Fort Worth to Zambia

Overwhelming Emotions

2011-07-28T09:27:00.000-07:00

Each year on the Zambian mission trips we’ve all had moments of overwhelming emotion. From going into Chainda for the first time, to saying goodbye to the children, all of us have had those nearly gut wrenching moments. This year, so far, I hadn’t had any of those moments. Not that I’ve gotten used to these kids’ poverty or sad situations, I’ve just been so happy to be here with the kids. The joy, their joy, has been the predominate emotion.

But this week has been a bit hard. I’ve felt overwhelmed for the first time since I’ve been here.

On Monday there was a special distribution; Melissa (the gal from Canada) brought some things to pass out. There wasn’t enough for all of the children, so Dorothy decided to pass them out to the orphans. The pages list by grades: this many single orphans (lost one parent), this many double orphans (lost both parents) but those were just statistics; numbers on a page. On Monday, as I helped with the distribution, I saw those kids’ faces. I knew their names. I’ve known them for 3 years. Grade by grade they came. Grade 7-Nearly every single girl in grade 7 is an orphan. I taught in grade 6 last year. The girls are so sharp, but so shy. I always wondered, “Why won’t these girls speak up?” I don’t wonder anymore at them being shy. There were so many that I know so well coming up to receive distribution: Abel, Donaria, Moola, even little Richard in baby class….I lost it that day when we left school.

Then today another incident shook me up. There is a little girl in grade 5 that is very sweet. Casey and I taught her last year in grade 5. But she is exceptionally clingy. We always wondered what was going on that she would be so very needy. And then these past few weeks, Jessica, Melissa, and I have been staying a bit later at school and she would stay until we all left: 4:30, 5:00, even later some nights. This afternoon (tonight really) she told me she was afraid to go home. When I asked why she was afraid she said she stays with her stepmum, and she treated her very badly. I could do nothing, except hug her and watch her walk back to her dreadful home life…

There have been joyful moments this week. My favorite was on Monday. We got to have an extra long choir time since the older kids were done writing their exams early. I asked them to teach me a song in their language. They picked one that is half in English and half in Bemba (Bemba is one of the most predominate of the 72 local languages in Zambia!). It is basically the verse John 14:2 in song form. Except Jesus does not say He is going to His Father’s house or place. No, no. Jesus is going to His Father’s FARM. In His Father’s farm there are many many mansions ~Akawela natwange. I will have to say, the idea of Heaven being God’s farm with many mansions is one of the most delightful concepts of eternity that I’ve ever heard. And as I prepare to go in a week’s time, it is also delightful for me to know that the Father who has a farm with mansions also has a special place in His heart for children, and an extra special place for orphans. Vipelwa nava Yaweh! (May Jesus Christ be praised!)

~Brandi

Unity in Christ and Update on Old Friends!

2011-07-24T07:44:00.000-07:00

It has been another great week or so her in Zambia! I’ve still been in the sewing room a lot of the time, and the ladies are really making many lovely animals! Jessica and I anticipate bringing around 100 animals home with us, so if you want one and want to support the school, make sure you act fast!

Dorothy also wanted me to lay the foundation for a school choir. So every day this week we’ve had choir practice. I am starting out just with the older students in grades 6 and 7. They are very eager learners! They have already learned two songs with harmony!! Working with the new ‘choir” has been one of the highlights of my summer her for sure!

Church this morning was wonderful again. A missionary to Zambia from Singapore spoke. It was really cool to be sitting in church with the Zambian congregation, Jessica on one side, Melissa (a Canadian lady who’s staying at our house now working with the special needs students at Mercy) on the other, Niles (an Australian missionary) in front of us, Lee (a Scottish missionary) on the front row, and all of us hearing from an Indian man from Singapore bring God’s Word! Again, what communion and unity we have in Jesus Christ!

I thought today I would introduce and update you on some of the kids that I have fallen in love with here at Mercy Ministries over the past three years.
1. My sweet little Dave is growing up! He’s lost his front teeth and is getting quite good at football (soccer), even though he’s only in reception (the equivalent of kindergarten). And, truthfully, anyone who knows Dave knows he’s not exactly the sweetest…he can be a bit of a fighter! But, my first memory of him is in 2009. He was one of the tiniest kids in the baby class, but he sang everyday in VBS at the top of his lungs, and we’ve been buddies ever since.

2. Bernard is now in Grade 9. I first met Alex and Bernard in 2009 as well. I wrote about them last year. They are the boys that told me they would be praying for me wherever I went. Last year, they were surprised I remembered them, but after we got that out of the way, they told me that I had to pray for them now! They were writing their grade 8 exams. Bernard has not only passed into grade 9, but has been named prefect, or head boy, of his grade. He helps enforce conduct and dress code rules. He also told me the teachers say to aim for any score over 80 on exams, but he is not satisfied with any grade under 90. He consistently makes 100’s on his Bible exams. Sadly, he told me Alex has dropped out of school, but Bernard still tries hard to be a good influence on him.

3. Moola. I first met Moola last year. Casey and I helped Ruth teach grade 5 in the afternoons. Casey did small groups with the boys and I worked with the girls. We became especially close to those grade 5 kids. Moola missed a lot of school due to illness, but she’s incredibly smart. Her health seems to have improved and she’s in grade 6 this year. She’s the gal who knit me a purse to welcome me back. She’s quite sassy and also LOVES to sing! Naturally, we are also buddies!  on the day I missed school to get my visa extended she and the other 6th grade girls told tiffany they were glad I was staying longer because I was their best friend.

Many new kids (or new to me) have also invaded my heart this summer. They are each, all 350 or so of them, so sweet and special to me.

Real Life on Zambian Time

2011-07-13T23:41:00.000-07:00

Three weeks from today I will be on an airplane to the USA. I suppose the most normal thing to say would be “where has the time gone?” But time is so very different here in Zambia… Anyone who’s been here knows what I mean. If someone says they’ll be there at 10am that really means they’ll start getting dressed at 10am. If the guys at the shop says your car will be ready on Wednesday, it really means the part will come in on Wednesday (and yes, Jessica’s car is broken down and in the shop…but we’re very hopeful to get it back soon  Our new friend, Tiffany (the gal from Texas that’s been staying here at our house and working at Mercy) is leaving tomorrow. And it seems like she’s been here all summer! It’s so strange. Even now. For me. Thinking about life outside of Zambia. I’ll probably be cleaner…And hopefully the beautiful rash on my legs will go away when I’m back stateside…But still so weird to think of resuming my “normal” life…
Which got me to think about the kids at Mercy…Will there be life for them outside of Chainda? This IS their normal life. I’ve just swooped in to join them. I do know that from the very first time I met them back in the summer of 2009 I’ve never really been able to completely adjust to the “norms” of Western life; our lives of constant task-oriented rush. Being here, seeing the beautiful puffy white clouds roll over the school. Watching the kids play. Smiling at a new girl and seeing her shy smile back. I don’t know if this is normal, but for me, this surely feels like “real life.”

~Brandi

Happy 4th of July/Happy Heroes Day!

2011-07-04T11:07:00.000-07:00

Happy Fourth of July!!! Or to my Zambian friends – Happy Hero’s Day! Another week or so has passed here in Zambia. Jessica and I have been at the school during the week and we have welcomed another Texan to our house and to Mercy Ministries – Tiffany. She had friends serving here in Zambia that she was supposed to stay with while working at the school, but they had to leave early. So she’s here with us and is going to do a program at Mercy next week. It’s been fun getting to know her and to have more company in the house! Here are some general impressions of the past week:

- Break time at school has become an unofficial music time! In the mornings this past week the grade 6 kids have been in the library with me singing and playing the musical instruments the team brought over. It’s a small room and we all just cram in there, but it is so joyful and fun! Dancing has been known to break out, too  In the afternoons the younger kids just start singing “Andi doba” whenever they see me (Andi doba is a Nyanja song we learned last year that they LOVE to sing). Dorothy had to make sure that the kids knew that I did have a name (Auntie Brandi) other than “Andi doba.”

-This week the school got a shipment of TOMS!!! We got to help distribute them to the kids. It was so amazing to be a part of. The Toms the kids get are a little different than the ones sold – they have a sturdy rubber sole and are solid black. I helped the kindergarten class find their sizes. I kept having to hold back tears as I helped the little ones on with their shoes. Most of them were only wearing flip flops, and it has turned so cold here! They were so cute and grateful in their matching shoes!

-I’ve still been spending a lot of time in the sewing room. This week we plan to go into animal assembly line mode (with grade 6 girls and some widows and some teen mothers) to produce a lot of them to sell. But first we had to buy supplies. Jessica took me and Tiffany and Deborah (Dorothy’s niece) to the market at Kamwala. It is where all the locals shop (there were only 2 muzungus there besides us in the whole place!) It was CRAZY. We were packed into tiny shops – you write up the fabrics you want, they fill your order then call you to pay. It was quite an experience! We bought an array of cute chetenge fabrics and batting to make more animals. That way we can price out how much it costs to make each animal.

-Later Saturday, I got my first nshima lesson! Nshima is the staple food here in Zambia, and all Zambians say that it is very simple to make. It … was…not easy!!! Deborah did most of the work, but she taught me how to use the nshima stick at the end of the cooking. It was fun!

-Yesterday we went back to Jessica’s church. It is called Lifeway. It was WONDERFUL last week, and just as good this week. We celebrated communion. How wonderful to truly commune with our Zambian brothers and sisters through the shed blood of Christ.
- Another first was today. Well…a kind of first. I have had many and various teachers on a stick-shift. And each failure on my part has been as awful and painful to my passengers as the last! Jessica was really tired from driving around so much and since today was a holiday the roads were empty (and Jessica and Tiffany were fully warned of possible whiplash), Jessica gave me a driving lesson. And I DID IT!!! I even drove us home over speed bumps. I only stalled out once (in our driveway at the gate). It was fun!!! I suppose I just needed to drive on the other side of the road and change gears with my left hand. (Oh and have a clutch that super easy…)
SO, that’s want I’ve been up to! It has been a GREAT three weeks! Thank you so much for all your prayers and support! This afternoon as I had some quiet time I thanked God for all of you, and for “leading us to tasks that satisfy and delight us.”

~Brandi

Nyanja Lessons

2011-06-25T13:17:00.000-07:00

Hi all! I’m two weeks into my six weeks in Zambia! It’s been a great time so far! Here are some of the highlights and some of the Nyanja words I’ve been learning 

Mulungu – God
I cried when we finally touched down in Zambia. I was really excited but also just relieved! It was totally crazy up until leaving for me; I taught up to the day we left. God was faithful in all my fund-raising and preparations. The night we arrived, Dorothy talked to the team and said, “God has a work for all of us to do – so we are all expectant.” I had to smile. The one thing God had been teaching me over and over this semester is to be expectant. I don’t know all of God’s plans for me – even for my time here in Zambia, but I believe that “God has a plan for me, of this I’m SURE!” (from a great song the kids at Mercy sing – Jesus, My Firm Foundation.” Which brings me to VBS…

Pamodzi – Together
It was so wonderful to reunite with the kids and teachers at Mercy. AND with Jessica  The team from McKinney was really great fun, and we truly came together as one team with the Mercy Ministries Staff. Some high points of the week: I taught 5th and 6th grade last summer and several girls were prepared for my return. One little girl knit me a beautiful bag to welcome me back. I was astounded and overwhelmed! Another girl wrote me a great letter at the end of the week thanking me for coming, and telling me that she loved me and she knew I loved her too. Melanie and Liz Hansen were also here at the beginning of that week. I have seen them at church, but getting to know them here was very sweet! At the end of the week we went to Livingstone with the team and two teachers and two staff members from Mercy. We played with lions and saw Victoria Falls before going on a sunset cruise. Seriously – best one day vacation EVER! It was also fun to share the day with the teachers – Naomi and Petronella.

Funny Side Note – After we dropped the team off at the Livingstone airport Jess and the teachers and I had quite an interesting trip home. The two staff members decided to pick up passengers in the school’s bus. We had a passenger with a bag of fish, one with three bags of hay, one with eggs (which rolled up and down the aisle), and one with 5 chickens…Quite the African adventure!!!

