Fellowship

I think we have some people who are ready to be the hands and feet of Christ and plead the cause of the fatherless.

I last wrote to you about how I was sitting in anticipation, looking forward to what God was going to do. I explained to you how much God shows that he cares for those who can least help themselves (orphans and widows). Today, I think we have some teens who are ready and willing to get on board with God's will in this area.

The depth of the connections that were made within seven hours is astounding. I mean, it's not That hard to connect with the MFH kids... they are all insanely amazing. One Teen Mania member commented that these kids were of a "different breed." They are though: they know that they have a father in heaven who is perfect, and their picture-perfect smiles and drowning levels of cuteness are only symptoms of that. Regardless of what was obvious, the connections that I saw between Teen Mania were above what you would "expect."

The day consisted of getting to know the kids (ice breaker questions), taking pictures with them, getting into larger groups and creating a group cheer, participating in a slew of team games (tug-of-war, relay races, trust walks, etc.), having lunch, doing a bible study, and sharing testimonies. Even just seeing the faces of both the MFH kids and Teen Mania when they were assigned each other for the day was heart warming. There were all smiles, and as excited as the MFH kids were, I think Teen Mania was even more.

I'm not crazy, and today proved that. I have been head-over-heels posting about these kids from day one, and there are 70 more missionaries who feel the same way in one day. The other short-term team had a chance to meet the Lusaka kids (not even Chongwe yet) a few days ago, and felt the same way. You need to get off your computer chair, hop on a plane, and meet these kids as well. There is something about them... you know that the Holy Spirit is living in them. They are still children: they are sometimes mean to each other, sometimes fight, sometimes exclude -- but you don't have to be around them for long to see how much they earnestly and honestly love Jesus.

Although today was a "success" of sorts, the real measure will be if these missionaries are convicted to go home and plead the cause of these orphans. They may have fell in love with them today, but will the spirit move in them a week from now? A month from now? I pray that today left a permanent mark in their hearts. It's not about the "money" either. These kids need prayer. These homes need prayer. The mamas need prayer. EOH needs prayer. EOH needs interns. Of course they need convicted donors so that they can feed, house and clothe the orphans, but that comes with being convicted for them.

For those of you who are Christians reading this blog, would you join with me in prayer for this fellowship day? If you aren't already praying for this ministry please do, but add to that prayer that these missionaries realize that the missions field doesn't end when they walk into Lusaka International Airport. It never ends.

Regardless, I am thankful for how the MFH children were blessed and for how the Teen Mania members (and leaders) were blessed as well. I am thankful for a relatively smooth running day, and I am thankful that God continues to allow me to be a part of his ministry in Zambia (at least for another two weeks).

A picture is worth a thousand words, but sometimes a picture is worth a thousand pictures:

Anticipation

Tomorrow is a big day for Every Orphans Hope.

We will be at the office bright and early to board busses and head out to Chongwe for the first of two "My Father's House Fellowship Day's." This will be an absolutely fun day for the MFH children. This will be only the second time that the Lusaka kids will be at the Chongwe homes (the first being when Annika passed out the bibles in a previous post). The day will be filled with fun activities, games, crafts, bible studies and testimonies. Seeing how crazy the "Sports Day" was weeks ago, I can't even imagine how much more crazy this one will be. Not only will there be almost 70 MFH kids, but there will be almost 70 Teen Mania kids who are just as excited. There will be a fitting bible study to go with the day (Phil. 2:1-2: being united in the spirit), and there will be heart-breaking (and warming) testimonies from some of the MFH kids talking about what their lives were like before they got into the MFH homes.

This is a time when Teen Mania can get to know a MFH child and see the ministry of EOH as a whole. We pray that the spirit moves in these missionaries to want to come back and serve with EOH, to help build a home, sponsor a child, host an orphan sunday event, or any of a slew of other ways they can help plead the cause of orphans when they go back home. Their trip may "officially" end on Monday, but in many ways it is just beginning. Sharing the testimony of what happened in Zambia ministers to the American church, and our church in America needs missionaries just as much as we send them. It doesn't take a bible scholar to know that God absolutely cares (past, present and future tenses) for orphans and widows in distress. Let's just look at ten examples (there are MANY MANY more).

Exodus 22:22-24
You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry, and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless.

Psalm 68:5
Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.

Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.

Psalm 27:10
For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.

