Safari

Yesterday we got up early, crossed the border and went on a safari!  This was another dream come true for some of us.  The following are several pictures from our day.

Today we will do a little shopping in the morning then drive back to Lusaka this afternoon.  Our flight home leaves in the morning.  Please ask the Father for safe travels as we make our way home.  We have LOVED our time here in Africa and will greatly miss our new friends.  Please continue to lift up all of our friends in Isoka, Chilanga, Tuta, Kasyema and Nsalamba villages.  Lift up Blake, Dawnya and their four kids as they continue to faithfully serve these people.

Crossing the Zambezi River

Victoria Falls

She learned about it in 4th grade and ever since it has been her dream to go to Victoria Falls.  On Friday we were able to make Bethany's dream come true!  Everyone was really excited about this adventure!

Bethany was pretty excited!

We saw several baboons on the walking path.  A couple walked right past us.  This momma is carrying two babies.

The following pictures may or may not be us standing on the very edge at the top of Victoria Falls.

The Falls at sunset

Elephant Nursery

We are ending our time here in Africa and wanted to take the opportunity to enjoy some of the Father's creation.  

On Thursday Blake and I surprised the team by taking them to an elephant nursery to watch them feed five baby elephants.  All of these elephants have been rescued from the wild.  Some were being hunted, others were found near the bodies of their hunted mothers and another was found injured.

Leaving Isoka

Here is an update from everyone.  We are leaving Isoka in the morning to begin making our way to the Southern province.  We will stop part way tomorrow and then drive to Lusaka on Thursday.  We are looking forward to doing some fun activities together, enjoying the culture and seeing the sights.  Please lift us up as we spend the next seven days traveling.  It will be hard to say goodbye.  This place has found it's way into our hearts.  However, we are looking forward to seeing family and friends again soon.

We will try to update some more as we can.  We won't have a ton of internet access again during our trip but we will do what we can!


Molly- It is so crazy that we will begin our travels home in a few days. I still feel like we just got here. I’ve enjoyed every minute so much, and it is going to be quite difficult to leave these beautiful people and this wonderful country. I’ve learned many things on this trip, but I’m not quite sure how to put it into words. I think the most impactful thing for me on this trip has been to see the overwhelming joy that the people of this country have for JC. They are all so much fun and I wish that I had more time to get to know them better. Another thing that has just blown me away is the hospitality that has been shown by the family we have been staying with and all of the people of the villages. We came in as complete strangers and they openly welcomed us into their homes and into their villages. Like I mentioned before, I’ve learned a whole lot and I’m hoping to implement a lot of these teachings into my life when I’m back in the states and wherever else I may go. See y’all in about a week! 

Lori- Oh my goodness this past month has completely flown by! It is crazy to think that just three weeks ago we were boarding a plane headed for Africa and in one more week we will be home. There has been so much that we have experienced and learned that I don’t think I have even started to process everything. I do know that I am incredibly thankful to have had this opportunity and to have met all of these wonderful people! The M’s have been so gracious to let us invade their lives for several weeks and it has been humbling to learn from them. It has also been a humbling experience meeting all of the nationals and learning from them as well. Now as the trip comes to a close I am still excited to see what the Father has to teach all of us. 

Kyle- Well, the trip is coming to an end. Tomorrow we leave for Lusaka and the long stretch of travels begin. This trip has been incredible. This past week I saw the perfect example of the differences between those who follow the Father and those who don’t. There was a young lady who was having a baby and so we took her to the hospital, but she wasn’t that excited to actually have the child. It is also cultural here to not name the child immediately because it is common for the young children to pass away. We also happened upon another lady who needed to go to the hospital a few days later to have a baby, but by the time we got there, she had already delivered. This lady was a believer and was very joyous. She was a believer and looked at the child as a blessing and immediately named the child. There is a drastic difference between followers and non followers. We do not always see this difference in the States. 

Kane- WOW! I can’t believe this is my last day in Isoka. It feels like yesterday that we pulled in to see 5 smiling faces welcoming us to their home. I will dearly miss them and I am asking the Father will continue to bless them and keep them safe. The people that I have encountered have shown us the utmost love and respect. I am glad to have met so many fellow believers who are completely sold out for the message. This experience has been truly an amazing journey and the Father has shown me so much. I have seen so many things that the Father is doing in the lives of these people. I hope that I am able to take this new found desire to share the Good News and bring it back with me back home. I would like to thank all of those who have supported me both financially and spiritually while during my trip. It has meant the world to me knowing that people are home who have us in mind. This experience is truly humbling and I will never forget what I learned this summer! Now all that is left is the 12 hour drive, 13 hr layovers, and 22 hour flights :( 

Jenna- These past few weeks have been crazy! We are leaving Isoka tomorrow, and I honestly cannot believe how fast our time here has gone by. I’m so grateful for this wonderful family that has allowed us to invade their home for the last three weeks. They will forever hold a part of my heart and I am going to miss them so much! I’ve learned more than I ever thought possible from this family and from all of the nationals. I am continually blown away by the power of the Father in the lives of these people. From the dancing and laughing to the deep times of fellowship and growth, the love of the Father is so evident in every part of who they are. My mind still cannot fathom being halfway around the world in the middle of Africa praising the very same Creator. Now we are beginning to travel back tomorrow, so prayers for safe travel would be greatly appreciated! 

