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)