Thinking of Them

      My family and I returned to the states a few days ago, and I thought it fitting to close my Africa experience with one final blog post.  Unfortunately, I was unable to blog during our Tanzania exploration due to a lack of service and internet access.  The safari was incredible, and something that I will never forget.  Each day, I found myself thinking about my 10 girls, and how much they would love seeing all the animals and experiencing nature like I was fortunate enough to do with my family.
     When we walked into our house, we were greeted by stacks upon stacks of mail.         Somewhere in those stacks sat a letter from Family Legacy containing my task now that I have returned to my everyday life.  I briefly mentioned in an earlier post about the sponsorship program, Father's Heart, operated by Family Legacy.  A donor contributes $44 dollars a month plus an initial start-up fee of $95 to send a child to the Family Legacy school, Lifeway Christian Academy, where they will receive one meal a day as well as a wonderful education.  Once you sponsor a child, you can communicate with them through the Family Legacy website.  I highly encourage that you do communicate with them, because I know that if you get to know them, you will love them just as much as I do.  If you ever feel that God is calling you to Camp Life, which I hope that He will, you can add on a day to your journey to visit your sponsored child in their community.  Two of my girls are already sponsored, however eight of my girls continue to lack an education and the chance to change their situation.  To find out more information about sponsoring one of my lovely girls please visit www.familylegacy.com/sponsorachild.  You can search for them "by ambassador" simply type in First Name: Emma Grace Last Name: Butler to find the list of my eight girls seeking sponsorship.  

    I didn't write this last post just to campaign for your sponsorship, though I hope that you will consider and pray about helping one of these girls achieve the life she deserves.  I haven't returned home to my very fortunate life, and forgotten about my girls.  I think about them every day, and pray every day that God watches over them since I cannot.  I think about each and every one of them, wondering what happened to them today.  As I prepare to return for my last summer at Mystic, I can't help but wish that I could send all 10 of my little sisters to Camp Mystic to experience the friendship and joy I have found there.  
     Someone once told me that all we can really do is pray.  I never realized until Zambia how true that statement was.  So please pray for my girls.  Pray that no one abuses them, that they may eat, that they won't have nightmares, that they will hold onto their happiness in the face of such unhappiness, that they will love their neighbors, and most importantly, that they will never forget how much Jesus loves them.  I told them while we were there how so many people were reading about them and praying for them.  I wish y'all could see how much that meant to them, knowing that someone out there cared.  I feel that these girls deserve so much more than they were dealt.  However, I can't do anything about except pray.  I will continue to pray for them every day, and I hope that you will do the same!  

Goodbye For Now

Leaving my girls behind today was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I tear up just thinking about it. Every single one of those girls is a gift to Zambia and it pains me that their society is to blind to see that.
Today we were able to shower our girls with blessings (presents), that will equip them to spread the word of God. We gave bandanas and t-shirts to protect them. Bracelets and bookmarks that broadly proclaim their love of God. We blessed them with blankets to allow them to find comfort while sleeping on the cold floor. We also gave each child a balloon to release into the sky. Many had never seen balloons before and watching those balloons fly up just as my girls will fly up through the help of God was such an incredible sight.
My girls however don't realize that the biggest gift was not given to them but given to me. Meeting them, learning their stories, and coming to love each of them has changed me as a person. I know that not a day will go by that I won't pray for them and think of them. They all deserve the best and I know that God will provide.
Zambia needs our help and God called me to serve. But I think that in reality, God called these children to realign my faith and remind me that I am His. I will never forget Cleo, Ruth, Tina, Natasha, Esnart, Memory, Judith, Lungowe, Gift and Marrium. They say at Camp Life to not allow your self to get in the way of a miracle. If God calls you, you have to go and see the miracles he will work. If I hadn't gone on this trip, I would have missed out on the most incredible miracles I have ever witnessed.

We Are The Next 50!

The children that I am working with represent the future of Zambia and that was our focus for today.  The Camp Life 2014 theme is "We are the Next 50" and it refers to the years ahead for this community of children that will become leaders.

We kicked off the day with a small group session with the Camp Life Staff asking us, the American Counselors, to share our own testimony with our girls.  I noticed that hearing my testimony opened up a door with these precious girls.  Half way through, you could see the change in eye contact and a level of comfort that I had not seen before.  

Today during our big group time, we talked about moving our mountain of rejection, temptation, or whatever obstacle we may have through the strength and grace of God.  Blessing Times continued to be incredible.  Tina asks that we pray for her to be able to attend school.  Lungowe asked that God will deliver her mother and sister from starvation.  Judith asks that her longing for her father will become a peaceful memory instead of a painful desire.

All of the girls in my group have come to accept Christ throughout the day.  One told me that in accepting God, she found the strength to live through the night.  It is an amazing admission and a stark reality.  

