God Doesn't Call Us to Easy

Zambia holds such a special place in my heart, but this week has been hard....really hard! Monday morning I walked into a room that was about 8 x 8 and excitedly looked at the faces of 23 grade 1 students. Little did I know in that moment how difficult the next 3 hours would be, and by the end of that time I would want to get on a plane to come home. Each morning as I woke up, I dreaded the fact that I was going to have to walk into that room. Don't get me wrong, there were precious children in that room, but the sheer chaos made me want to turn the other way. It was constant fighting: hitting, kicking, yelling, etc. I've worked with kids who are aggressive before here and at home and have been able to to see progress, but this week as each day came around, it seemed as if the chaos became increasingly more along with my frustration and discouragement. Thursday was the climax of my total disbelief of the situation. At one point there were 3 American teachers in the room and it was as if I had dropped 1 piece of meat among a pack of wolves and they were all fighting for it. As I was reflecting and praying that night, I felt like the Lord impressed on my heart that He doesn't always call us to easy and fun ( not that teaching anywhere here is easy) but sometimes He calls us to hard and difficult. I have to remember that it's not me doing it but that it is totally and fully the Lord. Those of you who know me well know that I don't like to feel out of control at all and am such a planner. This week all of that went out the window as I was completely out of control and couldn't plan from one minute to the next as to what was going to happen in that classroom. Thankfully the Lord has it all under control and He knows what each second holds, not just in that room, but in each and everyone of our lives. As much as I want to see what's coming so I can prepare, I'm thankful for a God who sees me at every moment and already has my steps planned out. Not only did God show me once again that I have to give complete control over to Him, He showed me brokenness in the eyes of these children. This area of Zambia is one of the roughest areas Family Legacy works in, and it's such a dark place. These sweet kids are trying to survive and they are starving for attention. They don't care if it's positive or negative, they just want to be seen! Sweet little John was the smallest kid in the class and all he knew was to fight. As I looked into his eyes, you could see the deep hurt and longing for love. He and I spent lots of one on one time together as he was throwing trash on me, "trying to choke me", kicking me, and hitting me. At the end of it all as hard as it was, he would melt into my arms and hold on tight. John longs to be loved, to be wanted, to be seen. Aren't we all like that?  We want someone to love us and see us. Why some of us are so blessed with families that love well and others , like John, are not I don't know. What I do know is, we have a God that loves deep and wide. A God that sees us to our very core. A God that doesn't make mistakes and places us right where He wants us to draw us closer to Him. I can't "fix" Johns classroom as much as I tried this week. It's not mine to fix, but God put me there to love those kids and their teacher through the chaos and hurt. I don't know how well I did that this week, but it doesn't matter what I did, but what God has done and is continuing to do. As I'm moving into this last week here in Zambia I would love all of your prayers that I would love well this week. Also, that no matter what happens or presents itself that God would be glorified and seen through it all. I'm so grateful for each and everyone of you who prays me through this journey.

Heading Back to Zambia & Staring Fear in the Face

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world give.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” 

John 14:27

I am getting on a plane in 10 days to head back to Zambia!  This is a place that has my heart and has been a place that has brought great excitement and joy in my life despite the harsh conditions there.  Since coming back from Zambia in January, I have had a hard time getting excited about this upcoming trip because of the fear that has crept in.  Each day, the phone call of my mom’s voice plays in my head that my grandmother is gone, which causes me to re-live standing in my room in Zambia in complete and utter shock and heartbreak!  I can vividly see every detail still; what I was wearing, what I was doing, and the friends that came into my room to comfort me. 

Fear has never been something associated with me going to Zambia until now.  I have been battling fear of something major happening again while I am gone as this upcoming trip approaches.  I know that fear is not from the Lord and I ask that you all pray for me as I get on that plane 10 days from now.  Through it all though, I will say that my relationship with the Lord is on a deeper level and for that I am so grateful.  I have always “known” that the Lord will carry you through anything, but to truly live that is a whole other feeling.  I now know firsthand what it feels like to only be able to function because He carried me through each day!  I still can say “It is Well” and I know that no matter what happens while I am gone, the Lord is good and He will never leave my side.  I am thankful that the Lord takes heartbreak and makes something good from it…every single time! 

