Mrs. M’Robert’s £12

When David Livingstone established a mission station at Mabotsa in 1843 among the Bakatla
people, he had only been in Africa for 3 years. He had not yet discovered Victoria Falls, nor
Lake Ngami, nor Lake Nyassa. In fact, he had yet to make any discoveries at all. He had not
yet walked across Africa, from Luanda on the west coast in present day Angola, to Quelimane
on the east coast in present day Mozambique. He had not yet been inspired to penetrate deep
into the “unknown parts” of the African continent to blaze a trail for future missionaries to follow
with the gospel.
When David Livingstone joined the Bakatla villagers one day in 1843 on a hunt for the lions that
had been raiding their herds and attacking some of their people, he had not yet become a
national hero in England and Scotland for his great explorations and his tales of discovery and
adventure. He had not yet made known to the world the horrors of the slave trade in the African
interior that provoked international action to bring it to an end. He had not yet inspired the
generation of missionaries that followed him to Africa with the gospel after his death.
On this day in 1843, Livingstone was unknown to the world.
As the hunt progressed, Livingstone spied one of the lions 30 yards away and “fired both barrels
into it.” The lion was hit and mortally wounded, and disappeared momentarily into the bush.
Then it attacked. Livingstone wrote:
“[L]ooking half round, I saw the lion just in the act of springing upon me…he caught
my shoulder as he sprang, and we both came to the ground below together.
Growling horribly close to my ear, he shook me as a terrier dog does a rat. “
Livingstone’s assistant, Mebalwe, “a most excellent man,” was nearby and came to his aid,
firing both barrels at the lion as it stood with its great paw on Livingstone’s head. The lion
turned from Livingstone and attacked Mebalwe, biting him on the thigh. Before the lion could do
more damage to Mebalwe, the beast succumbed to his wounds and died. Mebalwe had saved
Livingstone.

Mebalwe was a teacher who worked alongside Livingstone at the Mabotsa mission station.
Livingstone had asked the London Missionary Society for permission to hire Mebalwe at an
annual salary of £12. Thousands of miles away in London, a faithful woman, Mrs. M’Robert,
paid the £12 salary, and probably never knew the impact of her small gift.
Somewhere thousands of miles and a world away in a Lusaka slum, there is a young Zambian
boy or girl who has not yet become the doctor the country so dearly needs. Another has not yet
become the teacher that will inspire the next generation of Zambians. There are other children
who have not yet become the Christian leaders that will change the course of their country. All
they need is someone to faithfully provide for their education, a Christian education provided by
Family Legacy’s Legacy Academies.
Like Mrs. M’Robert, we may never know the impact that our work and our gifts have for His
kingdom. Even David Livingstone himself died without ever seeing how God used his labors to
transform the continent of Africa. The monthly costs to sponsor a Zambian orphan at Family
Legacy may seem like a small amount. What difference could sponsoring one orphan child
possibly make? God used Mrs. M’Robert’s £12 to change the course of history. Yours could
make all the difference in the world.

by J.P.Whitney

References
Missionary Travels and Researches in South Africa, David Livingstone, London, 1857.
Personal Life of David Livingstone, William Garden Blaikie, Harper and Brothers, New York,
1880.

I HAVE NO ONE TO HELP ME

The story that produced that famous quote goes something like this. Long time ago a crippled man was lying near a pool, the Bible says that when the waters of the pool was stirred whomever would step into the pool at that time would be healed of their infirmity. This man had lain there for upwards of 38 years, he had seen people go into and out of the pool when it was stirred and walk away healed. There was so much hope that would rise up in him because he had seen it first hand. Year one goes by, then five, then twenty and now thirty-eight; many people over the years saw this man, saw his predicament, saw his inability to raise himself up and go into the pool. They would even from time to time bring their guests over and share the story about the pool and in sharing they would include this man lying at the pool side.

The question on that particular day to this man was, "Do you want to get well?" Other than those who would bring him to that poolside and leave him on a daily basis, I would assume of all the passer by no one took the time to have a conversation with him. All of a sudden he is in the focused lens of someone who is asking in his mind the most ridiculous question. His answer reveals a lot about him: I am all alone; No one accepts me; No one comforts me; No one supports me; No one encourages me; no one appreciates me and the list goes on and on.

