A Mother's Heart Part 2

All of my life I have wanted nothing more than to have my own family and to be a mother. I can remember just like yesterday a time when I was about 5 or 6 years old. I was at my grandmother's house and she and my mom were getting things ready for dinner and it was my job to set the table. I looked at my mom and grandmother with a napkin in hand and said, "when I grow up, I am going to have 100 kids." I remember my mom laughing and saying, "I think you will change your mind when you get older." I continued to insist that I would have 100 children. I have always loved kids and my love for children has increased more and more the older I have grown.
I have the priveledge of sponsoring a precious young lady named Paulina who lives at the Tree of Life. She has never known her parents since they passed away when she was only a baby and before coming to live at the Tree of Life, she lived with her grandmother and aunt. I have loved every minute that I have been able to spend with her during my trips to Zambia. This time, it came with an even bigger blessing. I have had the opportunity to attend church with Paulina every Sunday as well as see her every Friday night. There have been some other opportunities to spend time with her, but no better blessing than a letter she gave me. As I opened it, my eyes were not ready for what I was about to read.... "Dear Mom,". The thought that she considers me a mother to her is a huge priveledge. I love her just as if she were my own and my heart yearns for every opportunity I have to spend with her.
The Lord knows my desire to have children of my own, but until then, he has given me the biggest priviledge to love on precious children here in Zambia who are either double orphans or single orphans. I don't know why God has chosen me, but I am so thankful and humbled that He chose me and has blessed my heart so much with these children!!!
Even though I am not officially a mother, I feel like God has given me a small peek into the heart of a mother's love for her children. I know how much my heart completely LOVES these children that live on the other side of the world from me, and that the depth of the heart of a mother is greater than one can imagine!!! Only second to the love that comes from our Heavenly Father, my prayer is that everyone can feel the love that comes from a child!!
Lord, thank you for Your unconditional love you give us and thank you for the love that comes from these precious children and the precious children at home too!!

A Mother's Heart

I had the blessing of being able to take a couple of ladies on a Father's Heart trip (this is where the American's get to go to the home of their sponsored child) this past Saturday. I am so glad that The Lord allowed me to be a part of this special time.
When we arrived at the little girls house, she was so quiet but very excited to see her new sponsor. As we were visiting Natasha, her mother began telling her story.
Natasha lived with her mother, father, and brother. Everything was going well for Zambia, but things were about to change when Natasha was only seven years old. A man began coming around that would bring the family gifts and was very friendly. Natasha would go with him sometimes (which in Zambia, is very common to see children running around with no adult supervision.) One day a man came to the family's house with Natasha asking the mother if this was her child. The mother asked what she had done and the man told the mom how he had found this man raping Natasha. They took her to the hospital where they confirmed that this was in fact what had happened and then they went to the police. The police looked for the man but were unable to locate him. The mother found out that this was not the first time that the man had raped Natasha and she was afraid to tell anyone because he had threatened to kill her. Soon after this all happened, her father left their family to "find work" and after 5 months passed the mother soon realized that he was not coming back. Without a way to provide for her children, the family moved in with Natasha's grandfather and he does peace work (which is finding any job they can each day) to try to provide for his family.
After a couple of years, Natasha began getting very sick and she began having difficulty breathing as well as having developed a very bad cough. They took her to the hospital where they tested her as well as the mother and brother for Aids. After the test results came back, the nurses came in to talk to the mother and said there was no way that Natasha was her daughter. Her mother repeatedly told them that she was her daughter and that is when they told the mom that Natasha was HIV positive but the mom and son were negative. The mom then told them about what had happened to Natasha a few years prior.
We were asking the mom about the free ARV's they have available for people with HIV and she went across the room where she picked up a pink card and a zippered bag full of medicine. Seeing the bag of medicine, card filled with dates of clinic visits, and tears streaming down a mother's face was almost more than my heart could bear.
This was the first time I have been in Zambia and seen a mother's heart completely broken. Always before I have seen broken children's hearts, but as I prayed coming and am still praying that God would give me His heart for his people. I hurt so bad for this mother as she sees her child that is struggling to live with this wretched disease. I sat by this mother as she was continually wiping tears from her face and could hardly contain my pain for her. I know in a heartbeat her mother would take this disease herself if it meant that her daughter could be healthy.
Not having any children, I can only imagine the heartbreak that this mother carries with her daily. I know how broken my heart was and how much I have thought about this precious family, but I cannot fathom the depth of pain this mother feels.
Lord, I thank you for giving me a window into this mother's heart. I pray that you would strengthen her as well as bring comfort and peace to the mother's heart. Lord, what the devil intended for evil, you will turn to good and it will all be for your glory.
PS: I know this post was long, but I will have a part two of a mother's heart coming soon.
Thank you for your continued prayers! Love, Allison

