A New Brother (In Christ…)!

It’s always something worth celebrating when someone comes to salvation through Jesus Christ! Personally, I’ve never been there to witness or encourage someone when they have this desire and feel that conviction…until today.

On the last Saturday of each month, we gather at Wiphan Inshila meeting. I have explained this before, but to give a quick recap: Wiphan’s Inshila program sponsors children who are in government secondary schools. Wiphan schools end with grade seven, so children must go to public schools to complete their education. Each month, these students gather together so that Wiphan staff can make sure these teens are doing okay at their schools and at home; and also to disciple them.

In previous months, we have divided boys from girls and had our own separate conversations mainly centered (at least for the girls) around struggles in their lives.

During these previous meetings, these kids had also filled out forms on which (among other things) they stated their belief on what saves a person. My parents read each form and realized there were many misconceptions regarding salvation. Therefore, this month they decided to share the full gospel with the Inshila kids. They shared how going to church, doing good things, reading your Bible, praying, and even just believing in God….NONE of those things are what save you! Those are ALL good things and things which come as a natural desire to a believer, but ultimately those things do not save you.

Then, they shared what DOES save you…The quick answer is: Jesus Christ! He says, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but through Me!” The blood of Jesus Christ is what saves us! HIS payment for our sin!!!! As is often used as a parallel, my parents compared what Christ has done for us to a man on trial: A man is guilty, condemned by the judge for his crime, but suddenly someone steps out and says, “I will take the punishment for this man’s crime!” This is what Jesus did for us. He took the punishment for our sins! When we realize our need for Jesus and recognize the gravity of our sin, the Holy Spirit gives us a great love for God and a desire to please and serve Him above all else because of what He has done for us. Only then, only through Christ, can we be saved from the wages of our sin!

My parents shared this message with the students today. Two of the Inshila boys, Luke and Ringson, asked a couple questions before the session was over, but as it concluded I gathered they still had unanswered questions. I could also tell they were in serious, deep thought about the things being said…

Following the closing of the meeting, I found Luke and Ringson outside. We greeted each other; I thanked them for stepping out and asking questions, and asked them if they understood the answers given or if they still had more unanswered questions.

Luke quickly replied that he understood, but Ringson said, “No. I do not understand.” A third boy began to laugh at him giving that answer.

Ringson looked a little uncomfortable and said, “Well…If I am being honest…I don’t understand”

I quickly said, “No! No! I’m glad you are being honest! Please, ask whatever you want and I will try to answer if I can!”

The first question he asked was, “What should I do to be saved?” I followed up the question with another: “Why do you want to be saved?” We discussed what salvation is, the desire for which comes from the Lord alone. Which is why I asked the question I did…

He asked SO many questions! Some of them were not easy to answer and took some thought. Only by God’s grace was I able to answer their questions, and I pray I answered them thoroughly. Just when I would begin to have trouble putting my answer in words, my mom or dad happened to walk by and were able to help me!

We discussed all kinds of questions! Here are some that Ringson asked me….

– “So I hear ‘God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit’; Who are they? Like 3 Gods? How are they different [from each other]?”

– “What do you mean ‘the Holy Spirit lives in Christians’? How does that work?”

– “Does the Holy Spirit live in a thief?”

– “Why does God allow bad things to happen?”

– “If we ask God for something, will he give it to us?”

– “So how does the Holy Spirit come to live in my heart?”

– “WHAT saves us exactly?”

– “I hear people talk about purgatory…What is purgatory? Is it real?”

– “Is stealing a sin? What about lying?”

It was a REALLY good discussion! I was SO glad he was open to ask questions! I was happy to see he had a real, true, genuine desire to understand God, His word, salvation, and His plan for our lives!

Luke wasn’t the one who asked the questions, but he did participate in the conversation and listened intently. A few other boys would listen for a bit and then go. At the end of the conversation, a boy named Patrick was with us. He never spoke a word, only listened to the discussion…

After talking through all of these questions, Ringson asked what he should do so the Holy Spirit would come into his life, and then he asked me to pray with him! I told him he had to pray too, but I would be happy to pray with him…After asking, he said he didn’t want to pray alone, but he wanted to pray silently and me to pray aloud.

