How have I already been in Zambia a year?? Time has truly flown by. In some ways it feels like I have been here a lot longer, and in other ways, it feels like I just stepped off the plane! God has taught me so much in this year, so here are the highlights!
- Humility.
Living abroad and working cross-culturally is such a humbling experience. To say, “I’m not always right” is a really hard thing for me to do. Just ask my two brothers. God has shown me so much grace in those moments when I think I know the right way to do something. He has shown me the beauty in diverse thinking and in letting others feel empowered to make decisions.
- Slowing Down.
I’m still not great at this. Coming from a culture of speed, hurry, action, efficiency, and “I want it now”, slowing down is a really hard thing. The pace of life in Zambia is just much slower than in America. There is a beauty in taking time for conversations and community rather than just getting work done. In Zambia, we greet with a “how are you?” and not just “hi”. Business is not done before you say a greeting. It is still difficult for me to slow down, but I am learning that there is more to life than just racing from one thing to the next.
- Chosen.
I am constantly blown away at how God chooses to work through humanity. He chooses to continue the story of Jesus through us. This ties a bit into humility, because I am humbled and in awe that the God of the universe uses us to do His will. In anything that we do, he is choosing to work through our actions, words, and relationships. Whether we are pizza makers, stay at home moms, business owners, pastors, or mechanics, God is choosing us, through Jesus, to bring his kingdom. That’s amazing!
Those are just three of the things that God has been teaching me in the year that I have been in Zambia. I am amazed by his goodness, faithfulness, and his loving-kindness to me in this year. He has shown me so much grace, and I know that I will continue to need that grace in the years to come.