As I read this story, I am reminded of the over 3000 children who came to camp this summer for the first time who will have an opportunity to be sponsored and join one of our 22 school campuses throughout Lusaka. Like this paralyzed man, children who need parents and family to live, thrive and survive and are from an early age left paralyzed by the abject poverty all around them. And with no hope of seeing a way out of this vicious cycle they bare the pains of having to repeat the same. Absolutely paralyzed!

Their 5 day CampLife experience is like the day someone stopped and had a conversation with the man. All of a sudden new life comes into him, hope became renewed and there is now the possibility someone would take time out of their busy schedule and notice them. The time together creates such memories for not only the children but those who take the time to hold them, talk to them, listen to them, cry with them and celebrate this new life and love that has entered their hearts. More importantly, our volunteers do more than just meet with the children, they take the time in touching their souls by going to their homes. This gesture is inexpressible for the children because as poor as they are, these people visit their community. Priceless!

Living at the Tree of Life Children's Village we get a first hand experience of doing life with many of the least of these. The relational reward we get happens from time to time when the children who hurt the most start to appropriate the truth that help has come to walk alongside, encourage, support, and comfort the pain away.

This pass week, I was in conference with one of our grade 11 boys who became orphaned by age 12; who suffered mercilessly at the hands of a drunken step father; who has no living relative that he knows of. Our conversation was a bit different that day in the sense that I had determined to listen to him, grieve with him and to support him. I began our conversation with an apology for missing the many cues he was sending that was reaching out for help from me. He was a bit taken a back, a look surprise was all over his face. He did not know what to say, he just sat looking at the floor. Then I said, "I see that you are hurting and it is as if you have no one to talk to about this pain." As I was talking tears began welling up into his eyes and began rolling down his cheeks. He had not said anything and I did not think I was saying anything unfamiliar. I then said to him "you seem so all alone and I don't want you to carry this burden anymore." Then I said, "tell me what is causing this great pain?"


He began to cry and when he said the word stepfather, it was as if we were reliving the abusive situation. He went deep into that situation, years and years of carrying this burden compounded by not having earthly parents started emptying from his soul. It was too much to do all at once, but now he knows with a certainty that he can come and share and cry if he wants and will not feel condemned because he is fully accepted.

What do you do when you are the one reciting that ancient quote? For me, Warren, it was simple. I had to realize that like the paralyzed man, I had to confess that I was in need of help, I had to acknowledge that I had experienced some wounds I had not quite healed from and based on my closest relationships I needed course correction. My marriage was suffering as a result of many wounds and so many unmet spiritual and relational needs. My parenting was lacking life, love and affection and my leadership became words without action. I had some older men I respect speak into my life and my situation. More than that, they loved, listened and accepted me.

Today, just like that man on that day I am experiencing a renewed love for my God and for my neighbor. It's so funny, a guy in a wheelchair with pronounced mental retardation came up to me and asked for money. Normally, I would put my window down and offer help, but this time I got out of the car, touched him, looked him in the eye and chatted for a few minutes before giving him some money.

Our ministry is being touched with renewed vigor and hope for this amazing work God has ordained for us. Countless thousands of children's lives are being touched through the love and care of God's people. I am being touched as well as our family and for this we are profoundly grateful. Truly our cup overflows with the goodness of the Lord.

I don't know where you are in this brief update, but would you consider being the man/woman to the many around who are wounded and alone. If you are need of someone, there has to be one person in your life with whom you feel safe, please talk to them.
You can also call us, we will listen.

Grade 12 Graduation Trip!!

We forgot to post this blog from a few months back!

A few weeks back, I had the honor and privilege of being chaperone on the grade 12 Geography/History field trip.


There were 22 students on the trip and I had a group of 5 boys, Gift, John, Gift, George and Mwinda. Watching them seeing the Victoria Falls for the first time and taking in the views for the first time were priceless. They were like children being allowed to enter a candy store and get whatever they wanted. They giggled, frolicked, gawked in wonder and awe at the immensity of the falls and the power of the spray. They took time to take in the beauty in small things like a solitary vine that had a bouquet of purple flowers at its end; watched a very ornate grasshopper open its very colorful wings; and because of the angles at which the sprays from the sun fell, the sun cast any number of single and double circular rainbows. To cap off the trip, nothing was more memorable that our times together of learning, eating food and fellowship.