The four of us, Patrick, Luke, Ringson, and I, joined hands and I said a short prayer aloud. I was silent for a few minutes and we all prayed our own prayers in silence, then I said “Amen” to finish the prayer time. Ringson had this look on his face like I had interrupted him… I felt really bad..=P

I asked Ringson if he needed more time to pray and he said, “I think I do. Can you pray for me out loud please?” I told him I would pray aloud for him, but he had to also.

We closed our eyes a second time, and I prayed specifically for Ringson that as He was about to pray, God would reveal Himself to him and make Himself known in Ringson’s heart.

Following my prayer, Ringson prayed a very sincere prayer asking God to make him His servant. He asked the Holy Spirit to live in his life, asked God to forgive him of his sins, and acknowledged his need for a Savior.

He closed the prayer and we all looked around at each other. I don’t know what took place in the minds and hearts of Luke or Patrick as they prayed. They were mostly silent. Ringson looked like his mind was somewhere far away. He shook his shoulders around and said, “Wow…I feel…I don’t know…like a different body or person or something…Something is changed and different…”

I was teary eyed…It was a beautiful scene! What he experienced today, I believe was real! He WANTED to know the truth! He wasn’t afraid to be honest and ask questions! He truly desired to know more about God an understand salvation. He accepted the gift Christ Jesus offers us freely! He joined the family of God and became His child! What could be more beautiful!!??

I told these boys I would pray for them and Luke said, “Yes! Please pray for our education that we would get good marks [grades] and finish school!” I told them I would and also said I would pray for them as they are new in their faith; that God would speak to them and they would grow closer in their relationship with God!

Ringson stuck out his hand; pinky outstretched, and said, “You have to promise that you will pray for me!” I locked my pinky in his and said, “I promise to pray for you every day!” Luke, Patrick, and I did the same and they all promised to pray for me also! As they left, we shouted to reiterate our promise to pray for each other every day!

I don’t think any of us wanted our conversation to end, but Ringson had somewhere to be. He said he had more questions and promised to write them down and give them to a teacher for me, or to ask me next time I saw him. In the meantime, I intend to keep my promise to pray for them every day and pray we will be able to have more conversations in the future; and maybe I can even have similar conversations with others too!

Patrick in the back, Luke on the left, Ringson, then Me! =)

Letters, Drawings, and Bracelets

Each member of my family has “their” own kids at Wiphan that stand out to them or has that special place in their heart. I’m no different…My friend told me on the phone the other night, “If you had your way, I think you would have adopted 20 kids by now!”

Okay, so maybe I wouldn’t have adopted 20 (that would be a lot of kids…not to mention that I’m still a kid myself 😉 ), but yeah there are a few kids that really have pulled at my heartstrings and I would adopt in a heartbeat if I could!

Yesterday, I received two different letters/drawings and two handmade bracelets all from different kids! It was SO sweet to read those letters and see their faces light up when they slid the bracelets over my wrist! Two of these kids I know very well and am close to. The other two children I don’t know very well at all, but will hopefully grow closer to in the future!

My letter and artwork from Alan….A lot of time was put into this!

P.S. I love seeing all the attempts at spelling my name! ‘Megan’ is definitely not a recognized name here! haha…Yesterday alone, my name was spelled “Migar” and “Mingani” but somehow, I don’t have the heart to correct it…

Most of the letters I receive are either 80% drawings or there’s art work surrounding the whole body of the letter. A while back, I received a drawing from a sweet little girl whose named I’m ashamed I don’t know…I wish I could find out who she was. I want to thank her for making my heart smile, but I suppose I’ll have to be content not knowing…

Artwork from that thoughtful little girl!

The two letters and drawings I received yesterday came from two boys named Oliver and Alan. I have only recently learned Oliver’s name, so I don’t know him well yet. Alan is also one I’ve grown closer to only recently. He’s one of the kids I would adopt if I could…

Oliver! =D

Each boy wrote a rather lengthy letter and then surrounded the letter in colorful artwork! Each letter was unique and beautiful; items I will treasure always!

