A New Leaf is Growing

     It has been quite a while since my last blog. Not because of the lack of events in our lives but because we have been so busy that I have hardly had time to sit and just be.  I'm not sure if you have ever had moments like that, but this past year has been very trying for our family.  God had been introducing a change that I quite frankly did not want to hear.  I have been very happy with where we are and did not need any shaking.  I mean I finally felt like I was beginning to arrive at a settled place after being on the "chaos" and "transition" bridge for so long.  But you know, we had been praying that God would have His way and would speak and bring us to a deeper level in Him.  A friend of mine sent me a beautiful message one day that I now know came directly from heaven.  I have to tell you a little bit of the background so you could understand.  You see we had given this friend a plant as a house warming gift when we visited right before moving to Zambia.  She was very glad for it and even promised to pray for our family every time she would water the plant. I was moved because that is exactly what she did.  Well, here we are five and a half years on the field and believe it or not the plant is still alive.  There was a problem not long ago where she noticed that the plant was looking unhealthy.  I think it is best to post what she wrote:

Hey Vicky, I thought perhaps I should check in and let you know that the Carr plant is alive and well.  I must admit, it has endured quite a bit of neglect on my part.  I don't have much of a green thumb and often forget to water it but it's resilient and it's still holding on.  It's leaves have suffered a few scrapes and bruises but I think it adds character.  Once it got knocked over and dirt went everywhere but thankfully it wasn't permanently damaged.  A couple of weeks ago, I noticed that it was beginning to look a bit tired and dry so I thought to re-pot it.  (It's been in the same pot since you guys gave it to us right before your initial trip to Zambia).  But after inspecting its roots, I noticed it hadn't actually outgrown its home and didn't need a new pot afterall - just fresh soil and a healthy dose of plant food.  I took great care to replace the soil and then returned it back to its original place in our dining room.  I'm now happy to report that in just a short while, it has perked up and it's actually growing a new leaf!  Not many plants would survive the way this one has! I expect it will be fully recovered and thriving again in no time!

I pray you are doing well, my friend, "I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His spirit.  Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him.  Let your roots grow deep down into the soil of His wondrous love and keep you strong." Ephesians 3:16,17

      This amazing message spoke so clearly to me for where I was back then.  All I knew is that like the plant I had been knocked down and felt like all I stood in (my soil) was scattered all over the place.  So bruised and broken.  God was saying, "Let me heal you and help you get new soil and put you back to the right place."  Of course, as the healing process began and slowly God started taking away the dead leaves and fixing the scrapes, I prayed, "Lord, like the verse in Ephesians, please let my roots grow down deep so that nothing would move me from the place where you place me."  Well, like a true Father who does not give me a stone when I ask for bread He did just that... He started to let my roots grow deep.  One thing I did not realize though, is that as the roots grow deep eventually a new pot is essential for healthy growth to continue...  And transplant shock is almost inevitable...

More to come... 

Our Week In a Nutshell...

 

A Dog Funeral

                                                            Burial and Paying our respects...

                                                         
                             Making breakfast alone while Mom jumps start the school vehicle

                                                         At gas station fixing a flat tire!!

                                                                    What's under there?!

                                                                     Having fun yet?

                                     It's Friday after bedtime and we're not home in bed!!

The fixed tire?!

                                                                 Pose for the camera, Peter!!                                      

The Children's first recital...

                                                                  Waiting their turn...
                  

 

Simeon waiting to play "Mary Had A Little Lamb"

 

                                                 Salome playing "The Old Cotton Picker"

                                                 Amber Leigh playing "The Red Drum"

 

                                                  Genesis playing "Sheep May Safely Graze"

                                               The beautiful little Carrs made us SO proud!!

                                         A proud Zambian celebrating after a winning game!

                   The busy schedule and unexpected events did not take away our silliness!!

Mommy, I just saw Jesus!

