Leaving Home

So my time in Zambia is coming to an end. I leave this coming Saturday(January 14th). Its been an incredible time and my life will never be the same.

In all honesty it feels like God went ahead of me, planned every step. Protected me, taught me and helped even when I didn’t ask for it. Indeed I do have a great Dad.

I was talking with Abusa Tembo last night. Reflecting on this journey of ours. Have a served perfectly? No. Did I pray as much as I should have? No. Did I make mistakes? Yes.

After this whole trip I need God’s grace and strength just as much as I did when He saved me.

Could Drew West have lived in Zambia for roughly six months? No. And Praise be to God for it was possible THROUGH Him. His grace has indeed been, sufficient for me. 

I have been focused on “leaving right”. I am making sure I don’t leave on bad terms with anyone. Although it is impossible to leave perfectly. I do know that their is a way to leave right and I am after it.

As I felt when I left the US to Zambia, it didn’t feel real. I realized I was leaving once the plane took off.

And it will be the same leaving “home” this time back to the States.

I cannot thank all you enough for taking an interest in my life and the crazy things God had me do, eat and the people I met.

Though I am leaving I am so young and God is still working, I am know where near perfect. If anything God has humbled me beyond anything else. He has put me on my face and given me a nice “You can’t do this, but with me on your side? I got your back.”

I still can’t even understand why He choose me to reveal Himself to. I don’t understand why He gave me this opportunity. I don’t understand why He has given me a MASSIVE amount of grace. But He has. and I say “Thank you!”. For I have nothing but praise in my heart, singing to my Savior in my head throughout these last couple days. Reflecting and loving the people I will say goodbye to. 

“It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort. BUT on God’s mercy” Romans 9:16

I hope you have been encouraged and inspired by my writings. and I hope to see you soon.

Take me out to coffee or lunch, or heck ill take you out.

Because I would love to talk with you. I would love to tell you how crazy God is, and about the things   He is up to.

Again, a million thanks to YOU. For your prayers and support. I can’t thank you enough.

A special thanks to Dustin Ellington and his Family. You have helped me, taught me, fed me, loved me, listened to me, and let me be apart of your wonderful family. I can’t thank you enough and I am more than positive this is not “goodbye” but I will see you in the future. I love all of you and the time together has been so good!

To Nancy Collins for feeding, listening and caring for me. A million thanks for letting me use your house while you were in the states. The “retreat center” was a huge blessing.

Last but not least, The Tembo family. I am proud and SO glad to be Drew Tembo. and I am so thankful for all of you preparing me for my “mission trip to the states”. Nice Mom, you are incredible. Abusa my life is not the same because of the life you live. Silvia, you are so hardworking and you inspire me, I would have literally DIED without you. Precious, you are crazy, I believed you belong in the States. You don’t seem Zambian to me. And of course Aunty Ruth, I am so jealous of how great your prayer life is, I will never forget hearing you pray and singing Hymms all throughout the day! I have never met anyone who prays as much as you. I am sure ill be back at Tembo house, eating great food and laughing a lot and looking like a fool speaking the local language. ohh ya! And Wazi, my son. You are nuts! You are the smartest three year old I have ever met! You always brought a huge smile to my face and I will never forget you. When I come back to Zambia I WILL FIND YOU! I will always have a “home” in Zambia, where ever God takes The Tembo family. THANK YOU!

Evans and Peter. You guys are crazy for Jesus and I loved hanging with you!

David Banda, You are too smart. I am excited to see what God does in your life and with the kids at school, thank you for taking over for me and teaching Bible after I leave! My prayer was answered because of you! I know we will be in touch!

Of course, my “American Parents”. For letting me be in Zambia for so long. I am glad you are so cool and actually let your kids live! I love you very much! and Dad see you in two days in England!

Irene Salazer, I hope I don’t make a fool of myself on our first date. Can’t wait to talk about how awesome God is. Sorry if I am a Zombie. Jet lag can be crazy! Thanks for all the long talks! it has helped me so much! You are a huge blessing! 

Yours in Christ,

Drew West

 

and how could I forget my school kids??? Gosh. ALL OF YOU ARE INCREDIBLE! You have taught me what True Worship is! My prayer is that you follow God with all your heart! It is so worth it! I am honored to have taught you! I can’t wait to visit you in the future! You are a HUGE blessing in my life!

CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas everyone! Hope all have a great and wonderful holiday. Hope this is a time to focus on Jesus and the great gift we have!

