Farewell MICS

On Friday, it was our last day at MICS and it was so hard to leave the precious kids that I have gotten to know and love for the last 4 weeks. The morning started out with Joe giving the devotion and me and Joe and Sawyer and Joe thanking for them allowing us to be part of their life at MICS and we are so thankful for each of them. There are about 30 kids in all in the boarding program and I was able to get closer with those children more than the other at MICS. There are about 100 kids total in the whole school, so it was really special to form a special bond with the boarding kids. I think I developed the closest relationships with Lisa, Christabel, Lwindu, Prince, Loondu, Christopher, Blessed and Chibonwa. Christabel is in the 4^th grade and I was able to teach her math for a week and help her with her homework each afternoon. Christabel has a really hard family life. Her family left her in Macha when they moved to Lusaka. She begged to stay in Macha so she could continue to go to school at MICS and they left her. She has a lot of deep hurts and did not have a home for a while. She needs the love of Jesus and the Lord allowed us to have a special connection. Lisa is one of the younger girls that is just plain adorable. She is in the 2^nd grade and wanted me to play with her all the time. She stole my heart while I was in Macha and Sawyer’s too. She is such a joy and makes me smile. Chibonwa and Blessed are also younger. Blessed is in the 1^st grade and Chibonwa in the 2^nd. They always wanted to play with me and give me hugs. Lisa and Blessed were big buddies. Lwindu is a treasure. She is so precious and would always greet me with a big hug and “Miss Rachel!!”. We played the card game, “Old Maid” everyday and she always somehow, wonJ She loved me and I deeply loved her. She always wanted to be near me. Christopher is one of the oldest boys. He is in the 6^th grade and has a really hard family life but is sponsored to come to MICS. He is really scared about what is going to happen to him after the 7^th grade when he leaves MICS. He is very smart and has a heart of gold. I admire his attitude so much. Prince is my man! Prince is in the 2^nd grade and is crippled. His legs do not work and are too frail for his body so he gets around in a wheelchair. He has the friendliest deposition and such a positive outlook on life and does not let his inability to walk get him down. He absolutely loves his mom and hates when he cannot see her. She is extremely sick with HIV AIDS and she has limited time. Prince is smart and always played “thumb war” with me and Mr. Joe. He is such a delight and I am going to miss him so much. Loondu is amazing. He is also in the 6^th grade and has a hard family life. His family is extremely dysfunctional and is sponsored to come to MICS too. He has a calling to be a missionary when he gets older and has the most beautiful singing voice. He sang and lead the youth choir every Sunday. Every day he would serve the boys plates at lunch and dinner. His heart is pure gold and it so sweet and kind. He is precious and I wish I could take him home with me, but I think He is going to do amazing work for the Lord in Zambia.

In the afternoon, the children gave us a Farewell program. Each grade sang us a goodbye song and wrote letters, notes and drew pictures for Joe, Sawyer and I. It was one of the sweetest things and there were definitely tears shed and it was very difficult to say goodbye. The staff women also sang a song to us and each child gave a handshake and hug on the way out. I am going to miss their beautiful voices praising the Lord every morning and helping them with their homework in the afternoon and reading them Bible stories from the “Jesus Storybook Bible” But I know that the Lord’s timing is perfect and if He wants me to return to MICS I will. He has done so many things in my heart that I wish I could share with all of you but that would take weeks. He is forever faithful and holds me in the palm of His hand. Those children have blessed my heart so much and I will never ever forget them. There hearts are so pure and tender towards God and they do not have hardly anything and are perfectly content. I am in Livingstone now with Joe, Sawyer and Moses one of our friends that we made in Macha. We are staying here until Tuesday and then going on a Safari in Botswana until Friday, then staying in Livingstone for the weekend and then off to Lusaka for a couple of days and then America bound on Thursday, April 7^th. I will be arriving in the states April 8^th and cannot wait to see my family, friends and boyfriend. We are going to see Victoria Falls tomorrow and we were able to fly over them 3 times yesterday. It is absolutely breathtaking. I will try to put up pictures once I get back to the States. Thank you so much for the continous support and prayer you have given me.  The Lord is forever faithful and His creation takes my breath away.

