Making the Way to Mulali

This morning we finished clearing the 11km path to Mulali village.  The majority of the work was done by people from Mulali and Isoka a few weeks ago and today we were able to finish the task.  It was an incredible feeling when we reached the top of the mountain to see all that had been done to make a physical way into this village.   We cut down trees, moved rocks and pulled up bushes. On Monday of next week we will head to Mulali to share the Good News.  Please lift up this village!  This is a rural area that has not been reached.  Here are some images of our morning.

Riding on the front to direct the path.

Molly chopping down a tree.

Taking a break in the shade.

We made it to the top of the mountain

A home on the way to Mulali.

Walking the path to Mulali

Some of our surroundings

The view to Mulali

Safely in Isoka

Our first picture on Zambian soil :)

We are here! Read a word from each member of the team!

Jenna - We have finally made it to Isoka, and I am so thankful that we were able to make it here safely. These first few days have been such a blessing already, and I can’t wait to see what the Father has in store for us! It has been so great to be reunited with the Kimbrough family and many of the people we worked with this last summer as well. Today, we went to fellowship in the local village, and I was reminded of the beautiful passion these people have for the Father by the way they bring the Good News and sing praises to Him. I’ve missed the incredible way that they sing praises so much, so I’m really excited to worship with them in our time here. As this next week begins, please be thinking of us as we go into surrounding villages to share the Good News. 

Paige with her very first passport stamp.

Paige - Zambia is beautiful.  We arrived in Isoka after many hours of driving, and after worshipping with our brothers and sisters this morning, I am convinced that Zambia is one of the most beautiful places on earth.  The people of this country amaze me, with their kindness and warmth.  Fellowship this morning left me in awe- how the Body can come together and worship, regardless of age, background, or culture and worship so freely was a picture that is engrained on my heart.  The Kimbrough family is wonderful.  They have welcomed us so completely into their lives here that it feels like we have known them forever.  Even as I write this, I am snuggled next to my new ‘little sister.’  This family is truly the sweetest and I am loving spending time with each of them.  The Father is so good.  Seeing how He is working here in Zambia is exciting.  Lift up that His name would be made great in all that is done here. 

Blake (the M) enjoying the beautiful view
on our way to Isoka.

Molly -  I am so glad that we have finally made it to our destination! The days of travel have been a blur, and I am feeling the effects of jet lag. However, it is all worth it to finally be here with the amazing Kimbrough family and the beautiful nationals. This morning we worshipped with fellow believers at a fellowship near the house. It was absolutely amazing to see some familiar faces as well as new faces. There is so much joy in getting to worship the Father in a different culture with our brothers and sisters across the world. The rest of the day was spent playing with the family and my fellow teammates. It feels as though we have been here for many days, but it’s only been two days! I hope that time will slow down because I’m not ready to leave any time soon and I cant wait to see what the Lord has in store for us the rest of the time that we are here. 

Joseph - Finally back here at the place I love so much! Serving here is so amazing and I’m just excited to be doing that in any amount or capacity that the Father will allow me to do! The Kimbrough family is such an awesome bunch and I am just thankful for everything that they do from making us laugh to serving us wonderful meals. Today we were able to join in at fellowship and it was such a blessing to be back worshipping with our brothers and sisters. I’m learning and growing so much already and I’m truly excited to see what all the Father will use us for in our time here! Excited to be on this blessed trip with such great people!

Stopping to take pictures on our way to Isoka.

Andrew - Well I can definitely say the Father has placed an incredible team here in Zambia that I have been blessed to be a part of. They have taken care of me like family as I have been sick and they (along with the M) have helped me heal immensely. My words do not justify the experience here, God is evidently at work in the lives of the people here. Unexplainable joy radiates among the believers in this area and I am so honored that the Father would privilege me with seeing their faces. I am excited to see the Father work in incredible ways as we are here, I cannot imagine the blessings I will experience in the coming days seeing that we have been here such a short time. 

Hannah - I cannot begin to describe what it means to be back in Zambia again. The Father has blessed me beyond belief by allowing me to come back. When we were first driving through Isoka all I could do is smile because I was finally back. I could not wait to see the K kids again. As we drove up to the house, the gate opened and four bright eyed, smiling faces were waiting for us. My heart is was so happy. Already the Father has opened my eyes to new things. The Zambian people are so full of joy. Everyone smiles and waves as we drive through the town. Today, we gathered at the Boma for fellowship. Fred, one of the elders, gave a lesson out of 1 Corinthians, although I could not understand what he was saying I could feel the Father’s presence. There is no specific person who leads worship, it is led by the Father. He is working in the Boma! Tonight, Blake built a fire and our team sat under the incredible African night sky. As I look up at the stars I am constantly reminded of the marvelous Father, in which it talks about in Psalms 8. Everything I am, belongs to Him and my whole life should point to the Father. This is my hearts cry.

Abigail (10) led a "class" on how to draw a giraffe.
Here were our results :)

Mikayla - Wow! Words cannot describe how amazing our Father is. Our journey of the Father’s beautiful plan has begun and I am so extremely excited! I ask daily that in every situation I will have an attitude that radiates the joy of the Father and be aware to situations that allow me to speak of his amazing name. I also ask that I won’t just do this through the words that I speak, but through the actions that I convey, may they only be honoring to our Father. The airline lost three bags including mine, but the Father has given me courage to stay calm and know that he has everything under control and he will provide the safety of my bag and the others journey to our home while in Africa.  I have gone to my first gathering with the Zambian people and I cannot describe how wonderful it was to here them worship the Father. Listeni to their beautiful voices is something that I will never get tired of nor will I forget. I am so blessed to be experiencing the Father’s love with the team he has placed here together and I am so very thankful for the “M’s”, that are leading us in this wonderful place they call home.  