This last week I bought Bibles for all the school kids along with soaps and toothpaste. I put it all together for Christmas gifts. The School children were excited to FINALLLY have Bibles of there own. I am very excited to see Jesus work in their lives.
I still have extra donation money so I will use that for other needs I find, maybe Ill have extra money to buy more soap and toothpaste because many children can’t afford them.
We will see.
This marks twenty days till I leave Zambia. I’m looking forward to talking with all of you face to face. I will be back in Colorado soon enough. Time goes fast!

I will post pictures soon.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Regards,

~Drew

Abide-to remain; continue; stay; to continue in a particular condition, attitude, relationship, etc.

December is a break in Zambia for schools. “Holiday” or what not. I have only ever been to Zambia in Africa before, which is great! But I have always wanted to see more.

Through a friend in Zambia I had connections with some people in Cape Town, South Africa. So I hoped on a bus from Lusaka to Johannesburg. Then I took a flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town.  I will be in Cape Town till the 17th just getting a bit of break, and time to refresh. Seek God on how He would like me to spend my last month here in Zambia. 

The bus ride down to South Africa was very stressful. Cheap. But stressful. The bus was a few hours late and a 24hour bus ride is not that fun. 

When I was driving from Zambia to the Zimbabwean border(about 2 1/2 drive) It was an incredible sight. Just thick beautiful forest with hills and mountains and all that! You see interesting birds and monkeys and bush people living in huts. It was not a luxurious bus ride by any means but seeing more of Africa was well worth it. 

I am an artist. I write my own music and I enjoy creating. I find joy in art and all different types of creative things. 

Now God is crazy creative. I was thinking to myself when I was driving about if I was the one who created heaven and earth. and it would have been so lame if I would have designed it. Super weak. Africa is a beautiful place.  and I pure testimony of who God is. We can see God everywhere. and if you’re like me you have an eye for God. You can see Him everywhere. 

I am a very restless person(American?). I always have to be moving or doing something “productive”. Sense being in Zambia patience has been a thing that I was forced to learn, I wait around a lot. We as people are always in a rush. To go somewhere. Get out of Church. Eat. Drive. Travel. Its got to be quick right? Right. Or maybe not…

When John wrote the Gospel of John(My favorite Gospel) he was an older man. You see John reflecting on what Jesus did, and who God is. Its a powerful book. When an older man talks about God with wisdom and life experience its a cool thing! Just like a grandpa talking about the “Good Ol days” of his life. Thats the same attidude as I get when I read through the Gospel of John. 

Jesus in the book of John talks about “abiding” in God and His word(see John 8:31-32, John 15). Seems like a very important thing. Seems like we don’t focus on it very much. At all…

Its this idea of remaing. Or resting. Or continuing in a relationship.

I can get very caught up in “Doing good things for God”. And when Im not doing anything(especially here) I always think I’m waisting time. I can get caught up in what I do for God and not God. My identity can be in Music for God, preaching about God, teaching about God. Not God. It feels like its God but honestly I feel like its the “Doing” part. Which is not all bad but it can be dangerous. But we are missing an important part. 

When I was in the bus driving through Zambia and Zimbabwe and a large part of South Africa I had no choice. I was seeing the beautiful creation of my Father. And I couldn’t “do” anything for HIm, So I just admired His creation, His creativity. I didn’t even really pray I just sat in mind blown awe of how GREAT He is. 

Before I left Colorado I was hanging out with a pastor named Aaron Havens(Project Salt in Greeley). As I was talking to Him about ministry and How God wanted Him to do Church He asked me a very tough question. Something like this “Drew you play music, guitar and stuff, what happens if your arms falls off?” Catches you off guard right? ya caught me off guard. Aaron talked to me about identity. How are indentity needs to be in Jesus, not things. Or talents. I mean the Desciples in the Bible probably had lots of different talents. But for some reason they are just known for being “Disciples” infact, they even left there jobs and talents to follow Jesus! That would be awesome If thats what people said about me. “Who is Drew? What does he do?” “Well Drew is a disciple of Jesus Christ.” But so many times its a “Business man” “Designer” “Pastor” “missionary” Worship Leader” “Teacher”. Which are good things! But my point is this; If you are a teacher and you loose your mouth and eyes and legs, what will you do? Will your life totally fall apart? You have nothing to live for? You might as well die right!?

Thats what it seems like. 

If we abide In Him, He will also abide is us. If we Abide in His word, we will KNOW the TRUTH and the truth will set us free. Free from our failures. Free from us not teaching good enough, playing music good enough, doing sport good enough. Just being good enough. Because God will be good enough that we don’t have to worry about being the best. Or being afraid to fail. 

I have not learned how to do this very well yet, I still have a lot of habits to break. When I go to Church if im not playing music or helping in some way I feel like im waisting time. But honestly Church is a time to be SERVED by God. For God to wash our dirty feet. For us to rest in Him. Find our security in Him. 