Kunyamba – Going Home
Now Jessica and I are back in Lusaka, our Zambian “home.” Dorothy assures me (and wants to assure my parents) that I have a Zambian Mom. And it definitely feels that way! This week has been much more quiet and relaxed. I have been in the sewing room with the teen mothers making some mock-ups of animals that the ministry might sell. Jessica has been cleaning up the library and storing the supplies the team brought over. In the afternoons when the kids are all gone and Jess is helping lock up there’ve been wonderful quiet moments when I can reflect that some of the sweetest times of my life have been at this school in Lusaka, Zambia .It really does seem like home. And honestly I feel like I have three homes: here with my Zambian family and the 350 or so children that I love, in Fort Worth, Texas with my church family and amazing students, and, of course, in the Carolina mountains with my wonderful family. Unfortunately, Lusaka, Fort Worth, and Marietta aren’t too geographically close…but it really makes me look forward to…

Kumwamba – Heaven
Where we’ll all be together. Every tribe and every tongue. What we are all looking forward to and longing for. That better place. Our true heavenly homeland.

~Brandi

Livingstone

2011-06-19T10:33:00.000-07:00

After a 7 1/2 hour bus ride, we have made it to Livingstone. We were very excited to discover that the section of the rode after passing Zimba has been paved! We ate at Olga's tonight. They have delicious pizza and pasta. Everyone is exhausted and ready for bed. Tomorrow we are going to Victoria Falls and a cruise on the Zambezi River. We are happy to have Naomi Phiri, Shoni Soko, Petrollnella and Yurim with us for the day of relaxation. Pray for a safe journey back for them to Lusaka and us to the States on Tuesday.

Relying on Him

2011-06-17T23:41:00.000-07:00

We have completed the week of Vacation Bible School. Saying good bye to the children is always so difficult. The week of spreading the love of Christ has been nothing short of amazing. God is our Rock and Foundation and an ever present help in time of need. Many members of the team have been battling various sicknesses, but God allowed us to get through the week and minister to the children. We have had to completely rely on Him because without Him we can do nothing. We were reminded of that each morning as we drove to the school feeling run down and under the weather. Prayers to our Father were sent up continuously as we drove to the school for the day.
Last night was a wonderful celebration with the teachers and staff at the place where we stay. We ate an abundant meal and gave Bibles as gifts to the teachers. We all received a gift from the store at Mercy Ministries as a thank you for serving with them this week. It was a blessing not to have to say good bye last night. Today we are spending the day with Dorothy and the teachers. We will be going into Chainda to take mealy-meal (their staple cornmeal)to several of the families and then go to the Reptile Farm to see crocodiles, snakes and play football and other games. I am reminded more and more each trip what a mighty God we serve! He gives us the strength we never think possible to complete the tasks before us in His name.

Please continue to pray for the health of our team as we complete our time here in Zambia. Thank you all for the prayers!

Halfway through......

2011-06-16T02:49:00.000-07:00

Today marks the middle of the week, my how time flys! The week has gone very well thus far. Tuesday seemed to break down whatever shyness the kids had toward the team, and now familiarity makes interacting with the kids very fun. There is a lot of energy as the kids mover from station to station shouting their team colors, and singing the new songs we are teaching them. Today I had to drive two of the special education children back to the village since they were sick. As I drove through the village it brought back a flood of memories from last year when we did our traveling VBS through Chainda. The level of poverty that exists here is astounding, but the joy is overwhelming. Very motivating and challenging.

A few of the team are feeling slightly under the weather (sore throats, headache, cold symptoms, and weak stomachs ) but nobody has has to stay back yet, so PTL! Please pray for continued strength and health so we can finish strong, and that as we share the gospel it will take root and make an everlasting change.

Scott, for the team.

Are You Praying?

2011-06-15T13:01:00.000-07:00

During the lunch break today God provided me with a very gently reminder... I was playing "punch and kick" (some type of karate game where you just might end up with bruises!)with a few of the boys after they had eaten lunch. the older children were beginning to show up to eat before their session began in the afternoon. One of the boys i met three years ago named David, who is in the 7th grade, came up to me with a wonderful hug and question for me. He simply asked, "Madam, are you praying?" I responded, "Playing? Yes, I am being beaten up by grade 3's!" He said "No, Madam. Are you praying to the Father?" I then stopped the game and asked him what he meant, knowing he saw me doing karate. David responded with something I will never forget. He said, "Yes, I see, Madam, but God asks us to talk to Him at all times, not just hours of convenience. I learned that from my Bible." At that point, I was amazed by David's comment and said, "Thank you for that reminder. Pray without ceasing!" He smiled and said, "yes, Madam, He always listens."

As David walked to get his lunch, I smiled for two main reasons. First, Mercy Ministries is doing a fantastic job by helping to raise these children up to hear and understand the Word of God. They focus on the child as and heir to the kingdom of Heaven and not just a child to teach or a mouth to feed. Second, God used a child that is very special to me to teach me a valuable lesson. As I am playing with the children and teaching them, I can also be covering them and the school in prayer. He calls us to pray without ceasing and to bring our requests before Him. Often times I realize that I only feel burdened to pray when times are though or I need His help. God is always there for us, which should be a constant reminder we can always thank Him and petition before Him. What an awesome reminder from an all-knowing Father!

-Dakotah

Philippians 4:4-7

Prayer Requests:

-restful sleep for the team
-emotional journey of the trip
-Kennedy, a grade 7 boy from school, dislocated his toe playing soccer and had to have a minor "surgery" to put it back in place.
-health of the team

Setting Self Aside

2011-06-15T12:34:00.000-07:00

Today was the start of VBS and our team greatly enjoyed serving alongside the Mercy Ministries staff. The scene as we arrived at school today was a beautiful sight to behold. Every child that attends the school was lined up in the courtyard singing VBS songs we have taught them the past two years. It is amazing to see the impact that can be made on a child's heart even after a year. Many introductions were made and hugs given as we reunited with Dorothy and the teaching staff. Their welcoming spirits make it feel like we have returned home after a long vacation. Another teammate mentioned how loving and relationship-oriented the Zambian people are. It is amazing to see how the common bond of Jesus Christ breaks down language and cultural barriers when both are willing to set self aside and let Him be glorified! Everyone was very flexible today as VBS started with the Power Class teacher at home sick. The Power Class is a group of children that have special needs. They were placed with another grade level to rotate around the VBS stations. The integration of the Power Class was a special moment for several of the groups.In English class, we were teaching vocabulary words and focusing on parts of the body. We began to sing "Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes", and two of the boys that are immobile began to smile and laugh. They were enjoying being a part of the group so much. I began to move their hands to the words of the song and see the joy on their faces. That moment, along with others today, reminded us that we are not here for the comfortable moments or just the routine of VBS. We are here because God enabled us to bring His love and touch to children who may or may not feel the love of family and friends surround them on a daily basis. On that note, we are very appreciative of all of your prayers and support. We realize the love we have back home and thank you for participating on this mission with us. Please continue to pray for much needed rest, stamina, and health of the team.

Dakotah

We have arrived!

2011-06-12T08:40:00.000-07:00

We landed safely last night around 9:00. As brutal as our 30 hour travel day was, everybody is in good health and spirits. It was so good to be re-united at the airport with Dorothy, Davidson, Jessica, and the Hansens this morning. Most had a good nights sleep and we were able to go to Chainda Baptist church and worship with our friends this morning. The worship was amazing this morning and ushered us into the presence of God. I was honored to bring the message and God gave me grace to stay on track despite sleep deprivation and speaking through an interpreter. We had a great lunch back at our housing, and then spent the afternoon at Mercy Ministries getting prepared for VBS which starts tomorrow. This team has been awesome to travel with and work with. God is going to do great things this week. We found time for an hour break for some to shop, and I hopped on the Internet at a cafe just to blog very quickly. Our blogging may be very limited as we do not have Internet where we are staying, but we will update as we are able. Thank you for your prayers. We are grateful for safe travel and health thus far, so Praise God! We love all of ya'll for your prayers and support, Scott for the team

Putting On The Armor of God

2011-06-07T08:34:00.000-07:00

Our team is anxiously awaiting Friday morning as we prepare for a life-changing journey to Lusaka and Chainda. We are blessed to be traveling together and cannot wait to see what God has in store for us. During our last meeting on Sunday, Scott read to us from Ephesians 6 about putting on the armor of God. We realize that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers of darkness. Satan has already tried to attack many of us through various ways, and together we rebuke him in the name of Jesus Christ. We thank you in advance for the prayers and support we are receiving from you. Our travels would not be possible without the love and support of those we know. Some specific prayer requests that we had at our last meeting were: safe travels and ease of mind for the long flights, physical and spiritual health of our team, final preparations during a busy week, funding, and for our hearts and minds to be focused on the task set before us.
Our team will be leaving the church bright and early (actually in the dark!) Friday morning. Our long flight will be approximately 18 hours, and we will continue with travels until late Saturday evening. We will be able to worship our Lord with the Zambian people on Sunday morning. On behalf of Scott, Susanna, Rebekah, Casey, Jennifer, Jack, and Kaley, I thank you again for your prayers and support as we suit up for battle and take the good news of the hope we have in Jesus Christ to the beautiful people of Chainda.

Dakotah

P.S. Thanks to all those in Eikon who stayed after on Sunday to help with last minute preparations!!!

2011 Zambia Team

2011-05-09T06:09:00.000-07:00

Please pray for us as we prepare for our June 10th departure!

Heading Back!

2011-04-28T11:26:00.000-07:00

We are going back to Zambia June 10 - 22, 2011. A team of 8 from McKinney will be going over to do a VBS for the week. We will be joining a couple others that will already be working at Mercy Ministries. More info. to follow as we get closer. We covet your prayers as we prepare for another great trip.

"I Love to Tell the Story of Jesus and His Love!"

2010-08-02T20:12:00.000-07:00

I have been home for less than a week and am already missing waking up each morning to the smiling faces of the Baby Blue class. I would begin every morning reviewing my lesson for the day at our guest house not with a cup of starbucks, but with a wonderful cup of british tea with hot milk! Pamela and i team taught the Bible lesson 10 times each day beginning with the youngest group, "Baby Blue". We used a donkey puppet with sunglasses to help us tell the story of the Good Samaritan on day one. We shared with them that God is like the Good Samaritan, our good neighbor, who always has time to care for us. On day two, we told the story of the Lost Lamb and how Jesus, the Good Shepherd, would carry them on His shoulders. The Good Shepherd loves them and knows each one by name. THe third day was the story of the Lost (Prodigal) Son. It brought Ann and I to tears as we let the children know that they have a heavenly Father who welcomes them home even when they disobey. That God wait daily for them to return home and He forgives them and celebrates them coming home to Jesus. Every day we began our class with "Jesus Loves Me" and they followed right after with "Read your Bible, Pray Everyday". On Thursday, these children understood that Jesus loved them and had come to take away their sin. They loved hearing the story of Jesus' death on the cross and they acted out the plan of salvation through the heaven skit. THey acted out walking down the golden street of heaven to God, after putting on the red shirt (the blood of Jesus) to cover up their dirty heart of sin. They could see the white heart on the red shirt making them as pure as snow and entering the gates of heaven. We ended the week with the resurrection of Jesus and how He is preparing a beautiful house for each one who trusts in Jesus. Jesus, their Good neighbor, Good Shepherd, Good Father and Savior, is preparing a special place for each of these children who, with child-like faith, have accepted the free gift of eternal life. What a joy it was to be able to tell the story of Jesus every day to the beautiful children of Mercy Ministries. It was like the hymn I sang when I first trusted Christ, "I love to tell the story of Jesus and His Love". The teachers that came in to help us interpret were so loving and kind. You could tell how much they gave of themselves to the children. We learned how to love sacrificially through their lives. One teacher said she walked an hour and a half to get to school each day along the dirt road, with probably some of her students. We ate lunch with them, laughed with them, and then cried with them as we ended our final day of Vacation Bible School. We left our love and the joy we have in Jesus, in the hearts of each child we met. We ended our amazing week looking at the thundering and majestic Victoria Falls in Livingston. We floated down the Zambeze River looking at the hippos on the shore and singing hymns as the sun was setting on another wonderful day. God was so good and answered our prayers above and beyond what we could have imagined. His grace is amazing and such a sweet sound to the ears of all who will hear. God's grace was sufficient for all of us as we travelled to Zambia and as we travelled back to Fort Worth to serve Christ back here at home. I pray that I may have the privilege to return to Zambia one day.

