Update (August 26, 2013)

As I am getting closer and closer to the departure date, I am filled with excitement, but am also nervous about going.   While at church on Sunday I realized that it would be my last Sunday service there until November, I have traveled many times, but never for such a long period of time.  I was struck with thankfulness that I have grown up in such an amazing church that has been blessed by God and where I know and love everyone and am very blessed by them. It will be strange to leave this church family that I have been apart of for such a long time.  

It will aslo be hard to be away from my house and family for so long, there has never been a time in my life where I haven't been able to call one of my parents or siblings to talk or to ask advice from. This will be hard for me, because my family is some of my closest friends and helpers in life.

I leave for England with my dad on September 5 and will stay in England visiting a few places around the country before I leave for Zambia.  I leave for Zambia on September 13. I do not fully know what to expect while I am in Zambia. I plan on working mostly with the orphanage, but whatever God has in store for me it is my prayer that I will be a help and a light for Christ to all that I come into contact with.

 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world (James 1:27)

 

 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.(Matthew 5:13-16)