I think for all that went, the time will be remembered for the rest of our lives. I am already feeling the parenting feeling when your child nears their end of the journey for you at home. But who are we kidding, they never end their times with us at home.

New Year Greetings!!

WOW!! Words do not describe the past few weeks. It was an amazing end of the year and beginning of 2016!! From, a Christmas miracle to Dream Camp to Graduation, God has been glorified. Our Christmas miracle was given to us on Christmas Eve. 5 children were found abandoned in one of the communities. The oldest girl had been taking care of her younger siblings for several months until they were evicted; a good Samaritan ound them and called our offices. They moved into the Tree of Life Children's Village on December 24!! What a Christmas gift to us and them!!



We also graduated 10 children from Tree of Life Legacy Academy. The majority are the first in their family to ever make it past the 7th grade! There was an even bigger graduation a week later for the kids attending Legacy Academies in 17 communities; 96 students received their Grade 12 certificates, most of whom were also the first to make it to High School let alone graduate. What an awesome God we serve! These graduations were a small glimpse of lives being transformed in Zambia. It allows us to hold God's promises close to heart, that He is indeed above all knowledge and wisdom.

So many more exciting things are happening this month. We also had the privilege to open three more houses. These homes were opened for our high school kids that are living at the TOL. One of the sponsors was a university young man. He had a burden from God to raise funds to open a boys home and God did just that.

Happy New Year everyone!!

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to His power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen" Eph.3:20,21



This verse has hit me like a ton of bricks this week. The idea that God is not just able to do more that I can ask or imagine but willing to do it is mind boggling. Like many times before I am faced with truth that I have not really embraced in my walk. I am sometimes like a rollercoaster, I go up and down in my relationship with the Lord and my spirituality. I hold God in my minute mind and think He fits my mold. He is able to do more. What does that really mean?
The truth. I have no idea. My mind can't understand it. I don't REALLY know what this small yet powerful word means. God is able to do more. Do I believe it? Do I receive it? Do I really understand that the God of the universe, the One who made all creation, the star breather, can do more in my life, in my children's lives, in the lives of those we serve?

Day after day we are faced with the lives of children who in this society's eyes, are the very least. They are the bottom of the crop. Most of them have one or no parents at all. They have been abused and misused and yet God hears their silent cry for help and says, "Enough, I will do more in them." I will do more for a girl who has no parents and was thrown outside to fend for herself and left desolate. She encountered an opportunity one day that will change her life for ever. Even though she came to camp and was encouraged that there is a different road to walk. She was still going back to pain, until one day she was kicked out of her the house. She walked the 3 miles to the Tree of Life and found a real home. God did more for her!
God is also doing more for a boy who had no hope and no future because HIV had ravaged thru his body and now medicine fails time and time again. God himself is keeping him alive because God is able to do more.

He is also doing more for me than I could ever imagine, all I knew growing up was that I wanted to do missions. Never in my wildest dream did I think I would live in Africa with four children and a husband! Never did I imagine that I would love over 650 children so much. God can do more in me and He is not even done. He is going to do more in me and in YOU. He has no favorites he wants to do more for us all the same way.

What are your dreams? what are your desires? What do you want God to do in your life?

God can do that and more.

Beseeching the Lord of the Harvest

(watch video on Facebook)

She is beseeching the Lord of the harvest to send His laborers.

You can pay a critical role in helping us get back to the harvest fields.

We have $1,500.00 in monthly support left to being fully funded, and to realize this goal we need:

10 partners at $150 per month.

15 partners at $100 per month.

20 partners at $75 per month.

Would you consider supporting us today at one of these monthly levels? Or you can make a one-time

donation at www.familylegacy.com/warren

A Promise Fulfilled

"But thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel,
Fear not, for I have redeemed thee, I have called you by name, thou art mine. When thou
passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not
overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned, neither
shall the flame kindle upon thee."


At the age of 17, while going thru a difficult time in school, with friends and life in general,
God gave me this passage through my mother that has been my life-line. Ever since then, God has used this portion of scripture to encourage and bring life to me during difficult times.Recently, I was speaking with a friend and we were discussing this passage and it was such an exciting
experience and revelation we had, I have decided to share it.


