The Work Continues...

Hey there!

We apologize for not being able to update this very often, it's not always easy to get internet access here! Things are still very good and we continue to learn a lot as the Lord works in and through us every day.

We've continued working at Grace Academy, helping out with the younger grades, and having more and more fun with the kids. We only have a week left with them, and I know it will be harder than we realize to say good bye.

The Mutungus, the family we are living with, are also such a blessing to the both of us in so many ways! They have encouraged us and taught us so many things about being faithful to the work God has called us too.

I know that both Abigail and I get weary sometimes, but we continue to lean on the Lord for our strength and joy. He is always faithful...

Prayer Requests:
- That the last couple weeks we have here would be full of God's wonder and that we would finish strong!
- We go to Livingstone in just over a week, so for safe travels and a fun adventure with the Mutungus.
- I fly home on the 30th, but Abigail is here about a week longer. That God would keep us joyful, even in saying good bye to each other, and that she would be strong on her own after I leave.
- Guidance and leading for what our next step will be after we leave Zambia.

Thank you all so much, we hope to write more specifics about the adventure when we have had some time to reflect on it. For now, we are still walking by faith and trusting in the Lord's plan for the both of us. God Bless!!

About the Lord's Business...

Praise the Lord for His faithfulness and goodness, through every circumstance…

I remember when we first arrived I really asked the Lord, why am I even here? Abigail then reminded me that the fact God brought us here was enough of a reason.

Now almost two weeks into the adventure we are both beginning to see the many beautiful purposes He had planned for each of us on this journey.

We began working at Grace Academy on Thursday June 18^th. We basically came to serve, and so we entered the school with the desire to help in anyway we could. We found ourselves in the Grade 1 class, and amidst all the craziness that children bring, God began a refining work in both of us.

Patience, love and discipline have taken on whole new meanings since being here. I’ve never tried teaching a child how to read or write before, and never understood the frustrations of trying to show them something that seems so simple to myself. Over and over God uses every small encounter with them to teach us something greater about Himself, and His relationship with us.

This week we have both faced different challenges, Abigail in being sick and having to stay home, and me heading off to the orphanage on my own wondering how I’m going to find the strength for another day with these kids. As difficult as it has been learning patience with them, God has really revealed that ministry involving His little children is very very dear to His heart, and He truly does desire to bless those that bring the little children to Him. I have found myself so tired at the end of each day, yet more fulfilled in my spirit than I have ever felt before. This verse has become so true for the both of us…

“The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.”

-Proverbs 11:25

Abigail continues to fight off the sickness, and we are still questioning if it could be malaria. If it persists then she’ll have to get a blood slide taken to see if there is malaria in her blood. If it is then she simply needs to take more medicine, but it is very easily curable. Pray for health, but even more so pray that we would both have continual understanding in the situations God has placed us in… of the work He is trying to accomplish, and the purposes we need to be willing to fulfill.

A team is coming out this week from Canada, which should be very helpful for us and our work in the school.  We are also planning on traveling with the Mutungu’s, the couple we are staying with, this weekend for a conference, and hope to go to Livingston at the end of July to see Victoria Falls.

The adventure continues… We thank you for your prayers and your support. And we thank the Lord for this life changing and heart refining experience! You are so mighty!

Pray that we may be, “strengthened with the strength that comes from His glorious power, being prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to Him!” – Colossians 1:11

 

London to Zambia

Hello everyone! So tomorrow me and stephanie head off to London, where we will be staying with a lovely family who serve in the church of England. Monday we will head off to Zambia! Just finishing up some last details, we are both so excited for the work the Lord has prepared! It is on both of our hearts to be servant's servants and seek the Lord with patience and love. Remember, it is better to give than receive. Our joy is to honor the Lord! For He is worthy...
Prayer request:
health, especially with the new places we will be going to and the heavy dosage of malaria pills we will be taking weekly!
traveling mercies: we can get our visa's smoothly and up to Ndola safely.
Awareness: that even in London, on the planes, in the city-we will be aware of divine appointments and that we are witnesses of God
Zambia: that the Lord keeps softening its soil, preparing leaders, and enveloping the people in His love and might.

