The Young Family Farm

We started our day at church…a service which was a good 4-5 hours long. We danced…we sang…we worshipped. And I held back tears.

I saw him before we walked into church. He was standing outside…around the same age as my older children at home…maybe just 5 or 6. It was apparent he had scabies when I saw him. He wouldn’t come in church with us. He just sat outside. He caught my eye as we sat there and worshipped. I am sure this boy is who Jesus would have been sitting with–but even in his own community…he has to sit outside the church door and listen. He sat there smiling at me…and waving. His smile–took my breath away. SMILING. Full of joy. Sitting outside the church listen intently. And I held back tears.

The preacher called for the people to come forward and bring the offering. They worshiped. They sang…and they brought forth offerings. I’m quite sure it was more than they could almost bear to part with–but they did so joyfully. Almost every widow–young and old…children of all ages…came forward and brought something to the basket. Something I never see in our churches in America. I held back tears…as they JOYFULLY gave. These who have nothing–gave with joyful hearts. Bless them. How they gave.

She danced and sang…a widow. Jesus. You’re my Redeemer. Jesus…you are mine. She sang so beautifully with all she had. Smiling. Looking up toward the heavens. Then she hit her knees and asked us in her song if we knew Him. I am sure she knows Him. And He knows her. Watching her sing…I held back tears.

We left church to go to the compound. For hours we walked through the compound…from house to house. Christy visited her sponsored child Innocent. She amazingly loved on him and his family. He lives with his mom and his grandparents. He sleeps at his grandparents house because there is not room for him to sleep with his mom and his cousin who is just 2 years old at his house. He wants to be an accountant when he grows just like Christy and Brad. He would love to have a watch one day…so he can get to school on time. He also said he would love to eat an orange–but it’s around 20 cents…costs too much. His requests so sweet and simple. I held back tears.

We walked a couple miles to Beatrice’s home. Beatrice is the little girl Richard and I sponsor. She is in the 6th grade…3rd in her class. Her mom has 7 children. Only 4 live with her. The other 3 live in the village because they are teens. Three of the 4 that live with her are her biological children–the other is her nephew. Her sister died in the compound while giving birth. Beatrice is a beautiful girl. She wants to be an English teacher when she grows up…just like I was. She smiled as she told me…I held back tears.

We went on to visit widows…and play with children. We loved on them. Heard their stories. Sat in their mud homes. Learned some Bembe language. And I’m doing pretty good–holding back tears. Today has been a good day. So much more to say…and so much more I want to say–but I have no words for what my heart is really feeling…and I’m afraid if I say it all right now…you know what will happen;)

It is a joy to be here. I love it here. I miss my children terribly. A good thing Richard and the kids aren’t here with me…because not sure if we’d be able to leave;).

Until tomorrow…

Just wanted to let y’all know we made it safely to Ndola today around lunch time.

We pretty much went straight to the school to see the widows program. They had a graduation ceremony where 15 ladies graduated in the hospitality program (cleaning/hotel work)–and the AMAZING news is…ALL 15 now have JOBS!!! There were 30 additional graduates in jewelry making. There were tears, dancing and lots of celebrating. A BIG DEAL for these woman!!! We heard testimonies of where some of the women were before Wiphan–and had a time of singing…and of course more dancing:) (Video to come upon our return for sure…I broke it down with the ladies)

We spent time with some of the kids and then just had dinner with the Wiphan Zambia staff.

THEN…silly ole me–shed a tear (or twenty)–because I miss Richard and my babies SO MUCH!!!

Tomorrow we are having church with the community–and I’m super excited for Monday to get here to see all the children at school. SO ready to see them and give lots of more hugs! We took a gazillon pictures today–hope to download those after church and upload some to share. Still trying to adjust to time change–determined to kick it tonight.

Our team is doing GREAT. It was so fun to watch their faces today as the ladies welcomed them and sang for them. Such a powerful experience…and so fun to watch others experience it for the first time! It is so good to be here…God is all over Wiphan ministry–and I’m just so humbled to be a part of it!

It’s finally here and we are off! You probably won’t hear from me in the next 48 hours…but I have someone who is going to post about this awesome adoption parenting weekend for both men and women coming up this September called “Hope for Home”. Then after that–I hope to be able to blog here and there to let y’all know all is well. Please pray that I don’t get bit by mosquitos or contract malaria…praying the deet does the job in warding off mosquitos!

I can’t WAIT to step foot on Africa soil. I’m sitting here thinking about all that God has done since our first trip to Zambia in 2007. I left just going to see the beginning of what would become a flourishing ministry–and this week I will see the schools and the children again. On that trip–the Lord put adoption in my heart…and I’m so excited to see what He has in store on, in and through this trip! There are 16 of us going–and I’m sure by the 25th of July, we’ll all be VBFF. Please pray for our travel, our protection and our fruitfulness while we are gone! The next time you hear from me I’ll be on the other side of the world! YAY!

Doesn’t this precious one just seem to be coming out of the screen like she needs a hug! Someone to tell her that she is remembered…she is valued…SHE IS LOVED. And in just a bit…I get the sweet honor to tell her and 450 orphans just like her…

Love eternal,

Andrea