Girls: You Are Worth More Than That

Today, I was made to feel like I was back in the front seat of a Zambian bus in the middle of City Market. I felt so objectified and dirty when I was asked to find a man a white woman for him to marry among other bullet points on his grocery list of the perfect woman. I felt like an object of his stereotypical and racial views towards women. I felt such rage and disgust against men that I've never felt before as I experienced racism and feelings equivalent to being a sex slave. I am choosing not to fester in those things. That is how I feel but that is not who I am. I am the beautiful daughter of the one, true King who is worth more than gold and diamonds. I am not the prize to be won like the golden arrow I am bought with Jesus' blood. I am worth Jesus' blood. I am not an objectified prostitute. I have intrinsic value based on who made and saved me, not because of who I am or what I've done. I am as precious as the blood of the Lamb.

Be the Change

Recently, I was talking to my RD about how rooming was going with the different clusters, if I was getting to know everyone. When I said that everyone was staying to their own friend group so far, he challenged me with Gandi's famous quote, "be the change..." Now I've heard this many times and even have applied it to my own life at certain points but other times, I haven't been that change. But the difference between when my RD said this to me and all the other times was when I acknowledged the presence of fear in my heart. I am afraid to be the change because that involves taking risks and stepping out of my comfort zone. I love meeting new people but with another person I already know. I like having that safety net. I though about how this applied to my Christian life. God does not give us a Spirit of fear. So what if I acknowledged my fear to God and depended on his courage to be the change God is bringing to the world? It is often said that change starts with one person. I would like to edit this statement: change starts with the one person bold enough to stand by himself for a short period of time. Many people are probably thinking the same thing but don't speak up. I'm not saying you'll be famous or change the world, but what if you can advance God's kingdom and his plan for change by just relying on his courage instead of being defined by our own fear?

Final Recap of Zambia

Jacob, a boy who was recently moved to the shelter, told Chelsea once “there is no god in the ditch.” My heart broke. The ditches are their home, where they sleep when they can at night. It explained the hopelessness that I saw in all the boys’ faces. The ones on the street say they want to get out, go to school, or go home, anything but the street. However, it’s just a fairytale dream. It’s so far off that they laugh at the thought sometimes. They don’t know if they will even be alive in 2 years. Every day they come to Chisomo and are fed, wash, and attend a Bible study. Every day they still leave hopeless. Satan has fed their minds for so long with lies of worthlessness and hopelessness. They are convinced that they are no better than monkeys. They feel they might as well be monkeys. Tomas told me he had “monkey hands” compared to my soft hands. These lies have convinced them that they are not worthy of a normal and good life. They are convinced that the street is better than homes because in the street at least you’re able to do what you want and maybe, just maybe, you can get through the night without being beaten. That’s more of a guarantee than at home. The community looks down on the children living on the street. They say, “They should be at home with their parents. They’re just dirty delinquents.” But what the community doesn’t understand is that each child has a specific and different story and reason why they came to the street. Take Nicolas for example. Nicolas still has both parents, rare for Zambia, but they are divorced and both remarried. His step-father beats him and his step-mother hates him. Neither home is safe for this 17 year old. So he tells his parents that he’s living with the other and heads to the street instead. His parents don’t care enough to make sure that he’s actually with the other parent. Little do they know that Nick is a leading drug dealer and hasn’t been clean for about 6 years.

