zambia through new eyes

This year's trip to Zambia has been wonderful, but very different. Different is not a bad thing, it is what I needed after 5 years of the same thing. Different is just different. It's an adjustment. In years past, I have been a summer staffer for Camp LIFE, helping facilitate camp for the orphaned and vulnerable. This year, I came as a teacher on the Teach ONE trip. Alongside the other American teachers, I have gotten to mentor the Zambian teachers in our schools to help them become more effective in the classroom. I have seen things this trip that I've never seen before and had new experiences than in all of my previous summers. It has been rewarding and exciting the whole time, so far! Here's what I've learned/seen/done so far!

1. First of all, I walked a cheetah. You know how we walk dogs on a leash? And some people have leashes for their children, like in malls and stuff? Replace a dog (or a child) with a cheetah. Try to imagine something as exhilarating as it is terrifying while, and all the while, doubting whether or not it was actually happening. That is what walking a cheetah on a leash feels like. Oh, and that's also what having a cheetah repeatedly lick your hand feels like as well. I'm still a little bit in denial that it all actually happened. But I have pics to prove to myself and everyone else that it was indeed, not a dream! 

Like, yeah. I walked those teeth on a leash.

Chipo licking my hand... me freaking out.

Proof!

2. I am the youngest person on this trip.. by several years. On summer staff, I was surrounded by other kids my age, or at least within a couple of years of my age. At first, I was insecure about being so young and felt completely inadequate because of it, but it has been so great and such a blessing to be surrounded by older, wiser, and (obviously) more experienced women. They have taught me so much not only about teaching, but also about having a faith that is not shaken. They are reminding me every day that God is faithful, that He is all-knowing, and that not one detail of my life is missed by God's design. They are speaking truth into me every day, and I have come to love each one of them dearly. 

My sweet roomies for the first Teach ONE trip!

L-R: Ashley, Amanda, Patty, Tia, Diana, me. SUPERSTAR! Love my cheetah girls!

3. Get comfortable, this next part is a novel. When kids first come to Camp LIFE, they have the opportunity to be sponsored through the Father's Heart sponsorship program. This means that an American can sponsor a child by paying to provide them with food, education (through our schools), and Christian discipleship. The education piece is HUGE. 

When I worked every day at Camp LIFE, I saw the first step. I saw so many precious children come straight from the streets with incredibly tragic circumstances, and likely, very little or no previous education. Each week of camp, I would see these kids come with darkness, brokenness, and sadness; but by the end of the week, they would leave with contagious joy because they had encountered Jesus Christ for the first time. 

Now, I am seeing the next step. I am working in the Lifeway Christian Academies, which are built and run by the organization; and those same kids that met Christ at camp and received sponsorship thereafter are now attending school. This is beautiful and wonderful in itself. The least of these are now attending one of the highest-quality school systems in Zambia. This is completely ironic for the Zambian communities, as children (let alone the orphan population) is considered the scum of society and a financial burden on families. They are just "one more mouth to feed." 

These children, unwanted by their communities, are being given Christian education. They are being supported as they work their way through school. After grade school and secondary school, they will be able to go to university, college, or trade school. 

The orphaned and vulnerable children that are in our schools right now are working for their ticket out of generational poverty. Education is the key to their escape and the light at the end of the tunnel. They have a chance at a life that is not plagued with poverty or hunger or disease. Not only that, but these kids are going to make up the next generation of leaders. With Christian principles and a solid education base, our schools, which are currently educating 6,500 kids, are producing what will be the nation's next doctors, lawyers, teachers, political leaders, etc... Out of the million orphans in Zambia (the nation with the seventh highest per-capita orphan rate in the world), how many do you think even have a shot at attending university? Yeah, like two a year. (Not really, but very few orphans attend university here.) We are watching, before our eyes, a generation of the least of these rising up to become the next leaders of Zambia. These kids are going to affect change in this nation, and they're going to start doing it very soon. And I will be humbled to say that God used me to play a part, no matter how minuscule, in helping that become a reality. 

Eat your heart out. 

Beautiful Martha.

Miss G with several of the students at Kamanga LCA.

Long story short, it's been an amazing two weeks. Can't wait to see what the next three hold. Thank you for your prayers... keep 'em coming!

Until next time, 

Auntie Maliah

back for more!

I am officially BACK in good ole Zambia!! I have been back for a week, and it has been a fun, adventure-filled, week! I am doing the Teach ONE trip, which is a trip for American teachers to come over and mentor our Zambian teachers! This has been completely different from anything I've done in the past, but it has been a blast so far! Here's a little recap...