Zebra stew and a homemade roll! YUM!

Dayla - It was a long journey but I am glad to be here.  We arrived in Isoka last night and have enjoyed connecting and reconnecting with the K's.  The kiddos have grown a lot in the last year and it has been fun to interact with them.  Today we worshipped with the Boma fellowship and I was able to see friends from years past as well as meet some new people.  I am looking forward to going out to Share later this week (probably Wednesday).  Today I had my first taste of zebra in Dawnya's zebra stew which was amazing!  There hasn't been any water at the Kimbrough's house for five or six days now so we are taking bucket baths and making the most of things. We are hoping that the water will come back on tomorrow and we can shower.  That is something to be lifting up.  Some of the girls went with Dawnya earlier to draw and carry water back to the house.  It is just a different life here.  We are all happy to be here and are doing well.  Thank you for your continued thoughts as we begin sharing this week.  The next day or two we will still be around the house as the plan for sharing has shifted a bit, but we are excited to help around the house since the Kimbroughs just moved in last week and are still getting settled.  We will update as often as we can but internet access will be pretty limited for us.  However, I hope you will check back often.  

Kids after church

Hanging out after church.

And we're off...

Today's the day! We are heading out this afternoon for our adventure.  We are excited, expectant and a little nervous but know that the Father is going to do big things.

Please lift us up in every little detail--from smooth flights and no delays, to all of our bags making it and no issues on the way.  Ask that in the midst of the next four days of travel that we will be able to rest, overcome jet lag quickly and be mentally prepared for our time in Africa.

We will do our best to update often.  Check back frequently...and most importantly, please lift us up!

For All of Us,

Dayla

 

Making a Way

As we are in our final weeks of preparation, things are coming together.  The Father has been good to us in providing for all of our needs, in every little detail.  There is so much that goes into the planning, preparing and going and we are dependent on the Father's blessing.

Last night I had the chance to talk with Blake and he shared with me that the Father is not only making a way by opening hearts for the Good News but that also a physical way is being made.  For a few weeks Blake and several men from neighboring villages have been clearing a 4km road so that we can go to Mulali village once we arrive.  He had been told by his national friends that they were clearing the way on the other side of the mountain (about 7km in distance, 11km total) but was not sure as to their progress until last week.  They asked him to come with them and once they reached the top of the mountain he could see that they had cleared all 7km!!  This village is ready for the Good News!  There is still about 1km of road that needs to be cleared on this side of the mountain.  Blake has hopes of them working on it before we arrive, but if not, we may work with our friends to clear the road.

The road to Mulali

Our friends clearing the road.

 

The view of Isoka village from the mountain.

I am so thankful for this physical picture of making a way as I am reminded that the Father is preparing the way for our time.  Please lift up these workers and our team in the next two weeks of preparation. 

For All of Us,
Dayla

If you would like more information on how you can contribute to our trip, email us at zambiagoteam@gmail.com.

Commissioning

Last week our team along with many others were commissioned to GO! This was a sweet time to remember that it is all for the Father and His purpose that we raise money, prepare mentally, physically, and relationally (to mention a few) to fly across the world to Africa. We were challenged to enlarge the place of our tent and to let the curtains of our habitation to be stretched out. And as we lengthen our cords and strengthen our stakes we are reminded that it is you who helps make this journey possible. Your uplifting is vital to our time overseas.

With only a couple weeks until we leave, we want to thank you for partnering with us and for sending us out with the promise to lift us up before the Father.

For All of Us,

Dayla

Gathering

One of my favorite things about our upcoming trip is the opportunity we get to bless our friends by bringing them some homeschool supplies. I have greatly enjoyed getting to spend a few minutes with Dawnya's parents the past two years. They are so sweet to gather the supplies and bring them all the way to us to take to our friends.

Please lift up Ron and Dee as both of their children and their families live overseas. I am grateful to know such selfless and kind people that trust the Father with their kids.

As we prepare to leave, please ask that all of our luggage would arrive safely and none would be lost!

For All of Us,

Dayla

If you would like more information on how you can contribute to our trip, email zambiagoteam@gmail.com!

Fundraising

Last week we purchased our tickets and have been working on some of the trip details!  This is an exciting time as we begin counting down the days...49 as of today!

In the midst of all of the excitement we are still working to raise the last $6,000 for our trip.  The Father has been so faithful to provide and we are excited to see how he will continue to do so.

Right now we are selling these coffee mugs and decals as a fundraiser.  If you would like to purchase one, comment on this blog or email us at zambiagoteam@gmail.com


Mugs are $10.00 ($4.00 additional for shipping cost if not in Shawnee, OK) colors are lavender, ice blue, turquoise, kelly green, lime green, yellow, light orange, orange, pink, silver and white.

Example of Coffee Mugs

Decals are $5.00 ($1.00 additional for shipping cost if not in Shawnee, OK) colors are lavender, ice blue, turquoise, kelly green, lime green, yellow, light orange, orange, pink, silver and white.

Example of Decals (White paper is just backing)

Decals are $5.00 ($1.00 additional for shipping cost if not in Shawnee, OK) colors are lavender, ice blue, turquoise, kelly green, lime green, yellow, light orange, orange, pink, silver and white.

Example of Decals (White paper is just backing)