-rach

Tuesday: The African Sun

Today is Tuesday, the 2nd day of the last week here at MICS. So much has happened in just the past two days I could not wait to post! Last week I was given the news that I could no longer teach 4th grade Math because of my accent and I was kinda upset but I knew God was in control and He had bigger plans than I had for myself. Come Monday, Mrs Cynthia the other Reception teacher, has been sick and is supposed to be having her baby any day now and is not in school. So I got the opportunity to teach Reception two days in a row with Mrs. Anastasia!! It has been so fulfilling and rewarding. I love the little ones and that is where my heart and true passion lie, I have also been able to teach the little Reception and 1st grade girls in P.E. and I have been teaching them cheers, such as "Bang, Bang Choo Choo Train" and "Firecracker, Firecracker" and the "Banana" Cheer! It has been so fun to play with them and have fun outside. I have also been able to teach them "Little Sally Walker" and play Hide-and-Seek with them. They are absolutely precious and I receive so much Joy from them! I also am able to teach the Reception class, which is like a Kindergarden class in the states, Bible and I am reading from this great Bible storybook called, "The Jesus Storybook Bible". I was given this awesome Bible by my mentor, Lindsay, Freshmen year of college and love it so much. It gives and tells of the hope of Jesus in each story and has really cute illustrations.
It is probably one of the hottest days that we have had so far today...that African sun...I am so blessed to be here and to be able to form relationships with the Staff and teachers and especially the students at MICS. Many of the children have come up to Sawyer, Joe and I and asked us when we are leaving and they get pretty upset when we tell them. We are leaving this Friday and only have 3 1/2 more days with the kids. Please pray for intentional conversations to happen with the children and with the staff and we will finish the race that God has allowed each of us to run well and let our actions, thoughts and words be honoring and glorifying to God. My heart has been breaking the past few days knowing that I am going to have to leave the kids, but I know God's timing is perfect and if He wants me to come back He will allow me to. He has been so faithful to all of us, Sawyer, Joe and I, and allowed us to make a huge impact for the Lord and be impacted by the precious children here. I read a letter from one of my dear mentors and friends the other day, Christy and I wanted to encourage you with the verses she gave me.
"He who did not spare His own Son, surely along with Him won't He graciously give us all things?"
Romans 8:32

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which, clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 12:1-2

"How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"
Romans 10:14-16

Thank you for always praying, May the Lord bless you and reveal Himself to you in a special way today! I WILL PRAISE HIS NAME FOREVER!
-rach