We left Dallas last Thursday and flew to Dubai, UAE. Dubai in June is HOT and HUMID, but other than that, it was really cool to see! This was my first time in the Middle East, let alone Asia, so it was new and different! The other teachers and I decided to make the most of if and venture to the top of the tallest building, Burj Khalifa. This building has over 160 floors, and we toured the 124th floor. It was pretty coooool!

Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE

View from the Top

Proof that I was on the tallest building!

We have been teaching at Kamanga LCA, one of the ministry's Lifeway Christian Academies. We will be mentoring the teachers at this school for two weeks total.. so one more week to go! I have been with the grade 3 class, and it is full of sweet, loving, and precious boys and girls! We are primarily working on teaching English/Language Arts strategies, as reading is the foundation for all of education. The schools in Zambia need tangible, effective ways to teach reading to these students who have never been to school before. Here are a few pics from our time there so far!

Break time AKA recess, some of the kids dancing

Morning Assembly - all of the morning session students

Reading with some of my students! 

More blog posts will come soon! It has been a great trip so far, and I am looking forward to the next four weeks here! 

Here's how you can be praying - 

1. For the teachers and students at Kamanga LCA, that this trip would be incredibly beneficial for all of them.

2. For me, that I would continue to walk in step with what God has for me during my time here, and that I would continue to be sensitive to what He's doing in my life. 

3. For Family Legacy and for the well-being of the ministry. Pray that God's hand would still be over all of the growth and in the details! 

Blessings, 

Auntie Maliah (or "Miss G." to my students)

thank you

As I’m sitting here in the London Heathrow airport, about to board my second and final flight home to Southlake, I have realized that I need to extend my thanks to so many of you. I would not have made it this far over the past five years without the support of my family and friends. If you’re reading this right now, thank you for doing so. 

Thank you to those of you who have kept up with my travels and with what the Lord is doing in Zambia. I love getting to tell stories about God’s power and work in my life and in the lives of the kids on this side of the ocean. It is my prayer that my stories can be and have been an encouragement to you.

Thank you to those of you who have prayed for me during my time here. God has protected me well, sustained me, and refined me so much over the past few months. He has listened to your prayers and has answered prayers of protection and encouragement. I could not have made it without my spiritual support system lifting me up to the Lord.

Thank you to those of you who have financially supported me over the years as I’ve returned to Zambia - I can say with assurance that your dollars are extremely appreciated and have advanced the Kingdom overseas. Thank you for your generosity and your willingness to give to this ministry.

Thank you to those of you who have messaged, skyped, or emailed me. Being a world away from my friends and family for two and a half months is so difficult, but these messages and bits of communication got me through. It was always so encouraging to see that me being “out of sight, out of mind” was not the case for so many of you! Thank you for taking the time to reach out to me and keep me a part of your lives!

I am so blessed to have such a support system cheering for me back home. I have worked alongside plenty of people who do not have the same encouragement from their friends and family, and it makes it that much more of a blessing to have you all. To have loved ones genuinely interested and supportive of what I do in Zambia is so special, and again, I say thank you from the bottom of my heart. You all have blessed me more than you know! 

By the time this is posted, I will be back home, safe and sound. What a summer it has been! Thank you again for praying me through the whole journey. 

Blessings,

Mariah

guest blog - Maliah according to C and M

Well the time has come- Auntie Maliah is leaving us here in Zambia! We are sitting in her room and she is all packed up and ready to go. We are so sad, but so thankful for the time she has spent with us here!! She’s a keeper, this one. We thought we would list off some of our favorite things about Mariah, for yalls enjoyment. Here it goes:

•       To start, she sleeps with this little brown pillow, that she has had to make a case for because it gets so dirty. Tonight is the first night all summer she is sleeping without it because she had to pack it. (tonight should be interesting)
•       She is really good at movie quoting…. I mean really good. It’s like she was in the actual movie herself.
•       She’s really good at mean mugging. Also, a professional stank facer and peace sign thrower. (take a look at her pics, hollaaaa)
•      Sometimes, she snores at night because she is so congested. Happens to the best of us I suppose.
•       When she eats stale loaded baked potato pringles, you will get the whole works in the toilet. I mean the Big D coming atcha live!!!
•       Now, don’t get us wrong. We LOVE Auntie Malaria. (her nickname for the summer, tack on some lice and there ya have it). Anyways, we really are so grateful for her leadership and sacrifices she has made this summer.
•       Mariah is in LOVE with these children. When she is around them, you can feel the Lord radiating from her heart. It is such a blessing!
•       Mariah also has wonderful leadership skills. If something needs to get done, she is your go-to-girl! Camp LIFE would NOT run without her here. (Example: we are currently watching her chase a butterfly out of our room, I mean who else would want to do this daunting task. “Get out, get out, wrong way” she says…  )
•       We love Mariah’s sense of humor. She never fails to make us smile if we have had a rough day. Her little quirks just make us love her even more!!
•       Mariah is very motivated in her faith. When she has down time, she spends time with the Lord or is giving me advice about my relationship problems.
•       She is easy to talk to. She gives good advice and loves people so well.

