Last summer I spent an incredible three weeks in the Sudan.  I learned about mission opportunities in a worship service at Irving Bible Church, and decided to see what kind of things they would be doing.  “Teaching teachers” seemed right up my alley, after all, I had not only been a teacher, but worked as a director for the past 12 or so years.  The biggest issue was the cost—$4000!  WoW!   Cost prohibitive for a girl with one child in college and another on the way to college.  I threw up a little prayer telling God he would have to rain down manna if I was going to go — and that’s exactly what He did.  My family and teachers raised the support for me to go.

I did not know the three girls I would go with, but it didn’t take long for us to form a bond, based on our mutual desire to be”the hands and feet of Jesus”.  We were HOT, hungry, dirty and afraid, but we met terrific people in Africa, and I would go back in a heartbeat.  The Sudanese people are incredible in that they have endured years and years of civil war and oppression, yet they are one of the most proud and hearty people that I have ever known.  Extreme poverty is part of their every day existence, yet they make the most of all that they have, and they have a tremendous faith in God.  This experience gave me an intense gratefulness for all that God has given me right here in Dallas, Texas, USA, and an intense desire to continue to help those who are less fortunate than I am.

Thus, this summer I will be returning to Africa, this time to Zambia to work with children.  This trip will be shared with my children Josh & Mindy.  I know that  they return with the same sense of thankfulness and desire to help that I got last year. Family Legacy Missions International is a terrific organization that has been holding summer camps for the orphans of Zambia for the last 7 years.  I look forward seeing what God has to teach us as we work with these awesome children.