Daniel

He's everything I said I would not fall in love with.

From the other side of the world.
A year and a half younger than me.
Barely taller than me.
Meet in Africa - become a classic missionary love story.

But he's everything I did fall in love with. He continually reminds me it's his charm and good looks I couldn't resist. I'll let him think what he wants.

After hearing about Daniel for months, and really not thinking anything other than "Cool, he's just as accident prone as myself," I met him. Little did I know, our 'accident-prone-ness' was the first of many things we shared in common. For one, he loves dropjes - and he's not even Dutch! We love life chats over a pot of tea. Our ideal way to spend an evening is studying God's Word and sharing what God has been doing in our lives. We both come from big families - and see the value of our families. We found common ground by our interest in Francis Chan's teachings. Most importantly, we understand each other, and share a passion for living for Christ.

I love him because he's an ordinary guy who let God into his heart and daily lives to honor God. I love him because he challenges me to do the same, every single day. He's not afraid to gently correct me, challenge me, and encourage me on my walk with God. I love him because he makes me laugh - whether it's because of the ridiculousness of the situation he's got himself into, or something he says. He just told me today, "I'm gonna start riding a horse around town." And he actually will. I love him because he is willing to join me on this journey of surrendering to God all our plans for our future.

We got to spend 3.5 months together in Zambia. Three and a half months doesn't seem long, but when you live with someone, eat meals together, work in the same office, do the same things on the weekends, you get to know someone pretty well in that short time frame! We were rarely apart. We spent hours together - talking (which he does a lot of!), laughing, praying, learning, going on adventures, figuring out what a relationship looks like within our multi-cultural community - but we always had the thought of Daniel going back to Australia in the back of our minds. We spent his last weekend at a lake with a few others from Kachele. Those few days were so bittersweet - wanting to make the most of our time left, and facing the reality of him leaving and us being separated for an unknown amount of time.

God showed us a lot over the time we had together. God taught us about seasons - and the importance of the season we were entering. God was calling us in two different directions - but just like God protected, loved, and prepared Moses for 40 years in the wilderness the next season of his life, that's what God was calling us to. A time for both of us to intently seek God, knowing this time separate from each other is precious and being used to draw us closer to Him. It's also a preparation time - for God to grow and mold each of us to be more Christ-like.

And we're in that season. I know that being apart, God is teaching us both great things we wouldn't have otherwise learned if we were together. For me, I have learned, and continually am re-learning, to surrender to God's will. I don't know when I'll see Daniel next. I don't have 'surrender' down pat, and I don't think I ever will perfectly, but I'm learning. I'm learning because God is teaching me gently and lovingly, and with a LOT of grace. He told me,

"Look what I gave you.
Let go of it.
Stop making plans.
Wait for me."

He gave me this amazing guy, and is teaching me to let go - to let go of planning my life and fitting Daniel into it. I trust we have a future together; I have to constantly let go of trying to figure out what that looks like. Because in God's perfect timing, I will know, and so will Daniel. And until then, I will try to master surrender, as difficult as it is. Because I know it's what God wants me to learn, and I don't want to waste this season pining for something I can't have until this season is over. And the season I'm in is truly beautiful.

Matthew 6:33-34 | "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

Don't mind the sleepy eyes - here we are the day before he left Zambia :)

-heather

The People I've Met

This past week has been one of those weeks where I am forced to take a step back and see how God perfectly orchestrates His world, and the plan for each of our lives. Hands at Work held a gathering here at Kachele in Zambia with both African and international Hands leaders, about 65 in total. The week was a time of reflecting on the past year and looking forward to next year. We were greatly challenged and deeply encouraged as communities, as teams, and as individuals. Throughout the week, I had some of the greatest opportunities of my life - I drank tea, ate meals, sat under trees, and shared a room with the most amazing African leaders. I was overwhelmed with realization that God raised each of these diamonds out of the dust of Africa, and brought each one on such a unique journey to reveal their calling to serve the most vulnerable children in Africa.

I met Toyin. A courageous Nigerian woman who spends her life fiercely defending and fighting for children in the most desperate situations in her home country. Children are alive because of her. I sat with her over lunch one day while she poured out her story and left me speechless. Nothing in the world will stop this woman from fighting and persevering - because she knows it's what God called her to do. I sat with her as she reflected on God's faithfulness. When she was finished all I could do was thank God for creating her.

I met Angel. Sweet, beautiful Angel who went against every cultural norm and gave up her government-paid teaching position to voluntarily serve the most vulnerable families in the Congo. She is not only the mother of many poor communities in the DRC, but a mother to five of her own children. She didn't know English a few years ago, and sitting with her the other day, I would have never known. She's a fighter, and she lives out her calling daily, despite countless mountains she must climb working in the DRC.