How Deep the Father's Love for Us

Hello everyone!
Today is Saturday, yet another weekend in Macha. This is definitely a much needed weekend for me. This past week was a rather tough one, but so rich and good in the Father's love for me and His children. The Lord is revealing so much to me here that it is sometimes hard to put into words all of what He is doing at MICS and in my heart. This past week was certainly a full week for Joe, Sawyer and I. I started out the week teaching Math and Spelling to 4th grade here at MICS. By Thursday afternoon, I was told that I could no longer teach 4th grade Math because some of the parents complained about the children understanding my accent. At first, when Mrs. Sue told me the news, I was extremely upset and immediately started questioning God and why I was even brought back here. But God was so faithful, in reminding me and whispering to me, "My daughter, it is not about you but about me." I think that sentence could sum up what He is teaching me while I am here in Zambia. It is all about Jesus and not about me. My teaching 4th grade Math was definitely a humbling experience because I am absolutely terrible at Math, but by taking the opportunity to teach it away really showed me that His plans are WAY better than any I could conjure up for myself and that I need to Trust the ONE who is in control. I decided not to worry and know that He has something better planned for me. I am still going to be able to teach Spelling everyday and help out with the Activity room, P.E. at 9:30 am and also maybe help some with the 1st grade this coming week.
I am in awe of Jesus' goodness and provision throughout this whole journey. I have been praying fervently for intentional conversations to come up with me and the children and the staff here at MICS. On Thursday Sylvia, the housemom and I, had a really good conversation about God's constant faithfulness and how He knows best, all we have to do is trust that is way IS best and that He knows us better than we know ourselves. Sylvia has a good heart but is not a very happy person, but it has been amazing to see the changes in her since Sawyer arrived in January and even when I arrived just 2 weeks ago. She is more open with both of us, smiles and jokes around with us and is more tender to the children. It has been such a JOY to be with the boarding girls every afternoon and be with them at night. I am becoming closer and closer to them and it is going to be so difficult for me to leave on the 28th. We have 9 girls that are boarding: Josephine, Blessed, Lwindo, Lisa, Nancy, Sevina, Ester, Chipandwa, and Cristabel. I have formed the closet relationships with Lisa, Cristabel, Lwindo and Chipandwa. Lisa and Chipandwa and Blessed are the youngest and Sevina and Cristabel and Nancy are the oldest. Nancy and Lisa are sisters and Josephine is the niece of Yvonne and Justin Milandu, the house parents for the boarding school. They all are so sweet and the Lord has given me so much Joy from them. I am praying for continued conversations and opportunities for me to share Jesus with them. Fannie and Sylvia are the house moms that share the responsibilities with Sawyer and I. We have been reading Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to them before they go to sleep and they have really enjoyed it. It has been really neat to give devotion to the children at night and sing songs with them. I think African children singing to the Lord is one of the most beautiful sounds I have ever heard.
This week I got the opportunity to teach the boarding kids in music and taught them:"This little light of mine", "Lord I lift your name on High" and "His banner over me is Love". They like all three songs and were very quick at picking them up. Every night we have devotion and singing time before the kids go to their rooms and get ready for bed and Sawyer, Joe and I and Mr. Milandu take turns in giving the devotion at night and the next morning. It has been so encouraging to see the kids listen to us and want to know more about Jesus and His love for us.
I think one of the biggest blessings for me, besides playing and being with the children is having Sawyer here with me and being an encouragement to her. We have gotten so much closer as the time here increases and I am so blessed to have her as my sister and close friend. Her humble attitude and willing spirit has been so encouraging for me to watch and observe. She does all her work to the best of her ability and is extremely detailed and through with her work. Joe has blown me away at how gentle and kind and caring he is with the boys and I am so blessed to have a Godly example how a man should act while I am here. His humble spirit and willingness to help and change the kids lives is truly amazing. God has been SO faithful and I know that I keep saying that but I don't know what else to say, He has shown his faithfulness in every aspect of this trip and has shown me true love and grace. He has allowed me to meet people in Macha that love the Lord and want to help the people here as well. The Tiesons are a family that live right next to the school and have 2 children that attend MICS, Keyanna and Josiah. Josiah is a little boy, 2nd grade, that is adopted from Zambia. Anthony and Karlene lived here for 3 years and then adopted Josiah and returned for furlow in Canada and then came here again for 11 months and are moving again soon for Canada or Mexico. They are a precious family and Anthony is a teacher to the teachers at the school. He guides and counsels teachers in the school in the Macha area. We went out to the resturant with Tracy and Matthew and The Tiesons minus Anthony. It was so good to hang out with people that have lived all over the world and have lived in Macha for sometime and to see the different perspectives. We had Lasagna and Fries which was DELICIOUS. The food that we have at MICS is not that good so we get a good meal it is a treat. We played this game called PIGS and you have 2 rubber pigs and a scorecard and you  roll the pigs and different positions the pigs are in depends on how many points you get! It is so fun and I am getting a game of PIGS when I get back to the states:) Today is a very relaxing day and at about 4:30 p.m. we are going to meet Karlene and go to Choir Practice with her and then have dinner at the Teisons. Every Friday at MICS, me, Sawyer and Joe plan an activity called Fabulous Friday and pick a theme. Yesterday was Beach Day and it was SO much fun. The kids all meet in the chapel and the theme is kept secret until they are all settled in the chapel. We then tell them the theme and yesterday many of them had never even heard of a Beach. We began with a scene from the Little Mermaid- "Under the Sea" and then we split the children up in groups 4th, 5th and 6th grade did a Treasure Hunt around the school and Reception, 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade stayed with me and we drew pictures of the Beach and read stories about the Beach and the Ocean. Then all the groups went around and played outdoor games. I packed a UGA football helmet Beach Ball and the kids played Beach Volleyball with that and then they came and played what is called the Water Game. You have 4 buckets and 2 buckets are filled with water, and 2 cups. You split them up into 2 teams and the beginning person fills their cup up with water and races to the bucket to pour the water in. Whichever team as the most water in the bucket wins. I organized this game and all the kids thought is was fun. Then after that they proceeded to go back to the chapel and watch Planet Earth and learn about creatures in the Ocean. They all really enjoyed it and it is fun for us to plan it:) We are still brainstorming for ideas for the next Fabulous Friday.
I am so very blessed to have friends here and to have true fellowship and community. I cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for this week at MICS.

I am a Soldier.

