Nancy's Mission Trip to Africa
Dear Friends & Family,
It is with great excitement that I share with you a new season in my life and my journey as a follower of Christ. The Lord is calling me to the mission field, specifically Zambia, Africa. I am partnering with my church family at "We are Elevation" and "Breath of Heaven Children's Ministries" and packing my bags for my first Mission trip in July of this year.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 says "For Christ's love compels us because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again."
In Southern Africa, AIDS has left one and a half million children without one or both parents. Life expectancy has fallen to 35 years of age. Those living are thrown into a life of suffering; disease, starvation and slavery to meet their smallest of needs. Many children end up becoming the caretaker of a baby or younger sibling at a tender age of 10 or younger because the parents have passed away or had to flee to another country for work.
The thing that I learned about the lifestyle in Southern Africa that really broke my heart as a Mother was that these children are living each day without the loving presence of a parent. Nobody to say "goodnight" to. Nobody to comfort them when they are sick. Nobody to "kiss their boo-boo's better". Nobody to feed them. Nobody to bathe them. Most of these children have never even had a bath, let alone a warm bath. No hugs. No kisses. No playing games. The simple things that bring so much joy into a child's life and heart are completely absent from their daily lives. This fact broke my heart completely.
This is where the desire of my heart is compelled to do something about it. God's love & faithfulness compels me, calls me to go to Zambia where Breath of Heaven Ministries has land and has built an orphanage. Where these lost, lonely, sick children come to be taken care of, loved, played with, even get an education. God's grace and mercy has changed my heart about serving out of the country. I used to be the person who felt there was plenty of "needy" children here in the U.S. so why go out of the country in order to meet that need? You may be asking yourself that same question as you read this. My answer to that question is that, some people are called to serve the needy right in their own backyard. Some are called to go to other countries to serve. At this season in my life, God is calling me to go to Zambia. I am simply saying "yes" to God. I am nothing special and don't have a special "trait" to provide to the ministry........except the love, mercy and grace that I've been shown by God and others. My heart is simply to LOVE the heck out of these kids!
I would be so honored to have your support. Whatever that may look like to you. My goal is to raise $3,250 to fund the mission trip. This covers my flight, food while I'm there for 10 days and legal documents to get me there. I would love to have your prayers for the entire mission team for provision and safe travels, your words of encouragement and financial support through this journey and process. It will be such a blessing to share this journey with all of you.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or if you need contact information for me or Elevation. For more information on Breath of Heaven Children's Ministries go to www.bofheaven.org
Much love to you all, Nancy