I met Florence. A fierce, determined single mother who has a passion to care for the people of Mozambique. She spent months this year sleeping in countless homes, visiting hundreds of children - all of whom she knows by name. She sits on top of piles of firewood and charcoal on the back of a straight truck to get from one community to another. Children wouldn't survive without her.

There are many more I could write about.

These three women go against every single cultural norm, have to fight for children every single day - yet do it with a deep conviction of knowing that God placed them and they will live out their callings with perseverance, knowing that their treasure lies in heaven, and they will keep placing one foot in front of the other until they get there.

God placed me in the middle of them this week. I don't know why, because I certainly don't deserve this privilege. I prayed for words to encourage each of them, but words simply didn't do justice.

They have challenged me and encouraged me in ways too great to put into words, and I will forever treasure the moments I spent with each of them.

-heather

{untitled} - October 5

Yes it's been a while since my last post. Sorry dad and everyone else who has been asking for an update! I have no excuse - I could say there are power outages 8 hours a day, I dropped my computer and broke it, I write all day long already as a part of the Communications team - but that's all irrelevant. So today I'm locking myself in my room until this is posted. It's really not that bad. I'm just being lazy.

The past week and a half I have been supporting Morgan as the Hands host of a Nurses for Africa team in Kabwe (about three hours from here). Being with the team and with Morgan, I had opportunities to visit some of our communities every day, which is such a huge privilege! Between my roles on the Communications team and Project Support team for Kabwe Service Centre, I am in the office every day, working from my computer, attending meetings, and talking on the phone. So being able to take a break from the office to visit and revisit some communities Kabwe Service Centre supports was amazing.

Two clinic days were held - one in Malakota and the other in Miswa; both of which were in desperate need of medical attention. Altogether, 1000 patients were served - about 700 in Malakota and 300 in Miswa. The rest of the week was spent in Malakota with the kids and Care Workers, going on home visits, spending time at the Care Point, and building relationships. It was a truly amazing week.

This week, I was once again floored by the selflessness of our incredible Care Workers. They are the men and women who give their lives every single day, cooking for, loving, and visiting children voluntarily. They themselves struggle with family hardships and food challenges - yet still give. And give. And give. With so much joy. These people teach me things no one else ever could. They live their lives with the joy of the Lord as their strength. I honestly don't have words to describe how much of an impact they made on me this week. They know every child's story, struggles, families - simply because they are being obedient to God's voice to love and care for the most vulnerable children around them. I feel so inadequate compared to them. How can I be more servant-hearted? More loving? More encouraging? More selfless? Do I depend on the joy of the Lord as my strength when I have a tough day?

---

I don't have many photos from the week, but here are the few I do have.

So much joy is found on this land and in these shelters in Malakota, as 70 kids gather each day to be served by cooks and Care Workers. I don't have a photo but to the left of these buildings is a three class room school which was the first school in this community, and where the clinic was set up. Malakota is an hour from the next town which is where the nearest hospital and clinic would be.

The two beautiful women on the right are cooks who make a hot meal every day for 70 children. They are amazing. There are two Care Points in Malakota - this one serves 70 children, the other 30.

The kids here are eating their meal - it was a special meal as a part of kid's/Care Worker appreciation day - chicken, rice, and vegetables. Sooo yummy!

Because I don't have the first clue about nursing, I gave each person deworming medication - it was quite a privilege meeting so many people and talking to each one over the course of the week!

Our bus we travelled in every day - I sat on a bus for over 30 hours in the past 10 days. Needless to say, my back and bum are seriously regretting that.

Gahhh!! He was my favourite. His little face makes me smile.

That's all for now!

I also want to say thank you to so many of you who so often send me encouraging messages and those who are praying for me - it means so much to me, and I am constantly amazed by how big God's family is.

-heather

You'll Lead Me

Today marks the day I've been in Africa for six months.

I miss mom's homemade pizza. And dropjes. None of which one can come by on this side of the world. Too bad, so sad,

Teleportation would be nice - I've given it more thought recently. I wouldn't mind an afternoon cup of tea with mom, or a Tim Hortons run with Jess. I'd get my few hours fill of Ontario, and be right back in Zambia. Sounds perfect to me.

I'm not sure if it's rude to say I don't miss home. Well, I said it, and it is the truth. Home for me is wherever God calls me - and honestly I don't know if home for me will ever be a permanent house. Right now, my home is Africa, not Fenwick. Maybe next year it will be Fenwick, maybe Zambia, maybe somewhere completely different. I have no idea.