Alan! =D

The bracelets pictured below completely amaze me! I watched as they made one of mine and I was still in awe. These kids are SO creative! They take long, folded strips of paper or candy wrappers and turn them into something meaningful and beautiful!

Two of the bracelets the boys made for me!

These three were made for me by two other Wiphan boys, Mike and Moses (also known as Hugo). Mike (I’d adopt him too!) gave me the one made out of the candy wrappers/labels a while ago, and the smaller paper one yesterday.

Another bracelet.. =)

Moses made his bracelet for me while at Wiphan. I observed him making it although, at the time, I was unaware it was intended for me… After completing his bracelet, Moses sat down beside me, grabbed my hand, and slid it onto my wrist.

Moses/Hugo making my bracelet!

Earlier in the day, I was walking through a crowd of children when I felt someone grab and place something in my hand and then close my fingers over it. I looked down to see a paper bracelet in my hand and turned around to see Mike smiling behind me…

Mike and I!

I haven’t fully expressed what I felt when I was given each of these items. I thought it best to sum it up altogether at the end. I’m sitting here racking my brain for the right words, but there seem to be none…the best I can do is to say it was heartwarming! There’s a literal stirring and swelling in my heart that makes me teary when these kids do such sweet things for me and others! I’m so grateful for each letter, bracelet, hug, smile, and everything else I receive, tangible or otherwise, because each is a memory and joy that will last a lifetime and maybe even an eternity…

Joy in the Crazy…

I really don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say today has been one of the most random and crazy days of my life. I wouldn’t say it’s been the most “eventful“, but I think more “events” have happened in one day than I can ever recall…. (if that makes any sense) But I really want to focus on one point in my day…

I went to Wiphan Mapalo this afternoon and unexpectedly found two Wiphan Nkwazi students there playing futball. I joined the two guys and we took turns being goal keeper while the other two tried to kick a goal! They didn’t laughed at me too much even though I made some kicks worth laughing at! lol 😉 After a while, one of the teenage boys I was playing with showed me a letter he had written to the girl he liked. By this time, a teen girl had joined us also. The letter was half-English and half-Bemba, but I was able to understand it.

After reading this letter, we had an EXCELLENT discussion about relationships! Our game of futball turned into sitting on the massively dusty ground and talking together… How wonderful our talk was!! The three of them, Canaan, Benjamin, and Mildred, spoke only a bit of English and I speak only a bit of Bemba, so our discussion was a bit difficult, but we were able to figure it out! =)

Upon reading his letter, my first question to Benjamin was asking if he wanted to marry this girl. His response was a pretty emphatic “No!” I then asked him “Then why do you want her to be your girlfriend?” Part of his answer was because they both like each other, but the other part had something to do with money and I never could quite figure it out.

This prompted me to tell them how important it is to seek God in relationships! I expressed how easy it is to be tempted to do things we should save for marriage when we are in a relationship or like someone. Therefore, explaining how important it is to make sure our relationships are for the intent of marriage and not just for the fun of it! And most importantly, that our relationships are God-centered! I also told them that I myself have yet to have a boyfriend, and won’t until I see someone and realize I could marry that man! (Note: that isn’t to say I feel like ALL relationships MUST end in marriage, I’m just saying I won’t be in a relationship until I feel like it’s someone I potentially could marry AND my parents approve of him) As I was saying these things to them, Mildred kept nodding in agreement and Benjamin sat in silent, deep thought. Canaan expressions were a little harder to read, but he was the first to pipe up and say, “You are teaching me a lot!” Benjamin immediately, still staring in deep thought, followed up with, “Yes, I am learning much from you!” Mildred smiled across at me.

Benjamin said,  “I will go to church and pray to God about this girl!” I told him that was a very good decision, but reminded him he can pray ANY where at ANY time! God is everywhere and ALL the time! He is always with us! Canaan said, “So when I am walking to school I can be praying!”

I said, “Absolutely!!! You can pray while you are in bed, you can pray at school, you can even pray while you are playing futball!” I told them we could even pray together right now! We were about to do so in our little circle, but I ended up having to leave….I told Benjamin I would pray for him and I would copy some Bible verses in Bemba that might encourage him and maybe we could even pray together on his break at Nkwazi!