Lord, Heal Your Children's Broken Hearts

Every year that I have come to Zambia God shows me a little more of His love and brokeness for His children. In coming to Zambia this year I prayed that God would break my heart for what breaks His and help me to love more like He loves. Little did I know over these past two weeks the way that God would break my heart for His broken children. Precious little Isaac who had such a hard time the week before last had another tough week. This past Wednesday, little Isaac was very upset again when he had consequences of his behavior by having to clean. After throwing about 6 items out of the window, and moving stuff around the room, he decided once again that he would clean. (This was around an hour that this was all happening)
While he was staring at me (I think wondering if I was going to give in) I just asked The Lord to show me how to love Isaac. I have a hard time getting him to truly look at me as he usually just hangs his head while he is trying to avoid me. The room was cleaned and I walked him out to the end of the school so he could go home and I asked him if he would like me to walk him home or if he wanted to go by himself. He wanted to go on his own, but then he wouldn't leave. He began tearing up some of the outside work that was being done and after several warnings, I finally told him that I would have to walk him home. (On a side note, he lives in one of the farthest houses from the school). He then refused to walk home with me and began throwing a fit. One of the house moms came over from the house right across from the school and talked to him and it didn't help. She eventually got one of the fourth grade boys to pick him up and he was to carry him home. As soon as he picked him up I could visually see Isaac go into survival mode and he began hitting the older boy in the face and so as I was pulling his hands down he decided to bite my hand. I know that his intent was not to hurt me, but to survive. The older child and I finally got him home after about 15 minutes and I was trying to get out of the house as quick as I could before I completely burst out into tears.
God was breaking my heart for his broken children. Walking back across the field, tears started streaming down my face over the heartbreak I had for this child. As soon as I got to the nurses office to get my finger cleaned up I completely lost it and was in tears. (The sweet nurse didn't know what to do with this white lady crying and for those of you who know me well know that I have an ugly cry). I could hardly get out the words "I'm not crying over my finger, but because my heart is broken for this 7 year old boy who is so angry. What has his life been like?" The discipleship leaders that work with the kids at the Tree of Life brought Isaac back to apologize (and as frustrated as I was with him,) I looked at him and said, "Isaac, there is nothing you can ever do to me to make me not love you. And, there is nothing you can do to make God not love you and take care of you." I prayed that day that he truly heard me even as mad as he was at me.
Later I found out that this little boy had only been fed beer from the time that he was two and when he came to live at the Tree of Life he was addicted. I don't understand why some children have to go through the things they do as a child (things that I have never had to face) but what a mighty God we have that he pulls his children up out of the muck and rescues them. I know that God restores His children, and as hard as it was, I thank Him for giving me a minute glimpse of what breaks His heart.
 Lord, I ask that you would continue to show me how to love those that are considered unlovable, those considered unwanted, and those considered worthless. Thank you Lord for giving ALL of your children worth and value.
Lord, please continue to heal your children's broken hearts!!
Right before I left on Friday, he walked up to me and so quietly without looking at me said, "I love you Teacher Allison" If you think about sweet Isaac, please pray for him and for the restoration of his heart.

Kids are Kids & I Love Them!

Kids are Kids No Matter Where You Are!!

I am half way through my teaching of the first teaching trip. It has been quite the humbling experience. I am teaching in grade 1 and my teacher that I have been partnered with has been really sick. She went home sick last Wednesday and was out on Thursday and Friday. I have always felt like one of my strengths was classroom management and that has become a very humbling experience for me over the last week. I haven't ever prayed so hard while trying to figure out how to handle certain situations.
On the first day my teacher was out, I had a student get very angry while he had been asked to clean. I think he is used to refusing while in the classroom and then when it is time to go home they just send him home because they don't want to mess with him anymore. I didn't let him leave with the rest of the class because he hadn't swept like he was asked too. Well, that didn't go over well at all. I was having flashbacks to some past experiences I have had teaching in my own classroom. As I am standing in the doorway and the child is trying to push me out of his way, I am praying Lord please give me some ideas quickly. Over about a 45 minute time period, he flipped over a table, threw the broom out the window, and started throwing chairs. While all of this was going on, I kept saying in my sweetest teacher voice "you may go home as soon as you sweep." I think I probably said it at least 50 times. Once the chairs started getting thrown, I said, "Lord, please help me because I am out of ideas." I started singing Jesus Loves the Little Children out loud and he started knocking the chairs over slower and more gently. After about 10 verses of the song, I looked at him and saw him trying to pick the table back up. I said, "I will help you if you need help and we turned the table back over and he started picking up the chairs." He then picked up the broom and swept the classroom. 
I kept thinking kids are kids no matter where you are. Lord thank you for helping me through that day....I couldn't have made it through the day without the Lord's help. Thank you Lord for your strength, wisdom, and love!!