Find our Identity in Him.

For we WILL fail, but God WON’T.  Lets abide in Him and He will abide in us! We will be set free! 

Lets be honest. We are not good enough to be welomed into the Kingdom of God, but because of Jesus, and what He has done for us we can! Our Identity can be that He died for us. and living out of that AMAZING Grace. Doesn’t that just seem right?

It feels right. My prayer is that we learn to “Abide” in Him.

In Cape Town, South Africa for a week. Its Awesome! This is a view from Table Mountain.

My day

Today was interesting. It was the last day of school. The whole month of Decmeber is a break and schools open again in January. January 9th a believe. SO I figured last day we should do some worship.
So we did. The kids had a lot of energy and they were all very excited for there much needed break. A time to be just as they are. Kids. So it was not a very deep “spiritual” worship time. Just singing.

I was in need of Worship. I was in need of prayer. And when the repsonse of the kids during worship was not what I wanted, I felt a bit defeated.

Lately. For the past week or so, I don’t know what it is. I have found new life.

There is the cross. Where Jesus died. for our sins. and Where He bore our wrath. But then there is this that comes out of it. Like how the Hymm goes. “I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back, no turning back. The cross before me, the world behind. No turning back, no turning back.” We live AFTER the death Of Christ. We live in the new day. The new life.

Good news!

I am a musician. I am a performer. Times when I don’t “perform” well enough, when I don’t sing “just right” or lead “good enough”, I can be dissapointed. Very.

I was not “feeling” right. I was feeling defeated.

Later in the evening, I had dinner with a recently married couple spending three months in Zambia doing mission work. They are Canadians.(cool eh?) We didn’t have a super deep spiritual conversation(Honestly you don’t need to when you are trying to live Biblically.) We just had a good time, and some good laughs about the things here in Zambia.

After dinner I got on the mini bus and started heading to Justo Mwale. On the way I sat next to a guy, probably about the same age as me. At times God will gives the ability to see into peoples lives. Not like super in depth. But in a sense I can tell when someone needs encouragement, prayer, help…ect. I knew this guy was beat. Tired, lonely. (I AM NOT A BIG OUT REACH TYPE OF GUY) I asked if He went to Church. He said yes. I asked if he went often to Church. He said every sunday. But there was something about this moment. It was so strange. Everything was quiet. When normally its loud. I could think….. I could pray. I knew God wanted me to speak to this guy. So I prayed. I asked God “So what now?” God replied “give him your bible.” My thought was honestly, “Not my nice ESV bible!” But I quickly ignored it. I turned to the guy and asked if he had a bible. He said no. I asked if he wanted one. He said yes. So I reached in my bag and gave him the bible. As I did this the bus driver looked over and said “He just gave you life.” Life.

The guy I gave the Bible to his name is Owen. Owen Phiri. We chated afterwards and exchanged numbers.

It was my last Bible. I am Bibleless. But its okay! Ill get one soon.

I can’t explain to you the feeling after. God spoke to me. He used me! Told me what to and I heard His voice and obeyed. I wish everyone could experience the same.

I am convinced that God is not focused on our performance. I had a terrible Worship time earlier that day. I was not “Feeling it”. My prayer life has not been the best.

But there is this secret I have. It feels like its a secret. Jesus. I have died. and am alive in and with Him. He lives in me. He has given me NEW life. Again, and again. AND FOREVER.

Even if you are “not feeling it.” Like I was. God doesn’t change. God is the same. Yesterday. TODAY. and FOREVER. We can feel different things, and ways, but God doesn’t change. Despite me trying to be a great performer and failing, God DOES NOT fail.

We can be broken over our sins, we can feel terrible. Even hate ourselves. But guess what!

Sin has NO power over me. Death has no hold on me. My chains are gone. I am no longer a slave to sin. I am an adopted son of Christ!

In the gospel of John Jesus says, that He has come to give life, and life “abundantly.”

Im not saying this is easy. Im not saying living sinlessly is possible. I still screw up. Everyday. We can talk about the cross. We can “Know” that Christ has covered our sins. But do you KNOW the new life? Do you realize that the CROSS if before you, and the world is behind? Do you have the secret that I have? Hope. For I know that I can live in the slums of Zambia. I can look crazy to the world. I can give up the “American Dream”. For I have hope. In Jesus. Not in myself. Not in money. Not in performance. Not in good theology.

Our job is not be perfect. In fact we don’t have a job. We have a priviledge. We have a great opportunity to share the hope of Christ. For living the way He wants us to is not a “Burden” its a gift.