As her time here is coming to a close, our tears are flowing freely. I have gone through about 20 mini packs of tissues. Snot fest ladies and gents. (but seriously I really have, maybe not from crying but still..) Everyone send up some prayers for her as she makes the transition home, which can be a tough one at best. We love you Mariah!!! We miss you already!

Love,

Auntie Cayla and Auntie Mackenzie <3  

goodbyes

Well, Camp LIFE 2013 is officially over! It was an incredible last week - the American participants here are so generous and soft-hearted to what the Lord is doing here in Zambia. Friday was an amazing final day to end the summer with! We had our last big session, during which the summer staff got to dance on stage altogether, and we had the last Tree of Life Friday night surprise performance... which was a huge personal achievement and a very emotional night. 

Every Friday night, as a surprise, the summer staff would go down the hill from the Legacy Center to the Tree of Life to round up and prepare the kids for a performance for the Americans Friday night. After getting all 300+ children in a central location, we would load them up on buses and send them up the hill. This in itself is QUITE a feat - rounding up and holding the attention of a sea of kids while making sure they are all dressed and ready to go. Once at the Legacy Center, each summer staffer would take a group of kids to different spots surrounding the Legacy Center. We then would keep the kids as quiet as possible as we waited for the music to start (also a daunting task). Basically, the whole performance was that the kids would slowly march in to the music, filling the room from all directions to the song “Glory, Glory Hallelujah” by the London Community Gospel Choir. They were all decked out in beautiful chitenge costumes, held LED candles that lit up, and sang their little hearts out each time. 

As much of a hassle and hair-puller it was trying to get these kids up the “mountain” every Friday night, this performance almost always moved me to tears. Tears not only for the relief of the success of that night (and that it was over for the week), but also because we were all looking at HUNDREDS of redeemed orphan children, dressed to the nines and singing praises to the God who saved them. This night showed the most complete transformation of each of these kids. They went from dirty and unnoticed and neglected to being dressed beautifully, all eyes on them, loved and adored. And the most powerful part is that the room keeps filling and keeps filling. The shear number of children that are at the Tree of Life, safe from the homes they were removed from, is enough to bring me to tears. 

But last night was the most tearful night for me. I leave in 2 days, and I have to say goodbye to these precious kids. Over the past four years I’ve been on summer staff, this year especially, I have gotten to personally know the hearts and personalities and names of so many of these kids. I know who the rowdy ones are, I know who the “troublemakers” are, and I know who the sweet-natured, well-behaved ones are. And because I led the marching orders every Friday night, all of these kids know Auntie Maliah. Saying goodbye to these kids is the absolute worst part of my whole summer spent here. Hands down. And last night, I knew it wasn’t goodbye quite yet (that part comes today), but it was a sign that goodbye is coming. It was overwhelming for a few reasons - I knew that goodbyes were not far off, I was looking at my favorite kids in the world who looked beautiful and were so happy, and it already had been an emotional last day of camp. So anyway, tears were just free falling. 

After the performance, the song “Our God” by Chris Tomlin came on as all the Americans were hugging on the kids. All of the kids know this song from last year since it was the theme song for camp in 2012. So naturally, 50 or so of the kids ran up on stage and started singing, dancing, and pretending their candles were microphones. I was standing by the stage looking at my precious little rockstars when Queen, a 14-year old girl, pulls me up on stage and says “Auntie Maliah, let’s go! I was looking for you!” Before I know it, I’m up on stage, singing and dancing with the kids until the song ends. When it’s done, Queen looks at me and says, “Auntie Maliah, I’m going to miss you very much.” I pull her in for a hug and I’m back to tears. We both just hold each other and cry for a minute. Eventually, I walk her back out to the bus and tell her that it’s not goodbye just yet, but that I’ll see her one more time before I leave. 

Anyway, I’m not looking forward to my final goodbyes to these kids. It’s going to be a tear-fest led by Auntie Maliah here. Every one of these 300+ kids hold (and will forever hold) a special piece of my heart. I feel so humbled that God would bring me here to Zambia and let me love on these incredible, talented, smart, precious children not only this year, but for four years now. What a huge blessing it was to get to be God’s hands and feet and voice not only to these kids, but also to the ones that I got to love on that came through Camp LIFE this year. I don’t know how or why God picked me to come to Africa to love on these kids year after year, but I know I am an unworthy and undeserving vessel who is so grateful that He did. 

one week.

I am one week away from driving away from my hotel for the last time. 

I am one week away from stepping on a plane that will take me back overseas to Texas. 

I am one week away from not knowing the next time I will see my beloved kids here. 