~Dale

Psalm 70:4 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you' may those who love your salvation always say, "Let God be exalted!".

Celvin's Story~His hope to have an education

2010-08-01T17:12:00.000-07:00

Please meet Celvin and listen to his story and songs. I met Celvin when he escorted his aunt-Dorothy,founder of Mercy Ministries, and was intrigued to hear his story after he sold me some of the glass beadwork he makes. Celvin's parents both died when he was very young leaving him to tend to his baby sister. Celven worked hard tending cattle most of his childhood so that he would have the funds to send his young sister to school (public education is not free in Zambia). He had some schooling through 3rd grade and I happen to get this video footage of him as he was heating up some water over open fire to use for his bath. He is a remarkable young man and I so hope God will make a way for him to go back to school now that his sister is graduating from high school. I inquired to what type of funds are necessary and it seems 200$ a month would cover college tuition, room and board. Please meet Celven.......

The joy of the Lord is my strength

2010-07-30T10:29:00.000-07:00

. . . . that phrase developed new meaning to me on this trip to Zambia.

This mission trip was unlike any other that I have ever experienced. Instead of returning home exhausted and spent, I am energized and filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit. The encouragement that I received from our Zambian Christian brothers and sisters is immeasurable. We went to give, but my heart feels fuller than it was before we left. We were working with a non-profit called Mercy Ministries that was started by a Zambian woman named Dorothy. She felt called by the Lord to reach out to the poor and needy in her community. Dorothy felt this calling over 20 years ago, and has been steadily working and following the Lord’s leading which has blossomed into Mercy Ministries. The ministry provides an education, meals and help to 350+ children of Chainda community and ministers to a group of special needs children. Our group from McKinney Church split into three teams for the 10 days we were able to partner with them: a construction team, school VBS team and traveling VBS team. Being on the school VBS team allowed me the opportunity to get to know some of the kids and the teachers. It was such a blessing!! I was really touched by their faith. Their faith in God and His goodness is so amazing and inspiring. One young lady named Deborah, in particular, has faith that can move mountains. She shared stories with me of how they have prayed for healings and provisions from the Lord, fully expecting Him to provide and received direct answers to their prayers. We were chatting during lunch on Wednesday and I asked her if they go to church on Wed. nights. Her response, “Well, you can go to church any night you’d like, but we usually go on Friday nights so that we can pray all night and go home to rest on Saturday.” Wow! Everyday conversations like that have challenged my prayer life and continue to challenge me every time I remember them. One of the teachers walks 1 ½ hours to the school in the morning and back home in the evening just to teach those precious children. The sacrifice that Dorothy and all of the staff at Mercy Ministries make is incredible. The Lord is truly using them in mighty ways. If that school did not exist, most of those children would probably not be able to go to school or be fed consistently.

During the VBS week, I was privileged to get to lead songs with Saulo. This had to be somewhat amusing to the Lord since I had never led songs in my life or had any desire whatsoever to sing in front of people. But God, in His usual way of gently humbling me, used this opportunity to bless me more than I could’ve imagined. Getting to worship with 350+ African children for 8 hours each day was so invigorating! The joy of the Lord really was my strength to keep up with all that dancing and singing!! The miraculous thing was that I still had energy at the end of the day. I loved seeing the children’s faces as they were praising God. We danced and sang our hearts out. Mixing voices and hearts together as we turned our faces to the Lord were some of the most precious moments of my life. I long to hear their beautiful voices again and see the joy of the Lord on their faces. They were so excited to praise Jesus. One day, two of the boys were late to school. They came running down the road and sprinted over to Casey to get their name tags. As she was greeting them, they asked her to please hurry so that they would not miss their time to get to sing praises to Jesus. Wow! Again, I was so challenged by their faith and attitude of gratefulness for the Lord. I have so much to learn from them. We were able to take school supplies, clothes, medical supplies and other things, but the love of the Lord was the best thing that we were able to share . . . and by sharing, I truly mean a give and take because I feel so renewed and encouraged after experiencing the Lord through their eyes. God is so good!
Many thanks to all of you who partnered in prayer with us for this trip. It was truly incredible to share in the love of God with the people in Zambia.

Psalms 36:7-10
7 How priceless is your unfailing love!
Both high and low among men
find [b] refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house;
you give them drink from your river of delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.
10 Continue your love to those who know you,
your righteousness to the upright in heart.

Post by Jessica Johnson...

2010-07-21T07:57:00.000-07:00

Reflections on my month (well, almost) in Zambia.

As we were eating dinner last night, Dan asked me what I missed the most about home after being in Zambia for over three weeks. My first thoughts when he asked the question were not about things that I missed about home in Fort Worth, but about all the things I will miss about my “home” in Zambia when I have to return to the states on Monday. As cliché and overused as it is, there is truth to the phrase “Your home is where your heart is”. The more time I spend in Zambia the more I realize that my heart, and therefore my home, is here. I can’t say that there haven’t been times when I have missed spending time with my family and friends back in Texas and I have to admit I’ve been craving fajitas since I stepped onto the plane to fly here, but I have yet to experience true homesickness. I am so excited that Mom and the rest of the team have joined us and that she will be able to experience Zambia!

From the time our team of eight stepped foot in Lusaka, I have experienced a feeling of belonging and acceptance. This is partly to do with the amazing team I have been privileged to be a part of, but also from the excitement of reconnecting with Dorothy Phiri and the teachers at the school. It was like a reunion of lifelong friends, and it’s hard to comprehend that we spent less than a week with them last year. It’s amazing how God can allow such deep friendships to form in such a short amount of time!

The first day we were able to work with the kids and teachers at the school, Casey and I were teamed up with the two teachers who teach the pre-class or as we call them “Baby Blue”. If you have been following our blog, you’ve heard about this very unique class! When Casey and I stepped into the classroom and saw it was overflowing (literally) with 3-5 year old kids, we were a little nervous. When their amazingly patient teacher, Naomi, stepped up and asked us what we had planned to teach that day and the rest of the time we were here, we (or at least I) panicked! My specialty is not 3-5 year olds, and especially not 65 3-5 year olds! Needless to say God took us both by the hand and guided us through our first day of baby blue and then in the days following. We were able to love on the kids and give encouragement to their teachers over the last few weeks. It was fun watching some of the same faces I came to love out at vbs games last year, learning their numbers and letters and singing their little hearts out to songs they learned from Brandi a year ago.

As I was trying to come up with a specific story or experience to share, I was having a hard time deciding what to write. Each story leads into another which leads to another, but the central theme that I think our team has been aware of is that Christ is enough. Christ is enough for the orphaned child. Christ is enough for the hungry child. Christ is enough for the child without a home. Christ is enough. The joy that the kids, from Baby Blue up to Grade 7, have seems to be incomprehensible when you begin to think about all that they have lost and all the pain that they have experienced. One of the heartbreaking things that comes from spending more time at the school, is learning more about the stories of the kids. You learn about the broken homes they come from, you learn about the teachers finding their students digging through the trash on the side of the road, you learn about kids dumping porridge in their backpacks to run home to feed their baby sister and then run back to school to feed themselves, you learn about the kids who have lost multiple family members to AIDS and who are now battling it themselves. It is so hard with our American mindsets to want to fix each child’s situation, to give everything we have to save these children, but then we are reminded that Christ is enough. God has not forgotten them. He has loved them, protected them, and comforted them in their times of need. He has provided a safe place for them to come to and to hear about how much they are loved by Him. We cannot save them, but He can. We can be the hands and feet of Christ, but we can do nothing without Him.
As we are entering into our last few precious days at the school, I am reminded again and again of God’s unfailing love and God’s perfect timing. I am comforted by the fact that God is in control and that he is doing amazing things through Mercy Ministries. God is at work in the lives of the 373 children who call Mercy Ministries home. I have absolutely no doubt that he could love and care for those kids without me, but I am humbled by the fact that he is allowing me to be a part of His work.

In Him,
Jessica J.

Please pray for the health of our team. We took another trip to the clinic today with Becca. She seems to be improving and will hopefully have a quick recovery. Pray for physical and emotional strength for the team as a whole, so that we can finish strong and be healthy for the plane ride back to the states.
Thank you for all of your prayers and encouraging words! They are appreciated more than you could ever know!

Post by Becca...

2010-07-19T13:50:00.000-07:00

Hello and blessings from Zambia,
Today was our first day of VBS! Tonight all three teams shared what God had done throughout the day. There were stories of laughter when there should have been tears and peace where fear might otherwise have prevailed. What an amazing God we serve! I was reminded again and again of God’s great love for His children. As a part of the traveling VBS team we were able to go into the heart of the village and share the gospel with the children and adults. We visited a total of 4 schools, all of which the children are in extreme poverty and are possible orphans or are affected with HIV/AIDS. Yet, despite all of their obstacles they cheered with joy as our bus pulled onto the streets. They ran alongside our bus waving and shouting greetings to us.

Specifically though I wanted to share a story about how the Lord used one little girl today at the third school we visited to remind me of His care and love. As we were preparing to leave the school a little girl (probably 5 years old) came up to me and grabbed my hand. She smiled and I watched as her entire face lit up. She tugged on my arm to pull me closer to her so she could talk to me. As I listened to her the Lord used her words to break me. This little girl pleaded with me to be her mother. She asked more than once if I would take her as my daughter. Her voice was just a whisper but I could hear the plea in her words. My heart broke at her pleas and it took everything I had not to break down into tears right then. I could not promise this little girl a home; I could not promise her a healthy life. In reality, I could promise her nothing. I did tell her we were coming back tomorrow and that we would play and learn more about Jesus. Because I was unable to give her the answer she wanted to hear, her face filled with sadness for a moment. But as she walked us to the bus she began smiling and waving as all the kids yelled “see you tomorrow.” I cried for that little girl as we drove to the next school. As I thought about our conversation the Lord reminded me that just like that little girl latched onto my hand for the hope of a better future; He holds onto my life with the promise of a better future. Jeremiah 29:11- ‘For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’ I could not give her a home, but Jesus has a place in His hands for her. He will be enough for her. He will provide for her. And while I cannot be her earthly mother; He desires to be her Heavenly Father. My prayer while we are at these schools is that above sharing a smile and a hug that we share who the Father is with them and that their hearts would be open to His truth. For God alone can provide for each of these children with what they (we) truly need- a Savior and Redeemer. I pray that she is at school the rest of the week and that the Lord blesses me again with loving her and sharing Him with her. However, no matter what happens this week I know that God loves this little girl and He cares for her! What a loving God we serve!

With love,

Becca

TEAMS UNITED!!!

2010-07-19T08:35:00.000-07:00

The Short term team arrived Saturday night, and everybody is healthy and in one piece! We had a great day at church yesterday. Bart preached, and we had a trio sing. Sunday afternoon we rested, and went to Mercy Ministries to set up for VBS. Janet and Dorothy spent some time sharing their hearts with us, and Dorothy shared with us the story of how Mercy Ministries came about.

Today was the first day of VBS. From what I have heard it went well in every area. Construction team has almost completed the pre-school, and it looks great. VBS at M.M. went well also. I was on the traveling VBS team, and we were able to get into four community schools. We had an incredible time at each school, sharing Chirst through song, verses, and Bible stories. Many children were encountered with the gospel today. Please pray the seed finds fertile soil.

Mainly I wanted to let everybody know that both teams are alive and well. We took a group picture tonight just for ya'll. :-)

Pray our hearts would be softened to the work God is doing here. Lives are being changed...

Week 3 pics part 1, 3rd try :-)...

2010-07-17T02:33:00.000-07:00

As you can see, this week has been full of construction, working at the school, helping children, sick people resting, doing some outreach, cooking, and learning how to test spaghetti noodles! :-)

Week 3 pics, part 2

2010-07-17T02:25:00.000-07:00

Small hands...

2010-07-15T13:34:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Brandi! I’m back in the land of the living!!! Thank you so much for all your prayers and concerns while I was sick!!! I could relate many lessons that I’ve learned from my Zambian sickbed, but I’ll keep it to two. First, I must commend my team and Janet for their selfless love and care for me, whether it was taking me to the clinic (for the second time) or staying home from the sweet children we’ve come to love so much to care for me, or bringing me the most American tasting white bread for toast (which we’ve affectionately named the “squishy bread”) - they have been amazing! And second I’ll share the verses that God brought to mind during my waking moments from bed - “Trust in the Lord with all Thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding, In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5,6). To my own understanding it made no sense for me to be sick in bed here. But I will heartily say that God is sovereign and God is good in all He does. I thank Him for being with me in sickness and in health.