I appreciate all of the prayers you lift up each and every time that I go to Zambia.  Here are some specific things that I would appreciate prayers for as I am preparing to leave as well as while I am there. 

Pray:

       1.       That they Lord would be glorified in all that I and our team do in the schools

       2.       That I would lean on the Lord and hear His voice in each step and step out in faith

       3.       That our team would be cohesive and bond quickly

       4.       That the teachers we are working with would be receptive and excited about working together

       5.       That if there are children in immediate need the Lord would put a spotlight on them as we are in          the schools

       6.       That no matter what the Devil throws our way (which he always tries something) we would                 quickly recognize it and press into the Lord

       7.       That we would remember that no matter what obstacles we come against, God called each of us           there for a reason

       8.       That we would be safe in our travels and that our entire team would stay healthy

       9.       That I would have an open heart, eyes, and ears for what God wants me to do while I am there

      10.     That fear wouldn’t prevent anything that the Lord has already set in motion.

 Thank you again for your continuous support!  I could not return each year without every one of you and although most of you will never go to Zambia, you are such a big part of what is going on there through your support.  I wish I could capture the sounds, smells, and joy in the pictures I take to bring back to you.  It is such a blessing that the Lord has called me back again and I am expectantly waiting to see what He will do once again in the teachers, kids, and me.  I love each one of you so much!  Allison

He is Good!

God is Good

“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6

We have good God and I have always know that, but sometimes things happen and it makes it all so much more real.  He becomes a good God that you cling to more and go deeper with.  I know that I have shared bits of what God has done in me through my grandmother passing away and again He has been stirring my heart with reminders of His goodness in something that has caused so much pain.  I apologize now for the length of this, but stay with me, because He shows himself faithful time and time again of how good He is to His children.

The 9 months before my grandmother went to heaven had been really tough on her.  It started by her falling and breaking her pelvis for a second time and after rehab she was moved into an assisted living facility much to her dislike.  While there, she fell again and this time broke her neck.  Each time she fell and hit her head, her memory became a little worse.  Fast forward to her birthday week and she was doing fairly well and then all of sudden after one night’s sleep she was substantially different! (I think she may have had a mini stroke at that time). 

I went to Abilene to celebrate my grandmother turning 90 in October and that day was so good!  She was happy and we talked and just spent precious time together just the two of us.  The next day is when she took the turn of wanting to sleep and not being able to remember anything at all in her short term memory.  I can remember trying to hold myself together when I was with her so that she couldn’t see how sad it made me.  The next couple of months were still tough for her, but slowly she started getting back to herself. 

Christmas day came and it was just going to be my parents, grandmother and myself celebrating that day. (We would celebrate with the whole family the following day)  She was feeling so good on Christmas day and she looked absolutely beautiful!!  We all had lunch together and we laughed and laughed.  One of the funniest memories from that day (which she would kill me if she knew I was sharing this with everyone) was when she needed to go to the bathroom.  We were eating at the independent living cafeteria (which was very nice and attached to the nursing home) and so I was taking her to the bathroom so she didn’t fall.  We get into the stall and she is starting to sit down and starts using the bathroom as she is hovering over the potty.  I immediately said, “grandmother what are you doing? Why aren’t you sitting down?”  She immediately said, “I am not sitting on that seat, you have no idea who has been sitting there.” She and I both started laughing so hard that neither one of us could talk or stop laughing.  As soon as one of us would almost stop the other one would begin laughing so hard again that it just continued.  Christmas day together was so special and GOOD.  The Lord had it all planned so perfectly knowing what would be coming in just a few short weeks.  He was good in all of us celebrating Him together, good in allowing us to laugh and laugh hard, good in allowing her to feel well, and good in us being able to make beautiful memories from that day.  I am so very thankful to the Lord for that day!!  It will be a precious memory forever etched in my mind. 