All three kids REALLY listened to what I had to say! And I really enjoyed listening to them!

This was by FAR the highlight of my day! Even with all the crazy going on and a throat so sore my voice is almost gone, God gave me that time with those three peers to share with them and build a stronger (maybe even lasting) bond with them! He also helped my voice to hold out strongly to be able to share… God IS good!!!!!!! I look forward to more conversations with these kids! And more adventures! =D

Nkwazi, Visits, Market, and Jewelry!

As I reflect on the events of the past couple days, I’m amazed by the life God has seen fit to give me. As I say in basically every post: God is good! I can’t seem to say or stress that point enough! It’s a cliche statement I know, but it doesn’t make the value, power, or truth of the statement any less valuable, powerful, or truthful…

We’ve had a team of 6 lovely ladies from the Georgia area here with us this week! They are only on their second (for some their third) full day here in Ndola and so much has happened already! So much I could write you a book…So, I’ll just try to stick to some highlights…

A Trip to Masala

Masala market…I don’t think I’ve been there once and not come home with some story worthwhile to share! Anna Bearden (she also lives in Ndola and works with Wiphan), my family, and the visitors all went to Masala market together on Saturday afternoon. Our main point of interest was the stand where they sell icitenge fabric. This is the fabric worn by most women here for skirts. Anyway, we were in this little shop and were looking around at the fabrics. I greeted the exceptionally smiley worker in Bemba and proceeded to look around.

I returned to where the gentleman was standing to look at a pile of fabric laying haphazardly on a wooden pallet. I asked in Bemba how much each icitenge was. He replied and said in Bemba “I don’t speak Bemba. I only speak English!” I replied (in Bemba), “No, you DO speak Bemba!”  I think after a rather hilarious argument in Bemba with the man, what he was trying to say is that he wants to learn English. He didn’t want me to speak Bemba to him; only English. However, he didn’t know hardly any English. One of the women with us had a skirt in her hand and he tried to take if from her to put it in a bag. She told him that she wasn’t sure if that was the one she wanted, but he had NO idea what she said, so I told him in Bemba to wait! He acknowledged what I said in Bemba, but then said again, ” I don’t speak Bemba. I speak English!” He was so fun!

Then, he stood up on the wooden pallet where the fabric was, and started grabbing the icitenge in armfuls and throwing them in the air! It was as if he were in a leaf pile or something!! We were trying to look at the fabric, but he was just laughing and throwing them in the air! I honestly never figured out why, but we got him to stop long enough to finish making our choices and for one of the ladies to take his picture.

On our way out, he did manage to shout to me in English (like a lot of people probably heard), “Mamma, we marriage! I marry you!”

I started laughing, “Awe! (No) I can’t! I’m sorry!”

Him: “But I am nice man! Mamma, I marry you!”

Me: “I know…But I can’t, I’m sorry! Shalenipo mukwai! (I’m going now sir)”

He just laughed…I’m glad that he seems only half-serious! 😉

A Walk Through Nkwazi

Sunday afternoon, my family, Anna, the team of ladies, and Pastor Aaron, all walked through the village of Nkwazi together. We’ve done this once before when the last team came, yet each walk presents itself with new adventures and excitements!

On this walk, unlike the last, our entourage of children was composed of very few Wiphan students. Last time, I was able to recognize many faces, but this time I recognized very few.

Some of the children who followed us around Nkwazi.

Of course, Mike and his brother Cornelius were following me as usual! Mike ended up riding piggyback for while until I finally told him in Bemba that I was tired and that I needed to put him down. 😉 Along the way, I was afforded the privilege of meeting the boys’ grandmother with whom they stay!

Mike and I!

Anna and Cornelius!

On our way out of Nkwazi, I was walking with my dad and a crowd of kids when this woman came up to us and was asking all these questions. I’m new to Bemba so I was having to REALLY focus to understand her. I was able to understand everything she was saying, but I was having trouble phrasing my answers in Bemba…haha! Oh how I can’t wait until I’m fluent!

