Love Language...

My love language is gift giving...it's a dangerous language to speak in Sub-Saharan Africa living in an impoverished place. As we are preparing to bring a couple of our Zambian boys home I am tortured at the thought of leaving two behind. I have a list of things I need to give them to hold them over until I get back in June and things I want to buy them in the US. As well I am preparing and planning so many gifts for the two that are coming with me. Robert continues to give me subtle warnings. He knows better than anyone how my love language can get out of control.

I have looked up every possible outing, lesson, event, cultural experience, theater, music, sport, etc...Sorry some of you have been on the receiving end of my searches... I can't stop my brain from thinking about everything I want to give them... "Robert what about this? Don't you think they will love that?"... "Mitzi lets do this....they will love it?"..."What if we...Let's do..." It's so excessive it's crazy.

So I have begun to ask God to help me curtail this love language...To my delight He has not yet done so. Don't worry Robert I am listening to you...with one ear maybe but still listening...But what God did remind me of is that one of His love languages is gift giving as well. I was like...WELL YEAH!

He reminded me that because He loves me so much He wants to lavish his great and endless blessings on me. He is pursuing me so that He can bless me so that I can bring Him glory.

Psalm 23:6, “Surely goodness and mercy shall pursue me all the days of my life.”

Obviously He is not all that interested in giving me the latest greatest pair of shoes...although a cute pair of shoes can sure feel like a blessing! I'm just sayin... but God has no limit to His blessings. As excited as I am about blessing the boys I do have limits. Checking account, husband, reality... God's blessings are endless, limitless, tireless, boundless, infinite, creative, surprising... I just imagine Him all excited and thinking of all the ways He wants to bless me. I mean if I am doing that He can do it better than me! Isn't that so fun? I can picture him leaning over to Jesus and saying..."Watch this. She's gonna love this."... "Oh just wait till she sees this"... "Let's paint her this sunset...she will never believe it!"... "Let's blow her mind and send her to Zambia..."

It's so excessive it's crazy...I want those blessings!! Just as the boys are excited about the blessings. I am too excited about what God has in store for me and so so grateful for all that he has already  blessed me with.

He pursues me...He loves me...perfect, pure, endless, faithful, pursuit so that He can Bless...Who wouldn't want to serve our God? Let's tell the whole world about Him!

Romans 8:32, He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Today is my miracle day... because He reminds me of His love language...and He is not done with me yet!

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                 Sandy

God never promises easy...

We are headed home... Unless God changes things… our time living in Zambia will come to a close this year in July. The high school is almost done much to my dismay. Robert is much too efficient. The high school is currently pretty much complete minus the courtyard and paint. This has been a painful decision for Robert because Lifesong Zambia has 5+ years of building projects. 13 Student Life Homes, Skills training center, etc…they desperately want him to stay and Shane would love to have him stay too. But he feels like God committed him to the build of the high school. He will stay as involved with Lifesong as they need and be available to them as he can from the states. He has been pretty much tormented by this decision but after fasting, prayer and time with the Lord he feels it’s what we are to do. He will head home in April.

High School...roof is complete and they are painting now.

 Me on the other hand…this place fits like Cinderella’s slipper. It is as “abnormal” as I am! This has also caused Robert grief as he feels like he is making me leave. Of course I trust him and if God is calling him home he is calling me home too! The pain of leaving will be great! God never promised this would be easy! Leaving the 4 boys we have been living with and parenting will feel like HELL on earth but God has a plan for that too! But seeing all of you will be soothing to my soul and I am ready to see you all!

our boys...

I am also coming home in April for a planned break, to spend time with Joshua, help with our Zambian Choir Tour and attend the Summit Conference in Chicago. That will leave Lifesong Zambia with no one here with everyone being in the states on sabbatical or getting married. So I will take a short break in April and May and head back for June and July to manage the school details and host our mission teams while everyone is in the states.

We are so blessed and grateful that Robert will be able to return to his employer and begin reentry into that world. It will take him a while to get up and going once we get home, and then to build his clientele back and jobs started. But we are very grateful they afforded us this time. I will be going to work for Lifesong USA as their regional director of church partnerships in Texas. I will get to continue to focus on the orphan and vulnerable with the BEST orphan care ministry around. I am passionate about God’s people caring for the orphan and vulnerable and sharing God’s word with them. I am completely impressed with Lifesong! Love their hearts, the way they manage their people, their churches, their money… It’s very exciting!

