The most amazing, life-changing, fun-filled, joyful, three weeks of my life

HOPE worldwide is a phenomenal organization that has dreams of serving the poor and needy while going and doing likewise. This year, I went on a trip to Zambia for three weeks with a team of approximately 40 participants, ranging from teens, campus, singles, and families. This HOPE worldwide Volunteer Corps (a version of HYC open to all) was a great experience. There was a variety of ages to connect with and learn from. This trip specifically hit me in a special way.

The Zambia HVC was simply a blessing. I have been so fortunate to have gone on three HOPE Youth Corps in the past, but none of them have reached me in the way this one did...

It is in my sinful nature to be negative, critical, and skeptical, however, I had an extremely difficult time doing so on this trip. The weather in Zambia was absolutely perfect, 60s in the morning/night and 70s during the day (their winter season)... delicious food... a group of mature people who wanted to be there to serve... cultural diversity... the interactions with the community... no language barrier... varied service work... lessons... the amount of free time... the times to connect with the Zambian church... worship... children... and countless other blessings.

So many amazing things occurred over the three weeks, and I learned way more than I could have ever imagined. One of the biggest takeaways for me was the idea of contentment and joy. I was surrounded by such a beautiful, strong, and joyful community. The way people persevered joyfully despite their challenging situations was incredibly inspirational. I often will find myself very inconsistent and all over the place with my emotions. After living in Africa and seeing the way most of the community lives with high spirits, moved me so deeply to do the same. I desire and understand so much more the importance of being rooted in God and showing gratitude even in the challenging times... "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Romans 5:3-4

My year leading up to the summer was quite challenging. I had no hope. I was in a very, very dark spot spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. Spiritually, I was holding on to one final strand before deciding to leave the church; mentally, I had no foundation which led me to react very strongly to various situations; emotionally, I was unstable and allowed myself to think very negative and damaging thoughts... By the grace of God, I had some amazing people in my life during that time to love me deeply and fight for me when I wasn't able to for myself. During the hardest time in my life as a disciple, Romika Gunn, one of my friends who came to Zambia with me, was there for me, helping me every step of the way.

Romika is one of the most influential, inspiring, and incredible people I have ever come across. She imitated the fruits of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22), when in communication with me. Through her, for the first time in my five years of being a disciple, did I genuinely feel and know there was and is a God. She helped me tremendously in getting back on track to being a faithful disciple.

My challenges didn't stop there though. I continued to struggle with being in consistent communication with God, I continued doubting and being controlled by my fears, and I continued to lose sight of God’s plan for my life. I would often fall back into my pessimistic mindset and lose hope, which ultimately would hurt not only myself but many of those around me. And of course, God was hurt the most.

Fast forward to the Zambian Hww Volunteer Corps... This trip has only strengthened and solidified my love for God and life as a disciple.

I was deeply moved and changed by one of the little girls at the Mtendere Preschool we helped with. She gave me hope. The little girl is seven years old, and taught me more than I ever would have expected. It wasn't necessarily the conversations we had that changed me, it was simply the way she lived her life. She is so caring, gentle, sweet and sassy, strong, happy, beautiful and bold... and if I had more time with her, there is no doubt that I would learn and admire so much more from her.

I met a woman who was 75 years old. She had 12 children but 11 of them had already passed. She also had 10 grandchildren in which she was raising 4 of them on her own. She lived in a small rectangular house that barely fit six people. I remember seeing a refrigerator, a big chair, and some kitchen utensils. When hugging her, she was so skinny, that her back bones stuck out way more than her actual back. I remember looking into her eyes and being so inspired by the joy she seemed to carry. She was so grateful to have us visit her in her home, and so happy we met her and took the time to know a little bit about her. Through her, I witnessed the bravery, strength, gentleness, and peace she had within her. With both the little girl and the older woman, they had similar and challenging living situations, yet both endured with joy and strength.

All this to say, I was able to connect the dots, and understand a little bit more of God’s vision for my life and those around me. I would not have been able to without the experience in Zambia.

Love is the vision. Joy is the vision. Hope is the vision. Service is the vision.

I desire to understand deeper, and love even when others can't love me back. I am filled with joy, and find it easier to be unswayed by circumstance. I have more hope for the changes I can make in myself and in this world than ever before. I desire to serve others because I desire to serve the good and faithful Father.

Before coming on this three week journey, I prayed to God that I would be changed forever. I was hoping for my life to be changed in a very unique way that was very different from the other programs I went on. My prayer was answered. I am so in love with God than ever before. I see him so much clearer and have so much desire to know him for myself.

However, being back in the States, it is very easy for me to get comfortable. My fear in being home, is that all I experienced and learned will have lost its impact as time goes on. My prayer is to seek to help the needs around me, and being content and joyful while doing so. To fight to understand and love deeper. Prayer is powerful (which I never believed until these past six months) and I would love for your prayers.

Thank you to everybody who helped me get to the place I am in right now. Thank you for helping me get to Zambia. Thank you for showing me love and joy and hope. Thank you for the support. Thank you for the patience. Thank you for everything.