This is a picture that I treasure from that day that God was so good to allow us to capture. 

 God was in good in the following weeks that she was feeling good!  She was upbeat, happy, and talkative.  God was in good in that when I got on that plane to Zambia I talked to my grandmother and told her that I loved her and that I would talk to her when I got back.  (I never in a million years dreamed that would be my last time to hear her voice).    He was good in that He gave me a grandmother who believed in me, prayed for me, and loved me with all her heart!  God is good that I didn’t struggle with the decision to leave that day or not because she was doing better than she had in months!

Even after the news of my grandmother passing away, God was good.  He was good in carrying me through each day and helping me to finish what I was called to Zambia to do.  He was good in that the day my grandmother had her stroke, she was able to let my mom know that she wanted me to stay there in Zambia (which is a decision I struggled with and only stayed because that was her wish).  God was good the whole time I was there in showing me glimpses of her each day even up till the minute I was driving off to the airport.  The other ladies that were leaving the following day as me stood on the curb and waved good bye until I was out of sight.  They didn’t know this, but that is what my grandmother would do anytime we left her house.  God is so good in reminding us that He is always there in every little detail and for that I am so thankful!

The day before I left, I was starting to get anxious, because going home and not seeing my grandmother was going to make it real.  This is a picture of His beautiful promise of His faithfulness.

God is good in that He LOVES us unconditionally, He is good in His perfect plan, He is good in the details, He is good in the memories, He is good in the peace and comfort that can only come from Him, and He is good in all that He does.  I am thankful that His goodness shines through even in the pain.  Thank you Lord for being such a good, good, Father!

I pray that you will see God's goodness in your life each and every day!  

He is a good Father even in the pain!

It is Well

It is Well

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4

It is well….those are not the words that I thought would come out of my mouth when I thought of my Grandmother’s passing.  The shock of the phone call from my mom telling me was unreal and at times felt like a really bad dream until I reminded myself that it was very real.  Those next few days in Zambia were a real struggle because I couldn’t understand God’s timing, but also knowing at the same time, His timing is perfect even if I don’t understand it.  Four days after my grandmother went to be with Jesus I was begging the Lord for His strength because all I wanted to do was get on a plane and come home from Zambia.  God is so good and He is always faithful.  That Sunday morning I went up to the top of the villa put in my earphones and went to scroll back to my playlists.  A song started playing that I hadn’t selected and it was Phil Wickham’s “It is Well.”  Immediately tears started rolling down my face.  I think I may have listened to that song 5 times before I could catch my breath and utter those very words out of my mouth.  The Lord knew that I needed to be able to truly know in my heart that it is well before I could keep going with what He had called me to do in Zambia.

Lord, thank you for your presence and that you never leave us!  God it is well with my soul!  There are days that it is hard to say because I want my grandmother here to talk to and hug, but because of you Lord, the tomb is empty.  My grandmother’s spirit is alive and well praising the Lord.  It is well that she is whole, healthy, and praising you in heaven.  It is well that she is no longer suffering, no longer needing help to do everything, and no longer in that nursing home.  It is well that you promise those who love and believe in you that we will one day rise to heaven and all be rejoicing as we worship you.  Lord, it is well that I depend on you for my next breath and steps to direct me here on this earth.  Lord it is well that apart from you we can do nothing, but through you we can do all things you have called us to.  Lord it is well that my heart aches to see and talk to my grandmother again, but that it is you that will carry me.  Lord it is well that death does not have the final say but that You do!  It is well that one day there will be no more pain, no more sorrow, and no more suffering.  You will wipe away our tears Lord and for that we must say it is well and we rejoice in you!  Lord never once will you leave me alone and my heart must continue to say, It is Well!

