A Letter from Zambia

Back at the very beginning of June, Ben and I began sponsoring a little boy from Zambia through World Vision. It was one of those things where I knew without a doubt that God was asking us to do this. I had been at the Beautiful Life conference in Greensboro on June 1, and was supposed to be going back on the morning of June 2nd to finish up the conference. On Friday they had been talking about World Vision and sharing some stories and I felt a little tug at my heart for the thousands and thousands of children out there that still need sponsors. A few hours later, 1:00 am Saturday morning to be specific, I was waking Ben up telling him that we had to sponsor a child. I'm not sure he fully understood what I was saying, but I finally got a sleepily mumbled, "talk to me about it in the morning," and I was satisfied to go back to sleep. So, on Saturday I shared with him what I was feeling and he agreed that I should choose a child for us to sponsor that day.

When I went to the table, I was a little overwhelmed by the number of children whose forms were lying there waiting for sponsors. I didn't know where to begin, how could I choose just one? As I looked through the forms and photos, I came across a little boy from Zambia that was six years old. He was so cute, and his birthday just happened to be our anniversary. Immediately I knew, this was the one, Egnitious.

I was so excited to begin writing letters, sending e-mails, and praying for this little boy. As soon as I got my packet with contact information I wrote my first letter and began to anxiously await an annual report and a reply to my letter.

This weekend, I received his first annual report. It contained a little more information about Egnitious, his hobbies, chores, etc. There was even a little picture that he drew us of, best I can tell, a barrel. But, the thing that excited me most out of the whole report, was a new picture! In this new picture my little boy actually looks happy, and I was thrilled to have it!

Now, I will continue to pray, continue to write, and continue to love this little Zambian boy. God has truly blessed me with the privilege of supporting him and sharing His love with Egnitious. If it crosses your mind, please join me in praying for protection, provision, and a growing knowledge of the love of Christ for this little boy.

Unto Him be the Glory!

Our Team :)

I returned home from beautiful Jamaica late Friday night. I have experienced a trip that will forever leave me changed. Seeing the contrast of the beauty of the beaches to the sadness and poverty in Canterbury left me speechless, and the faces of the people that I developed a passion to love and help will be forever etched in my memory.

The Community of Canterbury

The beautiful view on the way to Ocho Rios

I feel so blessed to have been a part of the missions team in Jamaica. Pastor Titus and Tammy were wonderful to work with, and we are very grateful for all they did to help us follow through with what we felt God was calling us to do. We were able to paint nails, give baby dolls, basketballs, food, flip flops, frame a porch, fix ceilings, and best of all present the gospel to people who desperately need Christ. As a team our goal was to share the love of Christ and the gospel with the people in Jamaica, and we were blessed to see 25 Jamaicans come to know Jesus Christ as their savior!

Saneika and Tiandra

In Canterbury, I became close with a few little girls: Tiandra, Omeica, and Saneika. I had talked with Tiandra some the first day we were there, but I didn't meet Omeica and Saneika until the second day. I helped Saneika with a bracelet, and then later Omeica and Saneika both started braiding or "platting" my hair. Tiandra jumped in and from that point on the three girls were like glue to me. To my knowledge the girls have not come to a full understanding of their sin nature and the need to accept Christ as their savior. They are young, and seeds have been planted. God's word will not turn void and I hope that one day those seeds will come to fruition, even if I don't personally get to see it happen. As we were leaving Canterbury on our last day of VBS, I was telling everyone goodbye with hopes that I would be able to see them next year. One little girl ran and jumped into my arms giving me the biggest hug I had gotten all week. I had played with her a few times, and comforted her after she had fallen and scraped her knee. I was enjoying the sweet hug as I told her goodbye when she leaned over and said "kiss me please". So, I gave her a kiss on the cheek and she did me the same. I can't explain the feelings that rushed in as my heart broke having to leave her there.

Omeica working on my hair :)

Micala : Another little girl I had the joy of talking with some

"So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up."
Galatians 6:9 NLT

Besides working in the community of Canterbury, we also spent a morning at the Robin's Nest Children's Home. We did various odd jobs to help out such as replacing light bulbs, doing laundry, and feeding some of the younger children. I enjoyed getting to help feed baby Asia. She is 10 months old and has adoptive parents in the States, but has not yet been able to go home with them. Please pray that the adoption process will speed up so that she can be with her new mommy and daddy.

Baby Asia

One of the children at the Robin's Nest preschool

The kids at the fence as we were leaving. They wanted to know if we were coming back tomorrow and it broke my heart to think that we wouldn't be able to spend more time with them before the end of the week.

We also had the priveledge of getting to know a very nice couple: Andrew and Tanesha. Andrew is the associate pastor of Bay Life Baptist in Jamaica. He and Tanesha will be getting married on the same day as Ben and I. We really enjoyed getting to know them throughout the week. They are both very sweet people and you can see the love of Christ in them. I count it a blessing to call them my friends.

Andrew and Tanesha with us after chapel at Fairview Bible College

Ben and I at a stop on the way to Ocho Rios

Ben and his new friends from the Bible College

Unto Him be the Glory!

12 days

In twelve days the short term missions team from Gospel Baptist Church will be leaving for Canterbury, Jamaica. We will be there for a week doing various things with the Jamaican people, such as: VBS, service projects, and going to the orphanage. I am very excited about this trip, and though I feel that I don't have much to offer, I'm going to hand over all that I have to God and ask that he will use me to reach someone in Jamaica. My prayer for this trip is that God would help not only me, but the team as a whole to let go of the things that we may have in our minds as being right, or what we are supposed to do (based on our plans) and be open to his leading. I want to be able to do things that I feel God leading me to do, even when it doesn't necessarily make sense to me. I want to have an open heart that is sensitive to God's small whispers.

Please pray for me, the missions team, and the people in Jamaica. Pray in the days leading up to the trip that God would prepare the people's hearts, and prepare the team for the trip ahead. Pray during the week of the trip that God would keep us sensitive to his leading and that we would remember that his blessings often come through the things that don't turn out "perfect" in our eyes, instead of when everything goes as planned. Pray that the people of Jamaica would have tender hearts and that they would realize their need for Jesus and ask him into their heart as Lord and Savior.

Your prayers are appreciated!

Phillipians 4:6,7
"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." NLT

Check out the Gospel Baptist Church Missions Blog!