African Lullaby

Over the weekend I had the opportunity to go to the Chobe Game Reserve in Botswana for an overnight safari with the AMT students. Who wouldn't want to go sleep with lions?! Yes, I am that crazy. :)

We spent the day driving through the park and seeing tons of elephants, giraffe, cape buffalo, zebra, kudu, and impala. No signs of lions though but we pressed on in hopes of even a glimpse of them. The evening came so we headed to our campsite, which was in the heart of the game park. When we arrived at our spot, we noticed that we'd be having some company duringthe night. In front of us were hundreds of elephants. As you looked farther down the road, you could see hundreds of cape buffalo heading towards us also. The sunset was beautiful and as we settled down for dinner around the campfire, we were surrounded by the noises of Africa. The crunch of the elephants and buffalo as they passed us by were our evening lullaby as we went to sleep.

The next morning we headed out early still in hopes of seeing lions. We were told about the area that they claimed as their territory and went there in hopes that they were around. About 30 meters away from our campsite we saw their tracks from their travels during the night. Most likely hunting the animals or getting water from the river. Unfortunately, that's all we saw of them on this trip. Maybe next time we'll have better luck. It was an awesome experience though and once I won't soon forget.

Christmas in June!

Last month our USA offices shipped a 40 ft container jammed packed with all sorts of goodies. Today, it finally arrived. I arrived back to the base after picking up my western zambia team from the airport to find our main center packed full of couches, tables, chairs, bins, etc. We even got a whole new industrial kitchen shipped over! It was like Christmas had come early!

I'm heading out with my team on Sunday and will be gone until July 3rd, without internet contact. I'll be updating the blog and writing a newsletter when I return. Please keep the team in your prayers as we minister in areas that are in desperate need for the Gospel.

The Whirlwind

They came in like a whirlwind and were gone before I knew it. My June VF Team has officially ended and all 21 of the team members have returned back to their homes. It was an amazing time of ministry, both within the team and in the villages. I saw such an awesome change in the lives of these young adults, as well as within every person we ministered to in Sikachapa Village. My newsletter will be going out tomorrow with photos and testimonies. I also hope to update my website with photos as I go through the thousands (literally!) of photos I received from the team members.

June Vic Falls Expedition Begins!

My team has finally arrived (minus 1 who arrives tomorrow)! Right now I can hear them laughing together on the couches as they get to know one another. 20 people from the USA and UK all united for one purpose: preach the Gospel! How cool is that?! Tomorrow is orientation, seeing victoria falls, and preparing the trucks. On Friday we'll leave for 8 days in the villages. Please pray for us and for the ministry that we'll be doing. I'll update when we return. Blessings!

On The Zambezi

Last week Joe, Jack, Pastor Jeff, and I went out on the zambezi to test out of zodiac raft and to teach me how to drive it. We had some problems with the engine but managed to still take the raft out for a spin. Here are some photos!

Revelations of a 3 Year Old

After breakfast this morning, I was setting up the chairs for our church service when my little friend, Sunda, (a zambian girl that was adopted by a missionary couple that works with us) ran up to me and hugged my legs. "Laura, you're a princess!" I was a bit confused at first why she decided today I was a princess. Then she went on to tell me that I was wearing a princess dress (I was wearing a skirt and shirt for the sunday service) and had me spin around for her. "See, Laura. You're a beautiful princess." She ran off to where her parents were practicing for worship and I was left thinking over her words. Sunda is completely right. I am a princess. We are all princes and princesses of the Most High King. We are so beautiful in the eyes of our Father and should take joy in the love that He pours out on us. So go twirl in your dresses, sing and dance before the Lord. We are princes and princesses!!!

Wants vs. Needs

There's a lot of places in the world I'd like to be right now, at this very moment. In Burbank, IL (just outside of Chicago) my little baby brother (not so little anymore and hasn't been a baby in a long time) is graduating high school. Steve and I are very close, although being gone for so long has put a bit of strain on the relationship, as one would expect. I only seen him maybe twice a year and every time I come home I feel I've missed out on a lot of stuff in his life. One year I cam home to find that he now towers over me and even had facial hair. When did the little kid that I used to put make-up on (telling him it was indian war paint) grow up? He's really one of the coolest kids I know. This year I missed out on a lot in his life, although I was home when he got his drivers license. I didn't get to see him off for prom and now I miss seeing him finish high school. Sad day!

I'd also love to be in Nyawa village right now. The pastors conference is going in full swing and I know that lives are being completely changed. I can't wait to hear the testimonies when Pastor Jeff gets back tomorrow. I was originally planning on being there but after being out in the villages for a whole week last week, I couldn't justify being away from the base for another 4 days. You see my short term teams arrive a week from monday. At the same time my team arrives, we have another team arriving to travel to Angola for ministry. There are 4 trucks that need to be prepared, supplies to be sorted and purchased, ministry to plan, and everything else in between. :::insert deep breath:::: Everything is going to get done but I need everyday to do it.

So am I where I want to be? Not exactly. Am I where I need to be? Exactly! God has us where we need to be, which isn't always where we want to be.

P.S. The testimonies from the week in the villages, as well as from the pastors conference will be in this month's newsletter. Subscribe on my website to receive it!