If you would like to hear the Phil Wickham’s “It is Well,” click the link below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51vThumuArE

Family & Friends,

   As I sit here writing an update from this past summer and plans for the upcoming summer, I am in the midst of packing for Zambia!  I am leaving this weekend for a special trip to kick off the school year and help implement a reading curriculum that will be in all 18 Family Legacy schools.  Once again, I am in awe of the Lord and all that He is doing!  This past summer, we piloted a reading curriculum over the two weeks I was there.  It was amazing to see the progress the kids made as well as the teachers.  The excitement in the teachers and kids’ faces was priceless.  There are so many stories I could tell you from this summer, but it would take lots of pages.  I was in a grade 1 classroom and it was filled with some of the most beautiful children!  There were a variety of kids; one with a seizure disorder, one with cerebral palsy, and one who was almost completely deaf.  Most of Zambia looks at children with disabilities as worthless, but the beauty in it all is that the Lord made them perfect in His image.  He picked them out and said you are worthy and placed them in an amazing school!  I was inspired by the strength, courage, and boldness they display.  Just as much as the Lord loves them, it is a constant reminder that He loves all of His children that much, you, me, every one, no matter where you are.  The Lord is so good and I am excited to see what he continues to do over the next three weeks and what He is going to do while I am in Zambia again this summer.

I have loved seeing the growth in the children through the ministry of Family Legacy.  It is nothing any one person has done, but what God has done through those He has called to go to Zambia as well as the Zambians that He is empowering to partner with the ministry.  The Lord also uses friends and family to support those that are going.  I am so thankful for each and every one of you who partner with me.  Not only for the financial support you provide, but more importantly the prayers leading up to my trip and while I am there.  My time in Zambia wouldn’t be the same without each of you!

As I go this year, I would ask for the following prayers:

1.    That the Lord would be glorified in everything we do from the airport, to the schools, and to the Americans and Zambians we interact with.

2.    That any frustration will be covered in prayer and grace.

3.    That any challenges we encounter in the classroom, as far as how to get through to the students and teachers, would be covered in wisdom.

4.    That our team of teachers would quickly bond and work well together.

5.    That the Lord would keep us healthy, give us energy, and give us stamina to get through the long days.

6.    That we would be safe and have a hedge of protection around us.

7.    That we would be sensitive to the spirit in His moving and that we will step out in faith when called on.

8.    That above all else, everyone we come in contact with would be pointed to Christ.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers.  If you feel led to help support me financially as well, my first deadline for a portion of the money is due February 1^st.  The full amount of $4900 is due by April 1^st.  To donate towards my trip, you can send a check made out to Family Legacy International and in the memo line, please write Allison Rhodes/TeachOne2016. Their address is Family Legacy, 5005 West Royal Lane, Ste. 252, Irving, TX 75063. 

 Or you can donate directly to my account through this link: www.camplifezambia.com/allisonrhodes

Thank you for your continuous support!  I am forever grateful for you and your family!

                                                                                        Love,  Allison Rhodes

 

Many of you ordered shirts from me last year.  I will be selling shirts again this year to raise money for my trip. If you would like to purchase a shirt as well, please see the order form below.  You can either email me with your shirt order at allisonerhodes@gmail.com or you can mail your order form and money to me at:

            Allison Rhodes
            10437 Nettie St
            Keller, TX 76244

***Please let me know how I can be praying for you and your family.***

 Africa T-Shirts

Thank you for supporting my return to Zambia! This year I have short-sleeve and long-sleeve shirts available in the Gildan SoftStyle brand.  The color of the short-sleeve shirts will be Heather Navy and the long-sleeve shirts will be Navy.  If you order youth sizes, they only come in short sleeve and they do not come in softstyle.

