Since my first trip to Africa 4 years ago, I have wondered about the privilege of birthplace.  Of course, since African people don’t know anything else, I am not sure that they feel unlucky.  There are lots of Americans who don’t realize how lucky they are since the have never seen how other countries live (and CNN doesn’t count!!!)

Now after visiting the home of my recent foster children, I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to be born to parents who don’t hold down jobs, or try to further their education.  Although I hope these little guys will have a life that is much better than what they have now; since their parents are continuing the cycle of poverty and neglect, I am not sure that they will be able to do much better.  I guess as long as they are happy with their life, who am I to judge!

The sad thing is that whether in Africa or right here in Texas, poverty exists, so I need to be grateful that God chose something different for me.  I guess I need to be more thankful for what I  have and to do my best to help my neighbors, near and far!!!

One of the great things I will be doing this year is going on a Father’s Heart trip!  I will get to go and visit the home  of the girl that I sponsor–sweet Miriam, and I’m going to go to Agness’ home also–the school sponsors her!  I can’t wait to see “my girls”!

The Tree of Life Village will have changed a lot too–the new school should be just about open and I can’t wait to see it!  I am hoping to take some supplies for the school!

There is still room for people to sign up–if you’ve ever wanted to go to Africa, this is the best and most awesome way to get there.  God is going to be doing great things in Zambia — don’t you want to join Him?!

This last Friday night I did a babysitting fundraiser.  I am raising money so that I can go back to Zambia this summer.  We will need our monies earlier this year because the World Cup in South Africa is messing with a lot of the flights.  I decided to do Christmas babysitting to help out parents and to get to spend time with some great kids doing fun  holiday things.  Last Friday I had 13 children–we made cookies and iced them–yum!!  We made some ornaments, watched Merry Madagascar, and played with the dog.  It was a great time!!  I am doing it for 2 more Friday nights and I can’t wait!  I hope the children are having as much fun as I am!!

I was in Office Max this week and picked up 3 boxes of crayons for a penny a piece, WalMart had glue sticks for a quarter!  It is possible to fill a whole backpack full of supplies for very little money.   As you are out doing your shopping this week, why not pick up an extra set of supplies for the children in Lusaka. (School supplies are tax free this weekend)  I will be happy to pick up anything you might collect or you can bring them by Vista Ridge and I will get them to Family Legacy.  They are going to be put on a cargo ship the first week of September so that they will arrive by January!

New school supplies are exciting for every child – whether here or across the ocean.  As we pray for our children as they begin a new year, let’s also begin to pray for the children who will be filling the seats at 4 new schools in Lusaka in January.

The best part was seeing my girls again!!  This year I had 11 of my girls back again!  It was so good to see them.  I also had 3 new girls this year, and they were wonderful.  It was so exciting to see those girls bound off the bus on Monday morning and practically tackle me!  I wondered if they would remember me, and they did!

Me and my girls!!!

I was amazed that I remembered all of them too!  The saddest part was that one of the girls had an identical twin last year that died of a stomach ailment.  There were a lot of tears over that!

All of my girls need sponsors, so if you are interested in helping out some great kids, I would love to give you information.  Sponsorship helps them with school fees and food, and everyone of them need the help.  I hope that God leads you to sponsor one of my sweet girls!  Camp Life 2010 sign ups begin in a month, so if you want to go meet my sweet girls, it’s a great trip!

There’s lots of packing to be done before I go— if you want to donate something for me to take to Zambia — I’ll be glad to take it!  The children there are so awesome,  you will be glad that you gave to them!!  There is a special need for socks, and for little girl panties!  I can only take 3 suitcases, but I plan to have them loaded up when I leave!!

This summer has been awesome so far  — as soon as I get some of my pictures back I’ll blog about my greatest week as a foster parent.

Almost everyone is still raising support to go, so you can still send money if you don’t want to send yourself!!  If you are going to be near Prestonwood Baptist Church on Saturday, go on over to the Sonic on Midway and eat, all the tips will go to my new friend Hannah for her Zambia trip.

God is ready to do unbelievable this summer in the lives of the orphans in Zambia — you don’t want to miss out on the blessings — sign up today!!

After several weeks of “bargaining with God”, I have decided to take a big leap of faith and go forward with my plans to go to Camp Life in July.  When Wray lost his job, I put everything on hold, thinking surely that God would give him a job so that I could go teach Zambian orphans that Jesus loves them.  My ever-present “bossy nature” was trying to tell God what would work best for me and my family, obviously He isn’t in need of my advice.

I have fretted over how to pay for this trip—the last two years have been funded by wonderful family and friends in support.  Since Josh went to work for Family Legacy, I decided not to write support letters in hopes that anyone who might support me, would in fact support my sweet son.  I have been praying that God would drop a wad of money on me so I could go — Wray says He did in the form of his severance payment.  Our tithe of that money will go to God’s work in Zambia instead of His work in Dallas.  I guess I was just greedy and wanted to be able to give to both works.

After lots of tears and prayer, the check is in the mail.  I’m going to Zambia!!  I feel like I’m jumping off the financial cliff–hoping and knowing that God is providing a job parachute, a housing parachute, and an economical parachute–my job is to give Him the honor and glory while being His hands and feet.