Adjustment Once More

I’m back home in Zambia and feeling so many feelings once more. Each time I come back there is a whirlwind of emotions that flows over me. I feel so happy to be here again amidst people so hungry for God and community, lonely for girls my age to pour my heart out to, sad at all the pain and heartache that I see people face here, and angry that I feel helpless and out of place at times.

My first week here was certainly interesting, difficult, and exciting all at the same time. The second night I was here, the power company turned off the power at the place I am staying and took Alice to the police station saying she was using an illegal connection. We had to go find her to see if she was alright. It ended up being fine, but we have not had power for a week now because she is negotiating how much she will pay with the power company and she is waiting for school fees to start coming in. There was also a domestic dispute in the house with some people living here so they had to leave. I had to help calm them down. I also found out that the neighbor boy who lived behind us last time had fallen out of a truck and it ran over his leg. He had to have it amputated which was very sad to hear because he was studying so hard to be a plumber and electrician. Now, I don’t know if he will be able to get a prosthetic one or what will happen.

Despite all the craziness, I have been able to see so many people that I had missed and see some of the fruits of my work from last time. Many of the children I was working with last time are doing so well. This week I started at Ebenezer though it has been a little crazy with visitors coming from Australia. I met the children and heard some of their stories and helped clean the houses for the visitors. I am blown away by the way God has provided for this organization and raised up these children. These are children who come from the lowest of low in the most desperate situations and they are being raised up as leaders. What a story of restoration! I can’t wait to hear more and be a part of their lives. Next week I will have more of a schedule to help me to understand my role, but for now I am enjoying friends and the visitors who have come. Ebenezer just bought land for a farm in order to grow food for the children and the workers and to teach the children farming techniques. They are also building a home for babies. I’ll be moving next week to a one bedroom place by myself until my friend Charity can move in with me (after 2 months).

The Lord has reminded me once again that it is not about the skills and knowledge that I have, but about what He can do. Every time I rely on my own knowledge and skills, He brings me back to reality and I feel helpless until I see the work He can use me for if I am just willing…