Learning

Today was another great day!  This morning, I sat in on the weekly meeting for the staff and volunteers who help at the CYC.  It was so great to hear how passionate the volunteers are for each of the people the visit every week.   Since most of it was in Bemba, they would stop every once in a while and say, “Ah, people are confused” or “Sorry Ba Elizabeth,” then they would translate.

After that meeting, I sat in as Kristi talked with Whiteson and Maureen about how things are going with the CYC and things that could be better.  I’ll probably continue to say this a lot, but I just love what this ministry does!  During this meeting I also found out that I am going to be helping the grade 8 and 9 kids with their math during extra lessons each day.  Here’s to hoping I remember what I learned in my favorite subject in school!  I’m also going to help do some planning for the Saturday program they have at Isubilo each week.  If you have any fun Scripture memory or game ideas, send them my way!

I’m having to practice patience (not my strong suit) when it comes to learning Bemba.  I’m so thankful for the people who are patient with me as I ask a thousand and one times, “Wait, how do you say that?” Or as I just smile and nod when someone asks me a question.  My new best friend is “e mukaiw” which is saying yes with respect (this culture is all about some respect—it’s great!)…although with my luck, I will respectfully say yes to something I shouldn’t.  The word I use the most is “cintomfwa” which means troublemaker.  When you call a kid this they laugh and point at all the other kids and say it.  Really they aren’t troublemakers, they’re just incredibly goofy.

I’m loving it here and am learning more each and every day. I’m mainly learning that I have a lot more to learn…about ministry, Ndola, myself, the Lord…everything.  It’s a wonderful thing to realize you know absolutely nothing.

Sorry for not posting pictures on here…Wordpress and my internet don’t seem to get along.

First Day

Today was great! This morning Allison picked me up and we went into Isubilo. I loved hearing all about the wonderful things the ministry does and am quite impressed—I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more sustainable ministry! One thing that I found really cool is that about 60% of the center is funded by an onsite mill.  Most families have small plots for growing vegetables on their land.  They bring the maize they grow to the mill to be turned into mealie-meal, which is used to make nshima, the staple food here.  I think it’s so great that Isubilo is not completely reliant on donors.  The mill (and the other facets of the ministry) also employees people from the community.  That’s the way it should be!

This morning, I played with some precious little ones during the underweight baby clinic that takes places each Monday.  These babies were so little but so full of life!  They got weighed, played with toys, got millie mill, and got a chance to talk with other mothers/grandmothers/etc. who are in a similar place—building community!

After that, we went into Chifubu, a nearby neighborhood and market.  After walking around the market some, we went to the Chonte family’s house for lunch.  We had nshima and beans—delicious!  I learned a few new things about the Zambian culture…and that I need to practice eating with my hands!

On the way back to Isubilo, we stopped by a government clinic to see if any babies had been born or were about to be.  We got to meet a mom and her baby that had just been born five hours before (and they were preparing to go home already)!!  So precious.

Once we got back, I hung out with some kids during the extra lessons time.  It’s kind of difficult not knowing Bemba!  Although, the kids just kind of look at me…the adults seem to not understand why I’m not already fluent! Then they get a kick out of talking to me in Bemba.  I’ve got some work to do.

I’ll leave you with a little Bemba…

Zambia!

After a long journey that took me to Atlanta, Buffalo, Chicago, London, and Lusaka, I am finally in Ndola, where I will be spending the next two and a half months.  Since we had a long layover in London, we took the Tube to see one of Kristi’s friends who took us to lunch at a pub called The Dove that is right on the Thames River.  We sat outside to eat our fish and chips and enjoyed the beautiful day (a rare thing in London!).  After that, we headed back to the airport to catch our ten-hour flight to Lusaka.  When we finally got here, we dropped off our stuff at home and went in to Isubilo where the kids were having their weekly Saturday meeting.  I’m really excited to meet them all and really get to know them this starting this week.  After that we headed back home to get unpacked and settled in.  Our house is great!  It’s the guesthouse of a missionary couple that lives here in Ndola and does ministry in some other places as well.  After getting unpacked, we ran to Pick n Pay to get some groceries for the next few days and then ran by the airport to pick up one of my suitcases that didn’t make it on our flight here.  For dinner, we went over to Hannah and Allison’s house for a delicious meal!  I enjoyed hearing about some of the various ministries in Ndola and how they reach people here.  After dinner we headed home to finally go to bed; after over 40 hours of traveling, I was ready to get more than two hours of sleep and to lay in a bed!

