Lily's first two days

Dear friends,
If you ever develop a desire to come to Africa, come fast. I've experienced so much within just two days, and I can't wait to see what all God has planned for the next two weeks. Abby and I are enjoying each other's company; I haven't laughed so hard with my best friend in so long. She's such a blessing, and she's much like a sister to me!
We had the privilege of attending a church service in Zambia on Sunday, and let me tell you, Zambians don't just sing songs to God, they praise him with dancing and shouting, lifting their hands, holding nothing back. When I walked into the tent where church is held every Sunday, and my eyes filled with tears as I listened to the sound of Zambian voice singing the songs "There's no one like Jesus," and "I surrender all." I imagine that heaven will sound like this one day, only better!
I listened to the pastor preach on the joy that comes with dying to ourselves daily- that when we as Christians take up our crosses and follow Christ, we experience a joy and peace that does not come from anything offered here on earth. We get to worship a King who loves us with an everlasting love, and whom we will soon spend eternity with.  "Until that day," the pastor said, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures here on Earth...but lay up for yourselves the treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destory, and where thieves do not break in.." Matthew 6:19-21. It was so encouraging to hear this. I love that even though the Zambian christians are poor, they still find joy in putting their hope in Christ Jesus who protects, saves them every day.
Finally, today, we met the orphans! This morning we visited the villages where the children live; it was hard to see the dirt floors, and the bed sheets hanging in front of their houses that are used as doors. I walked into a small community with the rest of my mission team, and within 30 seconds I was surrounded by at least 15 orphans. They are just fascinated with Americans. I held one boy who was covered in dirt, wearing a ripped shirt and jeans, no shoes, and whos eye was almost swollen shut. All he wanted to do was be held; he just needed comfort that he obviously wasn't receiving. He is just one of many hungry orphans I visited today. It was hard to smile for pictures.
After a hard visit in the villages, we headed over to the Go Center to meet the children we wil each individually counsel this week. Wow! What an energetic, lively bunch of kids. I will be working with ten girls, ages ten to fourteen. I love this age because the girls are able to talk to me in depth about their lives and the struggles they deal with every day. This is a sad truth, but in Zambia it is not uncommon for a young girl to be used as a prostitute in order to make money for her family. It's rare for a young girl to be told that she is a treasure made by God, who is worth "far more than rubies." Instead, girls are brainwashed into thinking that the only thing they're made for is to be used by men. My heart aches when I think of all the precious girls in Zambia who just want innocence. Please be praying that I will have the strength to handle any of the hard stories my girls tell me. I will be spending one-on-one time with each child tomorrow, and I will need the Holy Spirit to guide me as I try to minister to their sweet hearts.
Here is my prayer for the week:
"The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, he has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengence of our God; to comfort all who mourn," Isaiah 61:1-2.

My heart is refreshed by the children of Zambia. It is so neat to finally experience a dream I've had ever since I was a child. Thank you for praying for the orphans!