Learning to say YES!

They divided us up into teams and sent us on our way. We carried nothing with us but the clothes on our back. As we made our way down the dirt path, I wondered if this was how the disciples felt when Jesus paired them off and sent them on their way. (Luke 10.1)

I had no idea what to expect or what I would be asked to do but it wasn’t long before I found out.

Our team had ministered all week at the CURE hospital in Lusaka, Zambia and now we had pitched our tents (literally) in the “Bush” (what we, Americans, fondly call – “the Boondocks!”).

I didn’t know it then but these two days would hold some of my fondest memories of my time in Africa!

“Kristi, you share a word from the Lord at the first village!” Pastor Zimba declared as we walked along the winding dirt path. The way he said it left no room for discussion or backing out. I could sense my teammate breathing a sigh of relief it wasn’t him.

A word from the Lord! Are you kidding me? I thought. There’s nothing intimidating about that request! If he had just said, “Kristi will you share something with them.” I would’ve found this request a lot less formidable. But this was my first step, of many, in trusting God on this journey out into the Bush. And God did not disappoint! (Can I just say He likes to wait until the last minute to give you what you need – I think He wants to see if we’ll really trust Him or give up and attempt to do it ourselves. Mark Batterson in Circle Maker, says God likes to play Chicken and I tend to agree!)

We were at the second village, it wasn’t my turn to “share a word from the Lord”, my team mate had that privilege! As I listened to him talk I watched the faces of those around us. There was one young woman in particular who kept making eye contact with me and I felt the Lord prompting me to ask if she was a follower of Jesus.

This trip had emboldened me and instead of questioning God (like I often do) I acted. I asked the translator if the family were believers. The mom responded that she was but I pointed to the young woman and said, “What about her?” She responded with a shake of her head no and so I asked if I could share with her how she could become a Jesus follower.

Using the dirt as my canvas, I took a stick and began to draw out a canyon with God on one side and us on the other. I explained to her how our sin had caused this huge canyon between us an IMG_7046 (2) d God. I then drew the cross in the middle of the canyon illustrating the bridge God made more for us to restore our relationship with Him through Jesus’ death. After more conversation and explanation, I asked if she wanted to invite Jesus into her life. Moments later I had a new sister in Christ and heaven was throwing a party!

What an incredible moment! One I will treasure always and I want more! I want to go. I want to share. I want to say YES to God without hesitation.

I’ve discovered something . . . The more I say YES, the easier it becomes.

Recently I’ve said a very BIG YES, to leaving my job and living by faith. Yes to going around the world to empower and encourage women. Yes to trusting God to provide what I need to minister to women just like my African sister, Benzile and I can wait to see what God will do with my Yeses!

If you want to be a part of empowering women, like Benzile, around the globe, I would love to have you join my Grace Tribe. You can do this in a couple of ways:

1. Join my prayer team by emailing me at kristi.huseby@efca.org and get weekly emails.

2. Through your financial donations. Click on the link below to donate.