, and then the power went out until sometime mid-day today.

And We're Off!

It's finally here.

After more than six years of prayer, planning, and preparation, the time for us to go to Zambia has arrived.  We have seen God do amazing things, as the support has been pouring in, and we know that God will continue to do amazing things in and through us.

Thank you to everybody who has partnered with us in this ministry.  We would not be boarding a plane this afternoon if not for you, stepping out in faith.

Thank you to all who have been praying for us, for it is your faithful prayers that have moved mountains, opened doors, and sent us off.

We will miss you all, but we find great comfort in knowing that you are still here, missing us and praying for us, too.  And with today's technology, we may be half a world away, but we are only one email, one facebook comment, or one Skype conversation away.  Please do not hesitate to send us messages.  We will make every effort to respond to them (though it may take some time).

As we go, please pray for safe and seamless travel, both for us and our luggage, that we may arrive in Lusaka on Thursday, December 9.  Please also pray for our first month as we go through orientation before moving to Solwezi to begin language training.

And please pray for our family, that they may find strength and encouragement in the Lord as we go.

Words escape me as I write this morning, so I apologize if this is jumbled.  I just wanted to make sure to post this before we left, and to say "Twasante mwane" ("Thank you") to all of you.  We could not have done this without you.