I leave Zambia in one week. 7 days. My 63 days turned into 7 so quickly; my 9 weeks in Zambia turned into 1 in the blink of an eye. I am so torn and have so many mixed emotions about having to leave. 

On one hand, I am so excited to finally get to hug my family again and see their faces. I can’t wait to see my friends and laugh with them and hear about their lives this summer. I am so looking forward to the LONG overdue Chick-Fil-A breakfast that has my name on it. I also am so ready to say goodbye to the dirt that, even after showering, still finds a way to get under my skin and in my lungs. There are so many things that I can’t wait to have back in my life, and there are so many things I can’t wait to kiss goodbye! However, my heart’s deepest joy comes from loving these kids. It is hard to explain, but I have never experienced a fulfillment like what I feel in this capacity, in this country. I could ramble on and on about how it is so close to God’s heart to love the orphan or what it feels like to do so, but to make a long story short, I’m dreading leaving it. Even more so, I’m dreading saying goodbye to my Tree of Life kids. All 360 of them (yes, the Tree of Life has that many kids now!). This year, I have made many new friends and become closer to older friends, I have had to discipline them and gotten to encourage them. I have seen them for three days each week this summer and gotten to hug and kiss them on a regular basis. For some of these kids, I have gotten to watch them learn and grow and change for the past 4 or 5 summers. When I leave, the sweet familiarity of seeing their faces and loving on them every other day will be instantly taken away, ripped out from beneath my feet. Ugh even typing this out is making me so upset that it’s coming so soon. I feel so blessed to have gotten more time with these kids than most others, but it will make our parting so much more painful. So like I said, I am so torn. I have so much to look forward to in getting on that plane next Monday morning, but I know how much I am leaving behind me. 

We begin our week of “lasts” tomorrow. We have our last Monday morning rostering, our last Tuesday rotation set, our last Thursday community day, and our last Friday of chaos from beginning to end. I am praying that this week would be our smoothest.. our 7th time to do everything should be the smoothest, but sometimes that just isn’t the way it goes. My prayer is that I would go all out on my last week, taking advantage of every opportunity since I won’t have any more this year! I am praying for God to use this week to teach me even more than I’ve already learned and to reveal answers to questions I have asked Him. This is going to be a great week.. difficult and emotional, but great. And I know it is going to be gone in the blink of an eye. 

So, with that said, I’ll see you soon, America. 

update: on the home stretch

Well, I don’t really know what this post is going to look like, so I guess I’ll just start by updating the world on how Camp LIFE 2013 is currently doing and what I’ve been up to since my last post!

We celebrated the Fourth of July last week... Zambia style! It was the best Fourth of July I’ve had in Zambia so far (I’ve been here 3 of the past 4 years for it)! With full time staff, summer staff, and other participants, there were around 40 of us here for the holiday. We grilled up like, 4 kinds of meat, had potato salad, sang America the Beautiful, and even had our own personal fireworks show! It was such a fun way to welcome in the second half of camp!

The second half summer staff arrived exactly a week ago (got to celebrate the Fourth with them) and they have been AMAZING! We are only three days into the second half of camp, but they have already proven themselves to be extremely willing, humble, hardworking people. A highlight of the week (so far) was an impromptu worship session with most of the summer staff. After dinner, we all gathered around a guitar and got to share worship, scripture, and prayers together. Despite knowing most of these people for only a few days, it was the most raw example of genuine community that I have felt since I arrived in Zambia... it really was so refreshing to my soul and it was exactly what I needed. So, thank you, Jesus, for the beautiful hearts that you’ve given to these brothers and sisters that I get to serve alongside. 

We are approaching the end of week 5 here.. CRAZY! I cannot begin to try to tell you where my time in Zambia has gone so fast, but it has been slipping through my fingers. In a blink, I have been transported from walking through the security check in the DFW airport to this moment in time, 6 and a half weeks later. God has been subtly working in my heart and teaching me things here and there, showing me how to continually submit my attitude and heart to Him. My prayer this week is that God would soften my heart again to this ministry and these people and these kids. I have been convicted lately that I am simply going through the motions because this role has become so second nature to me. But I don’t want to just go through the motions. I want to be set on fire again for Jesus and for the freedom that His death is bringing to the kids here. I want God to reignite the passion that He has put in my heart for this nation and for the glory of His name here. I have two more weeks left, and I want them to be full of the Holy Spirit moving in me and through me. I don’t want to become complacent, nor do I want to be unmoved by what God is doing here. 

I am missing you dearly, family and friends! Be praying for me as I’m on the home stretch here, that I would be all in and not burned out in my final two weeks. Pray that I would continue to appreciate beautiful transformations that are happening every day and not become desensitized to them. I am praying for you, loved ones!