Bethany - Before I started my journey to Africa, I thought that one month was a fairly significant length of time, but to my surprise, it has flown by.  I have found myself wishing that I could stay in this beautiful country much longer. From the beginning, the family and the Nationals have welcomed us with open arms, and I have felt at home here, halfway across the world.  I have learned so much from the short amount of time I have been blessed with here.  Not only have I learned so much about the culture and the people, but I have also learned about myself.  Mostly, I have learned about the Father’s heart for the nations, and that has changed my view of the world.  The Father has taught me so much through the family, the Nationals, and the Word.  I have specifically enjoyed worshiping the Father with people that I have met.  Their heartfelt worship has allowed me to reevaluate my own heart when worshipping.  

I want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout this entire journey.  Thank you to those who have supported me financially and spiritually.  Thank you to those who encouraged me and lifted me up.  Thank you Mom and Dad for supporting me every step of the way.  I would not have had the courage to come here on this life changing journey without you.  Please continue to lift us up for safe travels as we make our way home.    

Tim- It has been too short of time here.  It was just yesterday when we were trying to overcome jet lag, and now it is like we just started our work.  We have been welcomed by fellow believers and have just been given a time of worship to send us on our way.  They wanted to give us something for coming, but had nothing- yet their love and support for us, people they barely know, is more than any tangible item.  Our Father is awesome. He reigns over all things with wisdom and power. He is so awesome!  The people here are so friendly and very comical, but on top of that, they love to serve our Father with all joy and thanksgiving.  It is obvious they have received Truth in their lives and that Truth distinguishes them from those who are lacking.  I believe our Father will increase those who have Truth as it is evident in theses people’s lives that they wish other’s to know Him.  I am so thankful that I was able to return to this beautiful place full of amazing people.  Just like last year, I am sad to leave.  Although, it may be more so this time since I have established relationships and have seen how important it was to them that I returned.  All Glory belongs to the Father who has worked and will continue to work among those who follow Him!

Dayla- The Father is working here--it is evident in the hearts and lives of our national friends.  We are often separated by cultural differences or language barriers but there is a great familial bond with our brothers and sisters in the Father.  I am thankful for all I have learned.  I am blessed to do life with these OBU students and share in life with this M family.  It is a blessing to be able to return to a place, strengthen previous friendships and establish new relationships.  As we start our journey home I will fondly remember sweet times of studying the Word around the table, laughing at the hilariously awkward things that happen when 14 people live under one roof for a month and getting to know each of these incredible people on a deeper level.  Most of all, though, I am grateful to the Father for the opportunity to be a light in the midst of darkness.  This next week as we travel I am excited to enjoy the moments and adventures that are to come.  We are planning to go to Victoria Falls, go on safari and maybe go on another adventure or two.  :) Thanks for lifting us up!  Love you friends and family!  I am looking forward to hugging your necks when I get home.
  

Baby Kimbrough Update

For those of you wondering how Baby Kimbrough is doing, the girls were able to go visit him and his mother yesterday before heading out to share.

He is doing really well and is as cute as ever.  Here are a few pictures of the little guy. :)

Baby Kimbrough, just two days old.

 

Nsalamba Village

After a couple failed attempts, yesterday afternoon we were finally able to share in Nsalamba village.  We split up into two groups and started walking in opposite directions while Blake (the M) and Lovewell, our National friend, stayed at the Headman's house.  Tim, Bethany, Jenna and I made our way to a house were several men were gathering.  We greeted them and then sat down to share our stories.  This was a little more challenging than past days of sharing because our normal translators were not able to join us.  Using the somewhat limited vocabulary of our friend Miriam we were able to share the Truth and answer some questions about JC, the ascension and who falls under the Father's grace.  We found out later that after we left that house, one man went back to the Headman's house and testified that we were speakers of the Truth.  This is HUGE in furthering the work in Nsalamba village.      Kane, Kyle, Molly and Lori also had good conversations with other villagers.  I was also informed that Lori (along with some others) actually picked up a snake!!! Yikes.  I hear that it was dead before they found it but Lori was especially proud of this accomplishment.

Nsalamba is an especially beautiful part of this country.  The pictures really do not do it justice.  We will greatly miss the incredible sunsets of Africa and the beautiful friendships that we have made here.