A Visit to Margret’s Home

During our walk, we stopped by the home of Margret, a seventh grader at Wiphan. She always smiles. She’s always full of joy and never complains, even though this beautiful young lady has Elephantitis. Elephantitis is a parasite which causes the inflammation of one of the limbs for which there is no cure (yet).  Her left leg is swollen to 3x it’s natural size causing her much pain and discomfort. Even still, joy reigns through in her heart!

The gorgeous Miss Margret! ❤

I stayed outside while the rest of our group went into Margret’s home. Laney and a couple of my brothers came in and out. I sat down in front of Margret’s home and had at least 30 children on all three available sides of me. They were asking me questions, touching my hair, telling me their names, etc. Again, most of these kids I didn’t know so they were new to me. The few I did know tried to push the other kids away to give me some space; but the truth is, I didn’t mind all those kids pressing around me!

The crowd at Margret’s place!

While the kids were all around me, they were shoving one little girl and she was starting to cry. I stood up, walked to where the little girl was, picked her up and sat back down with her in my arms and held her for a while. Her countenance changed almost instantly and her face just beamed!

Once the visit with Margret was over, Mrs. Young (Laney’s mom) came out of the home and turned on a song which Laney had practiced dancing to and they started dancing for the crowd! That was super fun to watch, and it was fun to see the kids trying to join in!

Dancing for the crowd!

A Visit to Pastor Aaron’s

In previous posts I have mentioned our good friend Pastor Aaron Chama. I think he has more energy than my two youngest brothers combined (and if you know my brothers, then you know that is a LOT of energy). He never ceases to smile and is also happy to do any task. He’s pretty serious about singing to the Lord while playing his guitar. I literally observed him jumping as high as he possibly could one day while he sang and played the guitar!

Me and Pastor Aaron!

As mentioned above, he joined us on our walk through Nkwazi. From there we walked to his home where we sat and visited with him and his family for quite some time!

I noticed some of my friends, Victoria, Karen, and Mavis, (who are relatives living with Pastor Aaron) were in the kitchen cooking. I walked in and they invited me to sit with them on their low stools while Mavis cooked nshima on the brazier (small charcoal like grill). We sand songs together, chatted, laughed, and enjoyed ourselves very much!

Mavis cooking the food!

Ms. Elizabeth, one of the ladies from Georgia, also joined our little group as we sang and began to serve food.

As is traditional in Zambia, one of the ladies of the household, in this case Victoria, went around to wash everyone’s hands before we ate. She knelt down on the floor with a basin in one hand and a pitcher in another as she poured water over each person’s hands.

After this, we all made a plate of food, nshima and ifisashi (made of kale, tomatoes, onions, and ground peanuts). Ms. Elizabeth and I shared a plate as did others around the room. The ladies who hadn’t tried the traditional food before seemed to really enjoyed it!

I offered to help Victoria and Mavis wash the dishes. They didn’t want me to at first, but they finally relented and let me help. We carried all of the dishes outside along with a large bucket of water and proceeded to sit on the ground to wash…Something is so peaceful about working outdoors!

Dishes with these ladies!

A Visit to the Jewelry Stand

On Monday, our family returned to Wiphan. I spent some time playing games with some of the girls from the village who came into Wiphan before taking a walk down to the jewelry stand.

The jewelry stand is a small stand down the road where the widows learning to make jewelry are trained.

Mike and Cornelius found their way to my side again. I also picked up a few new friends! A young girl named Regina (the daughter of a Wiphan teacher) and a Wiphan student named Allen! Allen I had seen before, but I got to know him a bit better today! He’s around 12 years old and he has the sweetest smile!!! Holy Smokes! Not to mention that he’s super playful! He came up behind me and covered my eyes with his hands….Everyone was giggling waiting for me to guess who it was! I thought for a second and then said, “Allen?” and he took off running laughing…I got him back later! 😉

Me and Allen!

We started up a game of futball and he was goalkeeper. We just made eyes at each other when it was my turn to kick.