The community looks at Nick with disgust, but they don’t know that his body is so addicted that it needs the drugs more than food. They don’t see Nick as the leader that I see him to be. They don’t see what the gospel could do for this boy and the entire community that he affects. But Satan has such a hold on Nick. It breaks my heart to know that Nick with probably never become clean and very likely die young. But it’s Nick that keeps me hoping. It’s Nick that inspires me to go to the outcasts of society. And it’s Nick that changed my heart. It’s the unloved like Nicolas that have given me a new drive to study occupational therapy in a new light, to focus on the psychology more than the motor skills. The drugs have killed so many of Nick’s brain cells that he is not unlike a stroke victim. Occupational therapists work with those people all the time. I don’t know where God is calling me. I am willing to go anywhere in the world as long as I know that God is ahead of me. I do know that I have been called to seek out the orphans and the widows, those unloved by the community, and to bring them hope using the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am not going to heal them using OT, but God can and will heal. I just want to be a tool in that healing process. In the words of John the Baptist, “I must become less so that He can become greater” (John 3:30). Being at Chisomo, I have learned that I cannot minister if my goal is for myself. I must humble myself before God and man, following Jesus’ example in becoming a selfless servant. The caregiver at the drop in center and also my host father, Josephat, is a selfless servant, which can only come from God. Day in and day out, he ministers to the children on the street. He does not get any glory or recognition. He is under-staffed and never complains. And his heart has such patience and understanding that I have never seen before. He is my role model of a Christ-like servant. He is a carpenter by trade so maybe these are character traits innate in all carpenters, but Josephat’s love for Christ is what has driven him for 10 years at Chisomo. He has seen the same boys every day for years, and yet he is not frustrated with the slow progress. He does not punish them when they go backwards instead of making progress. He only continues to love them and disciplines with grace. So I guess to say what I have learned is complicated. I have learned that God is the God of all people and calls me to the same behavior in America that I was challenged with in Zambia. God has shown me that I am called to love the unloved, the outcast of the world. Something that I have been discovering since I’ve been home is that God has placed me where I am for a reason. While I was in Zambia, I was there for my eyes to be opened and my heart changed. While I am in America, I am called to make a choice about my faith and my life. This is where the lifelong change happens for me, the character building. I find it so much easier to love the boys of the street than people at home. But Jesus does not only love Zambians. So while I am in America, I will love people through the Holy Spirit (God knows that I don’t have enough love in me to do it on my own). I will lean on Him and strive to be more like Christ every day. In regards as to what I have learned academically, I have discovered a true passion for psychology, which I never thought I would say. I have a passion for applying occupational therapy to some unconventional circumstances, but applicable nonetheless. I have changed my major to biopsychology with a minor in community psych with hopes of understanding more of where people like the Chisomo boys come from. But most importantly, I have learned what it means to be a Christian, a true follower of Christ. Honestly, I’m scared and nervous of falling back into my own routines. But I thank God for these trials because they form endurance. And endurance builds strength of character. Strength of character leads to hope which will not lead to disappointment because we know how much God loves us since He sent His Son to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:3-5

Hangovers: Painful but Necessary

Hangovers, whether from alcohol or mission trip spiritual highs, are always important. It is the time meant for reflection and decision. A decision might be negative, like in the case of alcohol: I'm never drinking that much again. Or it can be positive: I'm going to use what God has taught me on my mission trip and grow instead of waiting until the next big thing to stretch me again. I'm sure you already know which hangover I want to talk about. My mission hangover has definitely been on the down side after such a high in Zambia. Why wouldn't it be? It's only natural. But I've been able to use this time to grow and build more character. Zambia presented me with a lot of amazing experiences that I will cherish, but it is time to make the decisions about how that will change my life and build character. I've been focusing a lot on Romans 5:3-5 lately. It says, "We can rejoice when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." The trials I am facing now are more internal and emotional than I expected them to be, but I know that I can rejoice during these times. I know that this is where the endurance is formed which ultimately leads to a hope that will not lead to disappointment. My prayer lately is that God shows me why he has me here at home. My purpose was so clear to me while I was in Zambia. I'm constantly telling myself that God has a purpose for me here as well. The Great Commission does not call me to go far only to go. So as I go in my normal routine of life, my desire is to know God more and to spread his message no matter which continent I am on for God loves ALL people, not just the Zambians. So keep me accountable for showing God's love in Pennsylvania. Ask me about it. Talk to me about what God is teaching me. Just one final thing: What are your trials teaching you? And are we representing Christ well by showing His love to everyone we come in contact with? (I'm still answering both these questions). Until next time, go. And be God's love to the world.

