“Lasting Impressions”

Last month in Malawi we had an invasion of rats (we killed about 8), sometimes we had no electricity, used only squatty potties, became a zoo for kids, only ate meat we killed (goat and chicken), but in the end we reached a community of people for the Kingdom. Last month was a great month and it had its challenges, but there was so much to be thankful for. It was difficult to say goodbye, but Malawi will always have a special place in my heart.

We are now in a place called, Kadoma, Zimbabwe. It is another rural area for the month and we have the opportunity to be a part of ‘Lasting Impressions.’ It is a place where leadership, environmental, corporate, and orientation camps happen. We are thrilled to be part of an amazing team and we are in awe of its beauty. It’s cool that the wife started out in Zimbabwe doing AIDS prevention (whoo, Public Health) things and now her and her husband are running a camp that teaches and addresses a variety of topics.

We just finished our first week and had an orientation camp for kids going into high school or what they call Form 1. I had the pleasure of mentoring 10 kids. The kids do many activities like team building exercises (raft building, a spider web obstacle, Birthday shuffle on a log, etc.) and confidence/trust exercises (abseling, trust log walk, rope house, etc).

It’s crazy to look back and see where the Lord has brought me. I had so many ideas of where I would be after high school and I would have never thought I’d be mentoring young boys and girls from Zimbabwe. This week I learned about how much of an influence we can have on kids at a young age. I was reminded of how words can have a deep impact. On the last day of camp I gave my group each a word that identifies them as a child of God. Some of those words were beloved, courageous, strong, wise, bold, etc.

The 16hr work days of camp was a lot of work, but I can’t wait for the next camp that comes on Friday.

(This month we have been able to see some wild animals: monkeys, baboons, bush buck, and leguaans (this is a giant lizard). The family also has a pet snake!)

 

Praises!!! I have less than $2,200 to raise by the end of the month! I am incredibly thankful for your prayers and support!!! Shout out to Jesus!!