AUGUST 14th BURSTING WITH JOY

This is the first chance I have had to write to you since I left the country.  Africa is truly the land where the Lord walks.  To be here and everyday arise at 6 and be served by such gracious staff at Abundant Life and then ride out on an old bus run by Beanwell and his African music but best ever is to sing with a group of amazing new friends from all across the country, Canada, South Africa, and US wonderful Christian songs such as It is well with my Soul, Exalted, Amazing Grace, to name a few.  We had worship before meals and praising with our voices every morning and evening is just so wonderful!!!Best of all leading the worship was Holly and Will and Jordan and Tim.  What a combination!! If ever there was a moment in time when I was bursting with overwhelming joy it was when I continually see the Holy Spirit filled up in Will, with his amazing words of helpful information, His way of talking to the Lord , and our Holly's humble insight when needed with additional helpful information and prayers to the Lord, that make the two of them such a wonderful team.  It was such a blessing to Les and I to see them in action for such an important task that the Lord had put on their hearts. Every morning we would ride for an hour passing the village people along the way so we really saw alot of Lusaka and the surrounding country side.  I tried to take pictures as it was definitely poverty stricken but what was so amazing was that I would slide the window open and wave at everyone when I would pass and they all waved and smiled and one woman blew me a kiss.  The people of Zambia are very special people.  They have so little and they know we have much but they are so loving and giving to us that I never felt out of place or uncomfortable - I always felt welcome where ever I went. Americans in our own country do not treat each other as well as these people treated me.  Humorous incidents --  riding the bus lots of speed bumps in town to keep cars from running into each other - very few stops signs, no lights, right of way is who moves the fastests -  lots of people in the streets at night. Every time a car would pass us on the way to Chongwe, the dust would fly so bad that we would have to close the window. Outside of town the roads were very bumpy but the Lord was with me and I never felt sick, always had so much energy every day and never felt better.  What overwhelming joy it is to serve the Lord.

This is the village in Chongwe we served.

Every day we got off the bus in the morning, we could hardly move because the children were so excited to see us that they practically climbed all over us. 

My Fathers House Day before Camp Hope we divided into groups to get to know the children already chosen for the houses. We each had to come up with a song and a flag to demonstrate the song.

This is the food we ate at the village every day - this was one of the better days. One day we just had beans. We ate what the children ate everyday when we were at their village and it was healthy and nutritious and I never felt better.

James Tai, a wonderful young man who we sponsor

Grandpa showing James how to use his new harmonica

His magnificent Mama Mary

But now let me tell you what our schedule was and what happened.  We visited the My Fathers House children that have been living in the homes because they had already been chosen from previous camps and it was such a joy to meet our sponsored child, James Tai along with his sister Victoria and his young brother Kauya sp??  .  His house mother is the amazing Mama Mary who leads much of the singing and has taken on many tasks as she has been there along time.  We had a special alone time with James and Mama Mary.  We presented the prayer blanket that my sister Sherry donated that she said women had prayed over. Mama Mary was overwhelmed. We gave James a leather bound devotional with his favorite bible verse on the front cover, my home made book mark,, a necklace with a soccer ball on it with a bible verse engraved around it and another necklace with the cross and some beading, pictures of our family members, and maps showing where we live and how far we are from Africa and Lusaka. Les had a sweet time with him as he presented him with his very own harmonica and a copy of the book Les wrote about his first 18 years of life.   We learned that James siblings had gone through the Camp Hope and been chosen but he had not so he actually went through the camp while we were there so I got to see him often. His group was with Tim and that was fortunate  Tim is the worship minister at Will and Hollys church and he is loved by so many young men and is very well versed in the bible.  (We were very fortunate to have him on the trip for worship as he had his guitar and with him leading songs it was awesome.) I was able to check on James from time to time and he seemed to be loving camp which was wonderful because he is 17 years old.  James is a soft spoken but strong and very kind to others young man.  He has many  aspirations of what he wants to do with his life but his helpfulness to others, young and old, is a wonderful character in him .  We were so happy to meet him and know the Lord will truly be blessing his life.   Kauya was always at my side when I would get off the bus in the morning and he would take my hand and ask if we would sponsor him too. He was so adorable.  I am asking the Lord to provide for us so that we can. He made my heart melt.  My heart melted many times on this trip.  Every day the children surrounded us as we got off the bus so that we could hardly get to firm ground. They were so happy to see us and hungry for the Word of God. But also someone to love on them and care for them.   One of my most treasured moments was when I washed each of my 15 children (8 and 9 years old) feet just as Jesus did at his last passover supper with his disciples before he was to be crucified.  I explained to them that story and that I love them and Jesus loves them just as He did long ago when he washed his disciples feet and that I am going to have to leave soon but my heart will always be with them and I will always pray for them and my wonderful interpreter will always be checking on them. I hope they remember my message to them that now that they know the gospel , they can forgive others and go tell others about Jesus , and live a life of love just as Christ loves us and gave himself up for us.