"May the God of Hope fill you with all Joy & Peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with
HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit" Romans 15:13





Saturday, February 1, 2014

Zambian Summer 2013!


Well it only took me 6 months give an update since I am back home, but here it is!
Friends & Family,           

I am home!  I got back from Zambia at the beginning of August and I truly hit the ground running with school starting back!  I first want to thank everyone for their prayers and support on my journey to get to Zambia and while I was there.   Having the privilege of spending 6 ½ weeks in Zambia this summer was like no other time that I have been there.  It was definitely the hardest work I have done for that long of a time period, but also so rewarding.  I wouldn’t have traded it for anything!!  I was able to blog some stories while I was there and would love for you to read them whenever you have time.  The website for my blog is: www.myhopeisingodalone.blogspot.com

This was my fifth time to return to Zambia and every trip brings a deeper desire in my heart for God’s orphans.  I cannot put into words how much my heart breaks for these children and the conditions in which they have to endure.  One thing that I do know is that through their pain and hurt, the JOY of the LORD radiates out of their little bodies!  What a great promise to us all, no matter our circumstances or situations we have a God that can and will fill us with Joy and Hope!  Once again, throughout this summer, I met and fell in love with beautiful and broken children!    “I have made you and I will carry you.  I will sustain you and rescue you.”  Isaiah 46:4

Throughout my time in Zambia this summer, I had the unique opportunity to visit all 15 of the schools and do a lesson.  I loved seeing the different schools and seeing how God has them full of His children that are eager to learn.  Going back to the school I was at last year, was a HUGE blessing.  They have done so much at the school since I was there last year and it is amazing!! The pride that is in the school and the way the teachers pour their hearts into those kids is a testimony to the passion God has given them to change the children’s futures.  Some of what we were able to share with them, I could see in some of the other schools too.  They have a couple of times a year that they have teacher trainings and they were able to share with the other teachers what they learned.  It was encouraging to know that God is using the Teach One trips to make a visible and immediate difference.

I listened daily to the song “Oceans” by Hillsong United and prayed these words in the song.  Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders,  Let me walk upon the waters,  Wherever You would call me, Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander,  And my faith will be made stronger,  In the presence of my Savior”  I never knew where each day was going to take me while I was there in Zambia and would often find myself in situations that I had to completely trust the Lord to lead me in how to handle a situation.  God would reveal ideas to me to try that I knew only came from him because I wouldn’t have ever thought of them.   Each step I took this summer was in total dependence on the Lord.  I’m so thankful we have a God that has each step planned for us.  As much as my heart longs to be in Zambia, I have felt like the Lord has told me that I am not supposed to go back this next summer.  As much as I am missing those sweet kids, I know that God has a time and season for everything. 

Please continue to pray for the Zambian teachers and precious kids that God is working in and using to change the face of Zambia.  Also, please pray for the Americans that are living full time in Zambia. 

I love this quote from Katie Davis:  “I have learned that I will not change the world.  Jesus will do that.  I can, however, change the world for one person.  So I keep loving one person at a time.  Because this is my call as a follower of Jesus.”     What a beautiful reminder of what God has called all of us to do no matter who we are and where we live.   

      Thank you again and I pray that 2014 is full of endless blessings for you and your family!                                                                         Love,  Allison