We are free. Because of HIM. We have life. Because of HIM.

We know true life. We have tasted true life. And when we go astray like we do God reminds us of how great He is, in His wonderful ways! For He is constantly reaching for us. Even when we “Feel” so far away.

He came and lived with us. He came and died for us. No one asked for it. No one understood it. I don’t understand it. But its done.

Finished.

We are alive in Him!

“Worship”

Sense being here I have learned what it means to Worship.
I have been leading Worship in different settings for about three years now, and I have now figured it out.
Or am beginning to… I hope its just the beginning.

Maybe we have lost sight of Worship. Maybe we don’t exactly know what it means, or what it is. Maybe we all have different feelings about it. Maybe we think its Church, or just music. I know people who beleive Worship is “life”(I agree). But maybe we are missing something. I know I was. I probably still am…

Two weeks ago as I was finishing up teaching the Gospel of John with the 5th grade class. I have started to realize how fast everything went, how awesome it was/is. and How it is soon going to be over.
Maybe the kids think I have changed their lives. Maybe I have, but not as much as they have changed mine.

I have seen these kids fall on their knees in Worship. I have heard them shout to The Lord. I have seen them pray with one another. I have seen the Power of Christ transform their lives through the Gospel.

There is something about orphans, the down and outs and poorest of the poor worshiping God. And I cannot even begin to explain it to you. I am so pumped to be apart of it.

The kids who hunger daily. The ones whos future looks dull, or hopeless. The ones who have lost parents. The children who have been beaten or sexually abused. The kids who in the world’s eyes “have nothing to be thankful”. Get down in Worship.

If we are disgned to be Sons and Daughters of God. If we are designed to be in relationship with, listen and obey Him. Then isn’t that Worship?

It’s about us surrending our lives for his plan and purpose. And coming under His Lordship. Its about looking for Jesus, Seeing Him and being Changed. Him molding us. Shaping us. Restoring life.

In Matthew it says, “Where two or more are gathered in my name, there I will be also.”(see 18:20)
This sense of being renewed by God is His presence. I feel its exactly what Isaiah is writiting about in Isaiah 40.

I was invited to do worship and share my testimony at a youth group here in Lusaka. A Church called Lusaka Community Church that I attend about once a month to get a break from the Chawama Church. Anywho I went from doing worship with Faithfilled Zambian kids to Typical, questioning, doubting, skeptical white people. About half way through Worship a woman walked into the living room where we were singing. I opened my eyes and saw her. I was thinking to myself “oh no! What if this lady does not know Jesus?!” I eventually just left the thought and focused on God. Later I saw her lifting her hands and singing. After we were done she came to speak with me. Asked me the usual “who are you?” and all that. But she started sharing with me that the last couple weeks she has found Worship being “Exactly what she has always needed”. Then she countinued telling me that randomly coming to her friends house(Where the youth shin dig was) was just a great surprise! After talking with her for a bit I was very excited. I’m not the only one!

You know, you have prayer. Bible reading. Preaching. But there is something about Worship. A time to expressivly come to God and ask Him to lead and guide you. A time to come under His Lordship. To confess. But then its even more than that.

I remember getting way bent out of shape about girls(its probably not the end). I would pray to God and tell Him things, “I don’t understand!” “Why doesn’t she understand??” “God! What the crap?!” and then after telling God all my little frustrations. I start thinking “I would not even tell my friends this stuff, and im telling the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE!”
But we find perspective when we Worship in a prayerful attitude. God’s perspective. We find our “HUGE” problems are small. Or in the same way find comfort in His presence, to find your security in Him. Imaging Him being a strong fortress. Running into Him for safety, and climbing to the top. Looking down on life, and seeing the big picture. Him.

A few months ago I was eating dinner with the Ellington family(Dr. Ellington is a Seminary Professor here at Justo Mwale. They are Americans.) and we were talking about Worship. Mr. Ellington said “Maybe you could come over and we could do Worship for a while, I feel like we are really lacking in that area.”

Maybe you are lacking as well. Sometimes we get so caught up with living and we think we got it all right, when really its time to just humble yourself in the presence of God. To submit to Him. To forget about whats around you, and what people think about you, and focus on what God thinks about you, and wants with you. To put your hope in Him. Like how my Zambian students do. To simply acknowlege His name.

Or you can think of it this way.
My little child version.(MOM AND DAD READ THIS PART) I imagine my parens just bought me a car. I am so excited and happy and I love them and talk to them and hangout with them! God has not bought me a car. BUT He has done something much greator! He died for my sins. He took my wrath. and out of that feirce punishment I have life, and life abundantly.

