Monday, May 31, 2010

Here We Go

In ONE day I will be boarding the airplane. I cant believe the time has come! This trip has been a long process and its finally here. I cant wait to meet all the children at the Orphanage. That is what I am most excited about. I am NOT looking forward to the 4 days of traveling - yuck!

I know that God is going to bless my time and that God is working in amazing ways in Zambia. I have already heard wonderful stories and cant wait to see things with my own eyes!

Prayer Requests -
-ALL my traveling
-Fellow missionary Kendra who will be joining me in about 3 weeks and her travels
-The wonderful sweet Children - who are a gift from God
-My family - That God will continue to watch over them while I am gone
-My wonderful hosts Bernard and Betty - who run the Orphanage
-My other great hostesses that are allowing me to stay at their houses for a night - Ruth and Dru



Therefore I will praise you among the nations, OLord;

I will sing praises to your name. Psalm 18:49


He answered: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Luke 10:27

Good News

Good news! Everything worked out with my host in South Africa! I will have a place to sleep! Hooray! One Day! One Day!

Sunday, May 30, 2010

South Africa

Everyone say a little prayer....

I have a 15 hour lay over in South Africa. I had lined up a host that a Candler staff member knew. However, something is wrong with my email account and I cant seem to get in contact with her. Pray it all works out before I leave Tuesday! I have NO clue what to do if I cant get in contact with her!

Friday, May 28, 2010

Lucky

I am really lucky.

I have been thinking alot recently about how amazing people have been to make my trip possible.

-My family - Who isnt freaking out yet about me being in Africa...
-My host(esses) along the way - I am staying at several people's houses and people are driving me around different cities....
-Tamlyn - former missionary in Zambia has answered all of my questions and calmed me down.
-McKendree - They are letting me take off for 2 months!

There have been several people who have helped me get ready - Zach bought me luggage tags, Aaron paid 18 dollars to make sure I got a package before I left, Lindsey walked around Walmart for an hour with me picking up supplies...

God has really provided.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

It Set In

Im nervous. My butterflies and general nerves came today. I know this is going to be the most amazing experience, but today it really hit in that I will be gone for 2 months. Thats a long time! But I am still excited!!!

Where God guides, God provides!

ONE WEEK!!!

Monday, May 24, 2010

Final Plans

Excuse the long silence in between posts. I am READY to go!!! It has officially hit me that two months is a long time, but I am sooooo ready!

I finished up finals at Emory (YAH!!!), moved home, worked, hung out with family, and worked hard hard hard on my travel plans.

I officially got my visa! YAH!

I got all my shots! YAH!

I got all my paperwork done! YAH!

I have all my travel plans done! YAH!

I got commissioned by my Church! YAH!!

I have bought ALL my supplies! YAH! (Except razors because I forgot to buy them...random, I know :) )

I have my "phone tree" made for Zambia.

I took a three day class at Emory for the "Advanced Summer Con Ed Internship" which was amazing. I am getting class credit for going to Zambia. The class was amazing. It helped me think about ministry, missions, and congregations. I am studying and reflecting on how the church can have a holistic view of missions. Some questions I hope to be answering this summer are...
-What is the best way to do missions?
-How can we encourage people in local congregations to do missions?
-What are the best ways to do partnerships?
-How do we do local and worldwide missions?


I got an email from an amazing girl at the Orphanage and I wanted to share it with you...Dear Visitors,I greet you in the name of our Lord and I say how are you?I am a Zambian girl by the name of Lizzy Kaonga aged 18 years, born on 12th May 1992. I am doing my simple grade 11.On behalf of my fellow brothers and sisters at Front Porch Orphanage, I am writing this letter to you because I heard that you are planning to come and visit us for the first time. We will be very pleased to see you coming here at Front Porch Orphanage of Zambezi in Zambia.We shall appreciate if you will come here to help us in everything. Please our visitors, come and see Front Porch Orphanage, come and help us in our education because it is the only important thing that we are fighting for in this place so that we shall become somebody in future.Come and help us in clothing and food. God will bless you and your entire family of yours when you will come and help us. As the Bible says that help orphans and you will succeed in your entire life.Please come because we need your help.From Lizzy Kaonga, Front Porch Orphanage girl.

Doesnt she sound amazing? I cant wait to meet her! She sounds like a beautiful daughter of God!!!