Hosea 14:3
Assyria shall not save us; we will not ride on horses; and we will say no more, ‘Our God,’ to the work of our hands. In you the orphan finds mercy.”

Psalm 10:18
To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.

Malachi 3:5
“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.

Jeremiah 22:3
Thus says the Lord: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.

Jeremiah 5:28
They have grown fat and sleek. They know no bounds in deeds of evil; they judge not with justice the cause of the fatherless, to make it prosper, and they do not defend the rights of the needy.

James 1:27
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Don't you want to plead the same cause as the God you serve? We are praying that these Teen Mania kids are convicted to do just this. God put many of us in America in a place of prosperity not so we can fatten ourselves in the time of slaughter, but so that we can defend the causes of the needy. The two people who can defend themselves the least are orphans and widows in distress. Let's join hands, be the hands and feet of Christ, and help those who cannot help themselves.

God will do some amazing things tomorrow.

You see why I'm sitting here in anticipation?

1,000 Words

Sometimes 1,000 is an understatement...

21

I know it's cheesy and it takes about 2 seconds of your time, but all of the emails and facebook messages for my birthday were a huge encouragement from home.

God is good. 21 years ago (and about nine months), God knew that He would call me to Zambia during my 21st birthday. He also knew that that birthday would fall on a Tuesday. He also made sure that Pizza Inn (one of two pizza places available in town) had a "Terrific Tuesday" special where you could buy a large pizza and receive another large pizza free. Tack on free delivery with a smile, and we've got a birthday present. We bought four pizzas, got four free - and ate like Americans for lunch (8 pizzas, 8 people). Add on the Sprite I bought earlier in the day at Shoprite, and it was an amazing feast.

I was also blessed by my team, as they bought me a cake, signed a card and sang happy birthday to me. I was content with the pizza, but having them go out of their way was very cool.

Tuesday was also a work day. I got to do something at work on my birthday that I wouldn't trade for anything else. We are having a "fellowship" day with the two short-term teams that came out for Camp Hope. We want them to get to know the MFH kids while they are here, and planned a day for them to do so. I got to plan the bible study for that day, which I love doing. The passage is the following:

Philippians 2:1-2
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

How amazing is it that these short-term teams who come from completely different backgrounds are learning how to be united under Christ with the same people they came to "serve?"

When we got home from the office we found the house without power (typical around 6-7pm). We proceeded to light candles, and jam to some music. After making dinner by flashlight, we were able to have a devotion by candlelight.

It wasn't your typical 21st birthday (I was sober), but I wouldn't have traded it for anything else.

And on the seventh day, we rested.

Okay, it was more like the sixth & seventh day... but who's counting?

There has been a noticeable lull in posting these last few days, and there are reasons behind it. After a week of Camp Hope, your body just needs some rest. On Saturday, after sleeping in, the intern team took a taxi over to Arcades (the best market in town). We spent most of the afternoon chilling in the coffee shop, which rivals (and beats) most coffee shops in America. The internet cafe is conveniently located next door, so you can buy their wireless internet (at K12,000 or about $2.40 an hour) and sit at the coffee shop next door. It was great enjoying a mocha cappuccino with a scoop of ice cream and posting pictures and videos from the week before. For those of you who are my facebook friend, they are up on my page.

The "bliss" was quickly turned around however, as Sunday I woke up nauseous. I made it through church mostly okay, and went to Arcades with the team after church (along with Teen Mania) hoping to make it through the day. After an hour or so there, I was only getting worse, so I caught a cab and hurried home. It's a good thing I did, as my lunch decided not to stick around for long. Paul was first to get sick mid-week, then Kim, then I got it. We don't know what it was, but we all had about the same symptoms, and (minus Kim) it was only for about a day or two. I woke up today a little better but had an intense head ache, and decided to give it one more day before I went into the office (at Paul's suggestion). It was helpful for me to keep some solid food down, get some rest, and clean the house a bit.

The following week will be mostly preparing for the next camp, which takes place next week. This one will be hosted in Kalingalinga (Lusaka) at the grounds of my church I attend here in Zambia. It's very encouraging as we go about all the boring administrative stuff that is required to put together a camp, to know that next week the work will be worth it as hundreds of orphans will be cared for, loved, and told about Jesus.

On a side note, the end of July is always good for me, as the 26th is my .5 year anniversary with Olivia (this year it's 2.5) and my birthday is the 27th (this year it's the big 21). I love you Olivia, and thank you God for another great year!