Today I was completely, 100% better! This afternoon I got to see the sweet children at Mercy Ministries again, and then Scott, Dorothy, and I went into Chainda. Next week when the large group comes, a majority of them will be doing a VBS at Mercy Ministries, but a smaller team of us will be doing a smaller traveling VBS at several community schools throughout Chainda. Dorothy, always a godly woman of vision, has been praying for a way to reach the unchurched and unsaved in Chainda with the gospel, and she said that this VBS was an answer to her prayers! Today we met with the school administrators to finalize plans and to see the facilities.

To be honest, I have been growing more and more sad that my time at Mercy Ministries and with the children of grades 5 and 6 (the grades I’ve been helping teach these past weeks) is coming to an end. But today seeing some of the children we’ll be working with and hearing the stories of some of the schools excited me for the new friends and ministry partners we will be joining with next week. Most of the schools are not Christian schools, but we had a great time at the last school we visited today. It is run by a retired nurse, and she has a heart for HIV patients and young adults. Their school can only run until noon because their building, along with all their desks, burnt down last year. They now have school on the remaining cement slab. They told us we were most welcome to come share the Word of God with the children next week. We asked if we could pray for them when we were leaving, and as we circled together - Dorothy, Scott, the school administrators and I prayed for the work they were already doing, for the work God wanted to do next week, and for their continued needs. I felt small hands on mine trying to join our prayer circle. I reached for those little hands and prayed for the children like them that will be in all the schools we reach out to next week, praising God for the excitement of serving Him!

Posted by Brandi.

An Undying Hunger

2010-07-13T15:37:00.000-07:00

As you read from Scott’s post earlier tonight, FLEXIBILITY has been the key for the last few days. And yes, he did indeed say EIGHTY-FOUR children were in the Baby Blue class. The kids in that class range in ages of about 3-6 years and are what we would call pre-school level back home. I was amazed at how much I learned on Monday while spending time with those sweet angels. After getting over the shock of walking into an overflowing classroom and having to think of something to do on the spot while 84 sets of beautiful brown eyes stared at me longing to learn, I did all I knew to do. PRAY!!! God helped Scott and I entertain/teach until the sweet potatoes were ready for lunch. That is when God used the smallest of children to teach me a huge lesson.

Mondays are usually very hard days for the children because oftentimes their only meals are eaten at the school. Friday was the last school day so that meant almost 3 days with very little to eat. The young children could not help but push their way in line as they whined and cried while waiting to eat. God used that situation to say, “hey Dakotah, do you see how these children hunger and cry out for food? That is how you should be every day about My Word. I am the Bread of Life, My words are given to you to sustain you through hard times and encourage you through the joys of life. The desire for food that you see in these children should reflect the hunger you show for My Word!”

After that realization and word from my Heavenly Father, the Sustainer of Life, I began to comfort the children as they waited for the meal they had been longing for. As I longed to praise God for His abundant lessons, I began to sing “Our God is an Awesome God” to the children. The pushing and tears began to subside as they quickly joined in and smiled as they sang about the Giver of Life. How amazing it is to me that children who have almost nothing to their name and long for a bite of sweet potato can teach me a lesson about hunger and the comfort in speaking the name of God. Our greatest desires in life should not be possessions, fancy foods, or earthly relationships, but an undying, gnawing hunger for the Word of God. It is so easy to get wrapped up in all the things that go into day to day living on a mission trip, that we could forget for a moment Who and What will calm and sustain us. My prayer is that our team will reflect our Savior as we look to God and His Word for guidance, healing, and endurance throughout the rest of our time here in Zambia.

Baby Blue

2010-07-13T13:47:00.000-07:00

This week has been a roller coaster for us! As we posted previously, several came down with the flu on Sunday night/Monday morning and we ended up taking 3 to the medical clinic. As I write this, everybody is feeling a bit better, and hopefully on the way to complete health again.

Sunday we had a great time of worship at a Pilgrim Wesleyan Church here in Lusaka. One of our purposes for going to this church was to thank them for allowing us to rent their mini bus. They are allowing us to rent it very economically, and it has been a blessing to have our own transportation. Janet found it for us after much searching, and we are extremely grateful. On the way to the church I began thinking about the verse “How good it is for brethren to dwell together in unity”. I couldn’t remember the reference, but the team quickly found it located in Psalm 133, and read it out loud. I considered sharing this verse with the church if we were given the opportunity to give a word. The singing portion of the worship service was awesome. These people know how to worship. They worship whole heartedly. They don’t hold back, and it is genuine. Guess what the scripture reading for the day was? Psalm 133.  We were asked to introduce ourselves, and as I introduced the team I shared with them the uniqueness of their choice for a scripture reading. It gave a perfect opportunity to thank them for the use of their mini bus, and to thank them for allowing us to worship with them. We are from the other side of the world, we are white, we are not “Pilgrim Wesleyan”, we are strangers to them… yet we joined in worship together, we prayed together, we prayed for each other, and we submitted to the authority of the word together. “Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity… It is like the dew of Hermon descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing – Life forevermore.” Psalm 133:1 & 3.

Just to fill you in on what this week has been like thus far –

Monday, Casey stayed back to take care of Jessica and Brandi. Nathan and Bart continued on the new pre-school building at Mercy Ministries, Cyndi continued assisting in the 7th grade class, and I hopped into the “Baby Blue” Class with Dakotah. Baby Blue is the kindergarten class. Both teachers of Baby Blue were sick Monday, so when Dakotah and I got to school, we were asked to teach the class. We walked into a classroom of 84 (EIGHTY FOUR) children, sitting quietly waiting for a teacher. I said “Good morning children” and they responded by hopping to their feet and saying “Good morning sir, and how are you”? Wow,kinda rattled me having 84 kids respond in unison! I have a new respect for teachers. 84 kids for 4 hours was a little overwhelming. We sang lots of songs, and I attempted to go over the alphabet and numbers with a group of them. Dakotah did a much better job of handling the kids, and I am learning a little every day about how to work with these little “jewels”.

Today we left Brandi and Jessica behind to re-cover one more day. The pre-school is coming along nicely. Bart and Nathan have been working with some local construction workers, and they have about 4 courses of cement block laid. Very exciting. Dakotah, Casey and Cyndi worked in the classes today, and it seems like the teachers are bonding more and more each day. I worked with Dorothy today on developing a business plan for some chicken runs she is renting nearby. They are hoping to start very soon for the purpose of bringing in consistent income for the school. Never thought I would be in Africa working on a spreadsheet for a chicken farm, but God has his sovereign plan, and today it included a chicken farm… I think God is rather awesome to do things like this.

I have adapted to Zambian driving quite well. Only pulled onto the right side of the road 3 times so far… much to the teams terror! Ha, they need to trust God more . We have become quite efficient grocery shoppers, and have a pretty good system each night for cooking, filtering water, cleaning, etc. We can tell we have been living with each other for a few weeks now, but God is gracious, and teaching us more and more about laying our lives down for one another, and loving not only the children at school, but each other as well.

Prayer requests:
Continue to pray for overall health for the team
Brandi and Jessica – Complete healing. They are feeling better, but not 100% yet.
Dakotah – Her stomach is just not giving her much relief, please pray for an easing of the pain she is experiencing.
Two sisters at school, we can’t share their names here, but they both have HIV from birth. They are having a difficult time, please pray for healing and understanding.
Please pray that God would be glorified through our work, sicknesses, and interaction with we make contact with.

We love all of you who read this and are supporting us through prayer. We had a time of prayer as a team tonight, and I think we all feel humbled to be here… not only that God calls us His children, which is most amazing in and of itself, but that He allows us to be used by Him for His purposes (here and at home).

“Only one life, will soon be past. Only what is done for Christ will last.” – Jim Elliot

Prayer Requests

2010-07-12T02:35:00.000-07:00

Dear friends, family, and blog readers,

Just a quick update on the health status of the team.

After Brandi spent Sunday afternoon and evening in bed with nausea, dizziness and possible fever, the team decided she should make a visit to the clinic. Before heading for the school, Jessica also began to show symptoms of dizziness and headache, so we decided to send her along to the clinic as well.

After meeting with the doctor and having blood tests and malaria tests run, the doctor diagnosed both with having the flu. Both girls are on antibiotics and pain killers and are hoping for a quick recovery.

Brandi seems to be less nauseous and was able to eat lunch and will hopefully sleep for most of the day.

Thankfully, Jessica is feeling fine and doesn't seem to be getting anymore flu like symptoms.

Please be praying for a quick recovery for both so that they can return to their ministry at the school, and for protection for the rest of the team that they would remain in good health.

Thank you for your prayers and support. We will continue to keep you updated on the health status of the team.

2010-07-11T09:30:00.000-07:00

2010-07-11T09:16:00.000-07:00

No More Sorrows

2010-07-10T17:09:00.000-07:00

Week one of spending time at the school and teaching alongside the Zambian teachers was successful. We are amazed at all that has been accomplished in OUR lives while being here in Zambia. God has reinforced many times that nothing can be done of our own strength and that there in nothing that HE cannot do! Construction of a pre-school building has been started on the property by our team. So much progress was made on Friday. We know it will be such a blessing to the teachers of the youngest students.
Spending time with children is always the highlight of my days, whether in the States or here in Zambia. God has given me such a desire to teach children who have been told they can accomplish nothing in the future. Being able to spend a month here with the beautiful children has been such a blessing. We are learning so much more about their individual stories and trials and having to lean on God more than ever before to take care of them after they leave the safety net of the school grounds. It is difficult to see the “wear and tear” on their precious faces everyday as we develop relationships with the children in our classes. Our group discussion the other night led to the realization that yes, we can hug them and love them, but the greatest gift that we can give them is the message of a Savior who never leaves them, always comforts them, and will provide them with life eternal with no more sorrows or pain.
I had a personal experience with having to let go and let God take care of His children on Wednesday and Thursday. Those days were very emotional for me. There is a set of sisters that I became very fond of last year and developed a deep relationship with. One of the girls is 14 and the other is 6. Anyone who has been a supporter, follower, or a participant of the trips to Zambia knows that a great number of the children at the school are orphans or HIV positive. I knew this last year and it was a hard concept then as well, but this year when we arrived, the director of the school informed me that one of the precious sisters I became close with has been very sick with HIV. I thought her telling me that would prepare me for the moment I was reunited with her. It didn’t. My heart rejoiced in our warm embrace, but also broke as I saw the pain and agony on her face. Wednesday night as I lay in bed, I found myself angry and silently screaming at God for allowing such a precious young girl to be in so much pain. My mind cannot comprehend why an innocent child has to live with a painful disease because of the choices of parents or ancestors! I kept crying out to God, WHY? THIS IS NOT FAIR TO THESE CHILDREN! But as God so often does, He comforted me and then chastised me. He reminded me that this precious child is indeed His child and that He loves her more than I ever could. As I began to pray for her, God put Colossians 1:13-14 in my mind. “For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” What a comfort this verse is to me, to know that this sweet girl, who has put her faith in Jesus Christ, will be brought into a kingdom where there are no more sorrows and no more pain. The sins of the darkness will no longer be able to affect her body as she is able to worship the Most High with a perfect body.
As we arrived at the school on Thursday I prayed a silent prayer that I would be able to show complete joy and love if I was able to interact with the sisters. I was overjoyed to see both girls at the school at lunch time. The six year old girl just held onto me as I scooped her up into my arms and loved on her. It was a moment that I will never forget. All I could do is praise God for protecting her this past year and allowing me to return to see them. The older sister thanked me for coming back and said that she prayed every night as she dried her sister’s tears from missing me that I would be able to return. I agreed with her that God is a great God and listens to our prayers. I reminded her that God allowed me to return because He is a loving Father to His children. The older sister agreed and told me that knowing God as her Savior is what keeps her motivated on a daily basis. That was a challenge to me. As I face health problems with my stomach daily, I should remember to thank God for waking me up each day. He does not work on our time table or give us everything we desire. He gives us what we need because we have already been given the ultimate desire of eternal life through His precious Son.

We have just begun...