Regina  was a little girl who also has a smile which captured my attention. She is a petite little thing, but more outgoing than a lot of kids…I turned my camera to selfie mode to take a pic with her and she immediately started giggling and making funny faces at herself! I carried her around for the longest time as she rested her head on my shoulder smiling away! ❤

Regina and I!

Okay, I think I’ve talked enough for one blog post….I could go on and ON about my life here…I feel giddy when I think about upcoming days and reminisce about the past! God is perfect. God is good. He knew that this is where I belong! He knew this is where my heart is! Oh the wonderful things my God can do!!!!

A Day Full of Pure, Indescribable Joy!! <3

What a wonderful, beautiful, exciting, full, and exhausting day we had yesterday! Our family woke up and prepared to leave for a visit to BCA.
BCA is another school for orphans here in Ndola from where we sponsor two children. We’ve been sponsoring these kids for 5 years! Both my parents have met the two kids, Victor and Edah are their names, but us 5 kids had not met them.

Victor when my parents first met him 5 years ago…

vs. Victor now!!!!

For 5 years we’ve seen Victor and Edah’s beautiful faces and smiles posted on the front of our refrigerator. We’ve seen updated pictures as teams have come BCA. We’ve read letters they’ve written to us. We’ve prayed for them and thought of them much like another brother and sister to us.
Today was a big day. A long-awaited day. A day I have dreamed of but never knew would exist. But here we were, about to meet Victor and Edah!  We drove up to BCA and were greeted by the children all singing to greet us! As the children walked away single-file we were scanning the lines for Victor and Edah! We were unable to spot them then, but later…my eyes spotted a pretty little girl, slightly taller than most, sitting in the circle of children…”That’s Edah!” I was so excited! Our eyes met, and I smiled at her! Her sweet smile in return made my heart skip a beat!! I learned later on that she has a picture of our family which she shows her friends every single day!!! ❤ Ooooohhh!!!! How heartwarming is that!!! Victor is smaller in stature, so I was having more trouble finding him. I asked one of the teachers who then pointed him out to me. The moment I looked over at him he smiled SO big! He saw the teacher point at him and that smile stole my heart away! ❤

Me and Edah!!! ❤

Ohmyheart!!!! I never expected to feel THAT much of a bond with these two kids! I cried when we left…I didn’t want to leave! I literally felt like I was leaving my brother and my sister behind!
While we were there, I was able to sit with both Victor and Edah, and meet some children sponsored by friends, and a few other kids also! =D
Then, I was able to play a Bemba variation of “duck, duck, goose” with some of the kids! I’ve been studying the Bemba phrases to sing for the game. 😉 That turned into standing in a circle, singing, and taking turns dancing in the center! Both games were super fun!
We had to leave far sooner than I desired, but at the same time I also had excitement waiting for me the other half of the day!
Immediately following our time at BCA, out family met two lovely ladies from Georgia here for a week. We all, along with Anna who also works with Wiphan, drove over to Wiphan to spend some time there! I ran up to the hospitality room (I kind of feel like I’m a part of that class! lol) to see if my friends were there! I was just in time to sing and dance! =D Only a couple of my friends were there, the other were new kids that I didn’t know. So I stood in the back with my friends and we all praised the Lord together in song and dance!

And here we are! =D Front left: Richard, Brenda, Winford- Back: I don’t know the first guy, Helen, Charles, Gasper, Me

There is nothing quite like the exhilaration of singing and dancing with Zambians! It’s so powerful and you can tell everything comes from the heart! I hate saying something is “indescribable” because that’s why I’m blogging: to explain what we’re doing and all the emotions that come with it. But honestly, it is very difficult to describe the joy, exhilaration, and passion which comes with Zambian praise and worship! No one is shy, no one is afraid to dance or shout! Everyone does what he feels led to do…Singing and dancing here is one of my favorite things! ❤

Some of the best friends around! =)