Home

I know it's been almost two weeks since I've posted what's going on in my life and I apologize for taking forever. But I was back in my room by 2am Saturday morning. It was nice to be done traveling, that's for sure. I will continue to post things that God is teaching me even in America so I hope you continue to read my blog. Just be warned, there probably won't be any cool stories about one of the 7 wonders of the world or anything like that, but my prayer is that you will still marvel at what God is doing right here in Pennsylvania. And my encouragement to you is to join God in His work where you are, whether it be Pennsylvania, the West Coast, or China for all I care. But serve God where He has placed you because you're there for a reason. (Something that I've been learning since coming home). But if this is the last time you ever read my blog until the next "adventure" comes around, I want to share some last words with you. They are words that were given to me by a dear friend in Zambia. And I ask you all to keep me accountable to these words. "Hello, Just hope you're doing great while trying to pursue godliness. Say, the measure of your holiness is the measure to which you're obedient to the Holy Spirit in all your faculties of thoughts, emotions, and your everyday actions. Remember, 'Just as He who called you is holy, be holy in all that you do...' (1 Pet 1:15). And 'do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance' (1 Pet 1:14). Rather take up your cross and follow Jesus, this accompanies self-denial' (Matt 16:24-25). Hay, HOLINESS IS NOT AN OPTION BUT A MUST FOR EVERY CHRISTIAN." I hope you take this little snip-it to heart and ask God, with the power of the Holy Spirit, to make you holy. Strive towards the Kingdom and seek Him first (Matt 6:33...my version :D). So either until what the world calls an "adventure" or you read about my normal every day adventure called my life, I bid you farewell. (I start school next month which is going to be an adventure so stay tuned if that's what you're looking for :D). And serve God where you are, and above all, seek His kingdom in your hearts.

Good News :)

I feel like God laughs at me when I doubt Him. I think He says to himself, "You don't think I can do you, Ally. Watch me!" Yeah I get the point. The conversations I've been able to have with some of the boys, one called David in particular, as a result of one devotion has proved that God is working. Our devotion was on Proverbs 16:3: Commit your actions to the Lord and your plans will succeed. It was joined with the previous day's devotion on Jeremiah 29:11: I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, they are plans for good and not for evil; to give you a hope and a future. We talked about how the only way to have these promises apply to our lives is to be born again. But the coolest thing was one of our visitors, a really awesome old man who had to have a theology degree, explained why we needed to be born again. And man, did he have their attention! He explained that Adam's spirit died when he ate the fruit and we inherited that dead spirit. That's the part of us that needs to be born again. So yesterday, I started having a conversation with David about the question he asked, "What do we do if we are praying but God doesn't answer our prayer?" He seems like a completely different David. And then today we talked about why we need to be born again, how do we prove that we are born again, and how do we make our friends believe that Jesus is alive. Amazing questions. Anyway, that's what's happening over here in Africa!

So many questions...