I'm going to ask my facebook friends to read a few blog posts as a "birthday present" of sorts, so if you are reading for that purpose, check out a few more down the list! When I was first requested to blog every day, I was skeptical. "Blogging" is a bad word in my world, and I didn't want to be someone who thought so highly of his daily life that everyone should read about it... but for this trip, it has been a helpful tool in digesting the complex things that I encounter on a day-to-day basis. It has also been encouraging to hear how it has been ministering to people back in the states.

Thanks for reading!

Since this is a much lighter post than usual, I'm going to try to get a few pictures from the past week uploaded. Enjoy them.

Bittersweet

Imagine eating a lemon and an ice cream cone at the same time. This pallet of tastes describes the end of this week.

Today was constantly bitter and constantly sweet at the same time. My day started with being picked up by Eddy, one of EOH's trusted taxi drivers. He was on his way to Chongwe to pick up the Teen Mania leaders to take them to town, so I got a free ride. I spent the ride talking to him about his aspirations in life, what I was doing at school back in the states, and the differences between the US and Zambia. We talked about politics, life, and God. It was a very enjoyable conversation!

When we arrived in Chongwe, I realized that it was the last day of camp. It didn't take long to realize this, as every single Teen Mania kid had their camera out, and it was barely after breakfast. The children were in their usual grouping before they broke off into small groups, and they were singing. Listening to them sing all week has been truly a blessing. As they learn more about God, the songs they sing become more passionate as they actually experience the love of God that they sing about.

One of the coolest things I got to do today was hang out again with Henry. It took me a while to find him, and he actually ended up finding me instead. I was hanging out with one of the Teen Mania groups, talking at first to Mary (EOH missionary, married to Bob the builder) and then to one of the Teen Mania members (I specifically didn't say "kid" this time, as she is older than me). In the midst of helping them take pictures and talking about Zambia, Henry found me. We walked and talked for a while, and some of the "regulars" found us and we went to the "regular" spot and began to read the bible. This time we did things a little differently. I read a verse from his Nyanja bible, and he repeated the verse in English. It is Amazing how many children will gather and listen to the bible when a Muzungu is attempting to read in Nyanja. I'm praying about buying my own Nyanja bible for further ministry, as this seems to draw crowds.

We read for hours, ministering to the children that weren't in camp. I want to add though, that this took place after I made sure that all of my "administrative duties" were taken care of. I didn't just show up and ditch the camp :P

After reading through what had to have been seven chapters in John (10-16 if you were wondering), I left to go get lunch. After lunch, the camp was a little different than usual. The "curriculum" was over, and it was a time for the Teen Mania kids and the children to hang out, bond, and in some cases, speak more personally (1-on-1) about what they had been learning about. After a while of everyone hanging out, playing games, and having conversations, there was an organized football game. To clarify, I mean football football, not North American football. The slate was set: it was to be Zambians versus North Americans (we called ourselves Bafana Americana). I wasn't supposed to play at first, as there were a bunch of people who were very eager to play and I didn't want to take away any people's opportunities.

People got tired though, and coach Tom started bringing in substitutions. Tom called me over and asked if I would play. We were down 2-0 and it was almost half time. I told him yes, only if I could play defense (after over a month in Zambia playing every day, I now have a position in football). I had a great time playing (aside from a header that was almost an own-goal that went over the bar)! Final score? Bafana Americana 3, Zambia 2. Somehow, someway, by the grace of God, the Muzungus won! Although it was a friendly match from start to finish, we were definitely excited that we played to the level of a team that was definitely better than us.

One of the really tough things that happened today was saying goodbye to Henry. He had a face very different than usual, and was very stern. He asked if we could contact each other, and I told him that I'd be in Chongwe a few more times before I left. I hope to see that kid again. I feel that God has plans to use him to spread his word to many people in Zambia.



Another extremely difficult thing about today was seeing Teen Mania say goodbye to the kids they had gotten to know so well while at camp. When it was time to go, there were hugs that lasted an eternity, tears that were of pure sorrow, and children who plainly did not want to leave. It's amazing how much a week of fun and learning about God can bond people together. Seeing the genuine grief of Teen Mania just showed us (EOH) how much the Teen Mania kids really had their heart in the right place.

