MY SO "CALLED" LIFE

I'm reading a book by Erwin McManus called Chasing Daylight (thanks Christy) and he talks a bit about this thing-a "calling". All of us that call ourselves Christians are called first to follow God - and often into the unknown. He writes "Faith is all about character, trusting in the character of God, being certain in who God is and following Him into the unknown." I just want to encourage all of you to take steps into the unknown. If we avoid all of the uncertainties in life we will really miss out on truly living. This journey of coming to Zambia was and is very much full of the unknown, but there is so much LIFE in the uncertainty.

The past week has been a good one. The 4th passed without fireworks but it was still fun. I made a sign for the kids at my home stay that said "Happy 4th of July" with a picture of the American flag. Later that day I watched as my little brother Cholwe traced each letter with his finger learning how I had formed them. I made all the kids repeat the pledge of allegiance with me, just like I was at home on the porch with my family. We were without a flag but I faced the US so I'm sure I was facing a flag somewhere! We had a parade of sorts as all the kids walked with us to the market wearing our bicycle helmets and walking our bikes for us. Impala meat, capenta, and caterpillars taste nothing like a good 'ole burger, but playing volleyball and having sack races with the Zambians made it seem a little more like home. The words of Andrea's poem came true - "the Zambians will get such a treat when the American girl pedicures their feet"- once I got all the dirt off their toes, I gave my little sisters pedicures! It was a 4th I won't forget.

We are having awesome cultural training each Thursday and this last week we discussed politics, geography, and economics within Zambia. Elections for a new president are supposed to take place in November or December, so that should be exciting. My heart continues to be burdened for this country, where the life expectancy is the lowest in the world at 37 years. Another stat I read this week notes that at the current rate of infection 1/2 of the 15 year olds in Zambia will die of HIV/AIDS. Reading Matthew 10 this week, where Christ talks about putting new wine into new wineskins - I need to figure out a way to do this! Not to get a glass of wine (though that would be nice), but how to educate people in a new way and have it be relevant. Obviously the info or the mode of communicating has not worked so far. Please pray that God would show me how to do this.

The week ahead holds much promise - on Tuesday I'll be giving an hour talk to an 8th grade class on nutrition. Educating on healthy living is one of the goals of the HIV program. Please pray that I'll have peace as I'm speaking to the students. I also have my 2nd language competency on Friday and then Saturday I find out my village placement! Please pray for all these things. Blessings! I'm off to the African wedding...