Lusaka
25 August 2013
07:00
Even before I left for Zambia and all throughout the past couple weeks, I have sensed God's favor upon this trip. For years, God has been making all the necessary connections. In the weeks leading up to my departure and up until now, I have seen God's hand bringing everything together in impossible ways.
When I missed my flight in Johannesburg, it turned out to be such a blessing. I was so frantic in the months preparing for this trip and it was really nice to have a little time to rest, refresh, and prepare myself mentally for what lay ahead. When I got to Ndola I checked the team's flight schedule and saw that they also had a very short turnaround to make their connection. I thought there was no way they would catch their flight, but through some miracle, they made it through the massive Johannesburg airport and to the gate with time to spare. They couldn't believe that they made it. The next day, we were able to share in the most incredible day of worship that they would have missed if they were delayed as I was.
I keep seeing more examples of this throughout our trip. One day, on our way to Kitwe, Pastor Faustin got stopped at a checkpoint for speeding. He went to talk to the police and came back to the car. They wanted to take his keys and have him go to the police station, but they might let us continue if we paid a high fine. He went to talk to them a second time and returned with the slow step of defeat to get his wallet. They had negotiated the fine down to 135 kwatcha (about $25). Then, a minute later, he come running back gleefully. Something changed the officer's heart and he didn't take the money. They just let us go without paying any fine at all.
A few weeks before leaving for Zambia, a colleague forwarded a job posting to me - my dream job right now... based in Zambia! I emailed a contact at the organization and we arranged to meet while I was in Lusaka. When we got to Lusaka, he said to let him know when we were settled and where we were staying. When I sent him the address, he replied, "How funny... I live on the same street." The really crazy thing is that the original plan was for us to stay somewhere else and then the decision was made just before we got to Lusaka for us girls to stay with one of Rich's good friends who helped start Pureworks. The next night, we picked one of their other neighbors to come with us to the worship night, and it turns out he works for the CDC. On top of that, he also knows my contact that I am going to meet about this job.
God has a plan. He is sovereign and He is good. I must trust Him to open up the doors to place me right where He wants me... though I am pretty sure He wants me here. God spoke to me so clearly about my future in Zambia during worship yesterday morning and I am so thankful that He is faithful to fulfill these promised that He's imprinted on my heart. I don't know exactly how or when, but I know God has big plans for me here and even bigger plans for the people of Zambia.