After that glorious time, my friends in hospitality joined me outside (another class was finishing before theirs began) and we enjoyed some fun conversation! The ladies here from Georgia and my mom were able to visit with them as well. They just added to the fun!! =D And they took some awesome pictures for us! 😉 It was a blast!
Also, my little friend Mike pulled me aside from my conversation and slipped a handmade bracelet over my arm!! ❤ He made it for me out of different wrappers..It was really amazing actually!!! He is So sweeeet!
Following that time, Mom and I, with Mrs. Watford and Ms. Tiley (the ladies from Georgia), Anna, and Mamma (Wiphan Nkwazi’s cook) walked to visit Pastor Aaron at his house.
Pastor Aaron is our good friend and the pastor at Wiphan, but he currently has Malaria. He’s improving though and claimed yesterday that he would be better and jumping with his guitar by today! 😉 Knowing him, I have to doubt! But we will see soon….
We sat outside on mats at his place while we visited. One of the teachers from Wiphan was there as well and encouraged us from the Scriptures!
Anna, Ms. Tiley, and Mrs. Watford, Mom, and I came home after this where we found the rest of my family. In the evening, we all enjoyed supper together around the table and some lovely conversation to follow!
To finish off the day, one of my best friends from the states messaged me a video of her telling me she loved me! ❤ Awww! What a joyous day yesterday was! The phrase, “That just made my day!” could’ve been uttered at nearly every turn…God is good; all the time!! And all the time…?

This little sickly boy was watching all the exitement at BCA. He was crying some, so I held him in my lap for a while!

Ain’t that just a sweet face! =D

BCA students!

Wiphan boys joining in for a selfie! =D

               

The Southern Cross

All of my life I have wanted to see the Southern Cross! I remember studying constellations in astronomy and wondering, “Will I ever be in the Southern Hemisphere and get to see the Southern Cross?”

Well, I guess that’s a yes! When my parents told us we would be moving to Zambia; granted, the constellation wasn’t one of my first thoughts as so many others were swirling in my head, but within the day I realized, “Hey!! I’ll get to see the Southern Cross!!!!”

Don’t ask me why it’s always fascinated me, for I truly do not know. It’s nothing super flashy really, just four stars in the shape of a diamond. Yet, the Southern Cross is simple, very pronounced, and easy to see. But I guess that’s the beauty of it…

The Southern Cross

My first night in Zambia, I didn’t look out at the stars. I was too tired and fell asleep at 5pm.. =P However, almost every night since, I peek out from wherever I am; my bedroom, the veranda, our car, etc. and view the night sky in search of my longed-for constellation. And every night it is there, shining brightly among all the other stars.

Since being here in Zambia I have realized what a beautiful parallel the Southern Cross in the sky is to Christ.

Referring back to its simplicity yet easy distinction, I realize that Jesus Christ and our relationship with Him is the same way! Salvation is simple, not easy (two very different words!). All we must do is genuinely realize our need for a Savior, admit we are sinners, and ask Jesus to be Lord in our lives. That’s all. If our salvation is real, then much more will follow, but that is all we must do. It’s simple. It’s nay not the most attractive or desirable thing from a worldly standpoint, just like the Cross in the sky is only four simple stars…. “Living a life surrendered to God? Having to follow all those rules and never have fun?” that’s how some people see it…but oh how wrong they are!!! Life with Jesus Christ as Lord of your life is beautiful! Beautiful and simple… Which leads me to my next point….

What do I mean by Christ is easily distinguishable? Well, as I look in the night sky, I see thousands of stars. Some are brighter than others. Some are dim, but many are visible. Even still, it is easy to spot the Southern Cross. It’s easy to recognize.

As I look at the world around me, it’s easy to see God’s hand in it all. No “Big Bang” or any other “theory” could’ve created all this. It’s easy to see God in creation! His name is written all over it! However, there are so many other stars in the sky. So many other more attractive stars; more intricate constellations and designs. It’s easy to look at the stars and overlook the Southern Cross. Though easily visible, it’s may not the thing that catches the eye first. Just like Christ when he was on earth….Again I say, a relationship with Jesus Christ is beautiful, it’s spectacular, it’s awesome! God is not some bright, flashy, pop star coming in with loud-speakers and bass guitars! No, God reveals himself in simple ways; simple yet attractive. And that is the beauty of it…

It’s up to us to see and appreciate the beauty in the Southern Cross, just like it’s up to us to care enough to discover and truly appreciate the beauty in Christ…