Staying Busy...

So I know it’s been awhile but things have been busy as always! We have moved 7 more kids into our CRC’s and it continues to be a daily and weekly thing. Praise God for the ways He has provided for these kids. I have been taking sponsors on what we call The Father’s Heart Trip in which our sponsors can physically go visit their child and see where they live. It’s one of my favorite things because it blesses both the American sponsor and the child and their families. From last Thursday up to Tuesday I had sponsors here and I was taking them around to see our offices in Chilenje, our LIFEWAY Students, and introducing them to our CRC’s where we have children living. I love getting to tell the stories of the kids who we have had the privilege of rescuing and bringing restoration to their life. What joy it brings me to see the smiles on all their faces and hope in their eyes again.

Beginning last Thursday I have also been spending a lot of time with our LIFEWAY Students. They range between 12 and 22yrs old. I literally walked on foot with our LIFEWAY Coordinator to all of the homes we have for our students. We have 7 in total and it took some time to get to all these places but I realized that this is how they manage to move around. It’s slow but they get there. I enjoyed being outside and taking in everything. So many times we are rushing around and missing what is before us and so the Lord gave me that time. I loved getting to talk with some of the kids there and see where they live. Starting yesterday (Wednesday) I have spent my entire days in Chilenje doing an “exhaustive evaluation” with our LIFEWAY program. We are going to be improving a lot so I have needed to pay extra attention to it all. It’s been fun to have a 20 minute conversation with all the kids we are supporting. Even tomorrow I will be there finishing up some evaluations with some students, teachers, and house parents. Saturday and Sunday I will be compiling all of the information together. It’s been interesting to hear different people’s opinions and perspective on things.

In about 9 days I will be leaving to go back to the States. I am in shock and denial that it is already time. I can’t believe how the time has passed so quickly. I know that I am not ready to say good-bye to everyone here, both our Zambians on full-time staff and the kids. So many things have happened this summer and still there is so much to be accomplished before I leave. I am going through moments of sadness with having to say good-bye to everyone. Just when things are going smoothly and I am getting into a good rhythm with everyone is the time I have to leave. Our Zambians here are unbelievable! Their work ethic, love for what they do, their passion for God, and their obedience to bringing restoration to the lives of these children blows me away. I am so humbled to work alongside these people who have given up so much to bring life to so many! I love all of them and they have become like family to me. It’s going to be so difficult when I have to leave them.

But for now…I still have 9 days left!! Praise the Lord! One more week to pour everything I have out to everyone here! Oh how I pray that God is pleased with what I have been doing. I pray that I will continue to die to myself everyday and take of my cross to follow the footsteps of Jesus. Please pray over the next 9 days and even thereafter…

Living my life for the Glory of HIS Name,
Joy