Hiking to the Falls

At the top of the falls.

Mikayla on the Oklahoma rock.

Mikayla - The world that the Father has created blows my mind daily. Through the miles and miles of corn rows, to the red dirt roads that never end, to the water falls that rain His heart of joy and love. To finally the people that our Father has created in His image, who are beautiful and have been blessed with the ability to do His work. We had an amazing adventure of hiking today and Oh, my goodness did my Father blow my mind! The amount of beauty that the African jungle has in enormous and grand. The African trees that He has made are gorgeous and take my breath away at each look. As we hiked up the mountain I would look in the distance and my eyes would swell with tears, I was so overwhelmed by how beautiful the scenery was. We saw the valley that led into the beautiful mountain range that lingered in the distance that once again left me speechless. When we arrived to the first waterfall my breath was taken away with how  gorgeous it was. Every rush of tumbling water that came from the top is special because it is a small glimpse into the eyes of the Father and how beautiful they are. Going up was hard, but was worth it when we reached the top and saw the final waterfall. It was so wonderful and grand. We had lunch, took pictures and spent time in the Word. We were challenged to not always take the easy pathway, but to be patient and take the long and sometimes hard way that the Father has planned. He did not say that sharing the Good News would be easy, but it is something that is necessary and vital not to mention we have been commanded and called to do so.

Molly - For about a year I had dreaded going back to the waterfall. Last year, I had fallen and I’m pretty sure that I had broken my tailbone. The waterfalls are beautiful, but I was so scared I would fall again and something worse would happen. So, as we began our journey we walked through brush, climbed over various fallen trees, and looked out for snakes along the way. When we reached the first stream that we had to cross I began to panic. Slippery rocks are not my favorite thing to encounter. I’m so thankful for my teammates because they let me take it slow and held my hand as we crossed. We continued walking for a bit and finally had reached the bottom of the falls. This is another place that had completely freaked me out. Each year, our team takes a picture on the top of this giant rock beneath the falls. Last year, I didn’t take the picture because I was bruised and broken after my fall. This year, I let my team get on the rock and again I opted out and decided to just take the picture. However, after some convincing, my team helped me make it on top of the rock! It was so exciting! From there, we continued up to the third level of the falls. Again we walked through brush, climbed steep rocks, and crossed over several streams and fallen trees. Finally, we had made it to the top and it was one of the most serene things I have ever seen. It was like a hidden oasis that not many people have traveled to or seen. We jumped in the water and played around. It was so cold! We ate some lunch and then headed back down the falls. Once we arrived at the second level, we sat on some rocks on the mountainside and we studied the Word. We talked about how in all things we should glorify the Father. We also talked about how in our lives there will be mountains that we have to face and that the journey may be hard but if we call on the Father there will be beauty even through the hard times. It seems cheesy, but it was a cool visual representation of how the Father cares for his people. We finished the day roasting hot dogs and marshmallows by the fire. Overall, it was an absolutely amazing day! 

Hannah - Yesterday, we went to a waterfall in Northern Zambia. After we hiked to the first waterfall Blake asked if we wanted to keep going, of course we said, YES! So we continued to hike up the unbeaten path of a mountain. We finally arrived to a beautiful, rugged, natural splendor of the Father, a waterfall that many people never have the chance to see. As our team circled up and lifted words of thanksgiving to the Father, I looked up at the waterfall and was in awe of how glorious our Father is! The journey to the second falls was rough with many obstacles along the way. Some obstacles that our team faced were fears, skirts (hard to climb rocks in long, wet skirts), finding a path to actually take, fallen trees that block the path, and other things. On our way back we stopped and ate some muffins and studied Romans on the rugged mountain side, each of us finding a rock to sit on. The view was breathtaking! Blake reminded us that the path we just traveled to get to the falls is just like the path of sharing the Good News (which every follower of the Father is called to do). The path of sharing the Good News may have many obstacles, but does that mean we stop when the first one comes along our journey, NO! If we would have stopped when the first fear or tree in our path came, we would have never seen the the last waterfall which was more beautiful than words can even begin to describe. Yes, many people stop when it gets hard. But I encourage you my friends to not stop when sharing the Good News is hard! Continue on because the Father is walking with you. 

Jenna - Yesterday, we were able to go to the waterfalls in Isoka. It was such an amazing experience to see this beautiful place. It was definitely not an easy journey. We all had to work very hard and work together to make it to the top of the mountain, but it was more than worth it. It’s one thing to behold the beauty of the Father’s creation, but it was so much greater to know that we worked so hard to get to this hidden beauty. Very few people have ever even seen this place, so it was such a blessing to be able to experience it with this wonderful team who has quickly become my family. As we came back down the mountain, at one point we stopped and sat on the side of the mountain to study the Word. It was such a powerful experience to sit in the midst of this extraordinary picture of the Father’s creation and study His words so deeply. That is an experience I will never forget. 