So, what does it all mean? when we walk through the waters? and the flood? and the fire?


"...when thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee"


In Exodus 14, we read the account of Moses leading the children of Israel through the Red Sea. God said to Moses, that He was going to fight for them. God Himself was there when they went thru the Red Sea, when they passed thru the waters. The God of the universe came down in a moment of need and did not allow the waters of the Red Sea to drown His people. "The Lord Himself shall fight for you, and you shall hold your peace." Exo. 14:14
A promise fulfilled!


"...and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you"


Another instance we can read in Joshua 3 of the Israelites crossing over the Jordan River. The priests were told to go ahead of the people and enter first. Now, imagine with me for just a moment and see the priests, who were carrying the Ark, they were to step into the river first. Another thing to notice is that the Jordan was overflowing its banks, that means that there was so much more water around plus the currents were a lot stronger at that point. But still God wanted them to move first, then He would perform the miracle. God was calling them to believe, to have faith that would move the situation they were facing. The Bible states, "And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap." In Isaiah's words, the waters were not going to overwhelm them. The Jordan at the point where they were crossing was deep enough to have them all drown but it never happened, because God was with them. A promise fulfilled!


"...when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burn, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee."


Daniel 3 tells us the story of the three Hebrew boys who defied their king by not bowing down as the law commanded. These boys had a decision to make, they either bowed or burned. They decided to obey the God who had their lives in His hand instead, they knew the difficulty of their situation and they were prepared to suffer whatever consequence. My favorite verse in this chapter is, "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up." What a way to trust God, whether he answered their prayer or not. They were going to trust in God and obey Him no matter what the outcome was. And He did it, God blessed their audacity and faith! They did not burn, in fact they did not even smell like fire. A promise fulfilled!


What about me? Am I going to trust him when He says clearly:


I will be in Your situation myself and not allow it to drawn you, overwhelm you, stress you. You will hold Your peace and I will move.


or maybe He is asking me to go ahead first, to move in faith and He will move, like the priests and Joshua.


Or like the three Hebrew boys, I can be confident that whatever the outcome is I will not be moved and trust Him. Because of this faith in God, He moves! He stops the fire, but allows the king to see that there is no other God like Him. My circumnstance and situation will have to bow to the One True God, the One who holds my world in His hands.

Zambia is calling and we must go!

Got up this morning, thanking God for bringing us closer to our departure date and yet still 30% short of our support raising goal. Vicky, the kids and I gathered to rend our hearts to God about all the things He has done and is continuing to do and to thank Him for his wonderful grace and mercy. As everyone jumped into the days schooling activities, I decided to catch up on what's going on in Zambia and found this waiting for me: Did you hear what I heard? I will tell you what was loud and clear to me. Zambia is calling, the children are calling but most importantly God has called and we must go! You can help make this happen by sending a one time or a recurring gift to help us get to our goal of 100%. We miss them, they miss us, we must go…

Carr Family Update | September, 2015

A recent message at church became a pivotal moment for our family as we are back stateside, gearing up and preparing for another season in Zambia.  The speaker talked about passing through Gethsemane before going to Calvary as it pertains to the specific call upon our lives.  

Jesus and His disciples all went to Gethsemane, but only Jesus went to the cross at Calvary.  At some point He kept His friends and family engaged but then there came the time of going it alone with the hope of His family and friends’ prayer, watchfulness and support.  

We have taken the opportunity to update many of you as to what it is we do and how very much we need your prayer, watchfulness and support.  Our Gethsemane is here in America, this is where we get to talk about the amazing work of Family Legacy Missions International as it engages families with God’s heart for the orphans of Zambia. 

We can say Zambia is like our Calvary, where we keep dying many times to our own selves and desires; we also die to the idea of being close to family and friends.  We love what we do and would do nothing other than serve the orphans and vulnerable children of Zambia.

What is Happening at the Tree of Life Children’s Village?

The 2015 CampLife season is over and for us it is as if a new year has just begun.  Well over 7,000 kids came to Camp and I dare say that about 1/3 of them  are not sponsored, many in this number are in need of serious intervention that will bring them to the homes of the Tree of Life Children’s village. 
Seven new homes were opened between June and July and that equals to over 70 new kids to our village.  There is already a need for child sponsorships and for new homes for the children coming to us as a result of this year’s camp.  We will also need to add more classrooms to our ever growing school population as well as build our hospital.  

