He

I love because Christ loves me.
My move to Zambia in June isn't terrifying because the Lord will never leave me.
I will serve Zambian women because Christ has shown me how to serve through His life.
I'm obedient to His call because He loves me.
I understand hope because God has given me hope through the death & life of Jesus.
I choose to volunteer my life because God has shown me that my riches can only be found in Him.
I am, not for myself, but because I am His.
I'm not great. I'm sinful yet God has chosen me and lavished me with grace from the cross of Christ.
I choose Christ, but He chose me first.
I live for an audience of one.
I am not Clothed in Hope. I am Christ's. And Clothed in Hope is His.
He is everything.
He is love.
He is the ultimate servant.
He is hope.
He has chosen us.
He has died for us.
He pours out grace.
He equips and speaks.
He is life, abundant life.

sovereign

One year ago today I was confused, I was hurting, I was broken for the women and children of Zambia. I woke up each morning thinking about them, praying for them, desperately seeking God in a tender time in my life. I just prayed over and over that He would reveal His reasons with me, that He would carry me to a new place.

Today I sit writing this, amazed. In awe. At a loss for words. My God is sovereign, He's all-knowing, His timing is right. His promises are true. Just as He spoke Hebrews 10:23 into my heart so many times, I can look back today and know that His plan was better. Romans 8:28 isn't just a cliche verse but instead a glorious display of God's grace for us through Christ, His love for us, and that His intentions are ONLY good.

I look around this sewing room and see 6 garments hanging. 6 garments I designed and created for a fashion show on Sunday with all proceeds going directly to Clothed in Hope. This by itself is a miracle but I look to those 6 hangers and just see God's faithfulness to my heart. I'm not deserving, I'm not worthy of this. But rather God loves me, and is entrusting me to care for His children, the widows, the orphans of Zambia. And He's equipping me with every skill I need for this journey. Many times I get caught up in "how" when it comes to a difficulty but then I just look back to see HOW God has made a way!

He receives all the glory. It's all His.

hard

It's hard. It's extremely hard to receive news that Ng'ombe is out of water, that the people I think about and pray for daily are thirsty. The situation is life-threatening. It's not just a power outage or a flat tire. It's a water outage. The substance that provides and sustains life. My heart shatters when I think about the little ones so thirsty, walking miles to try to find a place to fill up their water cans, skipping school to do so. My heart aches for the women who are facing the reality of the situation, trying to keep hope alive in their families. Maybe this doesn't really resonate with many people. But try thinking of this being your family. Because it's mine. And it's God's.

I just received this text from my dear friend, Elina, this morning: "Ng'ombe is out of water and to make matters worse, the borehole is not working today. they need to repair it. i don't know when."

The desperation, the pain, the helplessness. I'm not there and I haven't lived through it so I can't pretend to know how it feels. But God has given me a compassionate heart for these people. When they hurt, I hurt. But most importantly- when they hurt, He hurts.

In a situation like this, all I can do is pray. There is no solution except for God.

Will you take a moment to just pray?