Ending the day on a good note, we got the chance to hang out with Teen Mania for their debrief session. They did it with no lights, gathered around a large camp fire. It was very special hearing the stories of what happened today in some of the groups. There were translators who spoke with Teen Mania kids, asking if they could accept Jesus. There were children who went from absolute blank stares on day one to a gleaming smile on day five. There was one group where 11 out of 11 children accepted Jesus as their savior. They had been told that they could come up to the leaders throughout the day (no need to peer pressure these kids), and each one on their own made that decision. There were Teen Mania kids who were encouraged by their peers, watching them serve the kids and each other, sharing how their teammates showed them the true nature of serving. The stories go on and on.

All in all, the last week has been insane. I still remember the first morning when we were scrambling to register 300 kids and seeing the faces of the Teen Mania kids as they got to see their children for the first time. I still remember that first breakfast where some of the children's hands were shaking because of how weak they were, as they raised up their piece of bread to eat it. I still remember the blank stares and the emotionless faces that many children brought on the first day.

I say that I remember them, but it takes some conscious thought to. It's hard to remember those things when I saw those same children five days later. They had new life. Not only physically as they were fed each day, but spiritually, caring around a joy that only can be found in a God who loves them. At the end of the day, when the Muzungus go back home, the only things these kids have is the love of God. Many of the children in camp left today knowing a God who loves them so much more than their broken families do. They have hope, knowing that no matter what happens, they have a God who comforts them.

I think the most encouraging thing about this week though, is realizing that we get to do it all over again. This time with a new missions team, a new city, a new venue, and new children. The message will be the same, and I believe whole-heartedly that the results will be too. As these missionaries and staff pour into these children, the love of Christ will be blinding to them, and change them just as the Chongwe kids were changed this week.

Today was bittersweet, but this week was sweet. It may have been hard to say goodbye, but I have hope that for some of the kids, it's merely a "goodbye for now." I hope to see them again, very very soon.

Habakkuk 3:17-18

So much happened today that I'm borderline insane to even Try to process it only a few hours after it happened. The following is attempt to do just that:

My day started with being late for my ride, Bob, because I got in the shower a little late and then realized that I had wet clothes that needed to be hung up before I left. Bob was gracious, we picked up Kim and Hosanna (Paul was sick today) and we knocked off for Chongwe. Today (Thursday) is day 4 of 5 in our Camp Hope week. When we arrived in Chongwe, Bob took us to the GEMS school building site, which I hadn't seen in a few weeks. It is encouraging to see the progress on the pre-school and kindergarten. It's equally exciting to imagine the MFH kids learning there. It's going to be a state-of-the-art facility that will dramatically lower class sizes (some in Zambia nearly reach 100 with one teacher) and improve education for the region.

When we finally got to the camp site, it was almost noon. After the madness of registration, the majority of our job has been praying for the camp, and helping anywhere we see a need. I had been seeing the same need for far too long not to address it. As with anything else in Zambia, help is never enough help. Putting 300+ children through camp is amazing, but there will still be thousands on the sidelines wishing they were there. There are at least 20-50 or so (depending on the time of day) staring at camp activities with jealousy. I have been able to get to know a few of them, but today God was saying to spend time with them.

After greeting the ones I knew and introducing myself to the new ones, I pulled out my bible and asked if I could read from it. Henry, a 12 year old who is absolutely gifted in almost every area, served as my translator. I read the children (crowds from 10-30) stories about Jesus: what he did, who he was, what he stood for, and what he had to offer. We read part of his Sermon on the Mount, read about walking on water, healing the blind & lame, and a score of others. After each story, I would ask if they wanted another one, to which they would resoundingly respond "Yes." After a while, I felt led to start to talk to them about God. I told them in my own words about Jesus, how he came so that he would die for our sins, that he is the Son of God, and how salvation is a free gift to those who repent and believe. I kept praying, and kept talking. By the time I was done, I had no idea what I had said. They certainly weren't my own words.

I told them that I was going to give them a chance to accept that free gift of salvation from God, but that I wouldn't do it in a group as I didn't want peer pressure to be a factor. I told them that I was going to go sit on my own and if they wanted to accept Jesus, they could come up to me. By this time, a translator from camp who was waiting for lunch had found his way to me and was helping me translate (as he was a little better than Henry). He came over with me, and we sat. About a minute passed, and then Henry came up to us.