We took the girls to the medic tent and almost all of my girls received treatment for something.  This is just another thing that I know that I take for granted.  It was heartbreaking to see how terrified they were of the medical staff.  

Each child received an "I am the Next 50" shirt and they will wear them tomorrow.  I wish you all could have seen their faces full of hope and purpose when we explained to them that they are the future!  It changes them!

Tomorrow, I will wear traditional Zambian dress to go and visit my children in their own community, Kabanana.

Again, I ask that you continue to pray for all of us here at Camp Life as we wind up our week with these wonderful orphans ~ scratch that..... amazing people!

Zambian Tuesday

Just when I thought it could not get any better, or that my heart could not get any more full ~ God continues to surprise me, because today was even better!  We greeted our singing girls at around 9:30 this morning.  Today was rotation day, meaning that before lunch, the groups rotate between "snaps" (photos), Blessing Time, playground and coloring.  The girls love taking snaps ~ when you take one, you are immediately swarmed by children jumping on your back to see the snap.....it is THE ultimate photo bomb!

I was able to have 4 Blessing Times today.  Some of the girls are hesitant to open up, but I am praying that they will be more comfortable as camp progresses.  Mirriam asked us to pray for her desire to become a teacher and the school that will entail.  One of the girls had a difficult Blessing Time that end with all three of us in tears.  We will try to visit with her later today, as well.  Many of the girls pray with us for violence at home to stop.  This is particularly difficult to hear and I will pray about it always. Particularly difficult is one of our girls that has lost her father.  Esnart prayed with us that she would stop having nightmares about him and can move forward in her life.

Blessing Time is very special and a "blessing" to be sure.  But, the next part of our day was such a joyful thing!  I have never seen children enjoy and appreciate a playground more.  I found it very comforting to see them feel safe enough to be free and act their age.

I broke out my Polaroid Camera today for the first time.  The children were completely fascinated by the developing picture and would stand still for 15 minutes to witness the photograph become fully revealed.  I have to agree, it is sort of amazing to watch things appear!

Today, Ruth announced during small group time that she accepted Christ as her savior!  What an exciting moment for all of us!  We worked with a teaching tool called an "evangacube" today.  I had never seen one before.  I do not know how to describe it, but I can tell you that any teacher that is sharing their faith with children should have one!

evangacube

I am so thankful to know each and everyone of these girls and for the opportunity to be here, in this place, at this time.  Please continue to keep all of us in your prayers.

At Last!

Today we met our children and today I think my life changed.  I should probably start at the beginning.  We woke up early to tour Lusaka to gain some context about the city in which our children live.  The weather is beautiful.  It is the dry season or winter here and the Zambians think it is freezing at about 70*.  We all think it is fabulous (at least the Houston and Texas contingency!).   There is a slight wind and the sun shines so brightly that it seems to light up the entire country!  We boarded a bus that by US standards would be small and is considered large here.  It was old and rickety…you see them crammed with riders all through the streets of Lusaka.  The roads are very narrow and some are paved but then disappear into dirt and gravel.

Lusaka has two parts.  One area of town, near Family Legacy's Compound, houses the wealthy.  We passed the President's home and the US Embassy.  Like most US embassy buildings, the Zambian location is a huge, fortified building compared to the buildings that surround it.  Unfortunately, local laws prohibit photography of the Embassy or the President's home.  

We then began to pass into the other manner of life in Zambia.  We traveled through two compounds. Compounds are huge areas that have formed communities.  The first compound we passed through was the worst of the worst.  The houses, if you can call them that, are little more than paper bags.  We continued on to a compound with concrete buildings.  As we drove through the narrow, dusty streets, shoeless and smiling children chased after our bus.  We stopped at one of the Family Legacy schools in the community.  Family Legacy has created 17 schools called Lifeway Christian Academy that serve 17 different areas, in addition to the school that is located within the Family Legacy Compound.

In order for children to attend "government school", families must pay, so most do not attend at all.  Family Legacy works to find sponsorships for children so that the cost of the school is underwritten by contributions.  Donors contribute about $40 per month to send a Zambian child to a Family Legacy School.  

The school that we visited was formerly a bar and brothel.  Our Family Legacy Tour Guide told us that many of the students at this school saw their fathers become alcoholics or watched their mothers work to provide for the family with in the same walls of what is now the school.  Renovated, it is now a gated, concrete structure that represents a future for these students.  Every morning this year, the students begin the day by proclaiming, “We are stars!”

After visiting one of the schools, we stopped at a local grocery store where we purchased delicious, authentic bread and then returned to Camp.  Hundreds of dancing children greeted us as we drove through the gates.  Locating our Zambian "Partner" (translator) was our ticket to finding our group of children.  I am matched with a group of 10 girls between the ages of 8 & 10.  They are beautiful and truly a gift.  We danced and sang and it was the most fun I have had in a while!  During some free time, we are asked to take one child aside with our partner for something called "Blessing Time".  Blessing Time offers us the opportunity to learn more about our girls and, hopefully when we return to the states, we can tell their stories to others in hopes of securing sponsorship for them to attend school.  I was able to participate in three Blessing Times with my girls and they really shared a lot about their lives.  One of my girls, Cleo, asked that we pray for her nightmares to go away.  We prayed with Ruth that she might be able to attend school and that violence at home would stop.  

