Impacted

Finally… words are flooding my head again! It’s been weeks since I have been able to write a cohesive piece about anything, and even longer since I have felt such peace.

I have wanted to write about the people I have been serving, but no words seemed to adequately display who they are. The group of people that God has specifically laid on my heart for this year are extraordinary women to say the least.

They aren’t in a remote African village, but their community is strong and somehow makes you stronger by being a part of it. They aren’t from the Zambian culture for the most part, but their cultures are unique and shine through in really awesome ways. They don’t spend all day in fields working or building things, but they are some of the hardest workers I have ever met in my life. They don’t always think they are making a difference in a lot of people’s lives, but their lives are inspiring and radiate love and joy and peace.

These are the ladies I get to spend every day serving in some way or another. They are the most humble inspiring group of women I have ever been around. They all have unique gifts that are needed throughout the community at very specific times. They somehow have figured out how to make a home out of a place so foreign to a lot of them. They are an incredible blessing to all the people that pass through their homes and this community. They have the wisdom, patience, and love that motherhood alone can give. They are steadfast in their love for the Lord. They are incredible.

It’s been three months, and most days have felt like they are loving on me more than the other way around. But every day I walk away completely bewildered at their energy, patience, and overflowing love.

Some days I still find it hard. How best to serve in this community and who to serve in this community. They all are doing an amazing job raising a family in a culture not their own, and God simply called me here to love on them whether through taking a class of homeschooling off their plate, giving them a five minute break to use the bathroom in peace, or babysitting for a date night out. It is nothing, but what I am learning from the ways they walk out their lives is everything.

You see I don’t know if they realize the huge impact they are making on a daily basis. Most of them have a purpose to serve their family and love on them. But what they don’t take into account are the countless number of guests they show their hospitality towards every year. The days they spend cooking for a big event, or the hours they spend mentoring and loving on their Zambian house workers. The impact their smile has in the market place or the magnitude of them serving their families selflessly. The effect their dozens of chocolate chip brownies, handmade gifts, or dinners for their friends to have a date night will make. The extent of their impact on my own life.

Humbled to be learning so much from these ladies, blessed by His Faithfulness in bringing me back to Zambia, and overwhelmed by His patient and persistent love.