So this is it, the last blog of the trip. We leave this wonderful house and man (Dr. Thinus) at 6am for the airport. In some ways, it feels like we are leaving home for another home... its a strange feeling. But before I reflect on the trip as a whole, I want to catch everyone up on our last couple days here.
Our remaining time at Vineyard Christian School was a blessing. It continued to be clear that the Spirit of God is dwelling in that school. We spent Thursday ministering about "What if you've made a mistake" and it just seems like the situation that these students were struggling with did not have the heaviness of the other schools that we have worked in. I think a lot of our time this year has been a ministry of restoration rather than prevention, but it seemed that Vineyard was more prevention... so praise the Lord.
We spent Thursday afternoon at a massive rural high school called Butondo. The Zambians we have been working with (STSer's and Church Planters) pretty much ran the program. Our goal was to hand it over to them by the end of our time, and they did a wonderful job. One of the STS guys, named Terry, who is a very sweet and humble man, delivered the biology talk, which was amazing... I have never seen a group of students so quiet during a talk about the biology of HIV. Then one of the Church Planters named Chansa (the youngest and most shy of the group) talked about myths. He was so bold; we were all so proud of him. Then Joseph, a church planter, talked boldly about saving sex for marriage. It was an older crowd and there was a sense that many of them had already made a mistake. So Henry (the STS-Zambia coordinator) ended with one of the most poignant and engaging presentations of the gospel of grace that I have ever absorbed. You could feel it in the air... seriously. There is something about when the beauty of the gospel is really shared. The story of a God who sent his son to die for a world that didn't deserve it. The story of God's great love for his children. There was no condemnation, no guilt... only grace. It became clear that, for some of these, it was the first time they had heard the true gospel... not one heavy with judgment, not threatened with hell... but a gospel of love and restoration. There was a lightness in the room. He asked who would like to receive Christ and about half of the room raised their hands, and I really think they meant it. We prayed with them. Then we worshiped, we celebrated. We moved the tables back and just danced... African, American, we were all the same in that moment. We sang our lungs out. I have heard people say that music is a language in itself... I believe that now.
Friday morning was our last with Vineyard. The church planters took the lead and formulated their own skit and talk about stigma. It was encouraging like you couldn't believe; they did an amazing job! We ate our last traditional Zambian lunch and then took the Church Planters out for ice cream and said our sad goodbyes. We spent the rest of the afternoon sleeping. I always find it to be amazing how exhausted my body, mind, and spirit are at the end of our time. It is like the Spirit strengthens us, but when it is all over, we begin get a grasp of the real weight of what we have been doing.
On Friday evening we planned a bonfire (lovingly known as a Bushman's Television). As the Lord would have it, the water went out, and then the power shortly after. It was a classic African moment. So we enjoyed the fire under that massive African sky, next to the sprawling mango tree, breathing the brisk winter air, hearing the dogs howling in the distance, smelling the familiar scent of smoke, and sharing laughs and stories and sausages. It was as close to perfect as one could imagine.
Saturday morning was spent resting and enjoying one another. Max and I spent the afternoon taking pictures in the market... which blessed both of us greatly. Then we all met in town at this pizza place which is surprisingly delicious. And ended the evening in the living room worshipping, reflecting, sharing the Lord's Supper, and praying for one another... a family. Tomorrow we fly to Joburg early in the morning and one of Dr. T's friends is picking us up and taking us to his home to eat lunch with his family, and then to a lion park. We leave Joburg near midnight for Amsterdam, then to Washington, arriving in the early evening of Monday. Pray for us in transit, that we would enjoy our last days together and for safety. Pray for our reflection in the months to come, that the Lord would draw out the truths from our time in this wonderful place.
All in all, this has been an amazing month. The spiritual intensity has been more than ever before. God's presence has been evident. Much of that is due to each and every one of you. Your prayers have strengthened us when we were weary. They have given us joy when we carried sorrow. They bore our burdens and lifted our heads. They breathed spirit into our works. Thank you, each of you. Thank you for fighting with us. Thank you for joining us. Thank you for loving us and supporting us. Thank you.
With Love,
Dan
No comments:
Post a Comment