I cannot wait to see my girls again tomorrow and spend more time with each and every one of them.  I would ask that you add these special girls to your prayers ~ Cleo, Ruth, Gift, Memory, Esnart, Natasha, Lungowe, Marriam, Judith, and Tina.   Also, pray for my Zambian Partners, Monica and Mwamba.   I will be praying for our group and that our “campers” accept Christ into their hearts during this short, but powerful, time at Camp Life.

(Photos to come)

We Made it! The Birthplace of Humanity

Last night, Katie and I were welcomed into the beautiful country of Zambia.  Driving through the country was definately eye opening.  The city of Lusaka, capital of Zambia, is very barren, beautiful nature-wise, but very lacking in civilization!

We were welcomed onto the Family Legacy compound by a group of orphans singing Christian songs for us.  We ate dinner and talked a little bit about the incredible experience that we will have here.  Katie and I are living in Villa 5.  The villas are brand new and, as such, will generate revenue when rented as retreat lodges.  This morning we rose at 9 am for church at 10 with the children that live full time at Family Legacy.  They opened their arms to us, grabbing our hands and dancing and singing with us.  Church was Awesome!  It was one of the most meaningful services that I have ever experienced.  Hearing the children give testimony about finding God amidst the most difficult of circumstances was very humbling!

After church we ate a quick lunch and then ventured over to the Pop-Up market that had appeared in the Family Legacy compound.  I feel a little embarrassed by the number of beautiful things that I purchased!  I just could not say, "no"!  I purchased an authentic skirt worn by Zambian women which we will wear on Thursday when we go into the city for a tour of the conditions which these orphans live in every day.

We are waiting now to meet our Zambian partners who will act as our translators throughout the week.

Tomorrow Camp Life Week 2 officially begins!

The Dubai Experience

Our 14 hour flight from Houston took us to the magical city of Dubai.  Magical because the city at night seemed to sparkle and shine.

After touching down in Dubai, our fairly large group of Camp Life travelers bussed over to our Emirates Hotel.  We checked in and freshened up before rushing to our 9 pm appointment to see the Burj Khalifa.  The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world and is the center and apex of an incredible Dubai nightlife.  We walked among all different ethnicities taking the city in with all of its resplendent glory!

Looking up at the Burj Kahlifa

The elevator at the Burj Kahlifa took us 124 stories up in under three minutes. Fun facts dotted the hallways of the building, including that our TINY elevator was one of the fastest in the world.  Opening to an outdoor observation deck.  Looking down upon the city of Dubai took my breath away literally (not just because of the thinner air!).

View from the Observation Deck

At the Top!

Our ride down!

The famous fountain show began as we stood above on the observation deck and we were able to take it in from above as the glowing water shot into the air creating amazing designs.  A few million pictures later the deck was closed for the evening and we returned to earth and the lobby of the Burj Khalifa.  We found a few interesting trinkets before heading out in search of food in the mall at the base of the building.  It was about 11 pm yet the mall was alive with energy.

We ate at an authentic, delicious restaurant.  After a filling meal we began our search for Dubai chocolates.  You have heard, "when in Rome.....", well, when in Dubai, you must seek the fabulous chocolates.  The chocolate stores here are like nothing you have seen in the US.  Crystal chandeliers and massive floral arrangements invite you into the stores where you are offered tastings of the handmade chocolates. We chose to take a few back to the hotel.

Giant floral displays mock the crystal chandelier in one of the Chocolate Shops

Each choclate is handmade with only the finest ingredients

We hailed a taxi to return us to the hotel and settled in for a short NAP!  Katie and I were exhausted and slept a few short hours before rising early to catch our Lusaka, Zambia flight.

The city of Dubai is a destination that I will never forget.  But my excitement grows for my arrival in Africa today!

HTX to Dubai

Katie and I are sitting in the international airport waiting to depart for Dubai. Our plane ride is about 14 hours, but luckily Emirates offers a wide variety of movies.  We have met a few other Camp Life participants. Everyone seems just as excited as I am to embark on this journey. Cannot wait to reach the top of the Burj Khalifa! 

Africa 2015

Tomorrow I begin my journey to Lusaka, Zambia. I am so excited to see what God has in store for me and I can't wait to share my experiences with all of you. This has been such a blessed year and I know that this will be a blessed summer! Tonight I must sleep to stay up all night in Dubai tomorrow (Katie and I have a 14 hour layover in Dubai)!