From Mind to Page

My Blessings…

Last week in Kitwe we had a discussion on taking an account of what God has done for you. Its an important thing to do as troubles of the world can often bog you down, or your own selfish desires fog the truth of your need to be grateful, so I thought I would make a list of how God has blessed me simply in the last week.

Saturday & Sunday I was greatly blessed with solitude. To some this wouldn’t be a blessing, but for me it was a true gift. I’m a natural introvert who often needs time by myself to process and recharge. For the last 3 months though solitude has not been readily available. By the grace of God this has not really felt like an issue. However spending an entire weekend by myself at the Kachele farm house was exactly what I needed. I reveled in every minute, the introvert inside me breathed a sigh of relief and I gained strength, insight and renewed excitement.

Then on Monday when I jumped back into the world I was ready for whatever would come my way. I was once again blessed to be with the Hands team in Luanshya for Monday morning prayer. Its incredible to be a part of not only the Kitwe team, but also Luanshya’s. I’m spoiled to have built relationships with incredible men and women of faith and wisdom.

Later that day I was surprised by yet another huge blessing. I got an email from Adam saying that he was on his way to Zambia and would be spending the week here! He’s been in the neighboring DRC but had to leave due to volatile possibilities surrounding presidential election. For those of you who have been paying attention, you’ll know that Adam is a close friend. In fact he is my brother in every way. I didn’t expect to see him again before I left for home, so getting an extra week has been wonderful. He is an incredible blessing in my life.

As the week progressed, Kachele farm received more guests from the hub in South Africa. These long awaited guests infused the house with life, stories and the inevitable meetings. One thing about being in Zambia is that you find yourself missing the hub all the time. Its a community of people working towards the same goal and becoming a family along the way. Whenever people in Zambia hear that someone from the hub is coming there’s an excitement in the air and this was no different. Having more of the family around has made me feel connected again, I am blessed.

I eventually did make my way back to Kitwe and my last two days there were so precious to me. I got to spend a little more quality time with Blessings, Towela and Mary in the office. These are three of the most incredible people in the world. They are my inspiration and my joy. Their goodness shines through and their dedication is astounding. They are my heart, my family.

Then as you’ve already read, I got to spend time in both Mulenga and Race Course. I was blessed again and again in these communities. The people there are precious. The Care Workers encourage me regularly and the children provide an influx of joy. In both Mulenga and Race Course the children on the street recognize me and come running. In Race Course a pack of them come racing toward me together and all want hand shakes and hugs. In Muenga kids come running from every direction with their arms spread wide and immediately envelope you in a hug. The smiles on their faces are indescribable. Over and over again I was blessed with the sight of children flocking towards me.

The most precious gift I was given was time with my little “Susie”. When I was in Mulenga on Thursday I didn’t see her and I was so disappointed that I wouldn’t be able to say goodbye, not realizing I would return Friday. When I found out we were heading back to Mulenga I simply prayed and asked God for time with this 5 year old that stole my heart a month earlier. And of course God heard that prayer. As we were approaching the feeding point, there was little Susie sitting all by herself on the side of the road. I went up to her, gave her a hug then offered my hand and together we walked down to the school. It was there that I was blessed with a small amount of one on one time with her before the other children joined. We all spent the next hour together playing and Susie rarely left my side. She would cuddle in close to my leg whenever I wasn’t holding her in my arms. She’s my beautiful sweetheart , my love, my Susie.

Now we’re back to the weekend… Instead of solitude I’m being blessed with family. Alisha had the Kachele crew over for an amazing supper then joined us back at the farm for the night. She, Adam and I are getting in a little quality time. Ali and Beth will be joining us later today (Sunday) and the 5 of us from our original orientation team will get a last little bit of time together before we once again head our separate ways. Alisha will remain in Zambia, Adam will eventually make his way back to the DRC and Ali, Beth and I will head back to SA. And once again I am blessed. I’m blessed by the family God manufactured for me here in Africa. They are my brothers and sisters and every moment with them is nothing short of a blessing.