How does God let this happen? How is this reality? Why is it real life that they have to make fires to stay warm because they don't have jackets like Julius said? Why did Jackson have to resort to stealing and then be in jail for 3 days? Why do they know how to pick pocket so well? Why do they only get 2 hours of sleep a night with a friend guarding them so no one attacks them or steals their things? Why do people look down on them and only give them money out of pity instead of letting them wash cans for work? Why is this the real ugly truth? Why does God allow such things? Why do the boys claim to want an education but take no initiative to go back to school? Why doesn't God save them? Why doesn't He save them already? Grab their hearts and not let go? Why is there abuse and why does it force so many of them to run away and fend for themselves? The world is an ugly place with so much pain. I hate sin. Why doesn't Jesus' light illuminate more? It seems like the darkness is snuffing it out and is winning on the streets. I feel in the midst of a very real war for the boys and all the other children who live on the street. They have no one to love them. They have to feel alone and abandoned. How do I show them that their not? It's so hard to be a light in a dark place of the world like Lusaka. While I feel like god is really present in the churches, He seems absent on the street at night. It feels like Jacob was right when he said there's no god in the the ditch. I know God is working because I see the change in Jacob, Tom, Sandy, and Richard. But I wish it was faster. I think it's slow because God gives us the choice to follow him. It's so hard to be patient when I think about the reality for these boys. I don't want them to have to suffer any more nights on the streets that feel God has forsaken. I want Jesus to come now and break the iron grip the devil has. The devil controls the drugs, beer, and money that entices the boys. And I think most of them use the drugs and beer to stay warm and to forget. But the devil uses those things to keep them in his power on the street. I hate that. Jeremiah 29: 7, 13-14 vs7: And work for peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you. Pray to the Lord for it, for it's welfare will determine your welfare. vs13-14: "If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you," says the Lord.

Prayer as an Evangelizing Tool

A few weeks ago at church, the bible study talked about using prayer as an evangelistic tool. We talked about Paul and Silas in the jail and the chains fell off after the prayed. Well, I wasn't so sure how it applied to my life, but God showed me today. I went to the barber shop where my host dad works with his best friend Mike, and Vincent was hanging out inside. Vincent the 22 year old that sells popcorn right outside the shop. Anyway, we started talking about the day, and I asked if he had gone to church today. He said he hadn't gone to church but he had prayed this morning. He asked if I had prayed for him today when I was at church. I hadn't but I offered to pray for him right then and there. He immediately agreed. I was not expecting him to say yes. It was actually the first time I've offered to pray for anyone spur of the moment like that I think. I was nervous; I didn't know what to pray. I don't know him all that well. Just a familiar face. But I prayed that God would make himself known to Vincent and that God would capture his life. I do think I put the Bible study into practice. It was a complete God thing though. I can't take any of the credit. I just listened to the Holy Spirit telling me to ask about church, that and it's a normal question on a Sunday for Zambians. I will continue to pray for him, so when he asks me next time I see him, I can say yes. But I also pray that I can continue to evangelize to him for the remainder of my time here. I think before I came to Zambia, I thought that evangelizing only happened at certain times and then the rest of your time you were "off" so to speak. But I've really come to realize that every time is a good time to evangelize even if I'm not on Chisomo's clock.

Livingston

I'm sorry I haven't been able to post for the week; I've been in Livingston enjoying God's creation. Let me tell you about all the cool things God has made! First of all, there's the animals. They are amazing. I've never seen so many giraffes, elephants, hippos, water buffalo (think VegiTales Silly Songs, I beg you), crocodiles, kudo, and mpalla in my life. And to think that God made them all blows my mind. That's not even counting the different bird species I saw. The baby elephants were my favorite. They were absolutely adorable! They followed their mothers, and I was reminded of the Asian elephants that connect following each other. And the mentality that all the animals have. They are by no means dumb. They have their own system and way of doing things. It really made me realize how attentive to detail God is. And if he's like that with the animals, I believe that he is at least that attentive to my life. The day after the safari, we saw Victoria Falls or as I prefer to call it Mosi-oa-Tunya, the smoke that thunders. And even in the dry season, boy did it thunder. I can't believe that I saw one of the seven wonders of the world. But the coolest thing about VicFalls to me is the fact that man can't take credit for making it. The Great Wall of China and the Pyramids have been made by man so I think that man takes the majority of the credit for it even though I believe that it still points to God. But with VicFalls, there's no denying that this was all God, that he placed each and every fall with his finger and took such care creating this master piece. But the craziest thing of all, is God says that we are made in his image so therefore are worth more to him than 100 VicFalls. That blows my mind. One other thing, if man ever stops praising God and the rocks and the waters cry out in worship to him, I think Mosi-oa-Tunya will be the first to make its worship known to our God. And I don't think it ever stops displaying the awesomeness of God because that's what he created it to do. God is good. Very good.

