My first ever Rural Mission

Besa Chikula
My first ever Rural Mission
(18th Dec 2015-3rd January 2016).
Jan 25 ·
I was told, “When you go on a mission as a missionary, an unbelievable transformation occurs…” True. I have proved it for myself. I now hold ecstatic memories and a whole lot of life-changing experiences.
The most amazing was the surrender of all manner of ‘bling’ to embrace simplicity… All that mattered were the lives at stake, the souls out there who needed to learn about Jesus and His saving grace. It made sense when we were told not to be communicating with the outside world because we needed to focus in order to be most effective. One thing is sure, there’s more to life than just bling. What is sure is that we are saved to serve others.
I remember several young people filled a Marcopolo bus that was destined for various parts of the Eastern province. In the midst of singing praises to God, we heard the tire burst. Our lives were threatened but we sang even louder till the bus came to a safe stop. What a miracle! The tyre was badly damaged…Only God could have saved us.
Our destination was a typical village with houses made of mud. We needed to walk several hours in fields that had long grass to find people to share Jesus with.
At one house, we encountered a little boy who had been bitten by a snake just outside his house. This was a route we frequented. Our campsite was actually in a game park with wild animals close by. The villagers told us stories of the Lions in the area and how they freely roamed the place, especially in the dry season not too far from our campsite.
The rain came but often stopped in time for us to go out and it would return at a convenient time. The times we got soaked were exciting and we did not mind at all. Whatever it would take to witness to somebody far.
On New Year’s Day, we had the greatest joy. Some of the people we had been studying with gave their lives to Jesus and got baptized by immersion as practiced in the Bible.
We were so joyful and that evening as we sat outside to have our evening worship, we saw a huge snake, a long black cobra right at the pulpit next to the door to the worship room. Its head was up and it was ready to strike. We scampered in all directions as it was so close to us. The brave men managed to kill it. It was unbelievable how God rescued us again.
We were now done. We had to head back to Lundazi town on a canter as the road was a disaster and big buses could not come through so we got onto a canter which stopped a number of times so we could get off for it to get past difficult places. It was a scary experience but it taught us to trust God more and from where I sat I would have fallen out first. It was such a thrill to get to Lundazi and find the big bus coming to Lusaka.
I could hardly recognize myself as I stared in the mirror at home. It was as though I had painted my face black. Yet, I was really glad it was all for a blessed cause, all for Jesus Christ’s sake. It sure was worth it. What made it most exciting was that so many people accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour and were baptized. These people were so receptive to the word that none turned us away. They always welcomed us. In fact, some even shared their mangoes with us smiling.
I witnessed it, God is still working today. The thought of the many people who gave their lives to Christ tells us just what work is there in God’s vineyard.