On October 24th, Zambia celebrated it’s 50 year anniversary of independence from Great Britain. To say that people were excitedly freaking out doesn’t really explain the overall atmosphere of this nation. Even to say that they were excitedly freaking out beyond control still doesn’t do it justice. 50 years is a big thing to celebrate. It was named Zambia’s “Golden Jubilee”. The entire city was decorated with the national colors: green, red, black, and orangey gold. Desk-sized flags were sold at virtually every major intersection of the city of Lusaka. Zambian soccer jerseys were worn (even though they’re worn every day). It was really cool to experience and it reminded us a lot about American Independence Day, but it had an unfamiliar charm to it. In short, we were both very excited to be in the country during the Independence weekend (even if traffic was 10 times more chaotic than usual).
(Image borrowed from Google)
So, having celebrated the first 50 years of Zambia’s independence, I (Wyatt) have been thinking a lot about how Amy and I can play our part in the 50 years ahead. Relax, I’m not necessarily saying we’ll live here for 50 more years (though I can’t say we won’t, either). I’m simply saying that we have a unique opportunity to love, influence, empower, and disciple the beautiful people of this nation, whether they're adults of various ages, children, or anyone in between. As I consider practical ways we can be good stewards of our remaining time in Zambia, I get really excited for how God can use us to help shape the nation of Zambia and the next 50 years. I’ll explain two major ways we can shape this country.
For one, Clothed in Hope’s programs are helping us to empower vulnerable women, who will in turn empower their families. The most foundational aspect of our work here is what we will continue to use as a means of empowering this nation. If we have 3 new classes of 10-15 women each per year, and we remain here for the next 10 years, then that’s 300-450 women who could be radically transformed and empowered. That could potentially be 1,200-2,250 family members (assuming each family has 4 or 5 members, at the very least). If the families are larger, or we are able to expand our programs to more compounds, then that number could easily double, triple or more by the next 10 years. To think about the impact in the next 10 years, as far as life-skills training, is very humbling and very exciting.
Secondly and lastly, through said programs, we have an opportunity to get to know these women (and their families) on a deep level. Through weeks, months, and years of walking through life alongside these families, we’re able to get to know these women deeply and to develop relationships that allow us to personally share the gospel of Jesus through our lives to those who do not know him, and to help encourage those who do follow Christ to grow towards the next step in their personal relationships with our Savior, also encouraging them to share that hope with their neighbors and friends. This is eternally more important than the first point. With this great responsibility we also know that we need to prepare ourselves in order to disciple others, constantly allowing the Holy Spirit and others to pour into us so that we can then pour into others.
As you see, we have quite a lot of work to do with Jesus going before us. We’re excited for the 50 years ahead for Zambia and we’re praying for the strength and guidance to get to play some role in them. Would you all consider joining us in prayer and support for our influence in the lives of these people? As always, we’ll keep everyone posted on life and ministry here for the remainder of our time here, whether that’s another 5, 10, 25, or 50 years.
Love,
W&A
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