2010-07-07T11:35:00.000-07:00

Hello from the other side of the world… the last few days for us have been diverse and full. Yesterday was a holiday in Zambia so Janet and Jim took us about 2 hours away (although it is only 2 hours away it took us 2.5 hours to get there, and 3.5 to get home :-) traveling Zambia style) to Kufoe Lake. It is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world. We had a picnic, threw the football, and took a boat ride at sunset. It was beautiful scenery and a great time to fellowship with Jim and Janet as well as getting to know each other better. On the way home we stopped in the middle of the bush and got out to look at the stars. Words cannot describe. I have never seen so many stars in all my life. The Milky Way was very vivid. The heavens truly declare the glory of God, and it was breath taking.

Today we were back at school. It is so cool to see how many of the songs and phrases the children remember that we taught them last year. As I was working with the special education kids they kept breaking out in song, “Jesus Loves Me”, “God Is SO Good”, and “Read Your Bible Everyday”. It was really touching hearing these kids that have a hard time talking and communicating singing songs of praise so clearly. Oddly enough God broke me today through an event in the outhouse…
This morning when I got to the special education class, the teacher, Ruth, asked me to help her take one of the young men to the “bathroom” (outhouse with a hole in the floor). He cannot walk. I think he is about 16 years old, physically disabled and somewhat mentally retarded. He has a makeshift wheelchair that he gets around in. His legs are limp, as well as one of his arms. I have never helped a disabled person in the bathroom before, so I figured this was going to be a challenge physically, but what happened to me emotionally and spiritually I did not expect to happen. This young man has probably not had a bath in quite a while. His clothes are thread bare, and he literally needs somebody to help him with everything. I want to maintain his dignity so I won’t go into details, but as I was assisting him, I really was struggling… the stench, the awkwardness, but as I was helping I kept hearing Matt 25:40 “I tell you the truth; whatever you did for the least of these, you did it for me”. I looked down at him at one point and asked him “Did you know that Jesus loves you?” He looked up at me with a toothy grin and groaned…. J E S U S! I began singing “Jesus loves you”, and every time I sang Jesus’s name, he would join in by yelling… J E S U S!! It hit me like a ton of bricks, Jesus is all this young man needs, and quite possibly the only person that truly knows and understands him. I wanted to just remove this pain and disfiguration and humiliation from him, I wanted for it all to go away RIGHT NOW. Tears began to fill my eyes as I just felt so sorry for this young man that was huddled on the floor. Much as I do in my own life from time to time. Whether it is a tough time, temptation, or pain… I just want it to go away, I just want Jesus to remove the pain, and “make it all better”. As I emotionally struggled while helping him, God began impressing upon my heart, “I am enough for this child… RIGHT NOW, in this broken state. I am enough for him as he is. I am enough, I am the bread of life, and the well of living water. He has all he needs for this present circumstance. I love him and know exactly what he is going through".

This is when I broke, realizing Jesus is enough for him. I can’t heal him, I can’t fix him, I can’t remove him from his life… but I can leave him with Jesus. God didn’t promise to remove us from the valley of the shadow of death, but He did promise to walk with us through it. I do not doubt for one second that Jesus was in the outhouse with us today as he cried out… J E S U S, J E S U S!! It is in His hands that I left this young man today and was challenged to stop asking God to remove me from my valleys, but to cry out to JESUS more as He walks with me through them. I have so much to learn from these people, and it has just begun...

A few prayer requests and answers

ANSWERS:
Brandi’s foot is healed!!!! We took her to a clinic and had the thorn removed successfully on Saturday. It has almost completely healed!

REQUESTS:
Please pray for sleep for the team. Several have had a hard time sleeping.

We became aware of two health situations at the school today. One of the male teachers has had malaria. He showed up today to teach, but does not look well. One of the young teen girls has been living with HIV contracted at birth and has taken a turn for the worse. Please pray for strength to be granted to her fragile body and hope for a bright future.

Please continue to pray for unity between us and the Zambian teachers. We want to be humble servants and have a mutual respect for each others’ teaching techniques and cultures.

Happy Independence Day!

2010-07-04T13:09:00.000-07:00

July 4, 2010

Mooti Machumo~Good Evening! Happy Independence Day from Zambia! Today has been an awesome day so blessed by our great God! We began our day today in fellowship and worship with our precious brothers and sisters at Chainda Baptist Church. WOW! What incredible hospitality and more important ~what a powerful presence of the Holy Spirit! The beautiful voices lifted up to His glory were such an inspiration and a reminder that language is no barrier when we worship as one in spirit. We were introduced as a team to the congregation and Scott prayed over the church. What a honor! A very special treat for both the church and our team ~our Brandi was asked to sing to the church. Brandi sang “Be Thou My Vision” acapella ~she received an overwhelming ovation and not a one of us was without chill bumps! Way to go, Brandi!!! Our team was asked to come back to the church on July 18th when the large group is with us. Praise God!
This evening Janet and Jim spent time with us while we celebrated our great country and the freedoms we so enjoy! These freedoms are sooooo much more meaningful this Independence Day as we are here in Zambia where life is much more rustic and opportunities much sparser. We hope you, our friends and family, are enjoying this very special day and all the blessings we experience daily due to the great sacrifices of those who have given all to preserve our freedom. “For if the Son set you free, you are free indeed.”
Because He Lives,
Cyndi and the XL Zambia Team

Pictures...

2010-07-04T06:07:00.000-07:00

2010-07-04T05:59:00.000-07:00

Mercy Ministries Farm...

2010-07-03T06:03:00.000-07:00

All is well…

We have completed our first full day of being on location in Lusaka, and all IS well. Yesterday we spent the morning at school. We met a couple of new teachers at Mercy Ministries, and reunited with some we met last year. A few of the buildings have had improvements! Though Dorothy and Davidson’s house is not completed, it was encouraging to see that there is a roof over the structure. We had a meeting with Dorothy and the teachers to discuss how we can help serve for the next month. Several of us will be paired up with the teachers to help aid them in teaching, and offer encouragement. Cyndi, Dakotah, Jessica, Brandi and Casey are very gifted teachers, and already see how they can encourage and assist the teachers. I am assigned to work with the special ed students, while Bart and Nathan will be working on many of the construction projects around the premises. The girls jumped right in and joined the teachers for their morning classes while the guys walked the premises with Dorothy and discussed construction and repair projects. There are enough projects for a month, if not the next 6 months! At noon we left for lunch and in the afternoon we went to what I will call the “Mercy Ministry farm”.

Dorothy and her husband have purchased 25 acres in Lusaka East. The purpose of the land is to make it an income producing property. Lord willing, Mercy Ministries can be self sustaining. They will harvest the natural resources from the land ( marble, quartz, etc.) and raise farm animals and grow crops. The land was surveyed last week, and pins placed in all 4 corners, The land is very rugged and needs to be cleared. We walked the property lines with Dorothy and a team of young men from the school. We stopped at each one of the four corners and would circle up around the boundary marker, hold hands and pray. We Dedicated the property to God, and asked Him to bless and protect the land. It was a really special time. As we walked, Dorothy shared her vision and dreams for the farm. It struck several of us how Dorothy reminds us of a Prov. 31 woman… “she considers a field and buys it”. Dorothy is a woman of God. To pray with her is to enter the throne room. We have much to learn from this woman who is giving her all for the cause of Christ. We spent the last few hours on the property clearing a road. I was so impressed with our team as we each grabbed machetes and hoes and began whacking down bushes and small trees. Walking back to the bus we stopped by a neighbors farm and Dorothy showed us what she hopes their farm will shortly become. Driving home we saw an incredible sunset and were reminded of God’s power through the beauty He has created.

A few prayer request:
Brandi’s foot (she stepped on a throne and we have not been able to dig it out yet, pray the thorn will come out.)
Overall health of the team. Everybody is feeling good, but still adjusting.
Good restful sleep.
Unity for our team with Mercy ministry staff. That we would be humble servants.
Dakotah - her stomach would gain strength and she would experience no more stomach spasms.

Homecoming...

2010-07-01T14:58:00.000-07:00

I know that "homecoming" is usually the last blog post from a team, but when we were preparing for the trip I found out the XL team would be staying in the same mission house the girls stayed in last year. And as I was wondering and praying for our travels and stay in Zambia, I started thinking about arriving back at the little house as "going home."

But it did take us a lot longer to get "home" than anticipated. Our very last flight from Nairobi to Lusaka was cancelled. It was not exactly what we wanted to hear after 29 hours of travelling, but it led to some fun adventures and to some answers to those prayers and wonderings that I had back in the states.

I had kind of wondered if I would get to pull out some of my rusty French skills during our layover in Paris. I also really hoped we would get Kenyan stamps in our passports. I did use a little French in Paris for the usual pleasantries, but both of these little "heart wishes" came front and center when we were stopped in Kenya. Not only did we get Kenyan Passport stamps, but we also got Kenyan Visas, a night’s stay in an awesome hotel (complete with an ice skating rink) courtesy of Kenyan Airways, and an amazing up-close view of Mount Kilimanjaro on the morning flight.

And as for my wondering if I could use my little bit of French, NO ONE in the Kenyan Airport spoke French. No one official that is. And there were several Francophone Africans that were also stuck in Nairobi. I was able (though poorly) to help one man fill out his Visa Application, and another man fill out his hotel reservation sheet and get dinner. How fun and exciting to serve a God that hears even the little questions of our heart, and answers in a big way!

And then after a good night's sleep in Kenya and a nice breakfast in the airport (after we were delayed again), we finally boarded the flight to Lusaka. I was overwhelmed with joy thinking about seeing the kids and Dorothy and Janet, and finally getting to our little house when the man beside me shook my hand and said, "You look so happy. Are you flying home?" And I just smiled because I was heading home.

Written from Brandi Lou <3

OK after a crazy day

2010-07-01T08:24:00.000-07:00

It took a little longer than planned, but the XL team is now safely in Lusaka. The fourth leg of their trip got canceled, so they had to spend the night in Nairobi, Kenya — thankfully, the airline put them up in a hotel — and their substitute flight the next morning got delayed too. They ended up getting in at about 12:30 p.m. (early this morning in Texas time), about a half-day later than expected, and now they're with Janet, our missionary partner.

They are working on an Internet solution so they can stay in touch throughout the month, so hopefully from now on you'll be getting these posts directly from the source. Please be praying for that and for their quick recovery from jet lag.

They're on their way

2010-06-29T20:50:00.000-07:00

The XL team departed this morning to begin their month in Zambia. As I write this, the second of their four flights has just landed in Paris. If all goes according to schedule, they will arrive in Lusaka late Wednesday night (about 4 p.m. Texas time).

Please be praying for the eight of them as they travel — for safe flights, for the ability to sleep on the plane, for luggage that arrives when they do — and that God would prepare the way in their ministry areas and with the Zambians they'll work alongside.

We expect that they'll have at least some Internet access, so keep this page bookmarked or RSS'd and watch for updates.

Meet the Team 2010

2010-06-14T09:37:00.000-07:00

Bottom row L-R: Dale, Brandi, Dana, Maggie, Kara

Second row L-R: Jessica L, Kim, Becca, Dakotah, Jessica J

Third row L-R: Scott, Sharolyn, Ann, Pamela, Casey

Fourth row L-R: Saulo, Nathan, Jack, Dan, Chris, Bart

Not Pictured: Cristina, Cyndi

** Individual Profiles and Prayer Requests Below**

Month-long, Extra-long Group "XL Team" Depart June 29th

Scott- Group Leader
Occupation: Real Estate
Favorite Scripture Verse: John 10:10
"I feel called to Zambia for this month of my life. I am so excited to have a calling and passion for the people of Zambia. Really grateful to be spending this time for something that will outlast me."
*Prayer Request: That God would enable us as a team to be usable vessels, empty of ourselves and filled to overflowing with the love of Christ.

Dakotah
Occupation: 3rd/4th grade teacher
Favorite Scripture Verse: Deuteronomy 31:8
"Last year's trip to Zambia changed my life and showed me that God really is enough, even when you have nothing by worldly standards. I am excited to return to Zambia and reconnect with the beautiful children that stole my heart. I can't wait to teach alongside the Zambian teachers for a month!"
*Prayer Request: Please keep my digestive health in your prayers as I will be away from safe foods and my doctors for a month. Pray that God will bless the food we search for and prepare.