Paige - Spending time with Kimbrough family has been such a blessing.  This sweet family has truly invited us in to every part of their lives.  This past weekend, Blake took us to see one of the most lovely sights.  Each year, the team has hiked to one of the waterfalls here, but this year, Blake took us on a longer hike see a second waterfall that is a hidden gem.  The hike was definitely an adventure, involving lots of river crossings, hiking up a mountain (and then down the other side), through the jungle, and clearing the path with a machete.  There were so many moments on the hike that I was very afraid and wanted to just go back.  But the sight at the end of the hike was so breathtakingly beautiful and so worth it.  Though the hike was hard, I was so glad for the encouragement and help of the team.  In the moments I was ready to just cry, they were right there to grab my hand and talk me through the next part.  The waterfall and the journey that it was to get there was such a picture of the faithfulness of the Father.  In each moment, His hand is right there, and He holds His children so near.  

Joseph - Yesterday we got the chance to visit some waterfalls here in Isoka and just spend some time enjoying the Father’s creation. It’s so humbling to know that the same Father who created those glorious waterfalls not only created us, but knows each hair on our heads. It was a really beautiful thing and then study on the side of the mountain was the best study I have ever been a part of. It really was just a humbling day spent in His creation!

Andrew - The waterfalls we visited were nothing short of incredible. I cannot even explain the beauty of the Father’s creation. The secluded waterfall was like a dream come true for me (ever since I watched the Goonies). You can see some of what I saw in the pictures but not even those do the view justice. Not to mention it was a blast hiking the mountain with the amazing scenery and with such a fun team.

Dayla - Going to the waterfall in Isoka is always one of the coolest and most challenging things I do each year.  There really aren’t words to describe the experience it is to hike to this little waterfall.  Each year I am on high alert as we walk through grass taller than our heads, crawl through dead trees, push through brush and cross through rivers.  Once we arrive at the waterfall my heart calms a bit and I can finally appreciate the beauty of the Father’s creation.  Before going this year, a friend told me that Blake discovered another remote waterfall further up the mountain so I was prepared to go all the way.  When we started up the mountain and His machete came out, all of that changed.  I was convinced that this little waterfall would not be worth the risk of hiking through dense jungle on the cliff of a mountain.  Though it was intimidating, I am glad that I faced my fear of the unknown and made it to the top.  This experience was worth the challenge and the overcoming of it.  I mean, how often do you get to hike through the jungle in the middle of Africa with a machete and see an incredible natural waterfall that only a handful of people have ever seen?  The pictures cannot show it’s beauty to the fullest and in some ways I am glad.  This is something that I just want to keep tucked away in my memory.

The remote falls

Some of the scenery on the road to the falls.

The view to the remote falls.

At the top of the lower falls.

At the lower falls.

Chipote Village

Mikayla - We began work in Chipote on Thursday and have seen the Father work in many ways, we went through the village house to house and visited with the people. We shared our testimonies and just spoke about how great our Father love is.  We visited 5 houses and at the last house we spoke with 4 ladies who were very interested to hear more about the Father and who he is. One asked if we could explain the story of the prodigal son, which was perfect because we were able to explain how the Most High loves us and even more than our earthly fathers, our Father yearns to have a relationship with us. She began to tear up and said she finally understood, it was such an exciting moment! We invited her to come to the weekly studies that the “M” has and I hope that she is attentive to the Father working in her heart and perseveres to seek and find out more about are absolutely amazing Father.  

Molly - Going to Chipote was a really neat experience. The first day we went, we were unable to gather enough translators, so we stayed in a large group at the Headman’s house. Many men, women, and children from the village showed up to hear the stories of how the Father has transformed our lives. When we came back the next day we were able to break up into groups because three translators had come with us. I was in a group with Dayla, Blake, and our translator Fred. We were able to make it to three different houses, and it was so neat to see how our stories could relate to the people of Zambia even though we come from different cultures. The first house was something I will never forget. Many women from the village gathered to hear our stories. Both Dayla and I shared and as we spoke, the women were very interested in what we were talking about and they even asked questions at the end. It was so humbling to see how the Father could use our stories to bring others closer to Him. 

Hannah - First, shoutout to my baby brother Hunter, who turned 12 yesterday! Happy Birthday buddy. I love you! 

