(The following post is basically a bunch of rambling, so hopefully it actually makes sense!!)
I was talking to a friend earlier today about my trip and I've realized that it hasn't actually hit me yet that I'm leaving for Zambia in only 4 days. I feel like I have literally done nothing to prepare for my trip.. I haven't gone shopping for supplies, I haven't begun packing anything whatsoever, and I don't feel mentally prepared at all. The time leading up to my departure this year is really very different than the two past years that I've gone. In the past, I've always been packed for what seemed like weeks in advance, I've always been itching and anxious to get to the airport to leave and get over there. It's not that I'm not excited, because I definitely am, but I just don't feel ready- physically, mentally, and (as always) spiritually. Physically, I have no supplies and nothing packed; mentally, I don't realize how quickly my trip is approaching; and spiritually, I KNOW for a fact that I'm not ready for how the Lord is going to move.
Each summer that I've spent in Zambia, God has taught me so much about His character and He worked in me in some incredible ways; and I know that this year will be no different. This is an unpreparedness that I'm actually excited about! I feel like, in order for us to have an active walk with Christ, we always have to be open and receptive to how He chooses to teach us. A lot of times, this involves us getting out of our comfort zone and taking steps of faith out onto the sea as the Lord calls us. I'm speaking to myself more than anyone right now so this may not be making much sense, but we all need to be ready to get uncomfortable in our ministry and our walk with the Lord. We can't stay complacent and content with where we are- that just shows lack of growth in our faith. If we watch for it, God is always trying to push us to become stronger in our faith and to trust Him more and more; and it is at these boundaries that we find ourselves uncomfortable. Here's what it boils down to: when the Lord calls us to step out into unchartered waters of trust, when He tests our faith more than He has before, we are faced with a decision to follow Him or to retreat back into our safe little bubble of comfort. If we choose to stay where we are, there is no growth. But if we choose to step out in faith into those unfamiliar waters and trust Him with the outcome, it is THEN that we experience magnificent growth! Our faith is stretched, and we are refreshed and have reached a higher level of trust in the Lord than we've ever experienced. THIS is what I know I'm unprepared for. I know that I will be faced with many such decisions this summer, so I am praying that I will respond to them in the way that brings about incredible growth. Because not only will I grow, but the people around me will also (hopefully) be able to see how God is stretching me and moving in me and doing these wonderful things through me!
I know that this is what I want this summer and I know that I am utterly unprepared for it, but I'm confident that it's coming, and I'm confident that the Lord is going to do incredible and MIGHTY things. And it's going to be one heck of a victorious summer for the Lord in Zambia.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
Who, What, When, Where, and Why?
WHO am I?
I'm Mariah! A little bit about me: I'm an elementary education major at Texas A&M University (Class of 2013--whoop!) and I'm from Southlake, Texas. I love my friends and family SO much and God blessed me way more than I deserve with the people he put in my life! I like ice cream, Justin Bieber, painting, singing, and the color purple! But, you probably already know all of this if you're reading my blog... :)
WHAT is the issue?
Zambia is a landlocked country in sub-Saharan Africa. There are 12 million people in Zambia and half of them are under the age of 16. That means half of the country is children. Such a large percentage is due to the high death rate from extreme poverty and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Of the 6 million children in Zambia, more than 1 million of them are orphaned. Zambia has the 5th highest death rate in the world, and the average life expectancy here is 38 years old.
Simply put, Zambia needs some lovin'. The country is racked with poverty and darkness, so we come to bring the light of Christ. The light of Christ chases out the darkness, the darkness flees from the light. Praise the Lord! The Zambian government and culture doesn't care about the children in the country, but Jesus does. We are called to be the hands and feet of Christ, allowing Him to use US to touch the lives of His children. And THAT is what Family Legacy, Camp LIFE, and my time in Zambia is all about.