Today I’ve just been hanging around at home, reading and putting stuff away. Resting up today to head to Isubilo for the day tomorrow—can’t wait!

The house where I’ll be living.

The view from my room!

Post-Grad Life Thus Far

Wow. So much has happened in the past two months.  I graduated from college, moved back home (which involves getting rid of a lot of JUNK and realizing how much more JUNK I have), hung out with so many of my AMAZING friends, realized I’m not in Milledgeville anymore, remembered how task oriented I am, haven’t done enough exercising and but have done too much eating, turned 22, gone to one of my favorite places, and have constantly been reminded that I am “supposed to” have or be looking for a job that produces a steady paycheck.

I’ve also been a complete emotional roller coaster, feeling every emotion on the spectrum.  I truly believe that this is the Lord preparing me for the next couple of months.  I know that, while in Zambia, I will be feeling all sorts of crazy emotions based on what I see and hear, from missing home, from missing my friends and family, from missing Chick fil A and Milo’s and sweet tea, and so many other things.  I can’t believe that this time next week, I will have completed leg one of the journey to Zambia–the car ride to Atlanta.

I’ve been blessed with an amazing couple of months at home but am so stinkin’ incredibly pumped to see what the Lord has in store for the 2+ months that I’ll be in Ndola.

I’ll leave you with some pictures from my summer thus far.  Enjoy!

Saying goodbye to the cutest house in Milledgeville.

Graduation with First Lady Sandra Deal.

Enjoying the Greenway before leaving Milly.

Graduation Sunday at Brookwood with one of my favorite people!

Krissy FINALLY turned 21!

Words can’t express how much I miss this kid.

First trip to Savannah=success

Brookwood friends at Casey and Simeon’s beautiful wedding!

Miss Alabama with the gorgeous Haley.

Celebrating 22 at VBS–wouldn’t have it any other way!!

Awesome WOW helpers in Pine Hill.

Kids in Pine Hill reading their new books, thanks to Brookwood Kids.

College VBS was a blast!

 

Tomorrow as we celebrate the freedom we have in this country, remember those across the globe (and even in our own country) who aren’t free–there are more slaves in the world today than there ever have been in history.  Join me in praying for these 27+ million people!

Video

My aunt’s Sunday School class is having a missions day this spring and wanted me to share a little about Wiphan and the time I’ll be spending with them this summer.  But, due to my not being able to get up to Atlanta, I wasn’t going to be able to be there. Instead, I made a quick little video!

Wiphan Internship!

I hope that, wherever you are, it’s as beautiful as it is in Milledgeville!  Sunny skies, warm weather…perfection.  I spent part of my afternoon sitting on my front porch swing drinking sweet tea, studying James 3, and talking with friends.

Does it get much better than that??  I’m trying to soak up these last couple months in Milly–I’m truly going to miss it here.

BUT I am SO excited about the opportunity to serve with Wiphan this summer.  Below is a letter that I sent out to some friends and family about this journey. If you have a second, read it to find out what’s going on as I finish the semester and prepare for the summer.

 

Wow!  What a year it has been already!  I can’t believe that my final semester of college has finally arrived.  On May 5^th, I will graduate from Georgia College with a Bachelors of Business Administration in Management with a Dance Minor.  That day will be the epitome of bittersweet; I will miss Milledgeville, Georgia College, and the community I’ve been blessed with here but am so excited to see what all the Lord has in store for the future. 

            As you know, last summer, I had the opportunity to travel to Ndola, Zambia, with Wiphan Care Ministries (www.wiphan.org) for ten days.  It was an absolutely unbelievable time. I saw incredible joy come from children who have, at least in our standards, absolutely nothing. I saw teachers who care deeply for their students and want to see them succeed.  I saw widows, strong though they’ve been through so much, raising not just their own children but also other’s.  I saw precious little ones who have been through more in their eleven years of life than I will probably ever have to face.  Seeing all this and more opened my eyes (and my heart).  After seeing the faces, hearing the stories, holding the hands…you can’t not be changed.

            This summer, I will be traveling back to Ndola to serve with Wiphan for two months.   Considering I feel called to go into long-term missions and work with non-profits, this is an excellent opportunity.  While there, I will be doing an assortment of things.  One of my tasks will be to observe Wiphan’s current operating procedures and see if there are any possible improvements that can be made along the way. What a cool way to use my management major!

I am eager to see the people I interacted with last year and share with them the hope and life that comes with trusting Jesus.   My goal in life is derived from Isaiah 1:17:  “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.”  I firmly believe the Lord will use my time in Ndola to steer me towards a life that reflects this.

