Camp LIFE Week #1

I can't believe the first week of Camp LIFE is over...It was a blast being there with the kids and seeing them really understanding God's Love for them. I didn't know that I would be at camp this week because of my other responsibilities, but I am so thankful that I was there. I got to meet some precious kiddos...one in particular is Agness. She is 9 years old but looks like she is 5. The reason I say that is because of the effects of malnutrition and the neglect she endures. She had such a joyful spirit in her and when she saw me she would drop everything and run!! I have been trying to pick up the language a little more and surprisingly enough I am able to ask some basic questions.

*I was flying a kite for the kids at the Tree of LIFE Children's Village*

 

*This is Sara Lungu - PRECIOUS!! She will be coming to the Tree of Life Children's Village in a couple weeks! I just love this little one!! 

Anyways, week one was amazing! I still can't believe that the Lord has called me to this. I am blown away every day to wake up and have the opportunity to go love on children that are in such need. We actually heard a sermon about "Being Called by the Grace of God" on sunday. One of our very own Family Legacy Staff in Zambia spoke upon your calling and what that look likes. It was so powerful and encouraging. Pastor Angel explained that God does not call you because of your past, or from where you are now, or even what you will become in the future...but He is calling you because of HIS Grace!! We have to keep looking straight ahead and not at how God has called other people. We have been called for a specific purpose and given a divine assignment...which is to display Christ to others and to make HIM known to those who don't know Him. 

I hope everyone is doing well. Please be praying for energy. I've been battling being sick over the past few days. Many Blessings to you all! I'm going to to try to post some videos and pictures of camp. 

Love you all! 

Hustle and Bustle

Well life has not slowed down a bit! I have only 9 days until I head off to Zambia for 3 1/2 months. That is just crazy!!! I have been trying to work diligently in getting things done at work, but also trying to spend time with friends. Which I did have some of my closest friends come in town last weekend. It was so great to see both Stephanie and Garrett (I hadn't seen them since their wedding the beginning of March) and get to have some great fellowship with two of my favorite people. They came in on Friday afternoon and they took me out for a late birthday dinner at Cozymels (it has become of my favorite places to eat as well as a tradition when we all get together). Saturday morning we cooked breakfast and just got to talk about what we were learning about the Lord. We then packed up and went out to the lake that is near my house. We played a little football and then got to just sit by ourselves with the Lord. (Much needed by all of us!) That night we went to church at The Village and then hit up Starbucks on the way home. It was a great end to the night to sit and talk to one of my best friends about how we are both doing in the season and transition that we are in. I guess it's always a good conversation when there are both tears and laughter!! ha. Sunday we headed over to the last Camp LIFE meeting in Dallas. It was so fun to be with so many people who are coming to Zambia this summer. You could definitely feel the excitement from everyone there!

That about does it for this week. Everything is in full speed ahead! My packing has begun and my last minute trips to stores are in progress. I am heading to Waco on Saturday to several of my best friends before I leave. It's very bitter sweet, but I am so ready to be back in Zambia.

Please be praying for my health to stay up, for wisdom and discernment in making decisions, for the Lord to really use the gifts and passions in me to love on HIS kids, and for the Lord to reveal HIMSELF in new ways! It is a big summer ahead and I need all the prayers I can get.

Hope you all are doing well.

Serving HIM,
Joy

Better Late than Never

Just 10 days late...

If you remember...I told you in an earlier post that my family has traditions on Valentine's Day...well we still do!! Haha...on Tuesday night my sister had all of us (My parents, brother, myself, and all of her kids...there were 11 of us total!!) over for a Late Valentine's dinner. JJ makes the exact same thing my mom does on Valentine's: homemade lasagna, bread, salad, and our infamous heart shaped Red Velvet Cake. It was delicious!!

Here are a few pictures of the table and the cake!

The best part was just getting to see all my family! I hadn't seen them since our ski trip to Colorado in mid-January. It definitely was refreshing to get to be with them. My nephew and nieces literally stayed by my side. As soon as I got to my sister's house, I had Anna, Joshua and Esther all grabbing my hands and pulling me to come with them. I realized that if you need someone to just love you...let a child love on you! It makes you feel good! :) haha

Oh and my Dad gained 4 pounds! Praise the Lord! I know to some of y'all that's not a big deal, but it is to my family! We have just got to pray that he keeps gaining and not losing. He is so precious and I am still thankful that He continues to be with us each day!

