Coming home

I've been home 4 days. Jet lag is wearing off and I'm getting caught up on sleep but my heart is still in Zambia. A lot of people have asked me if I'm happy to be home and I have to honestly say it's been a battle for joy. Of course I'm happy to see my dear family and all my friends but my heart aches for Zambia. It's been harder then I could have imagined coming home. I fought back tears during my 35hrs of travel back home, not knowing when I'll be able to return to the kids I love. They gave me the sweetest gifts to remember them by, and that I will always do. They have my constant prayers, prayers for their protection and for God to continue the work He is doing in their lives. I have had so much to process through since coming home but God has been faithful to answer my prayers for joy and peace as I step into the calling He has here for me. As time is passing it's getting easier being home and doing life in the states. I'm reconnecting and pressing into the Lord even more as I seek what the future holds for me. I'm so grateful for the memories and time spent in Zambia, it's a blessing that I didn't deserve but God graciously gave me. I don't know when I'll be able to return but Lord willing it will be next summer. I would ask you to please continue to pray for me as I head to Egypt a week from today and then start summer college classes at Southwestern Seminary. I'm excited for all this new chapter in life holds. I also would ask you to prayer for Mercy and the kids there as they start back to school on the 7th. Thank you again for all your prayers and support, they mean more then you will ever know.

Last weekend in Lusaka

Tomorrow is my last full day in Zambia and I am going to miss this place and the people so much. I have been sick this week and the kids told me today that because I’m sick I can’t fly home now and have to stay J. This past weekend was really busy!! On Saturday we drove out to the bush to visit a village about an hour away, mostly traveling on dirt roads. We finally made it and what a welcome was waiting for us. This is a village that Mercy Ministries has taken on to help support. They are starting a school so we brought out some supplies and food from Mercy. We had a great time of worship and fellowship. It’s so hard to put into words how amazing it is to worship with brothers and sisters from other countries. I could feel the Spirit of the Lord in that little church as we worshiped our great God. We ate lunch with them and my mom tried nshima for the first time. They gave to us out of the little they had and I felt so humbled to be able to share that day with them.

 (Driving through beautiful country)

 (The school/church building)

 (Dorothy starting to distribute clothes to the women)

The next morning we went with a friend to a church service at an orphanage/school. It was amazing to be led into the Throne Room of our King in worship these kids. They have the sweetest spirit and joy of the Lord. The pastor continually reiterated in his sermon how we are special, treasured, loved, and have a purpose because of Christ. It doesn’t matter our past or where we have come from, if we have put our faith in Christ then we are secure, we have a hope and a future and neither satan or any human can take these kids or us out of the hand of GOD! After the service we headed out to a game park for the afternoon. We were able to see some amazing animals and more of God’s beautiful creation.

I said more goodbyes last night, I definitely am going to miss these new friends God has blessed me with. But I’m thankful for all the great memories and all that God has done through the last month and a half and look forward to all He will continue to do in the future!

Thankfulness.

It's my last week here in Zambia and my heart has been overflowing with gratitude. Thankfulness that my mom arrived safely, for the amazing time I have had here, for new friends, for moments to love on the kids and see them grow as they learn new skills, and for moments of being submerged in a new culture and learning to love it. Today I just kept saying "thank you Lord" as things would happen that would just make me smile with gratitude that I am where I am. I have been so incredibly blessed to experience all that I have and to have met the amazing people I have. I said my first goodbye tonight and I'm not looking forward to many more in the next few days before I leave, but I am so very thankful for the new friends I've made and the reconnecting of old friends. I have been encouraged, sharpened spiritually, and challenged by the people I've met and grateful for the ways they have blessed my life. It's been so great having my mom come and visit and see all the places and people she has heard so much about. We picked her up from the airport on Wednesday and we have been going nonstop since then :). Today she got to meet all the girls at school and work with the grannies. Jessica and I went to pick up pizzas today for some of the teachers, kids, and grannies. It was fun hearing pizza being explained to the grannies and watching them eat it for probably the first time ever. The bags are now in full production so I'll hopefully be bringing some home with me to sell (hint hint :) ).

