Ever since we’ve arrived here, I’ve noticed as a citizen of The United States of America, that we truly have it all. Living in America is so easy. Rarely do we have to ask, “Is there water” before going to the bathroom or “Is the electricity on” before making dinner.
Everyday here in Zambia whether its morning, afternoon or night, we have to ask ourselves those questions if we want to do anything. What we’ve once taken for granted, running water and electricity, have become like gold to us here.
Tasks like brushing your teeth, boiling water, showering and cooking dinner are easily done in America, but here in Zambia, there is always a chance that you won’t be able to do any of those “easy tasks”.
Once or twice a couple friends and I have taken the liberty of burning our hands off while cooking breakfast over a makeshift coal fire; wow that backfired-no pun intended. But we’ve found that those “easy tasks” without running water or power, are more that a one step process. But I have to admit, it really is hilarious taking a step back and watching us, white girls, freak out over it all.
One night here in Zambia, it was my night to cook along with my teammate Mikayla. We got back from soccer ministry right before dark, grabbed our things needed to cook dinner and headed to the kitchen.
We started boiling water for several different food items, and when the water was boiled we put everything in. To pass time, Mikayla and I sipped on tea and chatted about life. But right in the middle of our conversation, the electricity shut off. There we were in the kitchen, with no lights, no power and surrounded by ugly spiders.
We didn’t panic, we just grabbed our handy dandy iPhone flashlight and discussed further options upon finishing dinner. I walked around the kitchen for a few minutes and saw the contraption our friend Ruth, who stays at the compound, had used to make a coal fire and had an idea.
I asked Mikayla if she would be up to making dinner outside in the dark, on a coal fire. Of course, wonderful Mikayla is always up for anything and led the way to go find Ruth.
Hashtag, white girls try to make fire with an African woman.
I walked outside looked up and immediately I was in awe of what I was looking at. The city was dark, the sky was dark, but those stars were glowing.
I stood staring at the stars while Ruth was making the fire, and all I could think about was how my God, the one I live for, was the artist of that masterpiece.
It was truly magnificent. Billions of stars and even looking at the sky long enough, I noticed that in the sky there was a massive galaxy. Light years away, but there it was shining so bright in my eyes. It was breathtaking. In that moment, I stood there giving Him all the glory, and all the honor. Nothing deemed worthy enough for what was before my eyes.
Living without electricity or water is hard sometimes, but I knew without a doubt, that God turned those off that night for a reason.
He wanted me to see his stars.
