God Sightings

OK! So tomorrow is a week since the GEMS Training team returned to North America. I thought time would really slow down once they left, but that has not been the case! Time is flying and each days slips by before I am ready for it to end. Hence no blog posts all week!


Why is it so much easier to see God at work here in Zambia, than back in the US? Why do I think multiple times each day, that the events of this day are in God's hands? Are my days more in His hands here than when I am at home? This is where I want to begin with this blog post. Just to share some of the God sightings that the GEMS team saw over the two weeks we were here together.

1. The skies cleared enough from the ash, so that we could fly on our scheduled departure date.

2. We were told that the London Heathrow airport would be out of control, there were lots of people and it was busier than we had ever seen it before, but it sure didn't cause us any problems.

3. We were a team of seven, with our dear Wendy rejoining the team, after a year off to battle cancer.

4. We arrived in Lusaka with all 27 pieces of luggage!

5. We were greeted by Sophie and Mary who we loved immediately!

Along with Siwale and a bus to transport us and the 27 bags we checked, along with our 14 carry ons.

6. Worshipping at Miracle Life Church, with a North American pastor.

7. Seeing Siwale and his family coming to church as we were leaving.

8. Alice who cooked for us.

9. Sophie and Mary and watching them connect with the CITS!

10. Tuesday night pizza!

11. The Counselor handbooks arriving from the printer just minutes before we needed to hand them out.

12. The Pastor’s Tea and how appreciative they are of all that GEMS is doing in their churches.

13. That Clara accepted the role of Area Coordinator, with her sweet gracious spirit.

14. That her and Catherine the Leadership Trainer work so well together.

15. That the kids from the EOH houses could bless us with their Bible skits after our party with them. Seeing the joy in the cake and ice cream we had for the group birthday party! Celebrating all 32 children’s birthdays together!

16. Being able to go and see the progress on the Esther School’s teachers house. To be able to walk through the house, and imagine the North American teachers preparing their lessons. To hike out over the 25 acres or hectors of land, and see where the pre-school and kindergarten buildings will be built, as well as the library and the clinic. To circle and pray seeks God’s guidance and direction for the next steps. Giving praise and thanksgivings for what has already been completed.

17. Being blessed by the giving out of the t-shirts to the children in the EOH houses in Chongwe. For their beautiful voices they raised in songs of thanksgiving for their gifts!

18. For Bob and Mary and how they love us and we them.

19. For the amazing team of get-along girls we are!

20. For the three great training opportunities, the joy flowing from the returning counselors and for the 27 new clubs and the nearly 300 counselors who came to training. For them telling us that we brought them a new hope for the future of women and girls in Zambia.

21. For the safe travel back and forth to Ndola and Mkushi, the roads here are crazy.

22. For finding Margaret, through Kathy and her gift for Annette’s daughters.

23. For Jan being able to open a bank account in Zambia!

24. For seeing God in the beautiful diverse creation at Chaminuka.

OK, I need to stop, those are the first ones that pop into my mind, I know there are some I am forgetting, some of the things we would so take for granted at home, but we see as such a God thing here!  Each night as we gathered for devotions and a wonderful time of sweet fellowship with the Father and together, we would share some of the God Sighting we saw that day!  How blessed I am to be a part of the GEMS Zambia Training Team!    All the time! God is so good!