            I am asking for you to join me in this journey.  There are a couple ways you may do this.  First off, you can partner with me by supporting me financially.  I am working this semester and also have money in savings that I am going to use but could really use your help.   Instructions for donating can be found enclosed with this letter.  Secondly, and most importantly, I covet your prayers during this time.  As I am finishing up my time at Georgia College, pray that I remain focused and allow the Lord to use me where I am now.  Also pray for the other interns and myself, that our hearts are being prepared to do ministry together and for what we will see while in Ndola.  Pray for Wiphan—the students, teachers, and support staff as well as those keeping things running smoothly stateside. 

Thank you for your time and your support.  I am so undeservingly blessed and am eager to share these blessings with friends across the globe.  To stay updated, subscribe to my blog—smallpartbigstory.wordpress.com!

 

Thanks for taking the time to read this.  I’d love to talk to you, your church, Bible Study group, etc. in more detail!  If you are interested in supporting me financially, you can write a check made out to Wiphan, and mail it to

Elizabeth Bryant
605 Forrest Drive
Homewood, AL 35209

OR click here.  Select “No subscription” as the sponsorship type and “Trips” as the donation fund.  Then put “Elizabeth Bryant” in the comments box.

Have a WONDERFUL day!

I Don’t Have it All Together

I graduate college in 68 days.

Whoa.

Sixty eight days.

HOLY COW.

Lately, a lot of people have been asking me what I’m doing “after this” or “next.”  I love telling people about Wiphan and the opportunity I have to serve with them in Ndola.  Sometimes people look at me like I’m crazy.  Some people say, “Oh well that’s great!”  Some people are just curious and ask a whole bunch of questions (that I seriously love answering).  One person even told me I was basically going to be a beggar (that’s been my favorite response).

When people ask me questions, I try to be honest with them.  I tell them, “Yeah, I know it will be really challenging, but I’m just so excited about this awesome opportunity!”

Lately, I’ve (obviously) been thinking a lot about Africa and the time I’ll be spending there.  I keep it together pretty well when I tell people I know it will be challenging, but on the inside? I’m kinda more like this: iefhikwhnfwikOWIRGHVWJKNSFCEKLSZMCtfioeksdhgnviakshdgnvkshdgvSGKHNVJSKDNVZ!!!!!

• I’m not equipped.
• I’m not ready.
• Where will the money come from?
• People are going to think it’s dumb that I’m graduating college and asking for money.
• Why do I care so much what other people think?
• What about this whole “I don’t speak Bemba” thing?
• What if I get sick?
• All my friends are going to forget about me.

That’s a little bit of my thought process during the freak-out times…and those times are quite often.  But then I remember Who I must trust to equip me and provide for me…Who I should be finding my satisfaction in.  Matthew 6:25-31 reminds us not be anxious or worried; the Lord will provide for us.  Proverbs 16:3 also tells us that if we commit our work to the Lord, He will guide our steps and point us in the right direction.

So that’s where I am now. I am excited…I am SO excited.  I know the Lord is going to do incredible things, and I cannot wait to see those things and share the stories with my friends and family stateside.  But I’m nervous, too.  But I think that’s good…and natural.

That’s just me…being honest with you.  Now I’ll go back to working on my support letter.  Let me know if you’d like one or if you know someone who might be interested!

Perseverence (And a Homecoming Recap)

Well, I am the worst blogger ever.  I have started posts. But then I don’t finish them.  I guess that says something about me.

Last fall, I wrote a post titled “The Satisfaction of Meeting a Goal.”  Reading through the Word in a year was a big one…and a difficult one to complete.  Last semester, I started a “Milledgeville Bucket List.”  One of the things on the list was to run the Bobcat Ramble, a 5K that is a part of Georgia College’s Homecoming Week.  If you know anything about me, it’s probably that I am not athletic, and I do not run (unless it’s for free t-shirts or cupcakes).  Well, this brought on a new goal:  learn to run…over three miles.  My wonderful, encouraging, precious friend Kelsey started training me in mid-January, staring from scratch–I couldn’t even run a mile at first!  I’m happy to say, another goal has been completed!! Yesterday, I ran the Bobcat Ramble (without walking at all) in less than 35 minutes!  I’m not gonna lie–I’m pretty proud of myself.

The other day I was praying through some things and the Lord really made a connection between running and perseverance in life and faith.  Running hurts. It wears me out. I have to have motivation and encouragement to get through it…I need people cheering me on.  I have to push past my comfort zone, go farther than I think I can. Sometimes, when I’m running uphill, I slow down significantly and don’t think I’m going to make it.  But then, I get to the top, and it’s smooth sailing…at least until the next hill.