I know there are so many of you faithfully praying for me and now my mom while we are here and for the school and kids. I want to thank you so much! I can feel your prayers and see them at work in the ministry. Would you please to continue to pray that I will be able to finish up last minute things next week and grace to say goodbye, at least for now? I'm not good at saying goodbye and I know it's going to be really hard to leave but I'm praising the Lord for His continued hand of direction during this new season in my life. I'm grateful for this time and grateful for coming home and what He has next for me!

Love from Zambia!

Morning in the sewing room

As I  have spent more time here I have slowly been learning the background stories of some of the kids. My heart has broken for these kids who have been through so much pain and suffering. I wish I could bring them home with me or just "fix" the problems and make it all better. But I've been reminded that that's not my job. I am only one person and can only do so much but I have a God who is bigger and stronger then these awful things. He rules and He reigns sovereign over every one of these children. There is one girl who always has the biggest smile on her face and can always make me laugh with her expressions and antics. You would never know by looking at her that her short life has been filled with heartbreak and pain. I have asked myself, how can she be so happy when her life has been so hard? But it's as if the Lord has told me "Yes her life has been hard but she has a FATHER who is watching over her and she has never been left alone!" She has a reason to smile and be happy even though her life is hard because she has a God who loves her and nothing can separate her from this love. This morning I worked in the sewing room with the girls, as we do every morning, but today Jessica went into town to buy more materials for sewing and I stayed with the girls. The school was quiet with all the kids on break and it was a good chance to spend quality time with the older girls. As I listened to them rattle off in Nyanja I had no idea what they were saying :) but I could here the laughter in their voices as they worked beautiful creations with their hands. I just listened to the conversation and prayed for them, for their protection and for them to know how much they are loved by their Father. There is a song the kids love to sing here and it's my favorite because it speaks of the HOPE they have in Christ. 

Jesus, You're my firm foundation
I know I can stand secure
Jesus, You're my firm foundation
I put my hope in Your Holy Word
I put my hope in Your Holy Word

I have a living hope, I have a future
God has a plan for me
Of this I'm sure, of this I'm sure

Your word is faithful, mighty with power
God will deliver me,
Of this I'm sure, of this I'm sure

Easter week

Happy belated Easter! I missed spending this special day at home but I was so blessed to spend it with new friends and in God's amazing creation. I traveled with some friends to lake Malawi for a long weekend away. We had a great time of relaxing and enjoying the lake. I got up for the Easter sunrise which I think was a first for me and it was well worth getting up for! I felt so surrounded and overwhelmed everywhere I turned by God's incredible creation from the full moon reflecting off the water and the amazing stars every night to the islands and beautiful scenery everywhere I turned. Our God is so amazing with the way He has created these things for us to enjoy when we take the time to notice. That's one thing I have learned while being here, I need to slow down. At least for me I find myself thriving on being busy ALL the time in the states. I'm not saying being busy is bad but just for me I need to take time to slow down and be still before the Lord. He has so much for me if I will simply be still and wait on Him. This is something I need to continually be reminded of. Everything is so much more laid back here so it's been good for me to be forced to slow down.

Sewing lessons started off well this past week and the girls are loving it. We were expecting the usual 15 or so girls to come but we had close to 40 on Thursday! It was crazy but it was a great time. One of the guys is in the process of repainting the sewing room so we have been doing more hand sewing projects like the flowers and headbands so hopefully if the painting is done we will be able to start work on bags etc tomorrow. Thank you all for your continued prayers! Here are a few pics from this past week...

This week marked the last days of school for the kids until May. They were all busy studying hard and taking exams. The older kids will still be coming up to school some during the break for sewing lessons and football (soccer) camp. This is a picture of the girls taking a sewing class from a lady who comes once a week. They are learning to make dolls. 

 The reception class taking their tests.

I spent a lot of time earlier this week playing with the younger kids since they won't be coming up to school during the break. 

 with my buddy Dean

 So I can't figure out how to turn this pic around but this is Bupe, Dorothy's granddaughter. She comes up to school every afternoon. I think I could fit her in my suitcase and bring her home for a while :)

This afternoon after church we went to a Lodge that also is a home for baby orphan elephants. They were so little and cute!

This next week we start sewing lessons everyday with the older girls. We are planning on making headbands, bags, and pillows. The girls are so excited to get started and so am I!