Wow I have been in Africa for 16 days and it does not feel like that at all. I have 2 weeks left here and 9 days left at MICS and I am trying to take every moment in. I have so much to tell about what has happened in the last week. We have not had internet  since last Wednesday so that has been interesting. Joe, Sawyer and I went the entire weekend without internet and that was pretty hard but almost nice in a sense. I have had a lot more down time here than I thought I would have. The weekends are so chill and we get a chance to rest and be with one another and read and watch maybe a movie or episode of FRIENDS. I have really enjoyed just being here with Joe and Sawyer. That is definitley one of the reasons why I am here to be here for them and with them. The Lord has definitely brought me and Sawyer so much closer to himself and closer in our relationship with one another. It is so beautiful to see Christ work in all of us to bring His Kingdom come. I am teaching 4th grade Math and Spelling and it is really fun. I really like being in the classroom, and so far, the students are understanding what I am teaching. Christ is definitely humbling me so much through this experience and making me aware of how big and able He is to do ALL things. I have really been able to dig into the Word while I have been here, which has been wonderful. The Lord continues to show me new truths everyday, whether its through His Word, nature or the beautiful children I get to take care of every day.
We traveled to Choma last Thursday and needless to say that was one of the wildest, craziest adventures I have ever been a part of. On our way to Choma, we got on a bus that takes us supposedly to Choma but when we are almost out of Macha, we turn around and go back to where we started. We waited for about 30 min and then we were off to Choma with now a bus full. Halfway to Choma, our bus breaks down, they thought that it was out of gas but they tried to fill the gas pump and put the wrong fuel in the gas tank, so now the bus is way way gone. We got off the bus and waited for another 30 min. until a truck came and picked us all up and we got to Choma. We finally arrived in Choma at 10 am and we got on the bus at 6 am...it only takes 2 hours by public transportation to get to Choma supposedly...
Our first stop was a bakery called Wonderbake! It sold bread and pastries and the most delicious coffee you will ever taste!! We got to watch the news and that was kinda weird to not know what was going on in the world, we found out about the continued turmoil in Egypt and the devastating tsunami in Japan. After Wonderbake, we headed to the immigration office to get Sawyer and Joe's passports renewed and it only took 10 minutes!!! SUCH A PRAISE...because last time they went to Choma it took 2 hours! After immigration, we headed to a local bookstore where I got a surprise for my boyfriend and Sawyer and I got some really cool envelopes. After that, we went to the pharmacy and then to this awesome restaurant where we ate Crocodile! It was so great!! It tasted like a mixture between pork chop, chicken, fish all mixed together. After the croc appetizer, we went to the market. The market in Choma is pretty big and is located right on the train tracks. We got African fabric to make surprises for our friends with and Joe tried to find a Zambian shirt but none fit...the market environment was interesting...they were not to keen on bargaining and many many poor people lived at the market. It was very dirty and they sold smelly fish and other gross things like caterpillars you could eat! YUCK!! After the market we went to the local grocery store and got supplies for Marit's going away party. Marit is from Holland and has stayed in Macha for 4 months working for Malaria and AIDS research at the hospital. She is so sweet and we are going to miss her terribly. We also got some yogurt and "brown bread" while at the grocery store. The next stop was the Museum Restaurant. This was the coolest thing EVER. We got to eat in an actual African hut and we had grilled Tilapia, salad with avocado and yummy french fries. It was prob. hands down one of the best meals I have ever had. After lunch, we hurried back to the center of town to find that the bus to Macha was full. The only option left was to ride in a truck and the driver had no idea what time he was leaving...we ended up waiting for 2 hours and finally the driver came back with the truck full of 3 sofas and other things that he was going to sell in Macha. When the truck arrived, a swarm of people flocked the truck and were rushing to put their stuff on and get in. We ran over to try to get a spot and got in barely. There were prob. 30 people or more in the back of this truck, we were packed in like sardines! There were many men on the truck that were intoxicated and in particular one that I will never forget. He was a soldier that had just returned from trying to keep peace in Sierra Leone and was returning home to Macha. He kept asking Joe if he was a soldier and if he was able to adapt to the situation. Then he started asking me the same question over and over again. "Are you a soldier? Are you adapting to the situation??" It was hilarious. Finally me, Joe and Sawyer broke out with the song, "I'm in the Lord's army...YES SIR!" It was crazy to say the least. We finally got back to Macha well after dark and with much more stories to tell...
It is Day 2 today at MICS and I am fixing to go teach my Spelling lesson...thank you for your continued prayers for me and my team! Please continue to pray for healing for Gil and Rhonda. Gil had his first chemo treatment last week and it went well and Rhonda just had some surgery yesterday. They need your prayers.
All my love,
rach

AFRICA...THIS IS AFRICA...

