Be Anxious for Nothing

When I traveled to Zambia in 2007 I had prepared myself for a different culture and being away from all that was familiar to me. I was prepared for "culture shock" but really didn't feel like I experienced it.  I must have been too boastful about this because I have made up for it these past 5 1/2 months.  "Reverse culture shock" is something you know exists but you don't really think it will happen to you.  I wasn't prepared for it.

Since I returned to the states as a married woman it has been a whirlwind of activity and adjustment. Within weeks of my arrival Jim was sequestered for three weeks on a capital murder case. As soon as he was released from that we traveled to Oklahoma and Texas to visit his daughters and their families. (I had met his sons but I had not had the pleasure of meeting the girls before the wedding.) Next was Thanksgiving, then Christmas and here it is the end of January.  The time has flown.

Imagine, when we married we thought we would spend six months in the USA and then return to Zambia.  What a pipe dream that was! Six months is not nearly enough time to adjust to the many changes in our life (especially mine!).  It has been a time of joy, sadness, love, depression, happiness and uncertainty but through it all God's grace has been sufficient.

On February 2nd I am traveling to Zambia for a three week visit. My home church in Memphis, TN, Christ United Methodist Church, shipped a container of goods to Zambia in October. It contains over 200,000 meals, school uniforms and children's shoes. It arrived the first week of January.  I am going to assist in the planning and distribution of these goods. For more information visit  Christ Feeds


I will be traveling with Jessica Johnson from McKinney Bible Church in Fort Worth, TX.  Jessica plans to stay in Zambia for 12-18 months to work at Mercy Ministries.  I will help her find a place to live and to settle in before I return on February 23rd. You can follow Jessica's journey in Zambia by clicking here.

Jessica and I will be joined by Morgan Adams on February 12th.  Morgan is the daughter of one of my dearest friends, Joan Adams.  Morgan has a heart for children, especially orphans  and I will introduce her to the different ways that Zambians manage the orphan situation in the midst of the HIV epidemic.

I will also use this time to meet with the leaders of the projects that Project Connect is currently sponsoring.  This will give me an opportunity to visit friends at Zimba Mission Hospital, leaders of the Pilgrim Wesleyan Church of Zambia and the children of Mercy Ministries.

I am a little anxious about this trip since it will be the first return after leaving (places are never the same when you leave and return) and also because I will be leaving Jim behind. I know he will appreciate calls and emails of encouragement while I am away.

As far as when Jim and I will return together to Zambia is in God's hands.  We have been talking with different mission organizations trying to decide whether to go independently or to sign on with a "sending agency".  Regardless of this decision, we cannot go to Zambia until we raise the funds necessary to live abroad and conduct the ministry God has for us. There are several obstacles to overcome before we can go but we are trusting God to handle the details. Our return will not be before the date He has picked out for us.

Please pray for my trip in February...travel mercies, the success of the container distribution, Jessica's transition into the Zambian culture, Morgan's time with the children and Jim as he survives without me.  Pray that God will use this time to grow us closer to Him and to each other.

Once again, thank you for your encouragement and love.  We cannot do this without you.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus"  

Philippians 4:6-7