What is Camp LIFE? Camp LIFE is a "week-long camp held throughout the summer for orphaned and vulnerable children in Zambia, Africa. Each summer, hundreds of Americans come to Zambia for one or two weeks to lead a group of 10-12 Zambian children. We sing songs, play games, teach the Bible and each orphan gets a new shirt and a gift at the end of the week. Almost 10% of the country of Zambia is an orphaned child and we want to show each child how much God loves them. For many of these children this is the best week of their entire year." (familylegacy.com)
"I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you." John 14:18
WHEN will I be in Zambia?
I leave for Zambia on May 31st-- only 10 days from today! I can't believe how fast this day is approaching! I will be in Zambia for five-ish weeks, and I'll be returning to the states on July 3rd!
WHERE is Zambia located?
Family Legacy is based in Lusaka, Zambia, which is the country's capital. We work with children from the slums of Lusaka and surrounding areas.
WHY am I writing this blog?
God had blessed me in sending me to Lusaka, Zambia this summer for the third time! I created this blog for a couple of reasons... First of all, I will be using this as my personal journal as I serve on summer staff in Zambia. I have found that it's important for me to document what the Lord does in my life (and in the lives around me) so that I can remember his power, his sovereignty, and his faithfulness. Secondly, I want my friends and family to be able to know these things and be encouraged by them as well. I know that when I get back to the states at the end of my time in Zambia, I won't remember all of the details that make up the miracles that are going to happen here; so, I want to document them when they happen so that y'all can be able to experience and appreciate God's power alongside me!
But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
Acts 20:24
I'm Mariah! A little bit about me: I'm an elementary education major at Texas A&M University (Class of 2013--whoop!) and I'm from Southlake, Texas. I love my friends and family SO much and God blessed me way more than I deserve with the people he put in my life! I like ice cream, Justin Bieber, painting, singing, and the color purple! But, you probably already know all of this if you're reading my blog... :)
WHAT is the issue?
Zambia is a landlocked country in sub-Saharan Africa. There are 12 million people in Zambia and half of them are under the age of 16. That means half of the country is children. Such a large percentage is due to the high death rate from extreme poverty and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Of the 6 million children in Zambia, more than 1 million of them are orphaned. Zambia has the 5th highest death rate in the world, and the average life expectancy here is 38 years old.
Simply put, Zambia needs some lovin'. The country is racked with poverty and darkness, so we come to bring the light of Christ. The light of Christ chases out the darkness, the darkness flees from the light. Praise the Lord! The Zambian government and culture doesn't care about the children in the country, but Jesus does. We are called to be the hands and feet of Christ, allowing Him to use US to touch the lives of His children. And THAT is what Family Legacy, Camp LIFE, and my time in Zambia is all about.
What is Camp LIFE? Camp LIFE is a "week-long camp held throughout the summer for orphaned and vulnerable children in Zambia, Africa. Each summer, hundreds of Americans come to Zambia for one or two weeks to lead a group of 10-12 Zambian children. We sing songs, play games, teach the Bible and each orphan gets a new shirt and a gift at the end of the week. Almost 10% of the country of Zambia is an orphaned child and we want to show each child how much God loves them. For many of these children this is the best week of their entire year." (familylegacy.com)
"I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you." John 14:18
WHEN will I be in Zambia?
I leave for Zambia on May 31st-- only 10 days from today! I can't believe how fast this day is approaching! I will be in Zambia for five-ish weeks, and I'll be returning to the states on July 3rd!
WHERE is Zambia located?
Family Legacy is based in Lusaka, Zambia, which is the country's capital. We work with children from the slums of Lusaka and surrounding areas.
WHY am I writing this blog?
God had blessed me in sending me to Lusaka, Zambia this summer for the third time! I created this blog for a couple of reasons... First of all, I will be using this as my personal journal as I serve on summer staff in Zambia. I have found that it's important for me to document what the Lord does in my life (and in the lives around me) so that I can remember his power, his sovereignty, and his faithfulness. Secondly, I want my friends and family to be able to know these things and be encouraged by them as well. I know that when I get back to the states at the end of my time in Zambia, I won't remember all of the details that make up the miracles that are going to happen here; so, I want to document them when they happen so that y'all can be able to experience and appreciate God's power alongside me!
But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
Acts 20:24
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