I just got back from Livingstone after a trip to see Victoria Falls, which also included a safari, rhino walk, elephant riding, and great food!! We were amazingly blessed by a smooth and refreshing retreat away from the base.
So, as you probably guessed, discipleship training is officially over. My fellow classmates and I all graduated on the 8th of April with a ceremony that celebrated our time together...this of course means that there was singing and dancing. It was a great way to end our time together, and I will miss all those dear friends very much.
It's kind of funny...I went into discipleship training thinking that it was just something I had to do in order to get to the lake, and it ended up being so much more than that. God has really had His hand on me during my time here in Kabwe and has blessed me immensely through this experience. I can't thank you enough for supporting me to be here!!
Psalm 112:7 has really stuck with me as I prepare to transition to the lake. It says "He is not afraid of bad news, his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord." No matter what comes in this next season for me, I can trust in the Lord; I don't have to be afraid of what might come with this step into missions, because God has a plan for it all so my heart will stand firm.
Praises:
-Discipleship ended well. There was definitely tension around planning graduation, but we all departed as friends
-The trip to Victoria Falls was a huge blessing, and much needed after being stuck on base for 3 months
-God has been gracious and taught me a lot during my time here, and my faith has been strengthened 'like no man's business' (as one of my friends here always says).
-The friends that I've made here are another HUGE blessing...it will be so hard to leave them!!
Prayer Requests:
-Pray for the transition to Mpulungu. I leave the 20th for Lake Tanganyika, so pray for safe travels and that I will follow the Holy Spirit's leading concerning how to fit into the team and what my role should be exactly. Pray that I will be brave and step up to take initiative where God wants me to.
-Pray for my friends from discipleship that are transitioning back home or to the next level of training.
-Pray for the school at the lake. I've spoken with a friend who was just visiting, and there are some concerns with how things are done. So also pray for discernment as I figure out how to serve.
-pray that learning Bemba will come quickly. A lot of the students that come from the villages that I'll be working with at the school only speak Bemba, and I would love to be able to communicate with them in their language.
Natotela (thank you) for how you are supporting me to be here. I've loved being able to share how God has used this time in training to transform and prepare me, and can't wait to tell you how He works through my time at the lake!!
Lesa apa le (God bless),
Sarah