Lessons from Tori

 About 18 years ago, I crossed paths with Victoria May Barret (we call her Tori), now Mrs Camp. Tori came to Zambia as a single missionary from the US to lead and teach at the primary school of Faith Baptist Church Riverside (the church I now pastor). She had spent some time in Togo, West Africa, before coming to Zambia. Little did I know that the friendship that would forge would leave a lasting impact on my life. Here are five lessons I learned from Tori.

Encouraging people and spotting God’s grace in their lives

Tori can see and unearth (even where I am convinced it does not exist!) God’s goodness in people and encourage them in that light. She both amazed and frustrated me with this trait. There were times all I could see was bad, and she would gently point out a particular strength or virtue in the person that God had given them. It is no wonder that Tori constantly encouraged many people at work, in the church and the community.

Practicing Hospitality

Her home was an open door. She hosted families, couples, singles, youths, children, men and women. She was intentional, sacrificial and flexible in her practice of hospitality. When she had people over, there was always an end goal: either share the gospel with the lost or encourage believers. You always knew that when Tori hosted you, you would play games, eat food, sing songs and have a conversation from the word of God. It was simple and sweet, and we often had serious conversations. What amazed me was Tori did not let her status hinder her from hosting a group of couples monthly for fellowship.

Practical Discipleship

Tori is a relational person. She invests in people’s lives. You will often find her rooting for someone or weeping for them. She pours her life into all kinds of people from all walks of life and ages. From meeting weekly with a lady from a nearby shanty compound to visiting and hosting children of all ages. From hosting a group of university students to hosting a group of families. Whether church members or unbelieving acquaintances, Tori was invested. She was deliberate, simple and practical. Deliberate about studying God’s word and fellowship, straightforward about life’s issues, and helpful in addressing the various issues of life. She did not shy away from confronting, correcting or rebuking, but you left the conversation assured she loved you.

Loving and learning from people

One reason Tori was effective in influencing people was because she was quick to recognise God’s graces in others, but she was also sensitive to spot spiritual and physical needs in people’s lives. She genuinely cared for people. She did not deem herself superior. She taught me it is possible to have genuine and meaningful cross-cultural relationships, even amid differences. Sure, she had many frustrations and struggles, but Tori related with people with no strings attached and no hidden agenda. She loved people and did not deem them as projects. She even loved the people I would look down on! She also was humble enough to want to learn from everyone because she recognised the grace of God at work in others. She asked questions, sought counsel and listened. She strongly desired for Zambians to relate with her the way we related to one another. She often said, “I really look forward to a day when my Zambian friends would show up at my house without an appointment.”

Teaching Clearly, Simply and with passion

I learnt a lot about teaching from Tori. I joined her class in the children’s ministry at the church, and she modelled how to teach, gave tips and then observed me as I taught. Tori is a clear teacher; she taught the big truth to small hearts clearly and simply. She was oozing with joyful passion. That passion came from her love for God, his word and her love for the children.  She genuinely cared that people knew and understood the word of God. I look back at the two years teaching with her, and I realise how formative those years were for me.

I am grateful for Tori and her impact on my life. I am reminded of Paul’s commendation of Pheobe when he urges the Roman Church to receive and welcome her. he comments, “Receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may need of you, for she has also been a helper of many and of myself as well.” Romans 16:2