But I find it exciting.

There's this song by Michael W. Smith - really well known song - and God often uses songs to speak to me. This song is entitled "Step by Step."

I will seek You in the morning

And I will learn to walk in Your ways

And step by step You'll lead me

And I will follow You all of my days.

To me, there is no better way to live my life. In complete surrender to God's plans, living moment by moment in His will, and waiting on Him to guide my next steps. I find it exciting, knowing I don't have to guide my own life - because I know how well that backfires on me. But there is someone bigger, who knows all things, who loves me more than life itself - in fact, gave His own life for me, and all I have to do is trust Him to do what He wants with it. Who knows where He will take me next? He will show me in His timing. Until then, I wait. And until then, I won't know any answers, and I find so much peace in that.

For now, I so enjoy the work I'm doing in Zambia. I get to be a part of an amazing community, united in living out our lives with Christ at the centre of all we do. I live in the Church - the body of Christ. It is incredible - living with people from so many backgrounds and countries, coming together to live in Kingdom culture. It's a constant learning process, and often is challenging, but the results only bind us closer together as a family in Christ.

I also never thought I'd live with so many brothers and sisters from all over the world - it is a privilege. Meet the newest member of the family: 'Semba' - which in English means 'Rejoice.' Needless to say, she's wiggled her way into my heart. She's perfection.

-heather

A Few of my Thoughts

I like stories. Even though they might not describe what I do on a daily basis, I hope they give a glimpse of the heart of God and why I am here. And that is more important to me.

A Story: Mama Joy

I asked a simple question: “What made you want to become a Care Worker?”

She replied in her broken English: “God called me to do this work. I see so many children who need love and I can give them that motherly love and make them feel a part of a family. I also get to show them God’s love. I have so much joy in my life because I get to be a Care Worker.”

She doesn’t have to be a Care Worker – she chose to be because she followed God’s calling for her life.

She is a true woman of God. A courageous, selfless woman who has given up her days caring for the orphaned and vulnerable children in her own community and serving God for the past five years. Tirelessly. And continuously. Even though she has several of her own children, and is vulnerable herself.

She is amazing. She took me on a Holy Home Visit to meet a beautiful girl with a mental disability. Seeing the love she has for this girl was like seeing a mom with her child – she had that same look of love and compassion in her eyes as a mother has for her child. Mama Joy gave me hope because she gives this child hope every day. She sees potential in her even though not many others in her community do. She prays for this girl with sincerity and without holding back, treating her in the same way as every other child she cares for.

Mama Joy taught me so much during the few hours I spent with her – she is so filled with wisdom and love – I hope I get to see her again soon.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Let me introduce you to Zambia with a few pictures.

For one, it is beautiful. I use the word beautiful often when speaking of Africa, but just look at this mini lake and you'll understand. A few of us international volunteers and friends from our Sunday fellowship group spent a Saturday swimming and relaxing at this wonderful little creation an hour off the main road. It was simply wonderful.

The children of Zambia. So many quickly have wiggled their way into my heart. I suppose there is no difficulty there, though. Look how impressive this line-up is! 100 kiddos perfectly lined up, patiently waiting for their meal at the Care Point. I was impressed - and any teacher would be as well.

Let me introduce the Kabwe Service Centre - a wonderful team of people working together in an office in Kabwe (three hours from where I live at Kachele) to support six communities in their region. A few weeks ago, I had the amazing privilege of staying with Trina (the coordinator) and her family for a few days. I spent time getting to know each member on the team, as well as visiting several communities they work in, and getting to know how the Service Centre operates. Reason being, I am beginning to work alongside this team, supporting them with various community projects and building capacity with them.

And we're back to the beauty of Zambia. Looking through all my pictures, I realized most of the ones I take here are of sunsets, trees, and water - but it's because of the simplicity of life that I notice and appreciate the most natural beauty. All of the international people at Kachele attend Ndola Christian Fellowship (NCF) on Sundays, and they hosted a weekend camp an hour away from where we live. This was a sunset over the lake in the backyard of our thatched cabin.

...And a sunrise the next morning. I woke up at 5:15am - Mom and Dad, you would've been impressed with me. But I'm seriously turning into a morning person. I suppose Africa will do that to you. It's totally worth it to see an African sunrise.

Our Sunday morning service was at the lakeside.