“For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through Him let us continually offer up a sacrafice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name.” Hebrews 13:14-15

Let’s Worship Him!

Thank you Jesus for these verses!

Truth in Struggle

I was talking with a friend the other day on skype by the name of Becki Ziegler. Becki and I have been friends for a about four years now? something like that… My first trip to Zambia she was also in the group. Anyways.
I have struggled with pride. A lot. Just being real. I was talking with Becki and she said something that meant a lot to me. She said “Drew I am really glad and surprised you are not all ‘Self righteous’!” It was awesome for me!

I love what I am doing because I realize how messed up I am. You know, when doing something like this people look up to and admire you, a lot. I get it all the time, which is not a bad thing. But I have to be careful about not being a
“tough guy”. And honestly this blog is just honesty, straight up.

When I first got on the plane leaving Colorado to London I was pumped. Excited. All that. Then about half way in, I had the thought “I am going to Africa, by myself. The soonest I could get home is 3 1/2 months away. Oh Lord.” That moment when you realize you could be making a huge mistake. It was terrifying! I could act like “Oh ya no fear, just going to serve God and be awesome.” Right? I knew I was going to serve God. BUT I DIDN’T Know what exactly that meant! Just because I was going to serve God doesn’t mean I’m not allowed to worry. But what I did love about it is that I feel like a disciple of Jesus. What does Jesus say all throughout the Gospel? “Follow me.” He never says, “Hey follow me, we are going here and there. and We will be back in two weeks.” The Disciples were probably worried too! Especially when everyone starts hating on Jesus! Like seriously! You are following some guy, that is claiming to be “The Son of God” and every where you go most people hate him/Say he is possessed by a demon. and on top of that the way He speaks doesn’t even make any sense with all his crazy teachings. The most basic thing Jesus says is, “Follow Me”. And The Disciples say, “ummmmmmmmm… sure? yes? Okay. fine.”

I have realized my weaknesses. I have realized my doubts. I have realized a lot of things about myself. It has been A HUGE struggle. I realized how messed up I am, and how much I NEED JESUS.

(Read 2 Corinthians 12:1-10) How many times have we been there? A lot right? Especially when we are trying to get a grip on living the “Christian life”. We sin, constantly! and sometimes we hate our selves for that sin, we get very frustrated and we don’t even understand ourselves.

I love God’s answer to Paul in that passage. “My grace is sufficient for you,for my power is made perfect in your weakness.”
Every time I read that I imagine God smiling at Paul. In a very loving way. Its like a 2 month old baby trying to walk. You know he is going to fall. And when he does you think “You can’t do this alone you crazy little baby!” God is smiling at Paul saying “Paul, my child, you can’t be sinless, You will ALWAYS fall. You are a human!”

And I want you to hear this if you are struggling with sin in your life. Honestly listen to this if you are frustrated.

Jesus Christ did not die on The Cross so we could have the power to live a sinless life. Thats not the point. Christ died so that we may be RECONCILED to Him. So that we will be able to spent all of ETERNITY with Him. Because thats what He wants. God is not focussed on our sin. He is focussed on us!
And trust me I have been there, I have struggled with sin, alot. But do not let the focus of your walk with Christ be on not sinning. It needs to be on Jesus, our Saviour. Don’t let the enemy trip you up about sin, “your not good enough” “you are too messed up.” And when Satan uses those little things I say “you are right, BUT I KNOW 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 OF CREATION, will be able to seperate US from the love of GOD in Christ Jesus OUR LORD. (Romans 8:38-39)

My prayer is that we become like little children. Because the moment a two month old falls his first repsonse to lift his hands to his father to be picked up. God wants to pick you up, serve and love you. Don’t run or hide from Him. Lift your hands. For His grace is sufficient for you. and His power is made perfect in your weakness.

Amen.

Great Worship on 11/11/11

11/11/11

On Friday, 11/11/11 all around the world people were doing crazy worship events! I was to be honest a little bummed out because I wanted to be a part of one of the events in Colorado. But I am in Zambia. Obviously! Anyways I was praying about it and God told me “Join in, Join in on something I am doing”
So the fifth grade class and I on 11/11/11 did worship for 3 1/2 hours straight. It was AWESOME! Here is a link to some of the pictures! All I did was read Scripture, and tell the kids about why we Worship, and it just got really Crazy! We had a lot of time for prayer/ We prayed for our brothers and sisters ALL AROUND the world doing Worship on that day. it was cool telling the kids that distance doesn’t matter, but God is listening and Loving our Worship! We were apart of a day of Worship that WAS NOT on a Sunday, and it was happening all around the world!

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150365743328335.356495.778048334&type=1