The Return.

The Return.

July 30th will mark 2 years since I left Zambia.  Not a day goes by that I don’t think about going back… and with every passing day a prayer for the proverbial “door” to open so that I can visit my Zambian family.   Up until now the timing has never been right.  My class schedule at Fuller hasn’t allowed me to take the time away, or I have been sick, or the anxiety resulting from PTSD from Zambia has crippled me with fear of returning.  Healing, both physical, emotional, and spiritual, have occurred with medical attention, counseling, and time.  And that yearning just keeps getting stronger.

For Lent I made an intentional effort to pray for discernment as to whether or not I would travel to Zambia this summer.  Setting the goal that on Easter Sunday I would decide to begin making plans, each day my ears and heart were open to whatever whispers the Lord might be giving me.  The second Sunday of Lent I woke up and said, “Ok Lord, today at church I want you to give me some real clear direction.”  (You know, that doubtful prayer where you hope for a “sign”) Well… in church that morning the choir happened to sing a “Zambian folk song.” (They made a valiant muzungu effort at African rhythms and Bemba words) I laughed while I wept and sang along to the words and my heart stirred with familiar Zambian rhythms.  (It’s a good thing it’s a mega-church and no one knows me)

Continued prayers for discernment led to communicating with Zambian friends, and resulting with this last week’s final “Yes! Please come!”

The best part: my mom is coming with me J  Counseling has uncovered the root of my PTSD, which was a deep sense of being very alone for 2 years in the midst of very hard trials.  I’m so thankful mom is coming with me, not just so I won’t be alone, but because I know how much her heart is connected with Zambia and our Zambian family.

The trip.

This isn’t a “doing” trip.  This is a “being” trip. 

One of the main complaints I have heard from Zambians about missionaries is that we come and serve, and then never come back or communicate.  The relational nature of the culture is deeply pained by this broken nature of missions, more-so than any other mistake the missionaries might make. 

This trip is about continuing the relationships I have made in the past.  It is about encouraging my friends in ministry, grieving with my friends who have lost their spouses to untimely deaths, and celebrating the successes of growth which are occurring at the Bible College.  It is about making sure my friends know that I haven’t forgotten them, praying the prayers I’ve prayed for them each day- but in person, and just being together.

Mom and I plan to do some teaching at the Bible College to help support the staff with their heavy work load, but I know that a couple weeks of teaching will only have a small impact compared to the encouragement I hope we can bring.

The Plan.

I’m taking the summer quarter off from classes.  This will allow me to travel home, pack with mom (and visit Margaret of course!), and travel together to Zambia.  Dates are not set in stone yet, but we expect the trip will be about 3 weeks in the month of July.  2 weeks of this time will be at the bible college, while other time will be spent visiting with graduates at their sites of ministry, as well as visiting some missionary friends. 

Want to Join Us?

The ministry which I have done in Zambia has only been partially by my efforts. Without the team of support that the Lord has surrounded me with I would have never been able to go, and certainly would not be sustained without the prayers and encouragement you have given me.  The Lord has worked powerfully through everything you have done as a part of this ministry.

Will you continue to join me in serving the Lord in Zambia? 

Pray.

Prayer is hard work.   Would you be willing to help us carry the responsibility of this ministry by praying for us? 

Please pray for:

-Details.  So many things still need to come together!

-Clear communication with Zambia.

-Physical health- I always seem to be fighting something, be it a migraine or a cold or chronic fatigue.  Pray that I stay healthy and strong in the months leading up to the trip.

-Emotional strength- the healing process the Lord has had me on has been so beautiful, pray this continues.

-Spiritual protection- Satan would just love to get his dirty little paws on this and destroy the Lord’s work happening here…

Give.

Mom is going to be paying her own way.  I plan to pay out of pocket as well, however the grad-school budget is tight and the costs of this trip just may mean I go hungry when I come back J

Would you be willing to give financially to help cover costs?

I am budgeting a total of $3,500 for my portion of the trip.  $2,500 of this will cover my airfare, while the $1,000 will cover food, lodging, in-country travel, visa, and seed money for donations/gifts for friends. 

Any extra money raised above this budget will be saved for further ministry efforts in Zambia, which may include direct donations to development projects currently happening at the Bible College and surrounding area. 

If you would like to participate financially, please send me an email at Laureninzambia@gmail.com for more details.  Every little bit helps!!!

Thank you!

Thank you so much for continuing to share this journey with me!!  Wow! What a journey it has been!