Zambia Team Devotional #2: Comfort Zones

We all do it. We all have those familiar comfort zones that are a crutch we lean on when discovering something new. The feeling of not wanting to “go there” because we are not use to it and we don’t understand it. But I am reminded of one of my favorite verses, 2 Corinthians 9:8 "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

As Zambia moves forward with the completion of the first orphanage, there is still much work to be done! Women and children are now living in the orphanage and soon a school will be built bringing even more people to the area. Here is where we step outside that comfort zone. For the past 5 years Zambia has been a work mission and will still continue to be a work mission. Fields need to be cleared, a school needs to be built and eventually, the next orphanage building will break ground. But we are moving into a new phase along with this work; evangelism and discipleship.

In previous years, many Tonga friends (I say friends because they are near and dear to our hearts) have come to know the Lord better through working alongside the team during the projects we have completed. But for the first time last year we used an eye ministry to reach more of the Tongan people. They walked for miles to come see us and receive eye exams. And we experienced more than blurred vision – from eye infections to sons and daughters walking their parents by hand because they were blinded by cataracts. It was an incredible experience to become involved in the community by helping these people. And the icing on the cake – the free gift of glasses was a good way to present the free gift of salvation. And if they already knew Christ, the discipleship began.

What an incredible way for God to use us! To be able to give them the gift of sight through our Lord and Savior! This year we move onto an even newer phase: hut-to-hut discipleship. I get butterflies in my stomach just thinking about it! We will be going to people’s homes and spending time with them, learning about their lives, their wants, their needs, their happiness, their sorrows… and through our gracious heavenly father we will share with them the His desires and what He wants for their lives.

A little uncomfortable? Going into a culture that is not of your own and discipling people you have never met. Who wouldn’t be? But God calls for us “to make disciples of all nations” (Matt 28:19) so we must listen to that call and step outside that comfort zone! And through the wonderful scripture He gave us, He “is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." (2 Cor 9:8)

So this week I ask the team to pray for uncomfortable situations. To step outside the box because God certainly doesn’t live in the ones we create for ourselves. To give us wisdom to know what to say and what to do or even walk along side someone and learn. To begin to erase the lines we have made and abound in every good work that He has for us. Amen.