 

                                                Sizes Needed:

                                                     

Children’s Short-Sleeve Shirts $20  _______        ________      ________       _________     
                                                    YS       YM      YL       YXL                                                                 

 

Adult Short Sleeve $20 _____      ______      ______     _______      _______     _______       

(add $2.00 for 2XL or 3XL)  AS     AM     AL     AXL    A2XL   A3XL

 

Adult Long-Sleeve $25   _____      _______      _______     _______      _______     _______       

(add $3.00 for 2XL or 3XL)   AS     AM     AL     AXL    A2XL   A3XL

 

   **All orders are due by Wednesday, March 2, 2016**

If you need your shilrt mailed to you, please add $4 for shipping.

                   

You Make Me Brave

You Make Me Brave

I have so many different stories from my time this summer in Zambia but this one continues to be brought back to my mind over and over again.  My last day in the classroom in Zambia, the teacher asked the students if they would like to get up and tell stories.  I thought they would be telling pieces of their “life story” but that was not the case.  They were given the opportunity to get up and “make up” stories and they were so excited!  The first little girl to eagerly raise her hand was Emeria.  She is one of the older students in the class and has a seizure disorder as well as what appears to be minor cerebral palsy. She can get around but walks with a limp, her hands are a tad withdrawn, and she has a speech impediment.  As she walked to the front of the classroom, I wondered what her story would be.  Emeria began telling her story in Nyanja (which is the native language in Zambia) and for the first time I heard her stuttering.  I immediately wanted to jump up and help her because I was taken by surprise that she stuttered.  It wasn’t a little but a lot!  Even though I couldn’t understand a word that she said, I was fighting back tears as my heart was breaking for her more than it already was!  All I could see is how BRAVE and courageous she was amidst the laughing that was coming from the class.  She is physically handicapped and not only is her speech hard to understand, she stutters.  I know that if I were in her shoes, I would have never raised my hand and I am pretty sure I would have been staring at the floor in hopes that I wouldn’t make eye contact with the teacher. 

Precious Emeria

God just keeps reminding me that it is Him that makes us brave if we will allow him to.  God calls His children to step out in faith and I wonder how many times I haven’t been obedient because I have allowed fear to stop me.  He loves us more than we can imagine and when He calls us to something that we don’t think we can do, I just have to remember that it’s not me, it is Him.  Lord I pray that my faith will be big enough that I allow you to make me brave!  Thank you for using a 10 year old little girl who in the Zambian society is most likely looked down upon to remind me of the confidence that can only come from the Lord!!  Thank you Jesus that we can put all of our trust and confidence in you!

 There is a song that immediately popped in my head when Emeria was up speaking called “You Make Me Brave”.  Below are the lyrics which continue to speak to me and challenge me.

You Make Me Brave by: Bethel Music

I stand before You now
The greatness of your renown
I have heard of the majesty and wonder of you
King of Heaven, in humility, I bow

As Your love, in wave after wave
Crashes over me, crashes over me
For You are for us
You are not against us
Champion of Heaven
You made a way for all to enter in

I have heard You calling my name
I have heard the song of love that You sing
So I will let You draw me out beyond the shore
Into Your grace
Your grace

You make me brave
You make me brave
You call me out beyond the shore into the waves
You make me brave
You make me brave
No fear can hinder now the love that made a way

You make me brave
You make me brave
You call me out beyond the shore into the waves
You make me brave
You make me brave
No fear can hinder now the promises you made

You make me brave
You make me brave
You call me out beyond the shore into the waves

You make me brave
You make me brave
No fear can hinder now the promises you made

To hear the song click the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Hi-VMxT6fc

Love Africa shirts

As I am preparing for my return to Zambia, I am selling t-shirts to help raise money for the cost of my trip.  I am super excited about the design and can't wait to get the shirts.

I will be selling shirts through the end of February.  Sizes Youth Small- Adult XL are $20 and 2XL & 3XL are $22.  The shirts are Gildan SoftStyle and are Heather Gray.  If you would like to order a shirt, please email me your size at allisonerhodes@gmail.com and you can mail me a check.  If you need me to mail your shirt to you, please include $4 for shipping.  Thank you so much for always being so supportive of my trips to Zambia!! 

                                                                                                              Love,   Allison