A Day That I Had Dreamed About...

My journal entry for:

August 29, 2009- Saturday

Today was one of those days that you dream about when God calls you to the mission field. It was an awesome day because for about 3 hours, Kendall and I were both teaching, encouraging, and sharing Christ in the two places that God desires for us to be; me in Nyimba at home, and Kendall at Chinsawa Village in Mozambique.

I invited 3 friends and leaders over to the house for lunch and a short meeting. I was so excited to see them (Amai Sakala, Amai Maseko, Amai Lungu) because we are learning and growing together. Their presence at my home is always refreshing and many memories are made.

Yesterday, I was praying so hard for the perfect opportunity to share Christ with Chilufiya. That time never came because of the events of the day. Zeria and I kept praying and asking God to open a huge door (meaning that my kids were occupied and quiet and Chilufiya's heart was open to hear) for us to share with her.

As Zeria and I were preparing lunch for our guests today, she said..."If you are going to have a Bible Study today, Chilufiya wants to come!" I was shocked and said..."WHAT??!! She said that?!" Zeria replied, "YES!" We were elated as we cooked fried chicken and Chinese rape. Then I realized that the way that I had envisioned sharing Christ with Chilufiya, was not what God desired.

Chilufiya, Zeria, and my 3 friends and I all sat down to lunch, then we had Bible Study. Zeria shared the "Bridge Illustration" and shared the plan of salvation in order to teach the leaders how to share their faith with the women they are leading and also for Chilufiya to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Chilufiya had never heard the Gospel before and she was very interested in our discussion that we had after Zeria completed her teaching. We were unable to talk to Chilufiya after the meeting, but I cannot wait to talk to her and teach her more!

Sitting around my living room rug, 5 believers and a lost soul sat together. Chilufiya loved being in my home with friends because she said that her "brain was free" but whe she is at home "her brain thinks too much". She is not even able to eat at home but here at my home, she was at peace and could eat with us because our joy and love brought comfort to her aching heart. (*Chilufiya is my neighbor that lost her 9 month old, Mwaba, about a month ago. And she has also been made aware of her husband's girlfriend, she is now leaving her husband because of the pain he has caused. Everywhere she looks she is reminded of Mwaba or her husband.)

I was so happy today, after the meeting, Chilufiya came over again later this evening and shared dinner with Zeria, me, and the kids, I am so happy that she feels "free" and loved in our home. That is the calling that God has placed on my life, to make my home a place of love and freedom for those who are aching and hurting. I praise the Lord for the amazing blessings He has given us in order to share His love in many different ways.

During my meeting with the leader, we had an amazing time of reading God's Word and discussing what it really meant. We read Titus 2:4-5, Proverbs 31:26-30. We discussed ideas about teaching the women and being more intentional in sharing their faith with their family, friends, and the women at the church.

Today has probably been one of my most favorite days in Zambia because it was all about Jesus and sharing Him with those who know Him and those who don't.

Pray for Chilufiya. She is open to the Gospel, pray that each day, I can teach her something about God's Word and HIS love for her. She will be moving away very soon, so the days are numbered.