Unconditional Love

Who knew that love could manifest so quickly. In one week, I have grown to love the children at the drop in center. I feel possessive over them and want only what's best for them. They're my boys. I love them were they are at and with the love of Christ. I know Christ's love is the only way that I don't get frustrated with them sometimes. But at the same time, I see progress as they trust me a little more each day as I get to know them more too. I want to see them succeed and improve their lives just a little bit each day. But they're stubborn most of them. They have been hardened by the street and don't see any other alternative besides a life of "freedom," money, and drugs. My heart pours out for them. I want to a part of God's plans to effect their lives if at all possible. They just need someone to love them with God's unconditional love. They have been abandoned by all and left to fend for themselves. One boy can't believe that I care about his well being. He always asks, "me? Why are you worried about me?" It breaks my heart. They crave for knowledge as well. They don't take school for granted and treasure any time they are able to spend there. Just their spirit of honesty, even if you have to pry, they will open up to you, but you have to make the effort to get to the truth. Even after every thing they've told me about living on the street, I still can't imagine what it's like to sleep in the drainage ditches or under bridges, to be attacked on a regular basis. One boy came in with a knife wound today from an attack last night. I caught one smoking, and another said he wanted to cut himself because his life was so bad. And all that was before 9 o'clock this morning. But I just take it as it comes and still try to show them that God loves them and so do I. I try not to judge them for what they are doing because if I'm honest with myself, I would probably feel and do the same things if I was in their position. One boy said, "there is no God in the ditches." So while they are here at Chisomo, I try to show them God's unconditional love for them. Today I lead a Bible study on Deut. 31: 7-8 (abbreviated). I tried to explain to them that God is with them even on the street. He never leaves them so they don't have to be afraid.

Mikene

I know that there is a God, and that he is big enough to change hearts. I saw proof today when I visited Chisomo of Mikene. These are children that have been moved off the street and into a shelter. God has changed their lives. The difference between the shelter children and the drop in center children is like night and day. God has transformed their lives at the shelter and has given them hope. During introductions, they told us their ambitions. Ambitions! What I would give to hear a drop in center child say that they had ambitions and not just to get money. The shelter children were also able to explain to me why some of the kids run away from the shelter and go back to the street. The love of money, drugs, and freedom are too tempting for some. They said that it is a really hard decision to give up those things that you have based your life on. But all of them seemed content, very happy, and not wanting to go back to their old life. God has changed them. I am curious to learn about the journey that they have had to go on to become the people they are today. I plan to ask them and get to know more about their lives. Takwabe ubwaba nga Yesu; There's no one like Jesus. Amen? Amen.

Change

Ine chano chaka nifuna chinja nigewenzele mulungu. This is Nyanja for "This year I will change; I will work for God." I feel like so far, the focus of my life has been change. A common phrase around the Chisomo center is "change needs to come from within the children, and only God can do that." The children need a change of heart, not a change of circumstances. A lot of them are curious about God, but still don't want to make that step to accept Jesus into their hearts as Savior. It seems like they understand that they know the change that will happen in their lives when they do that. But since they don't want to leave the streets, they don't want to accept Christ right now. They say maybe later, next week, or next month, then I will make the steps to changing. But they have a drive to learn and to read the Bible. They don't have real Bibles and loved when they were able to hold ours in their own hands to read. And they love to practice reading. None of the children I met yesterday had any education above the fifth grade; many had even lower reading levels. They yearned to read anything. We wrote them Bible verses that they would take turns reading or reading worship song lyrics. Before I see them again on Tuesday, I will write down more Bible verses and lyrics for them to read. I want to be very intentional with the verses that I write for them so that I can present the gospel in this form too. I think they will be receptive to that approach. Please pray that we are able to present the gospel in a new way that will inspire them to accept God into their hearts and change.

