Our Zambian Mamas

Guest post over here today, where you can find this same post. Check out EOH's website and our great bloggers!

To say I was excited to visit Zambia this last February, would be a huge understatement. I love Africa. I love the little babies, the people, the sights, the smells, the adventure - and I couldn't wait to visit Zambia for the first time. I especially couldn't wait to meet the kids that I had fallen in love with over the previous 3 months. To put faces with names and personalities.

What a wonderful trip it was! We met our incredible Zambian staff at EOH, we met the 80+ kids in our care, and we were able to see first hand what we work for on a daily basis, back here in the States. Yet when I look back on that 12 day trip, I am often left thinking about our Mamas. Oh, I fell further in love with the kids- some of my favorite memories were playing soccer, painting fingernails, interviewing each child individually and learning as much as I could about every precious child. But what left me awestricken and continues to do so, are our Mamas.

When I really start to think about these women, I put myself in their shoes. Imagine losing your husband and maybe even your children. Being left broken hearted, alone, and purposeless. But then you hear of an opportunity- an adventure to which you must give your life and your entire self. Yes, it's a wonderful opportunity, but you must leave your home, your relatives, and life as you know it. The only way you are equipped for this challenge is because you are called by the Lord, Himself. You must open your heart to children that are not your own, pray and work through situations that you've never imagined could ever happen to these precious children, and model what a humble servant of the Lord looks like.

And that is exactly who they are: humble servants of the Lord. These women are an inspiration who are happy to be in the background- molding and training these children in the way they should go. They are the prayer warriors who get up at 4 am to wash their days in prayer. And they LOVE. When there are nightmares, hurts, scrapes, tears and heartaches, they love these children. As their own.

And as I reflect, I realize this is such a beautiful example of what Christ did and is for us. While humans can never compare to Christ, we are called to give ourselves up and love as He has loved us. These women are doing just that for our children. We cannot begin to thank them enough.

The little one who has stolen my heart

I don't know her name. And no one else does either. Yet this little one stole my heart yesterday. I gave her a piece of gum along with 5 other children before the local church started. That's when she caught my eye. She didn't make a sound, just looked at me with wide eyes and put the gum in her mouth.

Half way through the 3 hour church service (yes, it's quite a Sunday morning event here!) I spotted her behind me, clinging to her father's leg. She came to me and I picked her up in my arms. 

The room was burning hot. I held her for over an hour as she played with my bracelet and then fell asleep in my lap. When I finally lifted her off of me after the service, my entire front was soaked in both of our sweat.

While I was holding her, I just prayed for her. Prayed that she would be protected as she grew up- that her family would love her and that God would take care of her and that one day, she'd come to know Him in the very church we were sitting in. 

She stole my heart. And I know, she will be in my prayers for years to come.

The amazing YOTEL

And we have left!

Right now I am currently in the London airport in one of the most wonderful things man has created! It's called a YOTEL - anyone heard of it?

Here's the one I'm staying in.

After a long flight and another one to go, this was the perfect way to spend our 10 hour layover!

We were all able to get some alone time, some sleep and a WONDERFUL hot shower! This is one happy girl and I have found my new way to handle these crazy, long trips!

Wish us luck and say a few prayers as our next flight takes us to Zambia. Can't wait to meet our 80 orphans there!

Now that I have seen, I am responsible

With Zambia only a week away and the trip fresh on my mind, Brooke Fraser's song fills my head and heart tonight. Something about these trips grips you- grabs a hold of your heart and won't let go. I know full well that I will leave part of me in Zambia next week. 

But the best part of this trip is that I know I get to come back and visit these kids again this summer. Not once have I been able to travel BACK to the places I've left my heart and you're always left wondering how they are - how those 3, now 6 year olds are. Are they learning their letters? Learning how to write and spell their names? It hurts not knowing how they have grown up - they are frozen at 3 years old and forever precious.


But these kids in Zambia will be different. I'm ready to build a relationship. I've already started memorizing all 80 of their names, making their faces familiar in my mind. And next week, as I meet them, I'll get to say "this summer, when I come back..." 

I'll also find one sweet child to sponsor next week. Jake and I are really excited about adding one of these sweet orphans to our family. I'm not sure if it will be a boy or girl, but either way, we can't wait! And at the office, we have been setting up new, exciting tools through Facebook to stay connected to the kids while in the States, so Jake and I will be able to really build a relationship with them through photos, video, and updates. Here is one of the 10 houses I will be visiting next week:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Fathers-House-C4/176879455741018

As I go, I want to remember what really matters. Once I have seen, I am responsible. These children and their stories I will carry with me wherever I go. Please follow me as I'm there... I'll be updating this blog as much as possible from the ground there.

Brooke Fraser - Albertine

Jake and I stayed up late last night watching videos from our Every Orphan's Hope Youtube channels. We loved them so much that Jake tweeted about this one (watch the boy on the left - we cracked up!)

 and I cried at the end of this one. We can't wait to meet these kids in Zambia and are already getting attached!!!

Zambia!

The date is set! February 2nd I will be leaving our home in Dallas and flying across the world to Zambia, Africa for 12 days! This new country already has touched my heart, as it is home to the 80 orphans whose names and faces I have learned in the last 3 weeks. I can't wait to meet them face to face. To sit in the dirt with them, to laugh and play, to let them braid my crazy, weird, straight American hair. What a joy it will be to put real live faces with the names I have already come to care about. I have read their stories- now I want to live their lives with them.

 

The best part is that I get to keep coming back and visiting twice a year. In my other travels, I knew I was saying goodbye for a long time, if not forever. Here in Zambia, I can't wait to build lasting relationships... heck, I see some of my best friends here in the States only twice a year!

I'll also be praying and looking for a few children that God really lays on my heart, as I have family members that would like to sponsor a little girl. And Jake and I want to sponsor a child as well. I'm afraid I'll come back to the States asking Jake to sponsor 25 children, but that's what makes me so excited about this "job"... I get to serve these orphans all year long, 8-5, 5 days a week! Could it get any better??

In the weeks ahead I hope to share some of what we'll be doing in Zambia. We have SO much to do in preparation. And once I'm there, I'll also use this blog to update my friends and family about our travels. I can't wait! Thanks for following along!

Check out everyorphan.org to learn more.

Book recommendation

Looking for a GREAT book recommendation?

Just Monday my boss came in and laid a book on my desk. "Have you heard about Katie?" he asked.

And let's just say, all week all I've wanted to do is learn more about Katie and her amazing story in Uganda. Jake and I fight for the book every night to read and I even stayed up past my bedtime devouring it last night after Jake fell asleep.. ha!

Katie also has a blog outlining her adventures since 2007.  As of today she is a mother to 13 Ugandan orphans and her story is amazing. Check it out if you are ready to be challenged and to follow along as one 22 year old American girl shares the adventure she is living. It won't leave you untouched.