So there you have it…that’s where we are until God changes things. Our Church, First McKinney, supports our decision and us. They have been very supportive during our time here and as we have made these decisions. As well they are committed to helping us with the transition back home. I think we will need a little emotional support as well.  Okay I might need a lot...and then that means Robert will too! HAHA. We are ready and willing to come home it’s just not going to be easy to leave. So if you would continue to be a part of our team we will need you. Would you please continue your support until August to help us as we transition back to the states? WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE THIS WITHOUT YOU! I am telling you that you guys have been one of the best parts of this whole year. AMAZING! Knowing you were praying for us and supporting us. THERE ARE NO WORDS!!

Another exciting part of our time home in April and May will be bringing two of our boys with us. I can hardly breathe at the thought of leaving them here all alone. So we prayed and haggled and prayed and decided on the two that don’t have exams (kinda like the STAR test) this year. With my new position with Lifesong I will be attending the Summit Conference in Chicago as well as working with our Lifesong Zambia Choir that will be touring in April and May. The boys will be a big part of helping me with the choir and representing Lifesong at the conference. AND…BEST PART… they will get to attend Extreme Camp with our church. Please pray they experience an amazing time with the Lord. Pray now for changed lives forever!!

Trevorson Njombi and Haggai Chitambala

Thanks for all your support and encouragement. This has been one of the best years of our lives. And coming home has been the hardest decision of our lives but we trust and know the Lord has us in his hand! BEST and WORST all rapped up in one. BUT...We are so looking forward to seeing you all in April! We can’t wait to thank you face-to-face for making a difference in the lives of orphans and vulnerable children. Because of you LIVES HAVE BEEN CHANGED! There is no way to tell you everything you have helped with. But I will try in my next update to give you a word picture of the difference you have made because you partnered with us. We love you much! Thanks is not enough…just remember…today is your miracle day! Because HE is not done with you yet!

Soon...

                                                                                                                          Sandy

A typical week in pictures...

I love writing about our life here and trying to share with you what it is like. Today I was talking with a friend about how random and eventful life is here. Since there are no words to convey the right information I decided I would try and give you a typical week in our lives through pictures. 

A week in our life...in pictures...

I mean who doesn't want a little Extra Hot Chakalaka in their lives?

Beef anyone?

Hoofpyntablette? WHAT?

The McB's really are good parents. Please don't call CPS.

Is there a caption for Mark P.???

Lifesong Zambia school bus.

Is HIV really this sexy?

This is how we all feel at the end of the day!

Thirsty? Let me get you a water right off my head.

Chickens on top of pigs pulled by a bus...yep...normal! Would you like to buy an egg?

Hopeful technology and crammed full of goodness all in one picture. If you are in the advertising field there might be a job for you here. Just sayin!

During church I looked down at Katie Graces' foot...yep thats mud. Gotta love the rainy season!

Fresh Guacamole and Mango Salsa from our avocado and mango trees.

Driving down the road with Leslie Ringger...enough said!

Reading at night with no power (electricity) under the mosquito net.

This is how we get our fresh ordered chickens.

Baby Mitzi on the 1st day of school. CUTENESS!

Yes we are driving...moving...we are just having to avoid the pot holes.

Yum!

Yum Yum!

Stops insects bugging people... English 101 needed maybe?

This is a highway. If it's not pot holes it's cows...or chickens...or goats...or...

This is how we drink watermelon juice.

Local legend, Joe, always stops by with his kill. He uses a catapult to kill his prey.That's a sling shot by the way. Makes me understand David and Goliath better.

Carrying a bed down the road. They must be shifting (moving).

Our car broke down and were waiting for help. No one would stop and see if we needed help so we decided to see if I hid in the car and Mitzi laid down anyone would stop and offer assistance. Nope. No one. Scared of the white ladies.

This must be good! No after taste and no choking effects. YUMMY!

Purchased right out the car window from a street salesman...Happy shopping.

This is my FAVORITE sign of all time.

Extra strong ELECTION? L's and R's are most difficult for Zambians!

I don't know.

Safe love?

As you can tell this place is perfect for me...

I hope you get a small taste of our life here...It has been the experience of a lifetime! We are blessed beyond measure...because today is our miracle day! Because He is not done with us yet!

Sandy