Team Zambia - Andrew Lau

It is hard to believe that Team Zambia has been here for four days already. With the lack of sleep and busy schedule, the days really blend together.

Having been on Tour Choir before, I've grown to appreciate worship through music more. One of the purest representations of what I imagine heaven might look like is people collectively praising God through song. It is such a unifying and beautiful experience. So when multiple different choir groups sang for the church service on Sunday, it made me feel very emotional picturing all of us rejoicing in heaven together. Even typing that last sentence made me get emotional thinking about it.

Life is hard. Everyone has problems, and lots of them. That can make the world a hard place to be. But when there are moments like these that make me think about what heaven is going to be like, when there will be no problems, there is so much joy in that thought. And despite the fact that those of us on this trip are coming from a different country, have a different background, and might speak different languages than those we are seeing, we couldn't be more together regarding what matters. Saved by grace, through faith.

Over the course of teaching our lessons the last two days, respect and admiration are two words that have come to mind often. The women of the church, with their amazing singing in the church service. The headmaster at one of the schools we visited, for her dedication to improving and for allowing us to share the Gospel message with her students. Reagan, our translator, with his overwhelming joy and passion in both his work as a schoolteacher and in seamlessly retelling our lessons in the native Bemba language (he is also an excellent singer). Pastor Mwansa, the ZCLC president, and Pastor Mutale, with their dedication to progressing the Gospel message and the church with planned monthly meetings. Ibrahim and his meticulous planning, going above and beyond in arranging bus rides, school visits, and many other things on our behalf to ensure things go smoothly. His consistent thankful and happy nature has kept us all focused and happy ourselves.

It is good to appreciate all of these incredible people, but it is important to remember that it is God that is behind it all. Through Him, we are conquerors, able to move mountains. Not through any good thing we have done.

Another thought that has occurred on this trip was also something I thought of during and upon returning from my second Tour Choir trip. On Tour Choir and on the MHT, you know why you are doing it. You are constantly reminded that you are here to spread the word, to witness for the one truth. And you are then presented with many opportunities to do just that. It seems like there are so many more chances to do this here than there are normally.

And while it might be true that there are many unique and not ‘normal daily life’ opportunities to share the word that this trip offers, I wonder how much of it is a mindset. It is so easy to get caught up with life, and worried about our own little things that don’t matter in the grand scheme of it all. We would all do well to keep in mind more often that we are here to witness for the one truth, and be a light in the dark. The more that stays at the forefront of our minds, the more opportunities to share the message seem to appear on the horizon.

Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the one who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

Alexus shared this Bible verse this morning, and it is very similar to one of my favorites, Joshua 1:9. The reminder that God will always be with us and endure through anything and everything is very uplifting. That same reminder can also aid and encourage us with seeking out the opportunities to witness in our daily lives. There’s nothing to lose, and everything to gain. Let the Spirit work as often as possible!

It is well, in the name of Jesus!!