Bart
Occupation: Real Estate Investor
Favorite Scripture Verse: 2 Chronicles 16:9
"It is my hope that as I deny myself the comforts of home and serve a month in Zambia that God will expose the areas of my heart that are not really HIS."
*Prayer Request: That He will grant me repentance in the areas He exposes and then display HIS power in such a way that there is no question that it is GOD!

Cyndi
Occupation: Educational Consultant
Favorite Scripture Verse: The 23rd Psalm
"I am most excited about being with the Zambian people for a month!"
*Prayer Request: Please pray for financial aspects to be met.

Nathan
Occupation: Ultrasound Technician
Favorite Scripture Verse: Proverbs 3:5-6
"I am excited to be going back and serving the Zambian people."

Brandi
Occupation: Professional Opera Singer, Private Voice and Piano Teacher
Favorite Scripture Verse: Isaiah 58: 10-11
"I am excited to go back to Zambia and see the teachers and children again!"

Jessica J
Occupation: Teacher
Favorite Scripture Verse: Acts 4:13
"I am excited to go back and work alongside and encourage the teachers, to live life with the people of Zambia, and to also reunite with great friends we met and renew friendships!"

Casey
Occupation: 3rd grade teacher
Favorite Scripture Verse: Zephaniah 3:17, Colossians 3:23
"I am most excited about living life alongside the Zambians for a month. And continuing our partnership with the teachers will be great as we teach alongside them! But most of all I'm just looking forward to loving on the precious kiddos!!!"

Short-term Team Depart July 16th

Dan- Group Leader
Occupation: Journalist
Favorite Scripture Verse: Isaiah 55: 10-11
"I am looking forward to meeting back up with the friends we made last year and continuing the partnership between McKinney and Mercy Ministries. It will be rewarding to see how God has been at work there and to get to be a part of it again."

Jack
Occupation: Restaurant Manager
Favorite Scripture Verse: Philippians 4:13
"I am most excited about learning and growing in my life during the trip, and also getting to know my fellow teammates."

Becca
Occupation: Middle School Teacher
Favorite Scripture Verse: Romans 8:37-39
"I am excited about having the opportunity to love on people that we encounter. I am also excited to see the Lord work in the lives of our team and of the people we meet!"
*Prayer Request: Spiritual Warfare- I do not want fear to keep me from being obedient to the Lord.

Dale
Occupation: Office Manager at husband's (Bob) podiatry office
Favorite Scripture Verses: Psalm 16:11, Psalm 17:15
"I am most excited to be able to serve alongside Jessica (on my first mission trip), explaining the gospel to the Zambian children."
*Prayer Request: To be able to share the Bible stories in such a way that the children will understand and know the love of Jesus for themselves.

Jessica L
Occupation: Graphic Designer
Favorite Scripture Verse: 1 Corinthians 10:31
"I am beyond thrilled to immerse myself into the Zambian culture by living and breathing with people on the other side of the world. It's exciting to have the opportunity to share Christ's love with the kids and receive their love in return."

Ann
Occupation: Grandmother to Charlie and Mollie, retired Speech and Language Pathologist
Favorite Scripture Verse: Philippians 4:13
*Prayer Request: That the Lord will use us for His glory in Zambia..that He will renew our strength moment by moment, step by step..that we will mount up with wings like eagles, we will run and not grow weary, and that we will walk and not faint.

Cristina
Occupation: Senior Operations Consultant
Favorite Scripture Verse: Zephaniah 3:17
"I am really excited to get to be a part of the work the Lord is doing in Zambia! I'm looking forward to sharing the Lord's love and being his hands and feet."
*Prayer Request: Please be praying for a steadfast mind.

Dana

Maggie

Kara
Occupation: 9th grade English teacher
Favorite Scripture Verse: Luke 1:45
"I am most excited to see all of the kids and staff at the school that we met last year, continue building those relationships, and serve them in any way we can."

Sharolyn
Occupation: Homemaker and Grandmother
Favorite Scripture Verse: Romans 8:37
"I am excited about loving on those babies and seeing how God will work in all our lives."
*Prayer Request: I am asking for prayer for strength and stamina.

Pamela
Occupation: Programmer
Favorite Scripture Verse: Habakkuk 1:5
"I am excited to get to see all that God is doing in Zambia and in the lives of the people we will be meeting."

Saulo
Occupation: Dentistry
Favorite Scripture Verse: Acts 20:24
"I am most excited about God giving me an opportunity to serve HIM in Africa! I said no to God twice, but God kept it opened for me. The third time I heard that a spot was open to go to Africa I said yes. Thank you God."

Chris
Occupation: Auditor
Favorite Scripture Verse: Revelation 21:1-7
"I am excited about visiting brothers and sisters in Christ on the other side of the globe, and about possible opportunities to share the gospel with others."

Kim
Occupation: Accountant
Favorite Scripture Verse: Psalm 138:8
"I am so excited about loving on the Zambian children and about seeing God work in ways that I've never seen before."

We're headed back

2010-03-28T18:51:00.000-07:00

By popular demand — both from team members here in Texas and from our mission partners in Zambia — we are sending another mission team in July 2010. This time, we're sending a team of 24, eight of whom will be staying for a whole month. We've got a great mix of returners and first-timers, and we're excited about what God has in store.

On this blog, we'll update you as we prepare for the mission and as we serve at Chifundo Mission School and other ministries in Lusaka. In the meantime, you can read about last year's ministry and the life-changing experiences we had.

For even more from 2009:
- Photo albums here, here and here
- A four-minute overview of our ministry: http://tinyurl.com/zambiavideo, plus more videos (select Zambia at right)
- The team's Facebook group, which has photos and videos (you don't have to be a member to see them)

Thanks so much for partnering with us — we couldn't do this without your prayers and financial support. Stay tuned!

Big Brown Eyes

2009-07-13T12:32:00.000-07:00

It has been two weeks since we returned from Zambia. We had our final team meeting yesterday. It was so great to reunite with our teammates, and hear how life has been since returning to the states. As we talked, it became clear that we had one thing in common…we were all affected in some way by our trip and all of us have felt different emotions since returning. Some felt sad about leaving Africa. Others were happy to be home, and feeling guilty for liking the comforts of our American lifestyle. Some felt regretful that we couldn’t do more—one week just barely scratched the surface, but it did open our eyes to the situation there and the overwhelming needs that exist. One thing that was encouraging to me was the amount of energy, excitement and hope around the idea of partnering with our Zambian friends. There was a lot of talk about returning (for some, maybe even next summer). After having such intense experiences and being exposed to some rather harsh conditions, we have all been changed in some way.

As I have been reflecting on our trip, and praying for our Zambian friends, there is one image that keeps coming to my mind of the children. As a teacher, I am used to having a classroom full of children that I get to know really well over the course of a year. So well, in fact, that I often refer to my students as “my kids”. I love connecting with the students that I teach. When we were at Chifundo Mission School, we saw close to 400 kids per day as they rotated through our classes in 30 minute intervals. The first day or two, I found it hard to connect with the children, especially in the ways that I was used to. But the third day came, and something changed for me. I realized that with the combination of only spending 4 days with the kids, along with the short class rotations, that I would not be able to connect deeply with them or even know all their names. So I had to find a new way to connect with these precious children. There was one thing I knew for sure…that God knew each and every one of those kids by name (even if I didn’t), and that I had the privilege to pray for them. So as the kids rotated through the last two days of our VBS, I connected with their eyes and began praying in my heart for each and every person that entered my classroom. What a sweet way to connect with these kids! So, the image that I see in my mind is all of their faces, and specifically their big brown eyes looking at me—all of them eager to hear what I had to say, and eager to receive love.

Thank you, Lord, for imprinting this image in my mind…that I can still see their faces and pray for these children. Their lives are unbelievably difficult, and they need you so much!! Draw them ever so near to you, Lord. Amen.

The most beautiful sound

2009-07-06T22:03:00.000-07:00

(Thoughts on Zambia by Dan)

It always takes me a while to come up with a good one-sentence response when people ask, "How was your trip?" For Zambia, I can sum it up as both heartbreaking and heartwarming. I knew about the poverty before we left, I knew there was going to be AIDS and orphans and hunger, but the magnitude didn't hit me until I saw it for myself. And yet, at the same time, I was struck by the joy and graciousness the Zambians showed.

To illustrate, I recently played an icebreaker game where I had to name the most beautiful thing I'd ever heard, and my answer was from our last day at the school. The children were gathered for the end-of-the-day assembly, singing one of the songs Brandi and Zach had taught them. It goes:

God is so good
God is so good
God is so good
He's so good to me.

God answers prayer
God answers prayer
God answers prayer
He's so good to me.

It's familiar to many of us — I know I sang it countless times growing up — and it's a simple song, really. But to hear hundreds of Zambian children sing it was incredibly moving.

Because for them, life hasn't been good.

These are kids who walk an hour each way to school, some of them in hand-me-down flip-flops meant for adults.
These are kids who, many of them, have lost one or both parents.
These are kids who, a number of them, have HIV themselves.
These are kids who we thought were listless Monday morning ... until we realized that, because the nshima they get for lunch at school is the only food they get at all, they hadn't eaten. In three days.

And still, they sang,

God is so good
He's so good to me.

It's funny how God works: We went over to Zambia to teach these children, but they ended up being the ones teaching me what faith looks like.

Homeward Bound

2009-06-28T02:05:00.001-07:00

In less than 15 minutes we'll board the bus for the Livingstone airport. Then it's on to Johannesburg, fuel stop in Dakar, Washington DC, and finally back to Dallas-Ft. Worth. In total, it will be about 32 hours of travel time. Please pray for us on this home stretch.

We had a wonderful day yesterday in Livingstone. We saw lots of animals in the game park, enjoyed one of God's most majestic creations at Victoria Falls, experienced an African market (lots of bartering!), and finished the day off with a sunset cruise! Yesterday felt like an almost heavenly reward after our week of work.

At our debrief time last night we all shared the most significant moment we experienced on the trip. It was remarkable to recall all that God has done in us and through us.

THANK YOU ALL for your prayers and support! This was an incredible experience that we will always remember.

Lusaka to Zimba to Livingstone

2009-06-26T14:02:00.001-07:00

Today was a travel day for our team. We rode on a bus from Lusaka to Zimba (5 hours), where we met up with Dave, Dana, & Nathan. It was so great to see them and hear about their experiences this week. We also toured the hospital they have been working at this week, and walked through the market. Zimba has a completely different feel from Lusaka. It is small, peaceful, and slower-paced…much more rural than Lusaka, which has a busier, urban feel. After our stop in Zimba, we continued our bus ride 1.5 hours to Livingstone, where we checked into our hotel and ate a wonderful dinner at Rhapsody’s restaurant.

My favorite part of the day today was looking at the Zambian countryside. It was beautiful! I loved seeing the mud huts on the hillside, and the African trees. It was nice to soak in the scenery and reflect on our week. It has been an incredible week…very busy and tiring, but good! Tomorrow we will go to the game park, Victoria Falls, the market, and go on a sunset cruise. We are all excited about our fun day as tourists... a little bit of reward after a busy but wonderful week. See you soon!

The Last Day

2009-06-25T14:37:00.000-07:00

Written by Zach...

Though many times throughout the day I had come close to tears , they had never really burst forth. However, as I spoke to Dorthy, my words where hampered by a quivering voice and wet face. There is little doubt in my mind that the woman to which I was speaking is destined to be a Governor in the Kingdom of Heaven. There are few with which I've come into contact that match her. Through growing tears I said to her "I have never meet someone who was so humble, so wise, and such a strong leader all poured into one." She is a perfect example of a godly woman and she is not just a sister. She is a mother to so many Children of Christ.

This powerful experience is only one that I could share of my own experiences from this day. If all were to share here it would no doubt be far too long for many to read. I don't really feel like I can do this day justice as my perspective is only a small part of the overall mission. I am a peon in the work that has been being done here. All I can do is express what I can so please forgive me for what I miss.

As any other day, we went through the sessions of VBS. The Children participated in Crafts, Games, Music, and Bible Stories. However, the message of the day was unique. Throughout every experience the Children went through the message of salvation was gracefully presented. In arts and crafts they made bracelets with colored beads that told the story of salvation (black, red, white, green, and yellow). This is no doubt familar to many who read this blog as it was the method by which my parents presented to me the Gospel of Christ. Through this an many other methods, I know that the children were presented with an accurate and understandble presentation of the Gospel of Christ. The moving of the spirit was very evident today.