I have been in Africa for 8 days and I love everything about it. The pace of Africa and especially the pace of Zambia is WAY slower than America and it's kinda refreshing. I have been able to rest much more than I thought. I had to wait in Lusaka until March 3rd until I got to Macha. I have only had 2 full days of school at MICS and yesterday was my first official day of teaching my 4th grade class math and Language Arts!! It was so fun and I really really liked teaching:) My kids understood everything I taught and did very well on their quiz! It made me so happy!! The kids have 2 holidays this week and today is Zambian Women's Day:) The kids are only staying Wednesday night this week and kinda gives Joe and Sawyer and I a little break. It has been awesome being able to just be with Joe and Sawyer and meeting new people in Macha. I met a missionary couple, Carlene and Anthony who are here and have 2 kids that go to MICS. Anthony is a mentor to the teachers in Macha and they are moving back to either Canada or Mexico in the next year. Marit is from Holland and does research at the hospital for Malaria and Moses is from Zimbabwe and Zambia is his new home now. Zimbabwe is under alot of political fire right now and their government is basically falling apart and Moses had to escape to Zambia to be safe. Marit is leaving in 9 days and we are sad for her to go. Rick and Tracy are from Australia and Canada and Rick is the pilot that flew me from Lusaka to Macha. They have a little boy named Matthew and another on the way. The culture diversity here is amazing. We are supposed to go to the dam today with Fannie one of the teachers at MICS and tour Macha. We are going to Choma on Thursday and riding the bus there. We have to be at the bus stop at 6 AM and are going to get Sawyer and Joe's passport renewed and going to the market and eat at a nice restaurant and coffee shop. It is raining now and thundering pretty hard but the weather lately has been so beautiful. I am so thankful for God's continued faithfulness and goodness that He shows me through my relationship with Joe and Sawyer and seeing the joy on the kids faces. I cannot wait to see and experience what else God has in store the next month. We have a saying here when something goes wrong or something unexpected happens we say TIA... This is Africa:) Thank you so much for all the continued prayers and support, they mean the world. I will post again soon!
much much love for my KING,
rach

IN AFRICA...WELCOME TO MICS!!

I am finally in Africa for the 2nd time and I am loving every second of it! I arrived in Lusaka on the 28th of Feb. I stayed in Lusaka with Sue and Joel Bolthouse and just slept and went into town and Sue cooked for me. When Rhonda and Gil arrived in Lusaka we had Ginny Fawl soup. It was interesting, very good actually it was mixed with an array of veggies. I left Lusaka on March 3rd and arrived in Macha around 11:30 and was greeted by Sawyer and Joe and the house parent named Yvonne and her baby Jarrah!! She is the cutest baby ever...seriously. She doesn't wear a diaper so we cannot hold her but I love to give her little kisses. I found out I am going to be teaching 4th grade math. If any of you know me that well I am not good at math at all so please pray for wisdom for me as I teach these little kids:) I am going to helping Mrs. Jane, who is the 4th grade teacher. Sawyer is teaching 5th grade math and it is so so good to be with her again. Joe is teaching 6th grade math and loving it; he is also a house parent for the 13 boys in boarding. Sawyer and I are the house moms for the 9 girls in boarding along with 2 Zambian women: Sylvia and Fannie. Fannie is a 2nd grade teacher at MICS. MICS is amazing. I am so excited to be here and to finally finish what God has called me to do. I am going to be helping with the activity room during the day and doing crafts and music and such during the week. The dorm rooms are like camp. All the children sleep in bunk beds and Sawyer and I share a double bed. The bugs here are ENORMOUS but many of them eat the mosquitoes so they are a good thing:)
We have a theme on Friday called Fabulous Friday and we have a different theme every week; me, Sawyer and Joe are in charge of them. They have had SNOW DAY, Valentine's theme, France and Spanish and today we had Stars and Planet day. We read 2 books about space and colored a worksheet on the 9 planets and read Genesis 1 and Psalm 8. We also watched a youtube video from Francis Chan and Luie Giglieo about how big the universe is and how small we are...but God still loved us enough to come and die for us and set us free from our sins. Seeing these kids and being in Africa has brought me so much joy and I can feel the presence of Jesus so fully here. I can also feel so many prayers surrounding me too. Please continue to pray for MICS as a whole as Rhonda and Gil are not here. Gil has stage 4 lukemia and they are getting more treatment for him. Jesus is amazing and nothing is impossible with HIM!!
--rach