Missions Moment: Interview with Beth

Hey friends! I am so very excited about today’s post. Beth, a family friend and missionary to Zambia from our church, kindly agreed to do this interview. Her example of following Jesus is such an encouragement to me! I was so blessed by what she shared and I know you will be as well. If you’d like to learn more about Zambia, support Beth, or sign up to receive her newsletters, you can visit her ministry website here at LightinZambia.com. I know she would so appreciate your prayers!

Naomi: Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview! To start with, would you please share your testimony and how the Lord led you to Zambia?

Beth: These are both very long stories, but in summary, I was saved in Sunday school at the age of six and was called to overseas missions at fifteen. While I grew up in church and Christian school, after graduating, I began to live in a way that did not reflect what I believed. I spent many years away from the Lord. When I came back to God and church, I thought that meant the door to long-term overseas missions was closed. I determined to serve God wherever He put me, however I could, for as long as He gave me breath. God continued to stir my heart for missions, and while on a short-term mission trip to Zambia, He confirmed that He was still directing me to serve overseas. I continued to seek His direction about when and where. Over the next few years, God used scripture, circumstances, and people to confirm His leading to Africa and then to Zambia.

Naomi: What are some of your favorite things about Zambia and the Zambian people?

Beth: I love the sunsets, the weather, the unique reddish color of the dirt, and the particular earthy smell that fills the air. One of the traditional dishes I enjoy is nshima. It’s a thick porridge made from ground maize used to scoop up a side such as cabbage, soya, beans, chicken, or goat. (Fried soya and cabbage are my favorites.) Another favorite of mine is the chitenge—colorful waxed pieces of cloth. They are wrapped around the waist down to the ankles like a skirt and worn by women in the village and sometimes in town. In addition to being beautiful, they are practical—keeping clothes clean, holding smaller items, and used for babywearing. I have a lot of respect for the Zambian people. One thing that stands out to me is their quiet acceptance of each task and the joy found in doing it. Women cooking over an open fire will lean over and look closely at the food, then smile with satisfaction. A little child will do the “potty dance,” and the nearest adult will grab their hand and lead them away with a knowing smirk regardless of whose child it is. In the village, the community will gather to prepare boards for coffins for those who will die in the coming year. There is an acceptance of the small and the big moments in life as part of life—a quiet strength and determination.

Naomi: Are there particular ministries that you’ll be focusing on in Zambia? What are some of Zambia’s greatest specific needs spiritually?

Beth: I will be focusing on women’s and children’s ministries. That will involve a combination of teaching and discipleship in groups as well as individually. The primary need is for salvation—only the gospel can truly change lives. But just like in the United States, our lives as Christians begin with salvation—they don’t end there. The Bible stories and doctrines that are familiar to many of us who grew up in church are relatively unknown or misconstrued in Zambia. Discipleship helps new believers to grow in their faith and be equipped to reach others.

Naomi: Could you give us a little glimpse of what your daily life will probably look like once you are living in Zambia?

Beth: My weeks will be split between village ministry and city ministry days. On city ministry days, that can include going to meet with women one to one for discipleship, services at the Chipata church plant, or Bible study in the women’s prison. The village ministry days will consist of teaching the ladies and children, as well as discipleship—typically in a group setting. Initially, I’ll be working with a translator while doing language lessons. At home, there will be the usual responsibilities—like cleaning, cooking, and laundry. Sometimes those will need to be adjusted (for example, when the power goes out). Life doesn’t always go according to plan. But wherever we are serving, it helps to keep in perspective what is most important.

Naomi: What are some of the particular challenges and joys of deputating? What are some specific ways that we can pray for you and other missionaries who are on deputation?

Beth: One of my favorite parts of deputation has been getting to know people, hearing salvation testimonies, and seeing how God is working in their lives. I am encouraged to see people laboring faithfully in their local church in a variety of different ministries. The bus captains, the Sunday school teachers, those out soul-winning, serving people who are homeless/trapped in addiction/refugees, discipling, cleaning, cooking—every area of service is a sweet sacrifice to God. We, as Christians, can sometimes feel alone in our ministries. But all around the United States and the world, brothers and sisters are laboring with us. A challenge for me has been not being at my home church and having to step away from areas of service I really enjoyed. Being able to jump into service along the way helps remind me that God is still using me, even if it looks different. I like to plan ahead, and deputation does not always allow me to know the logistics or how needs will be met along the way. While that is challenging, it’s also beautiful to watch God provide. Sometimes He meets needs no one even knew I had or little wants—reminding me that He cares about the little details of our lives. Prayer is by far the greatest thing you can do for missionaries and those on deputation. I can’t put into words how much it encourages me to hear that someone is praying for me. From the practical needs to the spiritual ones, if God isn’t in it, nothing good will come of it. We, like anyone, need Him to direct us and protect us. We are seeking Him to give us what He wants us to share with others. Pray for us to keep our eyes on God, to continue to grow in our relationship with Him, and to see each circumstance as He does- keeping our hearts and attitudes right.

Naomi: What advice/encouragement do you have for young women who are seeking the Lord’s will for their lives?

Beth: Wait on the Lord and He WILL direct your steps. It’s easy to get impatient or to think we know what’s best for our lives. Many times, what He has directed me to was nothing I’d even considered. Looking back, those are the very things I most enjoyed—those “I was made for this” moments. When I get ahead of God in timing or in what I think I want, it never ends well. God made us. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He does everything in order, in His timing, and for a purpose. As we are faithful in what He has given us to do right now, He is preparing us for what He has in store. There are so many examples of things I did along the way (like working as a camp counselor, leading group activities, teaching devotions, and medical experiences—just serving faithfully where He had me at the time) that now I can see how God was preparing me for what He would do. We don’t get to see the whole picture. Keep seeking, serving, and waiting until He makes that next step clear. As you seek, pay attention to if you are really open to whatever answer God may give. If we are only listening for a particular answer, we might miss out on what God has for us. Wait expecting Him to direct, and willing to follow wherever He leads.

Naomi: Thank you again! In closing, would you please share a favorite Scripture verse and how the Lord has used it to encourage you?

Beth: One of my favorite verses is 2 Corinthians 4:7 “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” It points me to 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty. Not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.” as well as to 2 Corinthians 12:9+10 “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” When we look at our weaknesses as the way God reveals Himself—that what He does in our lives is not dependent on our strength but rather on His, we move out of the way and let His glory shine. The pressure isn’t on us to perform or to fix our broken places but to allow God to move through those circumstances. When people see God do something they know could not have come from us, they can’t attribute it to anything else but God. His grace is enough for all our weaknesses, and His power rests on us in our infirmities. We can’t take any credit for what God does. We can enjoy watching Him work in our lives.