There are really good days and really bad days here. Most of
the time it depends on the attitude we choose and the way we see our
circumstances. But sometimes the really good days are just huge helpings of
grace as Jesus chooses to bless us even when we are far from deserving it.
Confession: this weekend/start of the week was really hard
for me (Amy). I was drowning in doubt and fear and anxiety. Times like that
just feel hopeless and overwhelming. But the good news is that Jesus doesn’t
leave us there.
And then there’s today. Redemption. Mercy. Beauty. In the
seemingly most ordinary of ways.
It’s a rare occasion that errands go as planned, or that one
thing will even be successful that we set out to do. There are many reasons for
this, but none we’ll dive into today. I
just wanted to say that to try to
frame daily life here in Zambia for y’all back home. I know you don’t fully get
it, I don’t blame anyone for that, and I’m not bogged down by that. Just know
this: things are tricky.
But today was different. We drove through 2 checkpoints
without any trouble. We signed a lease for a house on its own property so that
we can run a volunteer house to host some fun folks who can be more hands and
feet for Clothed in Hope. We love the house.
I have been trying since February- almost 8 months now- to
get an ATM card for our local bank account. A process that seems easy but has
been quite interesting. But today I got it! And was able to make a deposit AND
do some other banking paperwork. Again, sounds small but y’all, it’s HUGE. An
important official even tried to cut everyone in line because of his “status”
but the banker told him “You are just like these other bankers in here, and you
must wait in the queue (line).” BAM. Take that injustice! I wanted to stand up
and cheer for this man and put him on my shoulders, but instead I just smiled
and praised Jesus.
And if that wasn’t enough, sitting down to lunch at our
favorite café to celebrate, I get a phone call from an incredible orphanage
here who heard about us and wants their caretakers and the mothers who had to
give up their children (thus making them social orphans in the orphanage) to be
enrolled in our skills training program to re-unite families and create
sustainable livelihoods. WHAT?!! Local partnerships + working to achieve our
super long-term goals + orphan prevention through mother empowerment + new
friends = YES!
Not every day is like today. But we will not let that
detract from hugely celebrating God’s glory in today and every day. Jesus has
won the victory and is proclaiming it in Zambia, in our lives, and through the
doubt that plagues me.
So we celebrate with chocolate cake, usually a tradition as
a coping mechanism of horribly awful days, but not today. Today Jesus brings
beauty from ashes. Today He has redeemed what is His. Today He has shown us
grace upon grace for His glory and incredibly, for our good.
Celebrate with us, friends. Thank you for your prayers that
we feel so deeply, so fully, so beautifully.
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