As you can see because we have new children, we need more homes, classrooms and our own hospital to treat our village of almost 700 children.  This all points to one thing – time!
Time is vital to us and to this ministry.  We would like nothing more than to be able to get back to Zambia and put our hands to the plow and faithfully and joyfully continue to serve the precious children God is allowing us to work with.  

Many of you have already joined us by sending a one-time or recurring donation.  We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generosity.   Many are still praying and asking God if this is where He would have you join Him.  

Can we say yes for you?  

The Bible states in James 1:27 that pure and undefiled religion is to look after the fatherless and the widows.   When you join us in this ministry you are doing just that.  You too are plowing with us; you too are allowing one more child to have a chance to a better future.  We ask you because God has asked us to join Him.

We have to raise 100% of our monthly ministry and family expenses to return to Zambia.  Living in Lusaka is not as inexpensive as one would expect for an African country.  The World Bank estimates that the cost of living in Lusaka is 30-40% higher than Washington, DC. The Zambian economy may be growing at a respectable rate of 6% but that is mostly because Zambia opened the worlds biggest copper mine just as world copper prices were going through the roof. 

Zambia is expensive because the labor market is rigid – a 15% annual increase in wages is customary. Transportation cost bumps up the price of everything else—Zambia is a landlocked country with little domestic manufacturing. The cost of finance is high—banks charge up to 35% and in some instances 100% interest rates.  

Please consider our giving chart below and see where you see yourself:

Needed Monthly Number of supporters needed:

$1,000     2 donors 

$500        4 donors 

$200        10 donors 

$100        20 donors 

$50          30 donors

James 1:27

Preparing for our Descent

    We have been in the States now, four whole months and time feels like it is both flying and standing still at times. We are having such a great visit reconnecting with friends and family. We know our time here is short and I already started packing and preparing to go.  

    There is something about a deadline coming close that puts an urgency to finish the task at hand, sooner rather than later.  As I think about this, I think of how many of us go thru life thinking our deadline is no where near and we can continue as we wish. We can "drink and be merry" as the Bible puts it. We go on as if life is forever and we are eternal. The truth is that our days are numbered and we are not promised tomorrow. I am praying God will help me live life with an urgency. People are dying, governments  are collapsing, families are being torn apart. What are we going to do about it? If it's to pray, let's do it with fervor. If its to teach, smile, hug, laugh, just be for someone? Let's do it, but do it well, with God's love and passion. Our God is truly greater and more powerful and doesn't NEED us, but WANTS us to join Him.  It is truly a provilege to serve the one true God.

Angels unaware

I was just getting ready to update the blog and saw that I never published this post. I really hope it blesses you all. Have a great day!!

It is week three of what we hope to make a new Carr Family tradition.  It is a very simple thing, we go a specific house each week and bring pizza and hang out.  Sometimes we play games, last week, we taught the children "the cup game". The one you sing, "Jesus loves me" and drum to. It was super fun!

This week was a bit different, since  every house is different our visits always change.  So, we went to Chelstone and met the children there. They were all sweet but the one who caught our attention was, Lydia.  She is five and was malnourished for most of her life until a few months ago when she came to Tree of Life.  She is so very sweet. 

 

Lydia came to us during CAMPLIFE this past summer, our doctor on duty was in one of the communities and when a mother came with a sick boy. Unfortunately, nothing could be done with the boy and he died, but he saw Lydia on her mother's back looking spaced and very thin. He immediately said he needed to see her. After speaking with the mom and taking her to the clinic she was weighed at about 17 pounds and four years old. She was severely malnourished and was not making eye contact with anyone.  Our doctor friend, Brad Guffey, said she was a few days away from dying.

She was taken to UTH hospital and after obtaining medical consent from the mother she was admitted in the malnourished ward. The doctors there made every effort to bring her back to health and gave her fortified milk, she would only be released when she gained over 10 pounds. 

To make the long story short, God did a miraculous thing for Lydia, she was only released another gaining four pounds because the hospital needed the bed. Well, she was then taken to our transitional home but only after getting full custody from the family, not a small task.