Last Sunday we (Family Legacy) had our first set of team meetings for this summer. We had about 100 people come to our meeting in Dallas. It was a great turn out! These meetings always get me excited about what is to come! *If any of you want to come with us this summer please apply NOW!! We have lowered the prices until March 1st. So if you want to come be a part of this life changing journey and see what God is doing in Zambia then go to Camp LIFE 2009 . If you have questions please call me! I would love to have you come and be a part of it! (I know there are some of you out there just itching to go. Please don't miss this opportunity! You will never be the same again!)

Have a great weekend! Love yall!

Living for Him,

Joy

WOW....PRAISE GOD!!

There are so many things to be thankful for this week and I am not saying that just because Thanksgiving is a week away but for other things that were accomplished this week!! First of all...I am so thankful that it is the weekend! It's been one busy week at work and I am so glad that I have a couple days to relax, watch football, go to church, and see friends. 

I finally finished my massive project I have been working on for the past couple of weeks. PRAISE THE LORD!! I just dropped the last bucket of mail at the post office on my way home tonight. Our precious children in our program throughout Lusaka wrote Thanksgiving Day letters to their sponsors. (There were about 1000 letters that had to be sent!! ) It was a BIG project for me and I got it done!! I am going to try to put one on here so you can just see how sweet, pure, innocent, and authentic they are. That has been one of my favorite things lately that I have been able to read some of these letters. It's almost like I can picture their faces as they are writing...

Also this week... my director put up a Camp LIFE 2009 Countdown.... :) We are at 177 days until we head off to Zambia!! We designed the t-shirts, selected the songs, the versus, the daily lessons, and....discussed what we are going to BLESS the children with!!! I can't wait!! [You Camp LIFE Alumni will love what we are going to do!! And for everyone else reading this...well you just need to come to Zambia to experience it for yourself... : ) ] This coming summer is going to be so amazing and I believe God is going to move like never before in the hearts of every child. To give you an idea of what will be taking place next summer here are few things you CAN know at the moment...everything else will have to wait for the team meetings in the Spring....

Camp LIFE 2009

Theme : Jesus Loves Me

Verse : John 3:16 (main verse)

Daily Lessons: How God displays His Love on us

Songs: All I can say is...HIGH ENERGY, UPBEAT, FUN... 

(What else would you expect?? haha)

Things we are giving the children: I can't tell you.... : )

I wish I could tell you more, but I can't be the one to spill all the secrets. All I know is that this message is going to be so powerful because all of them come from such harsh, discouraging, unloving homes. I am so excited about continuing to watch the Lord move in big ways to make Himself known throughout the country of Zambia. 

Along with the Thanksgiving Letters and Camp LIFE 2009 news....I have some fun updates from my kiddos! Holly brought back all these pictures and videos. It is so amazing to me of how God is in the midst of changing a country by working through the little children. Sooo....here a few (of many) pictures of my kids from Kamanga Community....(Heather and Holly are clearly the Americans with them...haha)

*Heather is at Maggie's House...they are eating ring pops! 

*All the kids outside their home*

*All of the kids...*

*Ok...this is EMMA...remember her from this summer?? 

Well she is just LOVING being at the LIFEWAY Homes...she is such a light and I am so thankful the Lord rescued her from the horrific situation she was in. Oh and she just got "plats"...they are basically hair extensions to braid into their short shaved hair. I JUST LOVE THIS PICTURE AND THIS CHILD!! 

*Here is sweet Susan with Paul...my two favorites (besides Maggie)! 

That about does it for the week...I want to tell each of you...THANK YOU!! You all are so encouraging and provide so much support through your prayers and friendships. I would not be here if it was not the Lord using you. It is such an honor to have you come alongside me and be a part of something so much bigger than we can grasp. Thanks to all of you for your financial support. God is providing and I am so humbled by it all! PRAISE GOD FOR YOU! 

Have a great weekend everyone! Thanks for keeping up to date!! :)

Living for Jesus,

Joy

PS - I am probably going to change my URL address to something more simply like joyjanszen. I will let you know when the change happens but just a heads up.