ANSWERED PRAYER!

So, I just wanted to update you all and let you know the Lord once again has shown Himself faithful! He has provided FULL provision for me! He put it on someones heart to pay for my flight-and as well to help me out with other expenses! How amazing and good is He??
thanks for your prayers!!

<3 Abigail

Prayer Request

The Lord is the one that brings low and brings up. (1 Sam. 2:1-10) He gives us gifts to glorify Him, and in return we need to be good stewards of those gifts! Me and Stephanie both have been given the gift of worship, and have started working on a CD. In which all the proceeds will go to the mission in Africa! Please pray for us in this, that the Lord will give us music that is pleasing to His ears and that others may be blessed through it as well! We will keep you updated on this project! thank you for your prayers
<3 abigail

Stephanie's Vision

It has definitely been an amazin journey since I began Bible College almost 2 years ago. God has grown and stretched me in ways I never could have imagined... and in the mean time He has placed some amazing dreams in my heart....

I first went to Zambia at the age of 4. Although I can't remember much, I do have my very first memories from there... having a huge sand pit as our weekend entertainment, swimming in pot holes when when the rain poured down, and being chased by elephants in our old volvo. I think God planted the seed even then to one day go back...

It was just over a year ago that God first gave me a vision to teach people in a third world country to make things that could be sold overseas. I personally love to create... God has gifted me with a love for crocheting and sewing that I hope to be able to pass on to others. I hope to one day open up a store or coffee shop that sells the products from overseas and send the full profit back to the families that made them. It is basically micro-financing, although I only learned that is what it's called a couple months ago!

Last fall Africa was placed on my heart again, and since then it has been a developing dream that is now turning into a reality. The day that God placed it on my heart I remember asking Him for a helper, I simply wanted a friend to come along side me, to bring encouragement and support along the way... and then He placed Abigail back in my life! 

We both have a desire to go to Africa and I believe He will use us to mightily to further His kingdom together. Thank you Lord for vision, for friendship, and for giving us the desires of our hearts. 

I hope those of you that read this our blessed by the journey God is taking us on, and we are so thankful for your prayers! 

Psalm 37

-stephanie

Abigail's Vision

Hello There!

Well ever since starting Bible College, the Lord has continued fueling a desire to work with orphans...I have had opportunity to go to Mexico, Romania, and Hungary to see young children learn about the Lord-and each time my heart was expanded to corners i didn't know existed! I am graduating this May, and had no real direction except for the passion for children....I was waiting for the Lord to put a passion inside of me that i could not deny...

Then Stephanie came along! She invited me to go with her to Zambia for the summer (check out her vision blog!) and after much prayer, I decided the Lord wanted me to walk through this open door. As the days have gone since then, the Lord has been speaking to me about full-time ministry, please pray for open doors and opportunities! We are not going with any mission group, or a church. We are going independently, or actually DEPENDABLY on the Lord! I know the Lord is going to open the doors AS we walk through them!

If it is just for the summer, or longer, my prayer is that we can channel God's love through us to a generation that has never experienced it. Thank you for your prayers!

Psalm 121

-abigail

Off To Zambia

Once there were two friends, and as the Lord knitted their hearts together, He brought out a common desire in both. One prepared to seek out the beginning of a vision, the other burning with a desire for orphans.  The latter waiting for a country, the other a helper.  As in most cases, the Lord brought them together in His perfect timing...

We find ourselves now with prayers answered and hearts prepared.  June 15th Stephanie and I will be heading to Lusaka, Zambia.  There we will be working at a local orphanage academy as Teacher Assistance (www.seedsofhope.com)  The Lord as blessed us with confirmation and encouragement through His word and others.  We will be staying out there till August, and know that by then the Lord will have given us both directions in our callings.

How exciting is a time like this!!  The Lord is sufficient, and will provide for us.  Current prayer requests:  

A servant and open heart for the both of us

That the Lord will provide a ticket for Abigail

Continued trust in God!

Thank you for your prayers!

Give unto the Lord O you might ones

Give unto the Lord glory and strength

Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name

worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness

Ps. 29:1-2