She was given the fortified milk plus a peanut butter mix she was to eat and drink all day.  After many tests, it was found out she is HIV positive, has both tuberculosis and epilepsy. The tuberculosis was thought to have gone to her brain resulting in her inactivity to relate to others and many other symptoms.  

Her story sounds dim and hopeless but we serve a mighty God who loves to defy science and man.  When we saw her in December, she looked chubby and had the sweetest disposition.  Last week, she was taken to the clinic and weighed at 42 pounds!! 

She took her first steps with our friend Ashleigh and even learned to smile, a simple gesture not even her muscles were used to.

She is a totally different child, all thanks to God!

On our way home, I was talking to the children and Simeon said, "Mom, is meeting Lydia like talking with an angel?"

I said, "yes my boy, she is our little angel!"

Made Me Glad...

I am not sure where to begin. 

I am tired.

Car died twice today.  We were on our way to swim practice, it died.  On our way back, it died again.

Lord, please help.

The song that keeps playing in my mind over and over again is 

"You have made me glad, 

And I'll say of The Lord

You are my shield, my strength

My portion, Deliverer

My fortress, strong tower

My very present help in time of need"

I am not glad,or at least I do not show this outward happy, go lucky kind of glad.

But I guess inside I am resolved. That He truly is my shield, my fortress, my strength and Deliverer.

God you truly are the only one I can run to in my time of frustration and need.

Prayers are truly appreciated.

Sunrise

I got up early one morning to watch the sunrise. It was super early so I went online to check the time the sun rises here in Lusaka. Having plenty of time, I sat and started my devotions. As I was reading and watching, I saw a pink speck of light! I got excited and got my pillow and blanket and went outside on the veranda. The sky got brighter and brighter but there was still no sun.  A few minutes went by and it was evident that morning had come and the sun was not there.  It was a cloudy morning so I figured the sun came up behind the clouds. As you can see this is my first attempt and being from a city I obviously have no idea how this works. So, I thought, "oh well, better luck next time."

I put my head down and resumed my Bible reading.  After finishing my daily selection, I raise my head up and behold, the sun!  It was JUST beginning to come up.  But how does this work, wasn't it already light outside?  Then, God spoke to me...

Lately, I have been wanting more of Him, to see Him more evident and clearly in my life.  I've been looking and although I see evidence that He is there (the bright morning sky) I still don't see Him or so I think.   He said that He is so big, so powerful, so bright, darkness is no where near Him when He appears.  His light shines so bright that even though He may seem a ways off, you can see evidence He is already there.  There is plenty of evidence that shows He has already come.  The Bible promises He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Although I didn't have a watch on to see the time was still early and sunrise was still some minutes away, the light that was there was evidence the sun was coming up.  Sometimes all we have to do to truly see Him, is get our faces into His Book.  We have to want Him, to seek Him.  The Bible says that we will find Him when we have searched for Him with our whole heart. The light is evidence the sun is coming.

Would you help keep us in Zambia?

                                                      Warren and Mary

It has been a while since I posted anything. I apologize about that, I admit I'm not such a great blogger. We get busy with ministry and life and forget to update you all.  Of all the things Warren does, father, administrator, teacher, preacher, boss, he loves being there for the children most. It is amazing to watch as the children run to the car as we drive in or are about to leave the TOL children's village. They come, some with questions, others with complaints, but some just come because they like to be near him.   There is this little girl, her name is Mapalo, and her goal in life is to come and get as many hugs from "Uncle Warren" as possible.  This means the world to us all. We recently moved to be nearer  to the ministry and in the short week we've been here, we've been able to walk down to the village and play tag and soccer with the children, play at the playground, or just sit, talk and visit with them.  On our way home, the children always say what an awesome time they had.

Some of you would like it if we said our work here is done and we get to go back to the States, but the truth is that our work here feels like it is just begun. The ratio of children to working adults here in Zambia is 13:1. That means there are 13 children to every working adult. A lot of these children are single or double orphans or are in extreme vulnerable situations at home. We know that we are only scratching the surface of the need in Zambia. We do not look forward to being great, we do not even want our names mentioned, all we want to do is help. Would you come and help? That is the question God asked of us when we first considered missions. We said yes, and will continue to say yes and obey as He leads us.  

