Have you ever heard the Christian cliché “let go and let God”? It’s probably written on a wooden plank in that Rae Dunn font somewhere. The truth about cliches is that they can come from grains of truth.
Serving the church in Zimbabwe was an opportunity to live out those grains of truth.
Although most of my work in One Challenge is spent in communications, a large part of my ministry heart is working with kids. After the opportunity to serve alongside OC Africa for the first pastors’ kids retreat in 2019, I knew we were called to do it again. This time, not just run a retreat, but train local Zimbabweans to facilitate them and multiply them. For this to happen, it needed to go beyond OC U.S. and OC Africa. We needed buy-in. We needed a logistics champion, people to train, and pastors’ families to serve.
Waiting …
A month before the planned training and retreat, we didn’t have tickets. Every call with Sarah, our OC Africa teammate, went something like this: “Is this going to happen, or should we call it?” But every call ended with: “We can wait. Let’s see what God does.”
God brought us Sheppard.
Shep took over logistics. Sarah gathered a group of leaders who were passionate about caring for PKs. In the end, 12 signed up to be trained. It looked like things were finally coming together. We booked tickets.
The hitch: one kid had signed up.
A step of faith
Three weeks later, when we boarded the plane, we were still at one. A week out from the retreat.
We moved forward in faith.
During our first week, as we trained the six people (and two more part-time) who attended, a couple more kids signed up, so we had three. Sarah, an incredible woman of faith, continued to pray. God placed on her heart: ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’ She gave it to God.
A breakthrough
Then, a breakthrough. In one weekend, we jumped from three to 17.
God brought the right kids. He knew their burdens and what they needed. And God brought the right adults. Together, they built a community filled with love, understanding, and care.
The local trainers were incredible. They connected with the kids on a deep cultural level. They knew the weight these kids carried, and they helped shoulder that burden.
His ways are great
God provided in other ways, as well. A local family counselor, Adailate, joined us for three days. Her presence was vital. Some of these kids were carrying deep, ongoing trauma. Adailate is now following up with them and their families.
Perhaps the most beautiful fruit of all: the group we trained is already planning a PK retreat in the capital city. They caught the vision. They saw the need. They want to bring this ministry to more kids across Zimbabwe.
Let go and let God
We walked forward in faith, despite the uncertainty. God moved. He brought the right people, the right kids, the right timing. He showed us, again, that he is the one who builds. Letting go is not passive. It’s choosing obedience when the plan doesn’t make sense. It’s understanding that we are powerless, but He is all-powerful. It’s praying daily for those kids and trainers. It’s opening our hands, taking a breath, and learning to let go and let God.
Kelli, Director of Marketing and Communications, U.S.-Mobilization Center