I'm terrible at taking group photos - so I'm thankful for people like Michelle who think of taking them. I can introduce some of my family now! From the left: Conrad and his wife Babette - they are our neighbours and take such good care of us! They also attend NCF, and we stayed with them in a cabin at church camp. Next in line is Ashley from Canada, Mel from Australia, myself, Lisa and Brian from Canada, Michelle from the States, and Daniel from Australia. Besides Conrad and Babette, and including Charlotte who hadn't yet arrived at this point, this is the team of international Hands people staying in Zambia.

Every Thursday, our Kachele community has a Bring and Share - better known in Canada as a potluck. Last week we had a Bring and Braai (or barbeque) and a bonfire which was wonderful. Just another reason why I love community life!

Meet my dear Kay. If you're ever in need of a hug, come to Zambia and meet Kay. She gives the best hugs - I get one every day from her, and an extra big one on days when I miss Mom's hugs. So I guess I should say I get an extra big hug every day :)

And lastly, meet some more of my sisters - Belita, Tana, Kay, and Charlotte. I am so privileged to have each of these ladies as my sisters!

So this is a completely dysfunctional, unorganised, scatter-brained kind of post - but I hope I was able to show you a bit of my life in Zambia. I still pinch myself often - God decided to hand-pick me, when He could have chosen anyone else. And I get to live in Africa! We serve an amazing God!

-heather

Layla*

Most people would consider her a statistic.

HIV positive.

Her mother died during childbirth.

Doubly orphaned.

Born deep in a rural village in Zambia. 

Being raised by her grandmother.

Statistics do not factor in her pain. Hurt. Rejection. Loss. Fear. Mistrust.

Her inability to smile and dance with other girls her age.

Her eyes haunt me. They hold too much pain and sorrow and sickness. My heart is shattered.

She is not just a four-year-old girl.

She is so much more.

Created in the image of God.

Created perfectly.

Loved by a Heavenly Father.

Known by name to the Master of the universe.

A beautiful name in fact.

Layla.

'Continue to break my heart for what breaks Your's. Thank you Father for this precious life.'

*Her name is changed for her privacy reasons. She does have an incredibly beautiful name still :)

-heather

Entering Zambia

My move to Zambia started off in a very interesting way. A ‘two hour flight’ sounds easy enough, but I guess I can’t do a ‘two hour flight’ the same way a typical flyer would. It started off by almost missing my flight. After sprinting through Jo-berg airport, I found that my gate was closed but it didn’t stop me. I ran through that door without scanning my boarding pass. I was desperate to catch the bus to my plane, regardless of whether the doors were closed or not. In hindsight, I’m surprised they didn’t chase me and kick me out of the airport. Anyway, I quickly found my seat and settled in, quickly trying to catch my breath. Thankful for a window seat, I looked out the window only to see that my luggage was being offloaded. Terrified, I ran to the front of the plane and tried to explain my situation. I have no idea what I said – I did a horrible job getting the words out, so I just ran off the plane to rescue my suitcases. I don’t really recommend that course of action. Unless you want flight attendants to chase you. After a few minutes of shouting back and forth over the sound of the plane engine starting up, I managed to put my belongings back on the plane.

And it wasn’t until I had delayed the plane and settled back into my seat that I realized there was a team from Florida on the same flight and I’d be living with them for the next week and a half. Lovely.

Adventures in Africa, right?

I did manage to settle in quite nicely at Kachele. For now, I have a beautiful room to myself in the main house and am getting to know more of what I’ll be doing for the remainder of the year. It will take a bit of time before I find my feet in my roles of Communications Team and Project Support, but I’m so thankful for the people here who are so supportive and helpful! Zambia is quickly becoming a very special place in my heart.

Life is about loving and learning. I feel like that’s what living in community is all about too. There are so many opportunities to love – the country, the Care Workers, the Service Centre teams, the people I live with, and our amazing God. There are equally as many opportunities to learn – Zambian culture and language, Care Workers’ stories, how other Service Centres operate, the stories of the community I live in, and deepen my relationship with God.

Having the opportunity to live and serve God in Africa is still mind boggling for me. Out of all the people that God could have chosen to do this work, He has chosen me. And it is definitely not because of anything I’ve done, but only because of what Christ has done for me. I’ve learned the truth and comfort of Proverbs 16:9 – “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” How beautiful is that?

-heather

Heading Off

I've found out my placement for the rest of this year!

Originally I thought I'd have a few weeks to spend here in South Africa before finding out where I would spend the next nine months, but that wasn't the plan. Charlotte and I have been invited to move to Zambia for the next while. To say I'm excited about this move is an understatement. I feel honoured that I've been chosen to head up to Zambia, and look forward to discovering more about what God has in store for Hands and for myself.