It has been thru God's provision and your prayers and generous giving that we've been able to stay. Would you consider continuing your prayer and financial support? We need your prayers to lift up our hands as we face our day to day battles, prayers for protection and wisdom. We also need your continued financial support. If you would like to know more as to how to give, please message us at wavi_carr@yahoo.com. We also need to stay connected with you, please email us and give us your prayer request and family updates, we would love to keep in touch with you.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and may our God supply all you need through Christ Jesus.

Much love!

The Carr Family

Help Send Us to School

 

Amber, Samatha and Salome had the opportunity to have these beautiful girls in their group two weeks ago during camp.  Their story is like many in the compounds of Lusaka, they eat little food about once a day.  Their caretakers are not able to buy clothes or the basic things that we find necessary to live with the little money they earn from selling at the local markets.  They go day by day trying to survive on the small amount of money earn which cannot pay for more than one meal let alone school fees. 

 

Would you please help us send them to school?  Such an opportunity will allow them to learn English and get a better job than their parents.  It would allow them to break the mold of poverty in their lives.  It would allow them to become the next 50 years of Zambia. 

 

This is Esther, please pray that her family gets enough money for food.  Would you consider sponsoring her to go to school?

 

This is Christine.  Please consider sponsoring her to go to school.

 

This is Natasha. Please pray she gets enough clothes to wear.  Would you help us send her to school?

 

 

Sponsorship for any of these girls is only $44 a month.  If you are interested in sending any of them to school, please contact us directly via facebook message or email.  Please continue to pray for Zambia, the median age is about 16 years of age.  Without an education many of these children will face the same future their parents did.  One that brought poverty, sickness and eventually death.  Would you prayerfully consider joining us as we help build the next fifty years of Zambia, one child at a time.



Amber, Salome, and Samantha at the Photo Station.

CAMPLIFE 2014

The experience we had this past week was incredible.  The theme for this year is “Faith that can move mountains.”  It takes nothing but faith to wake up every morning and face the day.  It takes nothing but faith to look into the faces of the children that come to camp and believe that every situation they face will somehow, someway, someday turn out for their good.  It takes nothing but faith to listen to their stories and be still until God Himself moves their mountains.  Faith kept us from doing things in our own recharged us to believe that the crazy cycle of poverty and no education will someday end and we will see a better Zambia.  Faith makes us believe that the children we saw this week and will see in the next six weeks will be the future Zambia. Not a future like their parents faced where they could not get a good job because they never went to school.  They cannot go to school because they do not have the money for the school fees.  This cycle of “no money-no school-no school-no job- no job- no money... and on and on it goes.  But with faith we can believe that it will end in Jesus’ name.

 

 

 

Simeon and  I had the privilege of working with a group of sponsored children.  It was great to hear them speak proper English and know that God is their provider and that He is their father.  Genesis and Amber each had group of girls that were not all sponsored for school.  They shared their groups with friends and they all had a wonderful week.  They came back excited once again for the work we are involved in.  They also are praying and believing God for the little girls they met at camp.  They played with them, talked with them.  They brought their hoola hoop and nail polish and allowed them to experience something different than they are used to.  They had fun!

Resurrection Day!

An amazing day to remember that our Jesus died, but most importantly, He rose! 

Jesus said, "I am the Resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies. And whoever lives and believes will never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:26,26 NIV

We went to Tree of Life(TOL) church as it was Warren's turn to preach. As we stood there and sang and worshipped it was amazing to see the freedom the children had as the worshipped and danced. Easter took on a new meaning to me. You see, as the verse above states whoever believes in Him, even though he dies, he will live. There were about three hundred children plus Moms who had seen death and are now alive. They have known death in their families, as they had bury a mother, father, grandmother, or other close relative. The have experienced death in their childhood when they were abused, physically, emotionally or mentally. The have experienced death to any dream about their future because education had been denied. Death was indeed all around but God showed up and they believed and because it was His plan from the beginning of time that whoever died will live, they are now alive. 

Jesus came and spoke life into their brokenness and pain and they now rejoice. They led in worship and sang songs of heaven and going to a home where there will be no pain or dying. It was an amazing day to celebrate Jesus' resurrection because we see it now it in so many lives. 

