|

I don’t know why I did not expect to be invited to see a crocodile, it is Africa after all…

Today was my favorite Zambian day. We had our last day of school ministry. It was uneventful for me, but seeing love grow and God shine through my teammates was moving. I am going to describe all my feelings as if I were still in that moment right now.

Tyler and I have spent countless hours preparing posters per request of our 4th grade class’ teacher. We hung a lot of them up today. We walked in class after being off of school ministry for two days and Tr. Kafula said “you’re still here! We missed you! We thought you went home already!” To which I replied “We would not leave without telling you!” We did not have any teaching to do, our mark was simply made by the 20+ posters that we have created. I sat in the school’s courtyard on a log and began praying over the school, the students, and the teachers. I saw the love poor out of the seventh grade classroom when I heard them all yell “JESUS.” This was made even more special when I rewound to our first day two weeks prior. The amount of frustration that came out of that class, versus the joy I witnessed today (also exampled during the singing and dancing to ‘Father Abraham.’).

Earlier this week a few teammates had passed a house that had a small white dainty drawing of a crocodile on the side of a green painted home. The next day one of those girls was given a drawing of a crocodile by a child during soccer ministry. This peaked their interest and on Wednesday they decided to go back to the home. They met a young 15 year old girl named Esther. I do not know the details of how that conversation happened, but needless to say- today seven of our girls headed to Esther’s house to do a bible study on chapters 3 and 4 of the book of Esther. Their house was beautiful, huge, welcoming. Our warm greeting looked like this: “There is a crocodile. Do you want to see it?” A few glances were exchanged. I stood up. Who would not want to see an African crocodile? We followed Esther out of the gate, around the corner, and up a hill, where we approached a body of water. I asked if the crocodile was not here today or simply hiding? The language barrier never fails to make me laugh. I got a finger pointing in the distance as a reply and before I could think, I saw arms link both sides of my teammate and trudge into the water. First on the rocks at the surface. After a fast two steps they were quickly at knee deep water, going to see the crocodile. It was pretty neat. I tried to get closer, but was told not to. There’s a lot more to this story, please feel free to ask for full details.

Our bible study was beautiful. I personally struggle with Esther and it was broken down so beautifully by my teammates. We were able to give Esther a bible and her step mother joined us. I noticed Esther underlining in her bible and taking notes. When it was time for us to get going, Esther made it very clear that she loved our company and did not want us to go. My heart was full.

Just when I thought my heart could not get any fuller, I was proven wrong. Sixth grade Joseph gets straight to the center of me. I do not know if it is walking home arm and arm to the beat of ‘The wedding song.’ I do not know if it is the first time he hugged me from behind with a bold “Cassidy!” It may have just been today when he snuck up behind me, put his hands over my eyes and said “guess who?” Leaving this boy in a week will be the hardest part of my trip. Leaving Joseph is already much harder than leaving home. Joseph, please do not ask me again if I am ever coming back, because if you do, I just might never leave.

More Articles in This Topic

Snapshot

13 days in moments