Our Family's Call to Zambia

At the end of the summer next year (2024) my husband, William, myself, our 6-year-old daughter, Vada, and our Sheepadoodle pup, Maybelle, have plans to move to the bush of Africa! Zambia, a land-locked country in the southern part of Africa, is home to many children who have been orphaned and are living in very vulnerable situations. Poverty is rampant in the area we are moving. In a village called, Chitambo, sits the Agape Village Foundation, an orphanage and school to some of these precious children. God, in both His sovereignty and providence, has knocked on the door of our hearts and ask us to go live at the Agape Village and love on the children living there in Jesus' name.

By his grace alone -- We have said yes.

"Yes" to God means "no" to flesh...I am experiencing this Biblical truth in a very tangible way in my life right now. This experience of "yes" to God and "no" to flesh is relatable for all believers -- each of us experiences this at different times and in different ways in our lives. It's impossible to be a Christ-follower and not know this experience. My flesh wants physical comfort, financial security, easy access to good medical care and close proximity to family and friends. It's not that any of those things are inherently bad (they're actually good), but God has asked me if I am I going to choose them over Him, when he is asking me to leave these things....

I feel many different things as I consider this move. But to be honest with you, it feels worthless to type out all of those (very varied) feelings. The most worthwhile question is the one Betty Elliot, a missionary to Ecuador and my hero, would often ask herself..."What is true?"

As I meditate on that now, what is true is that when we pick up our cross to follow Christ's leading in our lives (which inherently involves denying self because it's a cross - a death tool!) we align our hearts a bit more with Christ. That decision will never lead to regret, no matter what the outcome.

Betty Elliot would often say that success is not based on outcome, but obedience.

I desperately want to internalize that truth. If I can, then I'll go where he leads and rely on his power to work in me, through me, and sustain me for the task he is asking of me. Anddddd, I'll be successful because I am submitting.

Matthew 18:1-5 is a passage a new, dear friend shared with me recently as I was sharing with her about Zambia.

"At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, 'Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, 'Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me."

The total trust of a child is what pleases the Lord, not the work the child does. I have much to learn from a child.

This passage in Matthew was demonstrated beautifully by the Old Testament saint, Esther. Esther told Mordecai that to do what he is asking her to do - go before the king un-summoned - (in Esther 4:11) is a death sentence. An actual death sentence! Mordecai boldly replies to Esther's fear by reminding her that she may think that she was going to save her life by not approaching the king but in actuality she'd lose it.

The point is - We cannot ignore God's calling on our lives. If we do, a much higher price will have to be paid than whatever it is we are afraid of giving up, even our own lives.

Tony Evans said "Disobedience to your kingdom calling puts you at risk for losing your kingdom calling. Wandering off the pathway of God's purpose puts you at risk of wandering in the wilderness of waste. God will never force you to fulfill your destiny. He will enable you to live out your purpose, but it is up to you, through your choices and character, to remain faithful to that purpose."

In other words, we can refuse God's call to us, but there will be a high price to pay. Weigh your options soberly as you consider your answer to the King of the universe.

In answering God's call, there is reward. Obedience breeds blessing. Maybe that blessing doesn't come in this life, maybe it comes in the next, but it will come.

Esther, knew that obedience might cost her her life. Of course she was afraid, but that wasn't worth focusing on. She knew God's call, it was unmistakeable, and the alternative to not responding was worse than losing her life. Esther submitted to God and he was faithful to deliver her and her people from Haman's evil plan to eradicate them. I would imagine her faith was deeply strengthened on the other side of all of the "what if's?" Esther didn't know that she would survive -- It took faith. God would have delivered the Israelites by another means if Esther had refused. What if she had said, "no thanks, God, I'll stay in my royal quarters thank you very much." It would have been disastrous for Esther, but I am sure her flesh was telling her to stay put and enjoy her luxurious life in the palace. Don't you think she was tempted at some point to believe that that was the better plan for her, personally? If she would have listened to her flesh, she would have forfeited being used by God and experiencing the intimacy with him and the blessings that came through that child-like trust and obedience to him.

Side note, but this is why we parents should deeply value teaching our children that obedience matters. It's not about our kids making our lives as parents easy, it's about them growing up and realizing that they are NOT the captain of their own ship. They submit to a higher authority who has such a loving heart towards them. They can obey, first time, because he is trustworthy. I fear our generation is missing this in our parenting.

Faith may feel scary at times because it can't be seen. 100% -- this is true! But it's not worth harping on. We are called to trust the Lord, the One in whom our faith is being placed. Faith has to be tested and acted on.

What is the Lord calling you to right now? It's ok to be scared, but meditate on what is true. I hope you and I will draw courage from Esther, who showed us what brave, child-like faith looks like.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, like Esther, like Betty Elliot, but most of all like our Savior, Christ Jesus, empower us to choose obedience to your individual calls to us, over self-perseveration. Give us eternal eyes to know that this life is not it for us, and this world is not our home.

In Jesus' name, Amen.