What a mighty God we serve! I can't wait for CampLife to see even more freedom and resurrection! 

Low tide, high tide

We arrive in Zanzibar and the beach is beautiful. The children are having a great time swimming and playing and searching for sea treasures. We notice that as the morning progresses, the water is getting lower and the sand is becoming more visible. Before we know it, the water is literally about two miles out into the sea. Low Tide. This will last for about four hours and the the tide will come back in. High tide.

As I was meditating on the scriptures, God spoke to me and said that our lives are like that. There are seasons were troubles and circumstances overwhelm us and there is a dryness all around. Although it seems impossible to fathom that there was once water, which in this case signifies abundance or peace around us, we have to remember that there is a time and season for everything under heaven. The dryness, problems, trials or situations that are around us at times will not be there forever. The tide does comes in again, abundance, peace and joy do come in again. God is faithful and just and He will see us thru the good days as well as the bad days. This amazing trip is showing me that as I remember days not long ago that trials wanted to overwhelm my thoughts, God in His mercy and goodness was and remains faithful.

The Word of God is Alive and Active

"For the Word of  God is alive and powerful. It is sharpest than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermonst thoughts and desires." Hebrews 4:12 NLT

I have read over and over again but I was challenged to study it this week and God brought something to my attention, an observation. The verse says that the Word of God is alive and active. Good, but how. As I thought of it another verse came to mind, John 1:1

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

There it is, "the Word was God," the Word is God who made everything in the beginning and is alive today piercing thru every thought of evil and fleshly motive I have. Jesus, is the Word, He is is alive and active. He conquered the grave and is piercing through the darkness I face everyday.

Another thought, came to me as I was meditating in this passage. You know how, every time we are low, at least for me, I usually go to the Word. I either read a passage in Psalms or Isaiah, without fail, my countenance changes. Why? Because the Word is alive and active! 

Anytime, my children need discipline, I have a Wise Words for Moms booklet and app that helps me bring them back on track. All it is is scripture that helps them see God as the boss and not me. It always helps, why? Because the Word is alive, Jesus is alive and active. He cuts through the sin that besets us.

Every time I pick up my Bible, I am in essence "picking up" Jesus. Now, that is something! It brings my Bible reading to a whole new level! I will no longer be reading to fulfill some Bible reading plan. I will now be reading because it is my devotion to my God. I will be embracing Jesus, beholding Jesus. What an amazing thought! What a wonderful Savior! He really thought of everything! I am so challenged and provoked.  I pray you are too.

So much to say, so little time!

So much has happened since we joined Family Legacy this past August. I will do my best to catch you guys up. It will take a few posts so keep checking the blog.  

Family Legacy is a ministry that reaches to the vulnerable and orphaned children in Lusaka. There are many facets to the ministry such as CAMP life, Father's Heart which includes the Lifeway Christian Academies and Father's Family. Warren is the Father's Family program manager,  which is the residential program, Tree of Life Children's Village is the biggest of these facility. There are over 400 children in this program. We are so excited and humbled that God would see fit to have us serve His dearly beloved children. One of the things the Family Legacy team does for these children is run a week long camp called DREAM Camp. During this time, the children at Tree of Life are able to identify their non-conventional skills.  Since August, we've been able to see the faces of so many of these children dream of what they will become because of the opportunity that God has granted them in taking them out of their vulnerable places.

 My mom and sister were visiting this past December and were able to enjoy the children as we visited them during DREAM Camp.

Here is my sister with her new friend, George. He is one of the many that God has redeemed and is changing his future. 

Talking about a new future, one of the aspects of the ministry is that people get together and raise funds to build these little ones a new home. There are 35 homes each housing 12 boys or girls at the village right now. So many are able to put together their few loaves and fish and watch as God multiplies it. It just takes an obedient heart and an able Father in heaven.

Here is the President of Family Legacy, Greer Kendall praying over the new girls who were joining the village at the opening of "Rapha House". I love the names picked for these homes, names such as Hallelujah House and Freedom House and Glory House. Names that speak of a new beginning. Names that never speak of the past and the failures.  A new home signifying a new beginning is built where these beautiful children can DREAM...

MORE TO COME...