The first day alone and so far it was going well. School went well.  We were even able to go to a friend's house to swim.  A very uneventful day other than the fact that we had just put our beloved Daddy and husband on a plane to fly thousands of miles away.  Evening came and of course a big fight broke out between the children that left us all flustered.  It was very discouraging to say the least.  Of course, I woke up feeling like such a failure because of how I handled the situation the night before.  I apologized to the child I had offended in my behavior and then we started our regular devotion and Bible drill routine.  The topic was "Where does God come from?" and "What is Sin?" My six year old had some very interesting questions and wanted to know more and more about this God we worship.  He was asking things like, "Why do I need to be saved?' and "How does Jesus get into my heart and why?" After trying my best to explain to him in terms he could understand, I asked him if he wanted to pray.  He said yes and we did.  As soon as we were done, he screamed and said "Mommy I just saw Jesus!". Two other girls said, "Me too!" It was surreal.  The all went on to describe what the saw and because one child had not had any visions, and she also wanted to "see" we prayed again.  Such an amazing peace fell into the house.  We actually felt Him in the room with us.
So, really I share this to encourage any of you out there that thinks you've messed up too much for God to visit you or touch you.  He is a faithful and loving God who does not count our sins against us.  The Bible says in Psalms if God were to count our sins against us, if He were to keep record after we've repented, we would not be able to stand.  Just because I lost it the night before that did not prevent Jesus from ministering to my children.  They asked for Him and needed Him and He showed up because He loves them.  He didn't say, "forget it you guys and your mom can't get it together.  Call on me when it's all good and then maybe I'll consider it."  Man, no way!! They asked about Him and He was so delighted that He just showed up.  All because that's just the way he is.  Not to mention He wanted us to know that He was going to be with us for the interesting week we were just about to have....

Summer Update

A month after our family’s return to Zambia, a draft Constitution was presented to the country by the new government. One of the church organizations in the country has submitted a recommendation to remove all references to Christ. Prior to its submission the government revoked the permit and deported one of its leaders. The government has also de-registered a church because of alleged inappropriate behaviors of its leaders.

Effective July, a new minimum wage standard has taken immediate effect in the country to the tune for some organizations of up to 70% increase.

The new government has also made it illegal to conduct business with USD currency unless with a bona fide agency like the currency exchange and etc.

One of the family planning centers here, now boast having performed 11,000 abortions on their site, an act that is reprehensible in Zambia according to its laws.

In the news recently, almost two billion dollars of stored bumper harvest staple crops were destroyed because of poor storage facilities.

A month ago, while returning home from an evening event; good friends of ours were help up at gunpoint at their gate. The would-be thieves did not hurt them but pointed the gun directly at the daughter’s chest, instructing her to get out of their minivan. When they got out of the car the thieves drove off with their vehicle.

The result of many of these changes is that more and more people are becoming unemployed, more and more are becoming despondent and desperate. The landscape does not look promising from a layman’s perspective, but for those of us with a different kind of hope – our Messiah is coming again!

“…Let not your heart be troubled….”…"We are not alone in this world…” are consoling promises that keep us forging forward regardless of the difficulty and/or challenges we face.

At school, we were so close to getting our books to the red column when this new minimum wage law hit us with a great one-two punch that will surely send us careening backwards. As a startup work, trying to make a difference in the lives of our clients and students, it seems like this road block is strategically placed to keep us from getting to where we need to be. We already do not have a good salary base from which to work from because it is solely dependent upon the student’s paying. To add a 70% hike will delay us even more. Not to mention, delaying extra books, desks, computer monitors and P.E. equipment. Staying motivated at times is difficult and the only thing that keeps hope alive is knowing that it is bringing individualized training to the KCF clients.

The majority of the boys are now going to be in secondary school and every time you turn around they have out grown this outfit, shoe and or the like. One of our friends had received a container with boys clothes and they donated a few boxes for some of our bigger boys.  The same week another missionary was having a house sale and we were able to purchase clothes for the smaller boys.  God has never failed to meet our need.  School is beginning school and are brainstorming ways at which they can do little creative things to start raising moneys to help pay their school fees and buy them much needed items. Several of the boys have become the school of the Boreans, in that they are not satisfied at taken the preached word verbatim. They are taking the time to study and present the challenging questions that confronts them as they are reading the text for themselves. We have been having some very lively discussions because they want the truth, to understand it, breathe it and live it.

