Three years ago, I decided to quit living my life theoretically. I knew probably half of it was over, and while it had been amusing, the impact I grew up wanting to make on the world, was negligible.

So I picked up The Bible and read it, twice, and began doing what it says. The book changed me.

As such, I’m going to Chongwe, Zambia, in July, to work with SCRUBS Medical Mission in a school with 100 children, bad plumbing, a failing well and five unpaid staff.

On top of feeding and educating 100 kids, from their own shallow pockets, Founding Pastors Jasper and Zion Mutale are raising ten orphans. When SCRUBS shows up, pregnant women and new mothers walk for miles for well baby care and health education. There are chicken coops to build, plumbing to fix, kids to hug and medical needs beyond counting.

I grew up wanting to be a person like Jasper and Zion, but at home in Texas, I think about it, get overwhelmed and then go shopping. So I’m going to Zambia for two weeks to learn what faith in action looks like from people who pray “give us this day our daily bread” and mean it literally.

I’m so far outside my comfort zone, I can’t even see it anymore. The Africa part doesn’t scare me. I’m overwhelmed that I have to raise $4200 by April. I’m overwhelmed by the medical, construction and agricultural support this little community is pleading for. I’m overwhelmed that I may be the one to shepherd 20 Texans, some on their first trip out of the United States, through Zambian customs.

So I just keep saying this:

I am determined and confident! I am not afraid or discouraged, for the Lord my God is with me wherever I go. Joshua 1:9 (adapted from GNT)

Maybe you’re looking for something too. Are you looking…

…to do, not everything, but something to bless people who need it?
…to sow into proven, fertile soil?
…to love, as Jesus said, not with words and speech but action and truth?
…to support someone you know whose hands will be dirty on your behalf?

If so, will you help me? Will you consider sending a check (tax-deductible) to:

SCRUBS Medical Mission
15434 Brittain Court
Lindale, Texas 75771

Please make sure to write the check to SCRUBS and put Erin Kirk in the memo line.

SCRUBS is a registered 501c3 Non-Profit. You can check them out at scrubsmedicalmission.org. Sam and I know them. They are good eggs, doing it right: Board, independent accountant, etc.

I’m taking an iPad to Zambia because you all know I’ll have plenty to say about this. Though we’ll be in a bush village, we are only 45 miles outside of the capital city of Lusaka. We can connect there, so I can introduce you to our new friends.

Thank you for considering this. The rest is up to God.