My Heart is Overflowing!!

I arrived in Zambia on Thursday morning at 5:50 in the morning! One of my favorite things is to step off the plane and go down the steps onto the tarmack into the fresh Zambian air. I hit the ground running after I got my bags and by the grace of God, I had energy to get me through the day without needing a nap. I had a meeting with the American who is over all of the schools here, visited 4 schools, bought a Zambian phone, went to lunch, and then had a meeting with the teachers who I will be working with for the next couple of weeks, and this was all done before 4:00. After all of that was the best treat of all. The kids from the Tree of Life were waiting for the Americans to come down from camp and I was watching them as my sweet Paulina ran up to me, put her arms around me and just started crying happy tears. She held onto me forever and I LOVED every minute of it!! I was able to visit with her for a few minutes and then they went to greet the Americans. I was standing back and this girl was walking toward me and I looked up at her face and it was my precious AnnMarie that I had at camp in 2007 & 2008. She had been moved into the Tree of Life the week before I got there! I thought I would becoming with the suprises and I was so suprised and happy to see her! She was happy and healthy and looked so good!!
Yesterday, I was at the FCA (which is the school at the Tree of Life), and was able see so many beautiful faces. Being with those kids fills me up to the brim and it overflows. These kids are so happy and joyful and I love how The Lord has redeemed them from the worst situations and brought them into a life of safety, love, and hope. That afternoon we went to camp and took communion with the kids. WOW, what a special and amazing time!!!!! Greer read something over them and the tears started streaming uncontrollably down my face. Through what he was reading he was telling the kids over and over how they were created in God's image, they were created with a purpose, and that God has a future for them. The kids at camp are in such tough situtations and then they exhibit such joy and happiness that could only come from The Lord. I LOVE being here!!!
The new group of teachers arrived this morning and we are getting ready to start a great two weeks of teaching. Please continue to be in prayer for all of the teachers, the kids, health,strength and wisdom to follow God's moving. Thank you for going before us in prayer!

My Heart is Overflowing!!

I arrived in Zambia on Thursday morning at 5:50 in the morning! One of my favorite things is to step off the plane and go down the steps onto the tarmack into the fresh Zambian air. I hit the ground running after I got my bags and by the grace of God, I had energy to get me through the day without needing a nap. I had a meeting with the American who is over all of the schools here, visited 4 schools, bought a Zambian phone, went to lunch, and then had a meeting with the teachers who I will be working with for the next couple of weeks, and this was all done before 4:00. After all of that was the best treat of all. The kids from the Tree of Life were waiting for the Americans to come down from camp and I was watching them as my sweet Paulina ran up to me, put her arms around me and just started crying happy tears. She held onto me forever and I LOVED every minute of it!! I was able to visit with her for a few minutes and then they went to greet the Americans. I was standing back and this girl was walking toward me and I looked up at her face and it was my precious AnnMarie that I had at camp in 2007 & 2008. She had been moved into the Tree of Life the week before I got there! I thought I would becoming with the suprises and I was so suprised and happy to see her! She was happy and healthy and looked so good!!
Yesterday, I was at the FCA (which is the school at the Tree of Life), and was able see so many beautiful faces. Being with those kids fills me up to the brim and it overflows. These kids are so happy and joyful and I love how The Lord has redeemed them from the worst situations and brought them into a life of safety, love, and hope. That afternoon we went to camp and took communion with the kids. WOW, what a special and amazing time!!!!! Greer read something over them and the tears started streaming uncontrollably down my face. Through what he was reading he was telling the kids over and over how they were created in God's image, they were created with a purpose, and that God has a future for them. The kids at camp are in such tough situtations and then they exhibit such joy and happiness that could only come from The Lord. I LOVE being here!!!
The new group of teachers arrived this morning and we are getting ready to start a great two weeks of teaching. Please continue to be in prayer for all of the teachers, the kids, health,strength and wisdom to follow God's moving. Thank you for going before us in prayer!

It's Time!!!

Time to go!

200 pounds of bags are packed and I'm still wondering what I have forgotten! I knew last fall that I would be spending my summer in Zambia and it seemed like it was taking forever for it to get here, but now it's time!

I am anxious to see the way The Lord is going to work this summer as He is continuing to transform lives. Not only does God transform the lives of the Zambians we work with but He is also transforming the Americans lives too.

As I leave I ask that you would join with me in prayer:

• Pray for traveling safety as well as safety while I am there.
• Pray against any sickness. It's winter there right now and it is very dry. I have my bag of medicine ready but pray I don't need it!
• Pray for wisdom and guidance from The Lord to direct each of my steps and words.
• Pray for the teachers that we will be working with. Pray that not only will we share new ways of teaching strategies with them but that they will also be encouraged and refreshed.
• Pray for the kids we will be working with. I pray that as we are helping them in their education, they will see and feel the love of Christ. I pray they will see that they have worth and that they are dearly loved. (I can't wait to love on those kids!)
• I have been praying that God would allow me to see people through His eyes and love them like He does.
• Pray that my heart would be completely sensitive to the Lords leading and guiding.

