Day 4

June 6

What a day! First thing this morning I met Beauty who has played such an important role in breaking my heart for orphans. She is a few years older than she was in the video, but still so beautiful. She sat behind me in church and I loved turning around to see her there. All the orphans were beyond precious. I didn't know any of the Zambian worship songs, except for one that was on the CD I got prior to the trip out here, but I LOVED hearing the Zambians worship! When they worship, they do not hold back, they sing at the top of their lungs, smile, dance, clap and lift their hands. How refreshing to experience true, undefiled worship. Pastor Eric spoke from Exodus 3 on Moses. He pointed out that the order of JOY must be Jesus, Others, You - no matter how much compassion I have, others cannot come before Jesus and neither can I.
After lunch was shopping at the market - so fun and such friendly people! I enjoyed getting to know Anne and Rachel better, we have a lot in common. Finally this afternoon I met my Zambian partner/evangelist/translator, Zackie (short for Zacchaeus). He is only 17, but I have so much to learn from him. We got to know one another for 30 minutes and prayed over the week. He likes that I'm real with him and not fake - I consider that a great compliment. Zackie has 5 brothers and sisters of which he is the oldest. His parents were separated, but his dad died when he was 1. He lives with his mom now, just finished high school, and plans to attend the University of Zambia just up the road to study IT. He loves rap and knew many American artists including Flame, Toby Mac, Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, Michael W. Smith, and others I have not heard of. He even rapped for me! Zackie asked me how many people I had led to Christ this year - my answer was none, but that I had prayed with and shared the gospel with a few people. He answer - he has led 50 people to Christ just this year. I tried to come up with excuses like things are just different in America, it's not that easy...but all Zackie does is take his Bible to the streets and when someone believes, he leads them to Christ and they start attending church. I have been so convicted all evening. Father, am I a lukewarm Christian? In the States I would say no way, but here, embarrassingly yes. Father, I pray you would change my heart to share the gospel everywhere, especially in America. How can my purpose really be to glorify you if I'm not sharing you with everyone I meet? Make me bold and proud of you in my life.