God is amazing

I can't help but want to drop and praise God when I see the things He does in this world. The Lord has shown me so much and has been working on my perspectives about His world and His harvest.

On a side note, I just want to give a shout out to my Bible study girls for being awesome and for seeking Christ with thier whole hearts. You girls are are awesome and I love being able to pray with you, I treasure our time together. I'll be keeping you in mind this week and always.

pictures

other cool stories

Besides the cool stories listed in my letter, there were other things that happened. Two weeks before our team arrived in Sainsowa village, a healing occurred. A girl, who had been crippled and lying on a mat for over a year unable to move (fingers curled) had accepted Christ and the church prayed over her. That night she was able to walk a little bit but was still stiff. By the time we arrived she was fully recovered and worshipping in the church!
Before we left for Zambia, my roommate Lin had been studying 1 Peter 3 (the passage about wives that are Christians who are married to husbands who are not and what they can do to help them become Christians). The next day she went to Walmart to get some last minute items that included a water bottle and a Bible. As you know, Walmart is always very busy but there was one line with no one in it (all the other lines were very full-Lin thought this was strange). Naturally, Lin went to that line. The girl was curious why Lin was purchasing a Bible and Lin told her about the mission trip and that she needed a small Bible to carry with her. The girl then shared with Lin that she was also a Christian and that her husband was Muslim. She asked Lin what she could do about that. Lin gladly shared with her the 1 Peter 3 passage. This whole time, no one ever got in line behind her, allowing them time to talk. Lin then went home and later was visited by Amelia (another Project Zambia team member) who was dropping some things off at her house. Lin told Amelia that she would never believe what had happened at Walmart. As Amelia listened, her eyes got real big and she responded, you’re never going to believe what happened to me at Walmart! Amelia had gone later in the day, apparently to the same check out girl. Amelia was purchasing the same water bottle that Lin had and the girl recognized it and asked if she was going on a mission trip. It’s funny how she talked about the Bible but remembered the bottle. Amelia was able to invite her to her and her husband’s church (he is the pastor) and the girl was eager to get the invite.

Same store
same line
no one is in line
the cashier was curious
Lin had an applicable verse
the cashier remembers the items
There were only two water bottles on the shelf when Lin purchased hers
Amelia and Lin got together later that same day
This girl was reached!!!
God is awesome!!!

WOAH: my experiences in Zambia

What an opportunity this mission to Zambia has been for me. I thank you for your prayers and financial support. I saw the church described in the Bible where I was in Africa; miracles, healings, lives changed, and people coming to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Upon returning, I have rejoiced even more about the power of the name of Jesus. I feel God used this more as a teaching opportunity for me and I know He did use me even in little ways.

Our team visited three cities, all very different and all poor in comparison to U.S. standards. My favorite was Sainsowa Village, the chickens, the grass huts, women with jars of water on their heads; simple lives but huge faith.
I worked mainly with youth in the churches we visited. Their knowledge and hunger for the Word of God was unlike any I’ve seen. They crave to own Bibles. Our supply was limited and customs prevents shipments many times from making their final destination. One family had three children of their own and seven orphans. This home of 12 was without a Bible; I was privileged to be able to give them mine.
The experiences with orphans and widows was touching. They had so little-perhaps one outfit to wear all the time. I was able to give away many of my clothes and my tennis shoes as I saw the need. Our team visited with the members of the churches to offer prayer and encouragement in their homes.
My favorite story came from hearing some of our group member’s experiences. They went to visit a woman who had just recently become a Christian and she wanted to burn her water pipe (a potent form of tobacco) to show she was serious. Her neighbor curiously walked over and asked what was happening. The team shared the gospel message with her and she accepted Christ. The amazing thing was that she was a witch doctor-she ran into her house and brought out all of her charms to burn because she didn’t need them any more! God is powerful!
Another story comes from when my roommate and I asked one of the staff from where we were staying to come to a service we were having that night. George was a Christian but he brought his uncle who was not. His uncle was 56 and had never stepped foot in a church. Experiencing the worship service, he said he now understood why George was a Christian. George’s uncle accepted Christ as his savior that night.
I tell you these things because we forget (well at least I do) what the power of God can do-the hope He brings-the grace He gives-the miracles He still performs. I was blessed to see these things. When I left here, I wanted to bring America to Africa, to the sticks (our better way of life) but as I return, I wish I could bring Africa here, the people’s large faith here, their joy even with so little here; in America.
Two years ago I would have been uncomfortable about taking this trip, but God planted a seed and what a blessing it was. There are needs all over the world and I encourage you to pray about a mission opportunity yourself if you have never been. Yes, I said it-YOU. God can use anyone. David was the youngest and the smallest but God used him to fight the giant. He was obedient. He had great faith. He was victorious for the Lord.
You all have been a blessing to me. This is an experience I wouldn’t trade for the world. Glory be to God.
Grace and Peace to you
Rebecca
For more pictures go to www.rebeccasmissiontozambia.blogspot.com and click on the facebook link to view my Africa photo album.