This is so similar to life and my walk with the Lord!  Sometimes it really sucks to push through and it feels like everything I do is useless and has no meaning, like I’m not making any kind of impact or I’m failing…but the Lord always comes through. He always prevails.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be
mature and complete,not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4

As Christians, we aren’t called to an easy life.  It’s not all going to be rainbows and butterflies and unicorns and magical things.  There will be hard times.   We must not let the hard things bring us down.  Instead, “consider it pure joy.”  Trials are a chance to learn and grow.  Persevere through it.

---

I mentioned that the Ramble is part of Homecoming Week. I must say, this has been SUCH a fun week. I am blessed to go to an AMAZING university with the most wonderful people. I’ll leave you with some pictures from the week.

Third Eye Blind Concert

Pre-Ramble

Before the Bobcat Ramble

Homecoming Parade

My roommate and I love Georgia College!

SAO!

We're a family.

We're still winners!

 

So what’s the next race I’m running? The Wiphan Warthog Waddle, of course! Run with me!!

Christmas Thoughts

Hallelujah! Emmanuel!
[Praise God! God is with us!]

What a wonderful day we get to celebrate! I just want to share a few thoughts and experiences I’ve had in this season:

• Yesterday I had the great privilege of serving with my grandfather, aunt, and a family friend at the Jimme Hale Mission.  There were around 75 drivers delivering meals to individuals all around the Birmingham area who probably wouldn’t have any other visitors for Christmas.  Before we were sent out, Rev. Tony Cooper, the Executive Director of the mission, gave us a good word.  One of my favorite pieces of insight he shared was this:  “Here at the Jimmie Hale Mission, we don’t care about being politically correct–we care about being biblically correct.”  He went on to say that they use the “J word” and use it a lot.  This hit close to my heart as I’ve been convicted lately of passing up opportunities to share the name of Jesus.  I (and probably you, too!) have been granted favor in several areas but am guilty of way too many missed opportunities.  Who cares about sounding like that crazy Christian? We should take that as a compliment! Live radically, my friends.
• What if everyone who posted a Facebook status or tweet or general complaint about “remembering the reason for the season” or “keeping Christ in Christmas” or about not saying Xmas (which really isn’t that bad–X=Greek Chi=first letter of Χριστός=Christ) or WHATEVER….what if they all (okay, okay we all) cared that much everyday?  What if we stepped up for our faith daily? It’s come to the point where I almost feel like Christmas has become another thing we can argue about.  That’s not cool. And I’m pretty sure Jesus wouldn’t find that great either. And it’s His birthday.
• As usual, I loved the Brookwood Christmas Eve service.  One thing Dr. Barnette said that really stuck with me was that “God rewards the hunger in your heart more so than the knowledge in your heads.”  Sure you might know a lot. Cool. But do you have a desire to learn more? A thirst to grow in the Lord? Wise men still seek Him.
• Also at Jimmy Hale, Rev. Cooper read from Philippians 2.  Funny enough, I had been thinking about this passage on our way downtown. Meditate on these verses.  Read over them and pray that you might live your life in the reflection of Christ’s humility.
  So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.  Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.–Philippians 2:1-11

So, my friends, my Christmas wish for you and yours (and myself!) is that you would be radical. That you would be radiant. Let your light shine.  Let’s make darkness run outta here.

Life is Like a…

…no, not a box of chocolates; although, you really don’t know what you’re going to get.  But last night I gleaned some wisdom from a Hallmark Christmas movie. I’ve been watching a lot of these (along with Lifetime) during my Christmas break (such a productive member of society).

But last night as I was watching Mistletoe Over Manhattan, I learned that life is like a snow globe.

Sometimes, life gets turned upside down and things are just plain CRAZY. You can’t control where things go, what’s going to happen next, maybe even your emotions.  But eventually, the crazy settles and things are picture perfect, beautiful, and right again.

Honestly, this past semester has felt more crazy and upside down than still and beautiful.  I’ve been busy, stressed, and a little anxious.  I guess this comes with being a senior in college, taking 17 hours, having 3 jobs (although I didn’t work too many hours this past semester), and being just a little involved on campus; then you add in family and friends and life in general.  Whew! It’s been one heck of a semester.  Being still has never really been my strong suit.  It’s times like this past semester when things are ieakfnewklshdngjvkhsnmd (that’s the best way to describe it, the way it’s felt) that I should be more intentional with my time with the Lord.  Instead, however, I far too often have fun little “Oh! Woe is me!!!” parties. LAME.  When something goes wrong, I tend to think about all the things I’ve done wrong, all the ways I’m “that girl” and how that’s my problem, all the things I said I shouldn’t.  I also tend to slap myself on the wrist because I waste so much time not being in the Word and instead doing dumb, frivolous stuff.  Do you know how much precious time I waste with pity parties and complaining that I waste time?? Too much.  Too much, my friend.  How embarrassing.  How unfortunate.

