I’m very excited, because next week I will be heading for the next step in my adventure! I will be leaving Chikankata, Zambia and heading to Nairobi, Kenya. This will not just take me from one nation to another, but also from the bush to the city, a major change in itself.
8 days ago, I thought I would be staying in Zambia for at least the next 7 months. Then I discovered that I needed to leave the country to put my work permit application in. This came as a bit of a surprise to me, it was not a surprise to Papa, He had gone before me and prepared a way.
Within 2 days, I was connected with a lady in Nairobi who was looking for someone to work with and encourage her Kenyan team, while she went back to the States for 2 months. How good, how God! I needed am opportunity to serve and she needed someone to serve, both for 2-3 months. After our first chat I knew I was going to Nairobi. How’s that for divine orchestration!
The best part is that the project supports whole families to leave trafficking and prostitution. Those who know me, know that this is something that is very dear to my heart. I’m thankful that Papa not only goes before me and prepares a way, but He prepares a way that blesses my heart too!
So, to the reason for this blog. I leave Zambia, on a one way ticket for Nairobi, in a little over a week, and it has hit my heart hard to say goodbye. I may only have been in Chikankata for 7 weeks, but the family I have the privilege of serving with, and the people of Nankenya have got under my skin. I love them and that makes it hard to leave, especially when I cannot say when I will be back.
It appears that I may spend the rest of my life as an itinerant missionary! Papa seems to be preparing me to live a nomadic lifestyle, and be content with 3 months here, 6 months there, 9 months somewhere else. I can’t say this for certain but I have no plans after Kenya, at least, Papa hasn’t revealed them to me yet. It feels like He’s leading me this way though.
So that leads to a couple of questions…….
Will I continue to love wholeheartedly, even if I know, or suspect, that it is only for a short time?
Will I choose not to guard my heart to prevent pain, but be willing to joyfully walk the ups and downs, trusting that Papa has made me to walk this path?
Tough questions!
The answer has to be yes, that’s what Jesus did! So, as I consider my time in Kenya, however long that is, I commit to being fully present and fully loving. I commit to loving the one in front of me and the team around me. I commit to representing my King well and trust that, when He says it is time to leave, He will enable me to do it well, just like He is as I leave Zambia.
I’m realising we can never be truly alive, unless we wholly and unreservedly give ourselves to live in the moment, the present (let’s be honest, it’s all we’ve got, because the past is history and the future is a mystery) and, as well as being present, to truly love those who are placed around us, whether for a short time or a lifetime.
This is the lesson I am learning in this transition, and some moments I do it well, and others, I have to run back to Papa and say sorry. However, more and more, I’m learning to rejoice in the moment, even in the bittersweet!
Be blessed.
Consumedbyloveandgrace 