We finished the day with a dinner at a local restraunte. Our team, The teachers from the school, Jannike, Janet, Dorthy, Davidson, and our driver's Lawrence and Mulwa were all in attendance. It was a time of thanks to all involved. It was a time sharing stories. Most importantly though, it was a time of praise to God. He has done so much for us both in this short time here and in preperation for our arrival. His working hands are VERY visable to all involved. It was at the end of this meeting that I found my head buried into the shoulders Dorthy, a mighty woman of God. Though she stands a good 8 inches shorter than me, I must strain my neck to look up at her. She has sacrificed so much for the school. She has litterally fed Christ's sheep on a scale of hundreds. She is the living embodiment of Christ's love to these Children and she is what I personally aspire to be.

As for our team's work at the school, it has gone smother than I thought possible. Though we have been forced to adapt, the planning of the girls on our team has proven it's worth time and time again. Everything has seemed to go like clockwork. Even our interaction with the other teachers and workers at the school was smoth from day one. With our team there were no complainers. No one refused a meal or insulted our hosts. No one let their exaustion from the week hinder our mission. In short, it has been God working through us and not us working for God. For that, the only one I can credit is our heavenly father as there's nothing I can do to achieve it.

As I close, there is one more thing I want to mention. It's the question that was posed to each of us individually at some time tonight. It was probably asked over 50 times today to someone on our team. That question is "Will we be back." The answer to that question is both easy and complex as we can make no guarantee of the future. We don't know where God will call us and the winds of our lives change as often as the sun sets. However, I believe I speak for the whole team when I say that our hearts shout for us to answer "Yes!". It is not just our desire, it is our prayer that God would lead us back to Zambia, lead us back to Lusaka, and lead us back to Chifundo Mission School.

Into the village.....

2009-06-24T13:08:00.000-07:00

Today was our third day of VBS. The children are learning the memory verses and songs quite well. It almost makes me cry every time I hear them belting out JESUS LOVES ME, or GOD IS SO GOOD, or AMAZING GRACE. How cool to hear these kids stating truth that hopefully will ring in their ears when all around them may be screaming out that they have been forsaken. There is a lot to share about how God is working in VBS, but because of time limitations, and also what is weighing heavily on my heart, I am going to share with you what took place this afternoon as we went into the village. It is late, and I am exhausted..... so please forgive my lack of proper sentence structuring and verb tenses :-).

After VBS we broke up into 3 different teams. We went to the same village, but three different types of families. One that was keeping orphans, one that was keeping disabled children, and one group were homes of the terminally or seriously ill. I went with Jade, Brandi, Janet (the local missionary we are partnering with), and two women that run the school to the homes of the terminally or seriously ill. We knew this was going to be a great opportunity to pray for the sick, but I don't think i ever anticipated the seriousness of these situations. I could write all night about what happened at the three homes. I am not sure how to put it into words, but I am going to try.

The first home we went to was a woman that had tuberculosis. Three weeks ago she was so sick she could not do anything for herself. Dorothy from the school had to come and clean her, bathe her, and turn her in the bed. Today she greeted us outside and was keeping two of her grandchildren. She was feeling much better, and on her way to recovery. Her house was roughly 8x8 with dirt floors, and a tin roof. As we huddled inside we talked briefly and gave her some groceries. This is a woman who has nothing. We brought her a large sack of corn meal, and a few staple items, she didn't have much else that we could see. Her only hope is God. After talking for a bit we asked her if we could pray for her before we left. She said she would like that very much. We gathered around her and laid hands on her and began to pray. Something happened during our prayer that I only know how to describe as the presence of God.... i didn't realize how significant it was until we left. We were praying, and agreeing with each other that Satan would be bound, and that God would inhabit her little home. We claimed her home as set apart for His presence alone, and claimed her home as holy ground. As we were all praying i felt a chill go down my spine. God was sending His spirit right then and there, and i felt it in a very tangible way that i don't know how to explain. It manifested itself in chills all over my body, but I think that was just a physical response to what my spirit sensed...... ok, a little weird sounding I know, but I am just stating the facts. All of our spirits were in one accord and it was sweet. As we were walking out she grabbed my hand and said "thank you all for praying, it was something special." We left her standing alone w/ two babies, but in my heart I knew there were angels surrounding her home, and God's presence would not be leaving her. Once we were back in the car I discovered that everybody else had sensed the same thing i did, and we were all blown away by how real the presence of the Lord felt in that home. Prayer is powerful, and very real in this land where faith is so strong because it is all most of them have.

The next house we went to was a woman whose husband divorced her for another woman. Things didn't work out, so he came back to her just long enough to get her pregnant, and then leave her again. He is a pastor, and the church has excommunicated him. She has AIDS, as well as her 20 year old daughter that lives with her. The court has ruled that she has to give her home back to her ex-husband, even though she has nowhere to go. She has no money, no income, and has to be out of her home in two weeks. We laid hands and prayed for both of them.

The next house we went to broke my heart. A woman lives here with her recently divorced daughter. She herself is a widow, and has no income. We brought her some groceries as well. As we walked up to her home her daughter was sitting outside the door with a baby in her lap. Her eyes were glazed over, and she looked very sad. her mother shared with us that she was divorced 2 weeks ago because her husband found out she has AIDS. She is severely depressed. the ladies prayed over her. She thanked them as tears rolled down her face. Next door in what looked like a large closet laid her brother. I will call him Izzy. I think he was about 30 years old, but it was very hard to tell. She told us the story of when he was 14 years old he came home one day from the village and curled up under a blanket without talking. Something happened that day and she is not sure what it was. For the past 15 or so years he has laid on the dirt floor, completely covered up by a blanket. He gets up to eat once a day and then cowers under the blanket immediately after eating. You could sense darkness upon entering the room. Jade and I knelt down by this huddled mass under the blanket, and began speaking truth over him. Telling him that Jesus loved him very much.... that he was a child of God, and Jesus died to give him life. Suddenly he began to stir, and the blanket came off. He huddled in the corner in the fetal position. We were glad he had come out from under the blanket, at least we were able to see who we were about to pray for. Jade and I laid hands on him and prayed over him. We asked God to release him from and satanic hold, and restore him. I believe his condition is spiritual, and we cried out on His behalf that God would show Himself mighty on Izzy's behalf. He just sat there, and didn't hardly move, but by faith we believe God had even now began restoring him. What a awesome time we had praying over him..... please pray with us for Izzy.

I hope the other two teams can blog about their experiences in the village..... we had a team meeting tonight, and shared our thoughts on what we saw today. There were many tears shed tonight. Today was a life changing day for many of us. Our hearts break for these people in such dire situations, yet on the other hand we are challenged by their great faith in a God that is their only hope, and is sustaining them..... even if it is only one breath at a time.

Our Daily Bread

2009-06-23T13:53:00.000-07:00

Short post tonight from Rob (using Jodie's account)...

We had a great Day 2 of VBS with the kids today. You can imagine what it was like to pull up in our van and see the children already lined up and cheering when they saw our vehicle approaching. As we got out of the van they spontaneously started singing their favorite song from yesterday's music class: "Oh, how I love Jesus... oh, how I love Jesus... oh, how I love Jesus... because He first loved me." Needless to say, the day started with smiles all around.

Highlights from the day included: The Arts & Crafts team (Kara & Scott) helping the kids make shakers out of paper plates and beads... the Music team (Brandi & Zach) learning a song from the Zambian children... the English team (Casey & Dan) seeing the expression on one of the Zambian teacher's faces when she learned that all of the teaching material for the week would be left at the school... "Super Jade" helping out at every station while bandaging skinned knees and wiping tiny tears... the Bible team (Jodie & Rob) dressing the kids up to re-enact Daniel & the Lions' Den... and the Games team (Dakotah, Jessica, & Sarod) teaching the kids how to "do the Hokey Pokey" (American culture at its finest)...

The photo above was taken during lunch of some of the younger children eating their daily plate of n'chima - a Zambian staple made from corn. Although by our standards it's not much, this is one of the biggest blessings the school provides to these children. This really is their "daily bread"... so fitting that they say the Lord's Prayer each day together before class begins.

Tomorrow after school we're hoping to enter into some of the neighborhoods immediately surrounding the school and experience a little bit of the home life that these children live each day. Thanks for all your prayers... we can sense them. Please continue to pray... for endurance at this half-way point, but especially for the hearts, souls, minds, and bodies of these little ones.

VBS day one........

2009-06-22T13:26:00.000-07:00

Today was the first day of VBS. Most of the kids were already at school when we pulled in this morning. Several were walking on the roads leading to school, and down the long driveway. They eagerly waved and began running in front of the van..... excited to see us, but as we learned later, also hungry for a good meal. They are fed one meal a day, and for some, it is the only meal they will receive. Most of these kids walk over an hour to get to school each day. They are so well behaved compared to American kids. The teachers told us that if we needed to leave for some reason it was fine. Just tell the kids to sit quietly, or sing a song until you get back, and they will be fine... wow. They are so eager, and excited to do do anything you ask them to do. they absolutely LOVE having their picture taken. One of the projects we did today was to take each of their pictures. They strike poses voluntarily, and love to see the image on the display once the picture is taken.

The picture above is of Jade and Brandi teaching the kids "Awesome God." It was pretty cool hearing these little voices singing praises to our God. Even cooler to know that they are being taught the meaning behind the songs, and prayerfully understanding the truth behind the words. Rob brought his trumpet and does a bugle call every 30 minutes when it is time for the classes to rotate. The kids love it, and line up shouting their team color name as they transfer to the next class.

All in all the day went well, and we are very grateful to God for giving us wisdom and grace for the first day. We feel overwhelmed by the physical condition of these children and the poverty they are surrounded with. I am sure it will take days, maybe even weeks for this all to sink in, but I think it is pretty safe to say that what we have all seen is going to be life changing.

We also got word tonight that Dave, Dana, and Nathan made it to Livinstone safely. This is a direct answer to prayer for which we praise God. We are anxious to hear more from them, and what God is doing.

Everyone on the team has maintained good health and seems to have settled into the time change, this is a huge answer to prayer. Thanks to all of you praying for us, God is moving around us and amongst us, and it is very exciting..... looking forward to sharing more as we are able.

Day one.......

2009-06-21T22:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday went by in a blur. We made the flight to Zambia without incidence. Once we landed we were somewhat concerned about getting through customs. God allowed us to sail right through customs with barely a glance from the security guard….. our first miracle. Janet and our drivers were waiting as we exited the airport. How good to finally meet Janet. Dan and others have been communicating with her for several months now, and she is the reason we are able to be here. We then went to Jannike and Michael’s house where the guys will be staying. Jannike works with the Chifundo Mission School, and she also has an outreach to special needs students. The girls were then taken to the mission where they will be staying, and everybody had a few moments to unpack and freshen up. We all met for dinner around 5:00 at Jannike’s home. Dinner was AMAZING. Grilled chicken, sausage, some veggies and nshimal, the native food that reminds me of white rice. The staff from the school came as well, and we had a great time sitting around fellowshiping, and getting to know each other. Davidson and Dorothy are the couple that started and currently run the mission school. You can tell that they are very giving, have a lot of depth, and are filled with faith. We are looking forward to getting to know them better. We wrapped the evening up with a team meeting and devotional led by Dave. We had a great time re-capping the day and sharing impressions. We went to bed soon after and slept like babies (well the guys did anyway). Our bodies are slowly adjusting to the time change.

This morning we were able to sleep in a bit before all meeting together to split up into two different groups and head to church. Half of us went to “Redeemed” while the other half went to “Kanyama.” I think we were all anticipating a great time worshiping in the African churches, but none of us anticipated what we experienced. I was in the group that went to Redeemed, a small church consisting of about 30 people meeting in a classroom at a local school. The building was concrete block, open air, and a tin roof. The pastor, Victor, welcomed us with a very warm greeting, and introduced us to the congregation. The people were already singing worship songs and you could instantly sense the spirit of God. Most of the songs were sung in Nyanja, the native language. Although we could not understand the language, the spirit was clearly communicated. The people worship very freely and with all their hearts. They sing passionately and are very expressive in their love for God. A few songs were sung in English. We quickly entered in and sang as we were able to pick up the songs. The pastor then invited our group to come up front and share a song or word. We quickly brain stormed and felt led to sing Amazing Grace. Most of the congregation knew the song and joined in singing with us. It is hard to explain the worship. My eyes filled with tears as I saw their sincere hearts, and freedom in worshipping God. A couple of the worship leaders fell to their knees during one song, and I leaned over to my new found friend, Muulwa, and asked him what they were singing. He told me the words they were repeating were “YOU ARE HOLY”. It just struck me that someday we will all be in heaven worshipping…. From all nations and tribes, brothers and sisters in Christ, crying out “Holy, holy holy.” I guess you can say it was a taste of heaven and left an indelible impression upon my heart. The sermon was powerful as well, and we enjoyed shaking everyone’s hands as we left in single file. These people are so humble. They are genuine worshipers… the real deal. They are not coming to God because of whaat God can give them. They are poor and will probably always be poor. They are not trying to impress anybody… there is nobody to impress. They were there to worship, and God was their only audience.