God is so good and I cannot wait to see what is going to happen this summer! I will post updates as Internet is available. Thank you so much for your prayers and support!
Love,
Allison

What Would my Picture look like?

WOW, this is powerful!!  I hope that you will take a few minutes to watch this video. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpaOjMXyJGk&feature=player_embedded

We always seem to be our own worst critic.  I just wonder what my picture would look like if God were describing me to an artist.   This really makes me think.  Do people really see God in me on a daily basis?  Do they see joy, hope, love, mercy, patience, and peace?  I want to be a reflection of who God created me to be!


"So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:26-28

 

“You are a miracle.  Each person created in the image of God bears the value and significance of their Creator.  The God who spoke creation into being created YOU on PURPOSE, with a unique personality and personhood, and He gifted you to make a mark on other people’s lives for His glory.” ~ Rick McKinley: A Kingdom Called Desire

THANK YOU!!!

Thank you Lord for your unending faithfulness!! 

"I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness through all generations" Psalm 89:1

I am so humbled at everyone’s generosity in giving towards my trip back to Zambia!  I received all of the money that I need for my trip and was so overwhelmed with God’s goodness through it!  I am so grateful for each one of you and for your support and prayers. 

All of the teachers that will be going to Zambia for the Teach One trip met this weekend for a meeting and it made me even more excited!  I absolutely cannot wait to see the ways in which God is going to move in the kids, Zambian teachers, and the American teachers.  Other than these kids coming to know Christ, the biggest thing that will change their future is getting an education.  I am so very grateful for the hearts of the Zambian teachers that work with these kids every day and in the ways that they love them through the struggles faced on a daily basis.

Thank you again for everything!!! 

                                                                                                                      Love,     Allison  

Some of the most precious ladies ever! 
I cannot wait to teach with them again in Zambia this summer!

 

"For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies" Psalm 108:4


 

T-Shirts

Family & Friends,

Some of the other teachers and I were trying to find additional ways to raise funds for our trip to Zambia. We decided to sell tshirts to help with the cost.  They are $20 each and the funds raised will go towards my trip. They are regular cut red tshirts. If you would like to order a shirt, please email me and I will give you my address as to where you can send a check.  If  I will be mailing the shirt to you, please include $5 for shipping.  I will place the orders on March 7. 

My email address is allisonerhodes@gmail.com

I am thankful for each one of you and all of the encouragment and support you give me as I prepare to go back to Zambia!!

If you would like to contribute directly to my trip, you can donate online at: http://donate.familylegacy.com/allisonrhodes

Love,

Allison

 

Kings & Queens

This is a fairly new song to me and every time  I hear it, I can just picture the beautiful faces of children who are considered “the least of these” in Zambia.    What an amazing God we serve that He wraps each one of His children in His love and majesty!!!

 

Here is a link to the youtube video and I have the lyrics below.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U64bongHqYU
 

“Kings and Queens” by: Audio Adrenaline

Little hands, shoeless feet, lonely eyes looking back at me
Will we leave behind the innocent too brief
On their own, on the run when their lives have only begun
These could be our daughters and our sons
And just like a drum I can hear their hearts beating
I know my God won’t let them be defeated
Every child has a dream to belong and be loved

Chorus:
Boys become kings, girls will be queens
Wrapped in Your majesty
When we love, when we love the least of these
Then they will be brave and free
Shout your name in victory
When we love when we love the least of these
When we love the least of these

Break our hearts once again
Help us to remember when
We were only children hoping for a friend
Won’t you look around these are the lives that the world has forgotten
Waiting for doors of our hearts and our homes to open

CHORUS

If not us who will be like Jesus
To the least of these
If not us tell me who will be like Jesus
Like Jesus to the least of these


Boys become kings, girls will be queens
Wrapped in your majesty
When we love, when we love the least of these
Then they will be brave and free shout your name in victory
We will love we will love the least of these
We will love the least of these
We will love the least of these
We will love the least of these
We will love the least of these
We will love the least of these

 

Please partner with me in prayer as I prepare to return to Zambia this summer for 6 ½ weeks. I am so excited and thankful God has called me back.  If you want to partner with me financially, I need to raise $5200 by the end of March. 

Your tax deductible donation can be done online or by check.   

You can go to this link and donate online:  http://donate.familylegacy.com/allisonrhodes

Or you can send a check to:

Family Legacy Missions International
5005 W. Royal Lane, Suite 252
Irving, TX 75063
In the memo line, write: Allison Rhodes/Teach One 2013