Heroes

It is hard to believe Jason and I are coming to the end of this part of our journey. What accompanies my spirit is excitement for what God has ahead for us and sadness in leaving what has become so familiar and so comfortable behind.

It is hard to even wrap my mind around all that we have seen, all the lessons we have learned and all that God has become for us. It will take a great measure of time just to process it all.

The past few weeks have been absolutely amazing for exceptionally simple reasons. We have shared moments with people that cannot be recaptured and could not have been rehearsed. We have shared in the sadness of circumstances and also in the hopeful expectation of God's mercy revealed each day. We have become so acquainted with a pace of life that allows moments to be captured for what they are rather than what they could have been. We have learned to let go of our vision for success and accomplishment and embrace the vision God had placed in front of us all along. We have met people whose faith and commitment bring a humbling reality to my own faith and commitment to God.

What has struck my heart so deeply and has moved me to a new place of understanding are the people who serve out of their own brokenness and reach out into their wounded and bleeding communities. All too often, crowns are given to the ones who come from their comfortable lives to temporarily live and work to make a difference in a foreign land. Admiration is given where maybe it isn't truly due. The true heroes are the very people of Zimbabwe; the ones who live each day through the trauma of shattered economics and corrupt political systems. They are the ones who give out of their poverty to ones who have even less than they. These heroes are the object of so many ministries, yet more often than not, the ministers are the ones left inspired. The people of Zimbabwe have left a mark on our lives that can never be erased.

The three volunteers we have trained for the home-based care program live within their area of ministry. Their homes are small brick houses with cement floors, a toilet and only 2 small rooms. No shower, bath tub, private space or comforts of any kind. The water is filthy and the electricity is off the majority of the time. They have no transportation of their own. They eat 1 or 2 meals a day; the same meal everyday. They serve because their hearts are full of love and compassion for those who are sick and hurting. Their communities display endless need and they work day in and day out to better the lives of others. They are fearlessly devoted and give even when it hurts. They do all this with enthusiasm and a depth of joy that cannot be mistaken for anything else but the power and love of God in their lives.

We were recently told that "we give not because we are rich, but we are rich because we give". I believe this statement more closely reflects the lives of the people here. Their own sickness, hunger and poverty does not deter them from giving to ones whose needs are even greater. It is a stark contrast to having much and giving little. We don't need much to give much as Zimbabweans have shown us. We simply need to walk in obedience to the way of love and trust the God who supplies the lack.