AMEN!!!

Amen, Amen, Amen and glory be to God. I praise my Jesus that He is allowing me to be a part of His harvest. I'm so excited and can hardly contain my joy in knowing how I will see the Spirit work in Zambia. Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement, I can't wait!

Thank You!/ retreat/ thoughts

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I have officially reached my goal in financial support and have been overwhelmed at what our team has collected as a whole for our ministry supplies. The people of Zambia will be blessed with the items that have been donated. And thank you for prayers, that has made a huge difference as well.

I had a retreat with my team this weekend and felt as though God allowed me to see a little bit of heaven. My team is spiritually strong. I could see God working in each person's life; Christ overflowed in their being and I can tell He will be glorified in our missions in Zambia.

We leave in just two and a half weeks (June 8th)! I am reading and trying to prepare myself for the cultural differences that I will experience. The US is a germ conscious culture that now has bleach wipes for shopping cart handles; I am going to a culture that doesn't always have a toilet around, hot water, or clean water. I am trying to prepare myself emotionally for seeing things that I have never seen first hand before; children who are hungry and sick.
This will be a big adjustment for me even though it is only a few weeks i am looking forward to it. I ask for prayers that I can be grateful for what I will have over there and that Christ will be glorified in all that our team will do.

My team: My thoughts

I was able to meet more of my team last week and feel blessed by them. My prayer partner Shirley is AWESOME. This experience will really grow me, I am the youngest team member by 20 years or so but the wisdom among my team members is so rich and full. hearing their stories from past years only re-energized my longing to go.
Mentally, I am having to put my trip on hold, (at least until finals are over May 10th), then I will begin planning lessons and begin packing to leave June 8th! I will be attending a retreat May 19-20 for our team to plan and pray together before we leave. This is the only time all of us will be together before we go.
Please be praying for wisdom for me on what to teach while we are at the schools and how to appropriately counsel those we meet.
Thank you all, love ya.
Rebecca

I'm going to Zambia this June!

God has pressed it on my heart to travel on missions to Zambia Africa this June. Project Zambia focuses on sharing the Good News with others and with equipping the people of Zambia with clean water through building and sending new water purifiers. Here is what the church has requested that we help with while there:
· Have a session to teach villagers on self reliance (encouraging them to maximize their potential in the areas of agriculture, carpentry, and fishing)
· Have a one day visit at the clinic to pray for the sick and for encouragement (they need dental equipment)
· To conduct worship services (to help them learn)
· Visiting, praying, and counseling at homes of the sick
· Helping with a football game day
· Praying and encouraging the orphans and widows of the church
· To meet the students there and encourage them in their education.
Each time I read about what we will be doing or read stories of other missionary’s experiences, I am filled with such an incredible joy. I can honestly say I have never been this excited about serving in this way.

I could use your help

There are quite a few things that this mission is requiring. I would love to request your prayers for me and my team as we raise our support to go and also if you could pray for the church we will be working and the people of Zambia as well. I am looking forward to see how God will use us there.
In conjunction with raising financial support, we are collecting things to take there as well. The local church has requested the following items:
Bibles, school supplies, soccer uniforms (T-shirts), ball caps, a parachute (for the kids), puppets, $ for water purifiers and a truck, hard sided suitcases, pencils, chalk, flash cards, elementary writing tablets, large scarves for ladies, ladies jewelry, tennis balls, soccer balls, shoes and uniforms. If you would like to donate some of these items, please let me know.
I will also be selling Krispy Kreme donuts till mid May ($5 a dz.) for our team's budget (water purifiers and truck).

Thoughts

I heard the voice of the Lord saying; ‘whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me.’”
Isaiah 6:8
4-9-06
I am anxious and nervous all at the same time. The fact that God has been pulling on my heart for almost 2 years now to do a trip overseas and to think that he did all of that for just 18 days there—Mind-boggling. Can’t wait to see what He will do through our team and to see how we will mature in that process.
Despite this being my first mission overseas, my team has asked that I head up leading the youth activities for the trip. I know its because there aren’t many of us going (just 11) and we all really have to step up and make this happen. God has really stretched me in this whole process. I am a planner and I like to know exactly what will be going on all the time. Obviously, missions works on a different timetable; God’s timetable. He is helping me learn patience, trust, and reliance on Him fully. I would love for you to be praying for me for ideas on skits and lessons that I can teach the youth of Zambia. I will know more in about a week and a half when I have another team meeting.