A Whole New World

I never thought that I could experience so many new things in one day...new language, new driving patterns, new food, and new people all equally up to a new culture. There are so many things that I want to learn about this people group, but at the moment I'm so jet lagged I'm surprised I even know where I am right now (Lusaka, Zambia in case you were checking). I'm on overload and sleep deprived, but God is bigger than all of the symptoms. I'm really excited to get to know more people tomorrow. I've already been able to visit with a few teenagers and also the couple that lives on the compound. But the first, and probably the hardest, day is over. I still can't believe that I'm living my dream. And I'm super excited to see what God has for me tomorrow, let alone this month.

2 Days

In 48 hours, I will be over the Atlantic Ocean on my way to London before heading south to Zambia. I cannot begin to express my love and gratefulness for all the support that I have received thus far and have no doubt that I will continue to be the recipient of such generous hearts. Thank you Dad, Mike, Jessyca, David, Ellisa, Kathy, Stephen, Jen, Pam, Trent, Hannah, Hannah, Bryn, Kiyetet, and of course my amazing mom who has been my best resource and friend through this entire experience so far. Her influence in my life, I believe, is evident in the way that my views and opinions of the world and God have changed. I am so grateful for her in my life and thank God for giving me the exact type of person that I needed to vent to, pray with, cry on her shoulder, and rejoice when God proved himself once again. And also a HUGE thanks to EVERYONE that has supported me financially. You are not under appreciated one tiny bit. Thank you for your sacrifice and your part in my trip. As my dad always says, I'm just the one getting on the plane, but every one in the church and has supported me is a part of the mission too. You're all part of God's plan for Lusaka, Zambia. Thank you for giving me the honor to be your representative in Lusaka. May God be glorified.

A True Miracle

If I ever doubted that miracles happened every day, I won't doubt again because today I lived a miracle. The morning all started with a routine trip a health clinic to acquire malaria pills for my trip. I was already frustrated with this company for not giving me straight answers earlier in the week, but I needed the medicine. So I dutifully went down and listened to a woman trying to sell me multiple vaccinations and pills for an hour before I insisted that all I wanted was malaria pills. I'm allergic to the pills that were being provided so I was extra stubborn when trying to confirm that I would be able to take this medicine. I'm sure she was frustrated with me and my family. My options were an expensive medication, one that was unreliable, and another that caused psychotic breakdown. My family and I decided that the first option was the best except for the $340 price tag. While I waited for the word from my parents, they made calls to see if the doctor could prescribe the same medication. As I drove away from the center, my only guarantee of medication, I received the call that the doctor had prescribed the pills that I needed, estimated price of $250, still expensive but much better! Only to discover that my insurance had covered the medication and my cost was $10! This could not be possible. It is a true miracle. I have know doubt that God had me in his hands and that he was showing me that he is a God of details and that nothing is too small to escape his notice.

Valley Low to a Mountain High

I have come through one part of the journey since I have raised all my funds for Zambia. And it truly has been a journey that God has been steering and I've only been riding along. My curiosity for God and what he is able to do has only grown in the past month. As of May 29ish, I had only raised about half of my funds. I have to be honest with you, I was very nervous and scared. I was starting to doubt that I was supposed to go and if God would bring the money in. But God gave me a verse that I clung to; Exodus 14:14, the Lord with fight for you; you only have to be silent. So that's exactly what I was forced to do. God didn't give me any other option other than to be silent during my failed car wash in which I waited all day to not wash any cars. God was telling me that it wasn't going to be through my own power this time that I was going to get something done, it had to be him. And within the week, God provided $1000. God did, not me. And now just a few weeks later, the rest has come in. In addition to the funds that I had to raise, I had to get a $100 yellow fever shot, but God provided the funds through donations to pay for that as well as cover the cost for the visa that I needed expedited. God has truly been good and faithful to his word. He has also been teaching me very personal and life changing lessons before I even set a foot on Zambian soil. He is teaching me that I am NOT alone and that he does understand what I am going through. It was a lesson that I deeply needed to learn and has made my personal relationship with Christ become even stronger. I am starting to understand what it means to truly have that one-on-one relationship with God, and I am loving every minute of that. Through the things God has let me experience, my desire to know him more has grown exponentially. Please pray that these experiences aren't just a "high" as the Christian community calls it, but a truly life changing, altering event in my life that I can continue to draw upon and grow from. My deepest desire right now is to know the heart of the living God as much as he knows mine. Although I know that can never completely happen, I love knowing that I will and can keep learning about him and experiencing what he can do.

