Last Day of Lessons, PCPC

This week has been a whirlwind week. All the college kids got off the plane in Lusaka and hit the ground running. We’ve covered a lot of ground since then, but we’ve been blessed that all the group members are able to soak in every experience. It’s everyone back in the states that is going to be able to watch how this experience impacts the group and how the Lord continues to convict people’s hearts for months and years to come.

One of our trip leaders told me that when she visited Mother Teresa’s Orphanage Wednesday that she was processing through being at the orphanage for merely a couple of hours. Mother Teresa’s is just one stop during the week. We also go to our partner schools, Destiny Community School and Grace Community School, and Cheshire House. At each, we are only there for a time. Sarah said she knew she would be there for only two hours, and during that time would love on those kids and pour into them as much as she could. If we take a step back, we’re only in Africa for a time, our interpersonal relationships are for a time, and we’re only on Earth for a time.  But when you, like the trip leader, fully commit to love…even if only for a time, the compound effect of believers everywhere acting in love is the Body of Christ. The church.

The best part of watching a group of college students go through faith camp is seeing how a group of young adults are stepping up to the plate. It looks different for everyone, but this group is doing big things. Whether that means having a humbling conversation one-on-one with a camper, teaching the story of Abraham in big group time, or just showing up emotionally every day, it doesn’t matter, it’s huge for all the children here.

Tuesday, the lessons were on the story of Noah. When Stewart asked his small group if anyone know the story of Noah, and one of them launched into a 15-minute synopsis, Stewart knew he’d have to go off script. In front of a large group, completely unplanned, Stewart invited his high-school boy up to the front to tell the story of Noah. It was awesome. The younger kids (and I!) were seriously impressed.

Then, of course, we sang about the water rising outside the ark. First the water starts at your ankles, then waist, then you drown. The kids love it and I can’t get over it.

This week has been firmly rooted in prayer and worship – both among believers coming together before, during, and after the day and with campers curious about a life with Christ outside works-based salvation or cultural Christianity. Pray with us that God would mightily and wonderfully move in the day we have left, and give thanksgiving for the fact that God with relentlessly continue to pursue their hearts long after we’ve gone. Pray also that in the days to come our Americans would have the stamina to experience everything in a meaningful way and that they would have endurance for Sports Day tomorrow.

-Camille