I’m graduating in May and, with that, have been getting that wonderful and lovely question that every soon-to-be graduate grows to despise:  so, what’s next?  I keep thinking I have it all together.  But then something changes.  And it turns out, I don’t have it all together.  Let’s be honest:  I don’t really have anything “all together” (but what fun would that be anyways?).  So I’ll have a plan and then I won’t and then I’ll have another plan and then the Lord is like, “OH HEY! That’s what you thought.  Look.  Look what else is out there.  Look what I have to teach you.”  And I’m like, “Oh Lord, I love what you have to teach me, but change–even a change of plans–throws me way off”  (It’s like the Ben Rector song “She Is”–“She doesn’t like anything that she can’t change, and she can’t change”).  So with all this back and forth in the midst of being asked a hundred times of day what’s next in my life, there’s a little bit of anxiousness…a little bit of crazy.  I will say this:  I am SO excited about what’s in store.  I know that the Lord has a perfect plan for me.  I know that He goes before me, preparing and paving the way.  I know that He knows better than myself what’s best for me.

Through this time of anticipation and crazy I have been so incredibly encouraged by how intentional the Lord is. I’ll be stressed or worried or lonely and come across a Scripture or remember a song lyric that is just what I need to hear and remember at that time.  Below are some of these words that have helped me; maybe they’ll touch you as well.

“Mary was frightened and Joseph was disappointed, but there was room for both of them in God’s plan.”  Aren’t we all oftentimes frightened and disappointed?  I know I am.  Instead of that discouraging us and causing us to shrink back from God, it should spur us forward.  We need to remember “When God wants to change the world he often does it through the least likely people,” and “Sometimes God goes to a lot of trouble to include those whom we would exclude.”  Think back to David and remember that man judges by the outside, but God looks at the heart.  Don’t ever let others make you feel inferior!

“God’s promises can take a very long time coming.  It takes faith, hope and patience to believe they will be fulfilled.”  And I complain about having to wait a couple of MONTHS to know what I’m supposed to be doing in my life!  What about Abraham?  What about SO many followers of God that had to wait so long to find out where to go and what to do.  Oh how I need to be more diligent in praying for patience!

Speaking of patience…
“But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD.  At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.”  Psalm 69:13  The Lord is outside of our time, He knows what and when works best.

Mmmmm….peace…
“And letthe peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15
“Do not be anxious about anything,but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
A note on these verses from Philippians…
“…it is not Roman soldiers who guard believers [you could insert anything here–friends, family, bosses, peers…]–it is the peace of God Almighty.  Because God is sovereign and in control, Christians can entrust all their difficulties to him, who rules over all creation and who is wise and loving in all his ways.”

“Purge mewith hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall bewhiter than snow.  Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice.  Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” Psalm 51:7-12

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?…Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?…No, in all these things we are more thanconquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31, 35, 37-39  It’s a love that can never, ever be taken away!

For the heartache that comes with life…
“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Both verses are Proverbs 4:23; the first is the ESV, the second is the more popular NIV version.  I think these verses are important to remember not just when a guy/girl hurts you like they normally are used but also when you become discouraged and hurt by other’s words; when things get hard and you feel like the “snow in your snow globe” is never going to settle.

Today at Brookwood, Dr. Barnette spoke on Isaiah 35:1-10.  Verses 3 and 4 really stuck out to me:
“Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart, ‘Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.'”
We should continually be reminding those around us of the strength and peace found in the Lord.  No matter how crazy things get, we, as believers, are certain of a hope and joy that creates an amazing Peace that can be found nowhere else.  This verse is also a reminder to us, that “God will come with vengeance.” Oh, I love that diction! He is a force to be reckoned with, that no one can take down or win against (see the verses from Romans 8–who can stand against us?).

 

I know this season is a busy one, one that, for some, causes more heartache and stress than joy and celebration.  But let’s remember that, even though life gets crazy and complicated, we are guaranteed something so much greater.  This is not our home.  This is not the end-all, be-all.  When something goes wrong, remember the joy that is to come, remember that Christ has already overcome the world.  Think of the “bad things” that happen as chances to make yourself small, and Jesus great.