Finding out whether I'd be staying in South Africa or moving to Zambia was the first part of finding out my destiny for the year. The second part was my role. I will be working with the Regional Support Team (RST) Mondays through Wednesdays, and the Communications Team Thursdays and Fridays.

Those terms sound so technical, and honestly they are mostly just an idea in my head right now. I don't know much about what each role entails, but that's part of surrendering it over to God and accepting that what's planned for me isn't necessarily going to be easy. That's the beauty of Hands - it doesn't matter what you're good at, what kind of degree you have, or whether you're a doctor or carpenter, you will be placed in a role that will allow growth and will stretch you in ways you'd never expect.

I am excited, but also a little overwhelmed. I found out on Monday afternoon that I'd be leaving the Hub in South Africa this Saturday. It's not exactly a lot of time to pack up my life here, learn as much as I can about my new roles, and say my good-byes, but it'll all come together - and I'm quickly learning that it's okay not to have all my ducks in a row :) It is an exciting move, though, as I have the opportunity to meet my new Hands family in Zambia and be a part of the community being established in Kachele.

Once all this is more than just an idea in my head, I'll write an update :)

-heather

Picture Update - Malawi

It's really difficult to pick only a few pictures that represent my time spent in Malawi, so I gave up and chose lots :) It's also hard to put into words how my time was - it was incredible, interesting, special, challenging - and it was a beautiful learning opportunity where we both grew so much personally and captured the vision of Hands in the heart of Africa. It was a month that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. I wouldn't want to trade the hard days for easy ones, and I wouldn't want to trade the challenges for a simple ride.

 

As I previously mentioned in another post, Charlotte and I spent a month in a Service Center in Dedza, Malawi learning more about Hands at Work, and spending time with the team and communities there.

 

Don't mind the random order of these photos :)

 

After spending the night in Jo-berg with the lovely ladies Grace and Jade, we saw each other off as we went our separate ways to Zimbabwe and Malawi.

Yes - this motorcycle was parked in our house, in the dining room actually, and yes - we also did use this as transportation. It was by far the nicest and most comfortable one we rode. And we rode many.

Marj and George - a wonderful Canadian couple - showed us around town. This is the main rode in the town.

One of the many rows of market stalls. We spent a lot of time at the market - it's a 45 minute walk from where we stayed, and we ventured into town every other day or so.

We had a little too much fun with these beautiful chitenges - there were tons of these little stalls in the market.

Sporting our first chitenges we bought. They are awesome!

Dedza Pottery - the perfect Saturday activity. Well, the only one really :)

This boy made a guitar and played it for us during the church service on Sunday morning.



The borehole at Tima CBO in Mngwere.

Tima CBO - the mother CBO of Malawi.

This beautiful darling is one of Malawi's biggest success stories :)

Maonde CBO

Walking the community on Holy Home Visits.

There were banana trees in our backyard! Being Canadian, I clearly thought this was pretty cool.

Dedza Service Center - my home in Malawi

The. Best. Chips. In. The. World. Roadside Irish Potatoes cooked in oil and sooo yummy! Put some 'salad' (cabbage and tomatoes) with them - the perfect dinner.

Just a taste of how beautiful Malawi is.

Setting up a mosquito net with George during a community stay - always an adventure :)

A local church that allows a feeding point to be run there.

The view from the feeding point - overlooking the entire community of Mngwere.

Isn't she adorable :)

Fresh green oranges - so good!

Holy Home Visits in Mngwere with some Careworkers.

Our hosts in Mngwere.

Where else does your laundry hang out with banana trees?

Charlotte and I were able to head out to Lake Malawi for a weekend. It felt like we were at the ocean - it was beautiful!

...unless you want to be eaten by hippos.

We found a bike in the ceiling of a lovely home we stayed in. Not sure how it ended up there.

This is the home of one of our community stays.

Holy Home Visits in Mcheneke.

These beautiful Careworkers put on a little concert for us - which turned into a dance party :)

Our hosts in one of the communities.

Malawian advertising at it's finest. It is really good coffee though, so I'm going with it.

The Dedza Service Center team - I can't even begin to describe how amazing these people are!



 

On the day we left, we were able to meet up with the Molenaar's in Lilongwe. Charlotte and I spent some time at the community school for women, which was so encouraging to see.

I wanted to take this beautiful little girlie home with me. She is beyond precious.

Our time in Malawi ended here and it couldn't have ended better.

Orientation is over, placements are over, and I've been in Africa for 3 months. I have a rough idea of what I'll be doing for the rest of the year, but next week I have a meeting to confirm that and find out my role. I'm sort of in limbo until then!

 

-heather