Across town from the airport the Legacy Academy teachers and discipleship staff in Lusaka West finished classes for the day and prepared for a team of American teachers they had never met to join their staff for a week. Both groups were nervous and didn't know exactly what to expect. Both groups were praying that God would use this time to build up the school and bring glory to God. Both groups were about to experience a week they will never forget.
The next day they met for the first time, and by the end of the day the love and appreciation between all 20 of these teachers had already begun to form. Day after day during the week I enjoyed watching the teaching partners interact and do amazing lessons with the classes.
Each day ended with all the teachers gathering together in a classroom, and it was my favorite part of the day. One by one the teaching partners would affirm each other and talk about things they had learned. I've taught at a lot of schools and can't think of very many instances where the faculty was called together for a meeting and ALL talk from EVERY person was positive and used to build each other up. Each person in the room was encouraged to continue growing and learning each day. That is a rare and special gift. That is how I think the body of Christ was meant to work. It wasn't because everything went perfectly. It was because everyone there said-- here is what I have and I want God to use it for His purpose and His design for all the students who attend this school and the children who will come after them. Then each group would take a turn leading a worship song before prayer. One of my favorite sounds is Zambia is hearing them lift their voices in prayer and praise. There aren't words to describe it.
Standing in that circle praying together for each other, for the students at that Legacy Academy, for the glory of God to shine through will always be one of my favorite memories with this team and the teachers in our school. When you love God and you love others-- even when the task seems hard, the days long, and the sleeping hours short-- He builds beautiful stories and writes them on our hearts and minds and speaks them into the lives of those He calls us to serve. I am thankful for our Legacy Academy teachers who serve our children well and for teachers who travel thousands of miles to offer their support and encouragement. Together they are developing a school that will impact communities and transform them for generations to come.