                                              Our temporary place, House 3 at KCF

Here is the Carr scoop, we moved last week into temporary shelter until the place we are renting becomes available in November. The temporary shelter at the moment is on the Kakabalika grounds. We have to be separated from the dogs for the next few days because there is no security fence to keep them from terrorizing the neighborhood. The people already think they are lions. The home also does not have proper electricity nor security for the car, but we are certain that in due time all of these nuances will be taken care of. The new house we will rent did not have a fence either, so we were able  to negotiate working out that much needed detail. The place is about a mile and half away from Kakabalika. To help with enrollment in music lessons and afternoon activities, Vicky and the children have started selling baked goods at a monthly local market. It has been a great time to teach the children the principle of sewing and reaping.  On August 28^th Amber Leigh turned 10. We simply cannot believe the time has gone so fast.  She and Genesis desinged her party, a sleepover with 7 girls.  We are all excited about her next decade in life.  Although our life right now is a bit unsettled in that we have only unpacked the absolute neccesities and the rest of our things are in a container on campus until our "real" moved in a couple of months, we still feel such peace in this place.  Warren and I have been really tired and we are asking God to give us rest in Him.  The children are just so happy to be near the boys, they are really enjoying this time to really get to know them.  God has answered our prayers in more ways than one and we are greatful.  We have just celebrated 13 years of marriage this past week.  Wow!  We are just so overwhelmed that in thirteen years God would take us to places where did not think of going and give us vineyards which we did not plant and houses we did not build.  He has blessed us beyond anything we deserve, we are humbled and greatful and on top of it all four beautiful children.  God is more than enough.  Although we feel peace we know that the battle raging against the ministry and our family is fierce and the enemy is very alert is his move against us.  But we do not fear him nor his tactics, we are certain of one thing, that He who called us will equip us and has raised a banner against this foe.  Believe God with us for peace and rest for this next few months of transition for our family.

                                       Amber and her friends at her sleepover birthday bash

                                                             Sweet Amber is 10!!

                                                            Who's the birthday girl?!

PRAYER POINTS

• Smooth transition of our family from the comforts of the city to farm life.
• Finances for school fees and the many projects needing attention at Kakabalika School. 
• Continued health, peace and joy for the KCF/KTS/ROJF workers and volunteers.
• Spirit of unity and the bond of peace to abound in the work and amongst the people living, working and serving in Zambia.
• Continued protection, provision and power for our family.
• Quick resolution to all areas experiencing communication and relational strain.
• God's voice to be heard in the halls of government and leadership throughout the land
• That we would be relentless in our pursuit in making Jesus known as the Christ in everything we say, think and do.

 If you would like to give to the Carr family send checks to TSC Missions at 1657 Broadway, New York, NY 10019; or give online at tscnyc.org/missions.  To find out how to give to the project, visit childcrynyc.org/where_zambia.php

A Heart to Heart

 Independence many times can bring loneliness and pain.  These past few weeks, I've had a difficult time and I could not really put my finger on what was really wrong.  My mind was going crazy.  I had thoughts invading my mind and telling things like, "You'd be better off alone" "You should book a ticket and fly somewhere where no one will know and will never find you."  Many lies came to my mind about my marriage, my children and the ministry, even about God's faithfulness and God's love.  I would read my Bible and although God would encourage me, the same thoughts would come back at me.  I thought I was going crazy.  The thought that kept on plagging my mind was that I should start doing things myself if they were not getting done.  I couldn't keep waiting on God or my husband to do things when I was very capable of doing these things alone.

