Here in Livingstone, Zambia as I walk through our community, on dirt roads and pot whole ridden paved streets, I am constantly called by two names: Mazungu and Big Mama. Mazungu means white person/foreigner. When I am called mazungu, I can agree, yes, I do look different than my neighbors. I can wear the same clothes and style my hair the same but I will always look different. When I am called Big Mama, it’s because of my size. Because of my size, it is assumed that I have had many children. I have never been married and have not birthed any children. Marriage and children are a...

Bubba Arthur, What a sweet boy you are. You have made ministry for me this month. Every day, as I walk through that wanky red fence, I hope to see your puppy dog eyes waiting on the other side. Greeted by 20+ kids shouting, I am most delighted with your hello hug. You might not stay in my class room for the whole 3 hours (because you sneak over to snuggle with teacher Logan) but the moments I do get to see you are my favorite moments. By lunch time, you waddle your way back over to me, with an open mouth ready for me to spoon feed you with your over filled lunch. After lunch is my favorite...

When asking the Lord for patience you have to be careful, because He WILL give you situations to practice patience in. I’m finding this out the hard way. I have always struggled with being patient and it’s an area that I want to grow in. Patience can look very different person to person and situation to situation. On this trip the Lord has given me PLENTY of situations to be patient in. But to be honest it’s still really hard. For me I’m impatient in almost every aspect of my life. Especially waiting to see God’s plan for me. I just want to get a head start or...

Livingstone, Zambia – home to one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World: Victoria Falls. Unfortunately, that’s what the vast majority of individuals think of when they think of Livingstone. The reality of Livingstone is a lifestyle that is on the opposite spectrum than what myself, and most of my friends and family are used to. We live a life full of commodity, where as here, it is a luxury to have a flushing toilet, underwear, and more often than not, a shoe for each foot. It’s been a challenge to adjust to this type of lifestyle. Teaching at the school and seeing...

“And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.” — Acts? ?9:5-9 I grew up in a church with one of the smartest pastors I’ve ever had the...

After teaching at the Amazing Grace School for a month now I’ve realized how important it is for kids to go to school. Almost all the kids in America dread going to school, but here in Zambia the kids are so eager to go. Many times during the day kids will run up to me asking for a book or pen and it breaks my heart seeing the passion they have to learn. Yet they are quickly refused the chance because of how poor this country is. Going to school here means they have a real chance at getting out of poverty and being able to support themselves for longer periods of time, rather than...