Anyway, we began this week by helping around the house, cooking, cleaning, drilling, and drawing water. Being in Africa always opens my eyes and brings a renewed perspective on life. On Thursday and Friday, Blake took us to a village. Thursday we sat around the headman’s house and shared our testimonies and Blake got to teach to a group of people that showed up. When we arrived on Friday, we were split up into three groups and went in all different directions to share the Good News that the Father has called us all to share. My group stopped at five different homes and we each shared our testimony every time. Many people said they had questions so we invited them to study the Word. The Father is working in these places. False beliefs have infiltrated their hearts, please lift them up for softened hearts and a teachable spirit. Ultimately, the Lord has gone before us and will go after us. It is only Him who can change their hearts. 

Jenna - This week has been such an adventure! For the first part of the week, we were helping out around the house doing things like drawing water, cooking, cleaning, etc. It has been such a blessing to spend time with the Kimbrough family and help them settle in to their new home! Then, we were able to spend these last few days in the village of Chipote sharing the Good News with the people there. It has been so encouraging to see the way that lives are being changed and the Word is spreading so quickly! On Friday, we were able to split up and go to many peoples’ homes to share our stories and to spread the Good News to the people who may not have been able to hear it otherwise. The Father is moving in that village and I cannot wait to see how He will work there and how His word will be spread through them. 

Paige - I don’t think I will ever forget my first time visiting a village here in Zambia.  This week we spent two days in the Chipote village, sharing our stories with the people and listening to theirs.  As we sat down to share, the people gathered, some listening, while others turned away.  Yet the longer we shared, the more intently the people listened.  Their faces told a small part of what was in their hearts as they made connections with our testimonies.  I am so thankful to be here in Zambia.  To be invited into the lives of these people and to be able to share how the Father has worked in my life leaves me so humbled.  Each time one of the people invited me to sit, each time our translator would introduce me, and each time I could share hope, my heart overflowed.  The Father is moving here.  Ask that His word would rest on the hearts of these people and they would come to the saving truth of the Good News.

Joseph - We’ve spent so much time serving this week and it has really been incredible thus far. I’ve really just been trying to do anything I can to try to make sure I’m serving with all my heart in our time here and serving is really giving me a whole new appreciation of things.It’s so great to just help out and lend a hand in whatever way possible! Plus, it allows time to be spent learning and growing with Blake so all I can say is that I’m really thankful that the Father is using me, along with the rest of the team. The second half of the week brought about our time serving in the Chipote village and the Father really did speak through us. We were able to share testimonies on the first day there and the second day, my group was able to visit five of the house areas in the village to share about Father’s gift of salvation and s love for them! Mikayla and Jenna both did an incredible job in sharing and then our friend, Wantula, was incredible as our translator. The Father just really spoke through all of us and answered our requests of letting the people see Him in us. The last few women we shared with said, “We were lost but now we understand and know!” All the glory to Him! Also, I just wanted to take a minute to congratulate my younger brother Lance for graduating from High School yesterday!! Can’t believe it but you did it little bro! Love you Lance! 

Andrew - I cannot thank the Father enough for such an incredible team and translators. It was evident that the Father was moving as we visited the village. As each of us shared our stories we could see how they touched the people of the village. As we returned the next day I was placed with a smaller group with one translator. This experience was very special for me as we (Paige, Hannah, and I) were each able to share our stories five different times. Also, we were able to have good conversation with our translator as he taught us some of the language. I am so thankful for this experience in the village and I am excited to see what the Father will continue to do. 

Dayla - As each day passes, I am grateful for another opportunity to be here.  This week as we shared in Chipote, we were filled with excitement and awareness of the importance of the Good News.  That has been an important reminder to us that sharing the Good News is just as vital at home as it is here. I am grateful to walk with this team, to hear their stories and to grow with them.  I am also grateful for the leadership of Blake as he walks with us, challenging us to question how we do life and to redirect our purpose towards the Father.  As Molly and I were sharing, we had an opportunity to share with several women that related to our stories.  Please lift up the people in this village, that they might know the Truth and turn from their ways.  I am incredibly proud of these students as they share, work, and serve alongside of Blake and his family.  It is evident to me that the Father specifically called each of them here for this time and is doing a work in each of their hearts.  Please ask that we all would have teachable hearts in these coming days.  We are excited to continue sharing in Mulali village tomorrow through Wednesday.  

Drawing Water

We have been without running water since we arrived in Isoka.  On Friday morning Blake got a sump pump via a bus from Lusaka so we spent the morning filling a 2500 liter tank one bucket at a time.  This has allowed us to have running water in the house for the essentials.  Otherwise we are still drawing water to wash clothes and to bucket bath.  Here are some pictures from our hard work.

Using bandanas to protect from the thin wire handles.

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.