In the afternoon we took a drive to the school…. About 10 miles down a dirt road with lots of pot holes. One concrete brick building with 4 classrooms, a large open hut for two other classes to meet in, and the “kitchen” was all the grounds consisted of. The kitchen is about 8 feet around, 4 poles, and a grass roof. That is it! “BaBetty” a woman that appears to be in her 50’s cooks enough nishimal everyday for almost 400 people over this open camp fire. This blew me away more than anything….. such simple means, but does not hinder them from doing what God has called them to do.

So much more to write, but time is very limited. Thanks for praying…. Today starts our first day of VBS, and our medical team leaves us for Livingstone. Pray that the enemy will be bound and Christ will be glorified. The team is in very good spirits, and everybody seems to be holding up health wise. Praise God. Our hearts are going to these people, and we feel so honored to be here.

Of mice and men....

2009-06-19T22:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a long but good day. Most slept at least a few hours, some MUCH more than others, but all in all the trip seemed shorter than it originally sounded. We were missing one bag, but it has been located and hopefully will meet up with us in Lusaka later today. The hostel we are staying in proved to be adequate and cheap for last nights sleep. We enjoyed some pizza and a quick de-briefing last night before heading to bed around 9:00. Even though we were bushed, we should have tried to stay up longer..... 5 of us guys met in the kitchen around 4 a.m. to talk about why we couldn't sleep.

The only mishap so far was that Zach found his crackers and cheese conveniently opened for him this morning, and without taking much thought as to WHY there was a hole in the packaging, popped the easily accessible cracker in his mouth. It was then he quickly realized that as nice of guys as we are, we probably didn't open his crackers for him. RATS!! They also attacked his PB&J, and left some decorations on his clothes as well :-) I am just hearing the girls had a visitor in the night as well!

We are heading to the airport soon... so amazing to be halfway around the world in 24 hours, yet know we are still under God's watchful eye. I was amazed looking out the window yesterday at the clarity and abundance of stars. The heavens truly declare His glory, and we are thankful He is everywhere and in all places... just takes on new meaning actually experiencing it.

So far, so good

2009-06-19T09:41:00.000-07:00

Hi from Johannesburg. We are here, safe and sound, if a little sleep-deprived. And 24 of 25 bags made it with us. Tomorrow morning we leave for Lusaka.

One day to go.....

2009-06-16T22:57:00.000-07:00

I think everybody on this trip has an overwhelming sense of desiring to be used by God in a great way. Our whole team is longing to make an impact for eternity, to bring hope, to share Christ….. to make a difference. After talking this week with a few people from our team I think we also have an overwhelming sense of inadequacy. Last week I was awakened early one morning with this gut wrenching feeling of not being capable or able to do anything for God. It took me a few minutes of wrestling with those thoughts before I was reminded of the truth “Our faith should not be in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” – 1Cor. 2:5. “His strength is made perfect in our weakness” -2 Cor. 12:9. So we rely on His grace and strength to empower us to do the work before set before us. “Neither he who plants is anything, nor he that waters, but God who gives the increase.” – 1 Cor. 3:7

Itinerary -

We fly out tomorrow around noon, directly to Washington/Dulles. We leave around 6:00 p.m. from DC and fly non-stop to Johannesburg, Africa. It is an 18 hour flight…. Yee-haw!! After spending the night in Johannesburg we will get up the next morning and fly to Lusaka where we will then go to the homes where we will be staying. The flight is going to be fun, especially for those of us who can’t sit still to save our lives! Tic-tac-toe and solitaire just aren’t going to cut it. As promising as they may be, I really don’t think the homeopathic “NO JET LAG” pills are going to help much either. :-D

I can honestly say that I have never gone on a trip feeling so supported and prayed for by friends and partners in ministry. You guys are such a part of this!! Please continue to lift us up before the Father. We go with MUCH hope and expectation for what He is going to do in and through us. Pray that our faith will be strengthened. Pray that marvelous and miraculous things will be done through us for the glory of our King! Pray that lives will be changed…. Pray that OUR lives will be changed! I am really looking forward to being out of America. I love our home, but I am praying that God strips America away from us this week, that He will empty us of us. So we will be able to see with new eyes, that we will encounter the love of God as never before, His perfect love that casts out fear, and because of Him we will do great things for His kingdom. “While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Cor. 4:18. Oh God take our eyes off the temporary things of this quickly passing life and place them on eternity, let us press on and run this race you have set before us with much perseverance.

Meet the team!

2009-06-14T18:02:00.000-07:00

Back Row L-R: Dave, Casey, Zach, Dan, Rob

Middle Row L-R: Dana, Jessica, Dakotah, Nathan, Jodie

Bottom Row L-R: Jade, Kara, Brandi, Sarod, Scott

Dave and Dana- Medical team in Zimba
Occupation: Pediatric Dentist and wife/assistant
Reason for going to Zambia: We believe that God called and provided a way for us to go to Zambia and serve the children there. We are eager to see the opportunities that God will provide and to enable us to minister to their families.

Casey- English lessons
Occupation: Teacher- Kindergarten for 5 years, will teach 3rd grade next year
Reason for going to Zambia: I am hopeful I will be able to share my gift of teaching and love for children, so that they [the teachers] can in turn share those gifts with their students. My prayer is that God will be able to use our entire team to give a fun VBS experience for the kids, but also provide the teachers with valuable teaching strategies, skills, and resources that will benefit them long-term.

Zach- Music
Occupation: Flight Test Engineer for Lockheed Martin
(F-16 and F-35)
Reason for going to Zambia: To serve God in any way I can and to grow in my emotional connection to the human suffering of our world. I believe Americans should use their wealth (voluntarily) for the betterment of those less fortunate. Zambia is only one place in which we can do that.

Dan- English lessons
Occupation: Journalist
Reason for going to Zambia: Several summers ago I got to serve in Mozambique, Africa, on a team from a church in Colorado. It was both a heartbreaking and heartwarming experience, and it was powerful to see God at work in a culture so different from ours. What is especially neat is that our service that summer was not an isolated trip but part of something greater that God is doing: I still get updates about the church we had a hand in planting, and the Colorado church is still involved there. So for Zambia, my hope is that our ministry at the clinic and the school will be just the start of a partnership that McKinney has for years to come.
Interesting Fact: The last time I was in Africa, I tried a dish called moelas -- which I later found out was stewed chicken gizzards. It was delicious, and I'm looking forward to what exotic food I will discover this time.

Rob- Bible lessons
Occupation: Pastor to Young Adults at McKinney Church
Reason for going to Zambia: To be a part of the spiritual growth and stretching of our ministry. I'm excited to see God at work.
Interesting Fact: I spent 2 years in Africa when I was growing up. My dad was stationed in Liberia with the Air Force.

Jessica- Games
Occupation: 4th grade teacher
Reason for going to Zambia: After experiencing my first overseas mission trip in high school, I realized that I love stepping out of my comfort zone and seeing how God works through me and in spite of me to accomplish his work no matter what part of the world I am in. When I learned that McKinney was sending a team to Zambia and heard that the team would be working in an orphanage, I knew I wanted to be a part of it!

Dakotah- Games
Occupation: Teacher- 3rd grade last year, 4th grade next year
Reason for going to Zambia: God has given me an unspeakable passion for the children of the world, and I have felt His leading
me to work with orphans in Africa for some time now. God provides a way for eternal life, and I feel we have to be His hands and feet and show the world His love and eternal gift to us.
Interesting Fact: I would love to adopt a child from an African country one day.

Nathan- Medical Team in Zimba
Occupation: Ultrasound Sonographer
Reason for going to Zambia: I have always thought about and wanted to be a part of a medical team overseas ever since I took my first mission trip to Mexico in high school.

Jodie- Bible lessons
Occupation: Preschool teacher and stay-at-home mom
Reason for going to Zambia: 1 My heart for ministry is to serve the poor and needy in foreign places around the world. 2 I love
working with children. 3 I love being placed in settings that are uncomfortable for me because they cause me to rely on the Lord and be completely dependent on Him. This trip to Zambia is a perfect fit for me because it combines all three of these things.
Interesting Fact: I am married to Rob Sweet, who is also going on this trip. We have two daughters who will be staying with
grandparents-- Ansley is 4 1/2 and Elysa is 1 1/2 years old.

Jade- Crafts
Occupation: RN in the ICU at JPS
Reason for going to Zambia: Missions has been on my heart since I was a little girl. When I became a nurse, the desire for overseas missions came back even more. I was praying and looking for an opportunity to go on a mission trip and knew that God wouldn't give me this passion for nothing. I started going to McKinney and God gave me this opportunity.

Kara- Crafts
Occupation: 9th grade English teacher
Reason for going to Zambia: I love going on mission trips, and I felt that God was leading me to go on this one as a new and unique experience. While I've been on short-term mission trips before, they've all been in Europe, and the prospect of going to Africa was different and pretty intimidating. When I felt that God was calling me to go on this trip, I knew it would be a wonderful new experience in which He could teach me a lot. I also look forward to being able to help out some kids who really need it and share God's love with them in their incredibly difficult circumstances. I pray that our team will be a blessing to the people of Zambia, and that God will teach both us and them great things through our trip there.

Brandi- Music
Occupation: Opera Singer
Reason for going to Zambia: I've always wanted to work with the AIDS orphans in Africa, and when this mission team was first
presented at McKinney, I knew that God was leading me to go!

Sarod- Games
Occupation: Freight Railroad
Reason for going to Zambia: It's Zambia!

Scott- Crafts
Occupation: Real Estate Broker
Reason for going to Zambia: For the great adventure of following God wherever He calls me, and to bring hope to the hopeless
Interesting Fact: I am also praying God uses this trip to Zambia to awaken my heart to His love, that I may come home comprehending more of "the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that I may be filled with all the fullness of God."

A glimpse of Chifundo Mission School

2009-06-10T15:53:00.000-07:00

Chifundo Mission School is a community school in Chainda, a poor neighborhood/shanytown of Lusaka, Zambia. In Zambia, there are three types of schools: public schools (run by the government some with fees and limited spaces), private schools (for people with money), and community schools (in poor communities, run by churches and other NGOs). Chifundo is the main project of Mercy Ministries founded by Dorothy Phiri, a Zambian woman with a miraculous vision.

Chifundo serves 370 children, almost all orphans and vulnerable children with special needs or HIV/AIDS. They live in the community with a parent or relative. It is an elementary school with children ranging in age from 4-16 years old. Many of them do not speak English, but are eager for a chance to learn the language. Most of the children read far below their grade level or not at all. There is a huge need for improvement in classroom instruction.

The goal of our trip to Chifundo Mission school is to minister to God's beautiful children through Vacation Bible School and to train the teachers at the school to instruct the children with the most beneficial methods possible. We will have Bible lessons, crafts, music, games, and English lessons Monday through Thursday. Each day we will emphasize a particular instructional method for the teachers to learn, such as transitions, small groups, and peer tutoring.

Another important part of our mission team will be doing medical work in Zimba. Please keep them in mind as they minister to families as well.

Welcome!

2009-04-11T21:39:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Fort Worth to Zambia, the blog of McKinney Church's Zambia mission team. Thanks for partnering with us — without your prayers and financial support, this ministry would not be possible. On this blog, we'll update you as we head to Zambia this summer to serve at a mission hospital and an orphanage. Though we don't completely understand it, we believe God moves when we pray, so we are so thankful for your desire to pray for us as we prepare for this ministry.

We hope this blog gives you a glimpse of what God is doing through McKinney Church and around the world. Stay tuned: We'll keep you posted as we go.