I explained what he was doing, that it was a life-long day-by-day decision, and what it meant. I then prayed in English, the translator translated to Nyanja, and Henry repeated it. Henry accepted Jesus as his Savior. Next came Junior, and then James. After the third child, the adult translator asked if he could go get lunch. I said of course, and asked Henry to come back. Together, Henry (my new translator) and I led two more children to Christ. Two more children came up after that, but before it was time to pray decided they wanted more time, which was fine. I would much rather them think about it than make a decision they didn't mean.

It is amazing what God can do if we just show up. I might have said the words, but it was all Him.

We focus so much time on the kids in the camp (which of course is our focus and is of upmost importance) but thank God that I had some free time to spend with these kids! They are just as important to God, and were feeling unimportant without their camp T-Shirts, bandanas, and Muzungus to hang out with. There are five new Christians today from my little group!

I spent the next few hours sitting there as another crowd gathered. Henry stayed to translate, and we just kept on reading stories from the bible. Just like before, they kept asking for more. Besides Henry, two of the children who had previously accepted Jesus stuck around to hear more. One of them truly had the joy only God can give. It was special to see.

After a long while (it was already almost 16 hours [4 pm]), Henry asked if it was okay that he went home. Earlier on, I had asked him where he lived. He mentioned that it was a short walk. I had really bonded with him today, and I asked him if I could walk him home. We walked through the bush in silence, enjoying each other's company. As we reached his home, I was surprised. It was very modest, but the community was beautiful. There were five homes (adobe huts) in a circle, and the families acted as a community. There were three cows, two dogs, some chickens, and about 10 bags of maize (corn). The mamas were separating the maize, and the children gathered (I don't think white people find their way back there too often).

After greeting them all and receiving a warm welcome, I was about to be on my way. Henry came over with a large piece of wood, and I asked him what it was. He said that it was a hand-carved stool to sit on (a nice one at that). He told me to sit, and ran to his home. He came back with a Nyanja bible, and told me he wanted me to read stories verse by verse in English and Nyanja. It was a trip trying to read Nyanja. The letters are all English (minus a few symbols added to letters) and luckily most of the words sound like they spell. Henry went to all of his favorite verses and chapters, and asked me to read them in both languages. The mamas and children had a great laugh at me trying to read Nyanja. Some of the words were extremely difficult, and were quite long (20 letters). The children stayed close, and the mamas were paying attention.

Then a man wearing a nice polo shirt with "Agriculture" something something on it came up. He asked me how I was doing, and asked if I was with the group of Muzungus who had gone around evangelizing a few days earlier. I said that we were working with them, but that we were separate (he was talking about Teen Mania). He noticed Henry, and asked if I knew that Henry was quite smart. Of course I did. He then told me that he was his nephew, and that Henry's dad (his brother) was the headmaster of the area. The headmasters act as the #2 to the chief and are next in line to be chief. Henry is one blessed little boy.

After reading for what had to have been more than an hour I told them it was best that I get back (no one knew I wandered off into the bush). When I told Henry and the crowd of kids this, a woman said something to Henry in Nyanja. Henry said that she was his mother, and that she wanted to know if I could pray for her, as she has had the same sickness since January of this year. She described it as chest pain that radiated throughout her body over time. I put my hand on her shoulder, and prayed for her. I don't know if she is healed, or if the pain has receded, but I will know soon (as I plan to go back).

Before I could go, another woman came up to me. She asked if my bible had Habakkuk in it. Nyanja bibles that include the Hebrew Scriptures are hard to come by (they might not even exist), as missionaries who translated them in the 70's focused on only the New Testament (shorter, cost&time effective, focuses on Jesus). She said that Habakkuk contained her favorite verse, and asked if I would read it to her. It is as follows:

Habakkuk 3:17-18:
Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.

Reading this verse through American eyes, it might not have caught my attention as much. Last time I checked, IN&OUT still has their special sauce, and COSTCO still has their pallets of 10 pound boxes of Cheezits. In the bush in Chongwe, Zambia, this has a new meaning. When they literally lose crops... when their animals literally die off... when the trees literally stop producing... this woman rejoices in the LORD, and is joyful in God, her Savior. At the time they were doing very well: enough maize for a month, cows, chickens, etc. Something tells me that this verse has helped her keep her joy and her faith even when times are tough, just long enough to see God provide yet again.

Now do you see why I was crazy to try to process all of that?

God is good.