Our CampLIFE kids

I had the privilege of spending the week with 10 precious little girls from the Kanyama, a compound in Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia.  These little ones ranged in age from 6 to 9.  Out of these girls, 4 would not be attending school because of finances, half of the girls only eat 1 meal a day and all suffer with nightmares every night.  I, along with my Zambian partners, was able to share the gospel several times and 2 accepted Christ.  I don't have any idea if the seed was planted for the other 8, but please pray that they will some day come to know Jesus as their personal Savior.

Kevin had 11 boys, ages 13 to 17.  He had 3 double orphans and 4 not in school because of finances.  Like the girls, many only have 1 meal a day and all suffer with nightmares.  All of Kevin's boys know Christ, either by hearing the gospel and accepting Christ CampLIFE week or they claimed to already know Him. 

Saying goodbye to these children was more difficult than I imagined it would be.  We came home with the task of getting these children sponsored so they would be provided food, medical care and be able to attend a Christian Lifeway school which is sponsored by Family Legacy.  Praise the Lord, 17 of our 21 children were sponsored and overall, Family Legacy had 1,400 children sponsored since this summer.  We are excited to be a part of a ministry that cares for the children of Zambia, the country's future. 

I can't close without sharing a couple of special stories regarding these children.  Our very 1st child sponsored was a young man named Aaron.  He had a very difficult time at camp and struggles with witch doctors and their influences.  He is a double orphan and did not attend school.  He is small and undernourished.  After sharing our experiences with friends, a young couple very dear to us decided to sponsor him.  Why this was so special to us is they had just won a complete entertainment system and decided they would cancel cable and use that money towards Aaron.  They also wanted a boy because they are in great hope that they can be a part of raising a strong, Christian young man.  Aaron is so blessed by having them choose him.

Another story came from a couple we know from church.  We sent out thank yous and pictures of the kids getting shoes that individuals donated toward.  When this couple received their picture, they immediately began praying for Memory, the little girl they had a picture of.  Within days, they had sponsored her and it was so precious to hear how they already loved her and was anxious for their relationship to begin.  They now also sponsor a young man, Paul, who was in real need of them too.  Both of them should begin school at Christian Lifeway school and have food provided for them and their families.  Blessings for 2 more children. 

We've been touched by all that have sponsored one or more of our kids.  I truly believe there will be blessings on both sides of these sponsorships.  We will continue to pray for these children and hope you too will lift them up whenever the thought comes to you. 

And the story doesn't end there!  We are signed up to go again this next summer.  Why don't you join us?