One Girl on a Mission

Food for Thought : worry is a form of disbelief. 

I read that this morning in my Jesus Calling during some quiet time before the day began. As someone who worries about anything and everything, it is a refreshing reminder. 

Before I debrief on our day, I want to address something that is widely discussed at camp. There has been a lot of discussion and questioning the intentions and helpfulness of mission trips. Everyone is, of course, entitled to their own opinions, and whether they feel called to mission work or not is between each person and Christ. However, I hope that people will find grace in the choices of those that chose to use faith to make a difference out in the world. Family Legacy has removed 700 children from the slums of Zambia to a safe compound where they attend school, receive medical care,  and thrive in a place that they can call home. Other children sponsored are able to attend Family Legacy run schools where they are not only educated, but fed. 

I honestly believe that Family Legacy would not be able to change the lives of so many children if American missionaries,  like those that are here now,  had not chosen to spend a week at Camp Life. How many times are our households asked for money? If Family Legacy just sent mass mailings and emails out about sponsorship, those communications would likely end up in the hands of well intentioned people on the same day as 4 other charities requested a donation. During this short week in Zambia, Americans can't help but fall in love with their ten children. It happened to me, and I have been watching it happen to everyone around me. The numbers spouted out to us about 1 million orphans dying or whatever the statistic is doesn't resonate deeply with us from afar. We hear large, alarming numbers constantly. However, these volunteers, missionaries,  are likely the only person in their ten children's lives who will ever truly listen to and know the stories that the children have to tell about their lives. Privileged Americans ( undoubtedly) return to the states ready to fight for sponsorship for a specific ten souls. No one else will do it with the fervor, religious or not. Okay I'm finished for now (although I could probably write about this for pages!)

The tiredness is beginning to creep up on me. But it is all worth it! Today I danced in the crows nest during the big camp sessions, and helped stuff backpacks with stickers, bubbles and other miscellaneous items. Crows nest was so much fun and the added benefit of a workout! Summer Staff dances up in the balcony so the volunteers can see the "moves" that accompany the words to the songs. 

Some of y'all gifted me $20 before I left for Zambia. That $20 paid for a backpack for one of my ten girls who will attend Camp Life. On the last day of camp, Friday, we will give all 900 children backpacks, and there will be many other surprises throughout the day. It is going to be a magical day.  I met the most darling boy named Gilbert. Gilbert is nine years old, likes soccer, the stickers found on the outside of apples and Camp Life. He made me smile. I posted a picture below. 

Tonight is an auction, and one of the "items" is individual Summer Staff!   The offering is that Summer Staff will make an entire villa's peanut butter and jelly lunch sandwiches for the rest of the week. I selfishly hope that my villa wins so we will host the sandwich making and avoid a  trek to other villas late at night in the cold. It's dry season here and can get very chilly! This Houstonian is adjusting!

Backtracking a little, last night our supervisors, Jonathan and Kim, led an awesome bible study for Summer Staff. We looked at who we are, who God specifically created us to be and the importance of being different. They wanted us to think about our differences and "unite through uniqueness". Comparison is so prevalent throughout our culture. If I could look like Gigi Hadid or have the "cool factor" of Anna Wintour, I would jump at the chance. But I need to remember that God created me, Emma Grace, for a reason. He doesn't make mistakes. Just like He didn't make a mistake with you or with any of these Zambian orphans. Our situations, looks and characteristics were completely intentional. Although I just look at these beautiful children's faces all day and think 'why did You put me in my blessed situation, and these children in their challenging situations, God?', I have to remember that He doesn't just drop people randomly. He intended for us to be right where we are for different reasons. We just have to stop and remember that our quest is to actively pursue Him and show Him to the world around us.