God's Provision

Recently, I was considering financial situations with Zambia and school. There was a chance that I would have to put significant money towards my trip and what that would mean for school this summer. On top of that, my car failed inspection and need a few hundred dollars of repair and labor. When I was crunching numbers and starting to freak out, God provided the finances for my flight to Zambia. I still have a lot to go regarding finances but because God provided with my trip, I will be able to put money into my car. I was silly to doubt that money could conquer God's provision.

Support Letter

As you may or may not know, it has been a dream of mine to travel to Africa and serve in missions there. Well this summer, God has blessed me by fulfilling that wish. I will be going to Lusaka, Zambia for the month of July. I am choosing to go for an extended time because I am searching for God’s direction in regards to missions work in my life. By living there for a month, I will get a good taste of what it really feels like to live in Africa and if that is God’s call for my life. I am praying that God prepares my heart to listen for this answer specifically and also in general. Lately, I have felt challenged to be more in tuned with what God is telling me, to listen for the small, quiet whisper of His voice. It is a desire of mine to focus on listening during this entire process. I know that there will be a lot of excitement with everything that is in store for me, but I don’t want to forget to be still and simply sit in His presence. While in Lusaka, I will be working with the Chisomo Center that reaches out to street children. They have intervention and prevention programs to reconnect street children with their families when possible. My duties as an intern there will be teaching girls about hygiene, leading devotionals, teaching computer skills, and working to improve literacy rates. I pray that God directs my words and with whom I interact. One of my goals is to not ignore the gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit that I so often put aside in my daily life. Please pray that I will not ignore God’s push to do something even more outside my comfort zone. I am only there for a month and I want to be stretched as far as God will take me! Now you may be saying, “isn’t going to Zambia being stretched enough, Ally?” Well…yes and no. No because I have wanted to serve in Africa since the eighth grade, and I am living my dreams. Yes because I am very nervous about going overseas for the first time by myself and also for the longest amount of time that I’ve ever been on a trip. With that comes my fear of becoming homesick and missing my loved ones. I will have Skype, so I will be able to communicate with them some, but Zambia is 7 hours ahead of the East Coast therefore my time to talk with them will be limited. I am also concerned about adjusting back to American life and school. I will have a month before school to acclimate to American life again for which I am grateful. And now comes to that classic part of mission support letters where I ask for your financial support. (Yes, my trip does cost a lot of money: $3100.) However, I ask that you first and foremost join me in prayer and listening. When you hear an answer from God, please respond accordingly, whether it is to support me financially or through prayer or both. I would appreciate it if donations would be sent by the end of April. Ultimately, I only want to share this experience and what God is teaching me with you. Look for updates on my blog (bloomingcuriosity.blogspot.com) and Facebook as I will be posting regularly. Thank you and God bless, Ally Olkowski For financial donations, please make checks out to: CoLaborers International with my name in the note line. And send to: CoLaborers International 101 Morgnec Road B302 Chestertown Md 21620

To read more about the group I'll be working with, read their page! https://sites.google.com/site/chisomodropin/home

Check out my new page: Living a Dream: Lusaka, Zambia! ps- if anyone knows how/if I can put new posts into this page please leave a comment to let me know. Thanks!