This independent sprit then started to bring over some ugly friends, loliness and depression.  As I was reading one day, God revealed to me the battle that was raging against my soul.  It was war to keep me from the place that God wanted for me.  I'm not saying that independence is a bad thing but that when it rivals against unity in the home and God himself then there is a big problem.  We are beings created for realtionship.  A relationship that God craves and we are granted to have with Him in Christ Jesus.  Wanting to start acting out of desperation because of any reason is not good.  It only brings more trouble than we bargain for.  I remember crying out to God one day and asking Him for an answer, He said, "Hang on a bit more, you're breakthrough is coming!"  It was so relieving to know that He wasn't mad with me for thinking such thoughts.  He understood and He was right beside me helping me fight.  I thought He was so distant because I couldn't hear Him at times but He was in fact closer than before.  As a true gentleman, he waited until I called out to him and came to rescue me in love.

"Why are you so downcast, oh my soul? And why are you so disquieted within me? Hope in God. For I shall yet praise Him.  The help of my countenance and my God" Psalms 42:11

Camp Life

Living in Zambia, we are surrounded with missionary groups and organizations who come here to show the love of God to a people who often times have lost all hope for their future.  We are privilaged at times to join in with such groups and do something a little different than our daily routine while still showing God's love to the people.  Last week was such a time.  The children were invited to be counselors at a summer camp.  This organization, called  Family Legacy,  brings vulnerable children from the compounds into a secure area for a week long camp experience.  They sing songs, do skits, preach the gospel, play games, etc...  The children are divided into groups of 8-10 and are assigned to an American counselor and two Zambian counselors.  The children and I were so thrilled when we got the invitation to be part of their mini camp which was three days.  Gem and Amber each had a group of 8 -11 and 5-7 year old boys.  Simeon joined a leader for a group his age, while Salome and I led a group of tween girls.  It was amazing!!  The girls LOVED being with the boys and singing and playing with them.  Salome was the center of attention in our group as the girls were fascinated by her.  Simeon also thoroughly enjoyed his group.  They all had so much fun, they want to do it again.  The best part of it for me was to watch them enjoy the teaching on "The Armor of God."  They came home putting it on repeatedly and stomping on the devil!!  I love to see the way God choses to encourage me in these small ways.

Salome and Simeon singing in worship

Salome playing tug of war!

 

Amber with her group waiting to go into  the worship hall

 Gem giving out coloring sheets to her group

The children worship to "Our God"

Coloring Time

The Jacaranda Tree

As June begins, Zambia’s cold and dry season also starts and added to it are strong winds that kick up mounds and mounds of dust and dirt.  I am reminded as I write this of the Jacaranda tree that spends most of the year without blooming or giving any signs that life is there other than the dreary leaves and trunk that sits in the ground.  At the peak of the dry season are the two hot months September and October.  This is just before the rains start falling again in November.  During this very dry and hot time, the Jacaranda tree puts forth some of the most beautiful flowers I have ever seen, majestic purples and crimson reds.  Streets that are lined with these trees are breathtaking to travel upon.

The other day as I was out paying a visit to some of the boys that still sleep in the culverts of the street in a certain part of town, I was surprise to see them standing in a group talking to someone.  Before I continue, I have to say that the work at KCF is at times like the Jacaranda tree: there seems to be no life, we question a lot if we are having any affect in the lives of those we minister to and will any of them fully accept the call of Christ to minister his grace to their friends.  We labor in tears, casting forth seeds, watering and I have to tell you to see boys leave is probably the toughest part to this work.  That night, the boys were standing and listening to Chembe, one of the older boys who now lives independently, working and is still concerned about the things of God.  He wasn’t inhaling sticker, he wasn’t smoking, he was clean and he was speaking life to friends living a life style he was not too removed from.  The Jacaranda tree began blooming in my soul and before my very eyes.  I am so grateful to God for encouraging me like this, my soul needed it.

About two weeks ago while Pastor was driving pass one of the shopping malls near town, he saw a little boy sleeping on a median near the traffic light.  It was a considerably cold night and the boy had removed his shirt to try and cover his whole body – shivering.  The boys were brought to KCF and they quickly realized that the team will follow up on their story:  where they live, their parents and where they last stayed.  It wasn’t two days before they were found trying to head back into town.  Upon returning to the farm they were told that they would be taken to the village they said they were brought to Lusaka from.  Little did anyone know that they had come up with a plan to steal away when brought to church on Sunday and steal away they did.  There names are Andrew and Samson.