Hey friends and family! I can’t believe it is the beginning of October already and, per usual, my update is late! This will probably be a long one, be warned in advance!
August was a great and busy month! With how many churches Trail has started, I’ve tried to make it a goal of mine to visit each one at least once. I haven’t completed this goal, yet but so far, I’ve visited 17 of them! Here are some pictures of ministry the past month! My church in Phoenix, Living Streams, helped provide the tin roof for 3 churches and Nzilu village is one of them! They are currently building a new and bigger church! The middle picture is from a village named Mbela, when we were inviting a household to our night meeting. The far right picture is of me (yes I got my hair braided, that is a story for another time ;) ), Alpha and Hope baptizing a woman from Matebele church.
One of my favorite villages is Kataba village. I have gotten to develop some amazing relationships, and I just hold it so close to my heart!! One of the pastors from there, Njaykwa, (who was in my bible school class with me and has become a great friend) just had a baby girl. I was so excited for him, and he begins to tell me he named her Amanda… after me. I screamed. And I shed some tears! I honestly have never felt so honored in my life! I planned a day where I could just go and hang out with him and his family and see one other family that I am close with at Kataba! It was the best day, and I am so grateful for the relationships that I have there! The far left picture: This is baby Gallon! I held him when he was 2 weeks old, and fell in love with him! His dad, is Boyd, who is pictured on the far right. He is so generous. I think every time I come to Kataba, he gives us a chicken for dinner! In the middle is my namesake, baby Amanda!
We had our first session of bible school for class of 2024 and had around 25 students!!! It was amazing to see people we ministered to this summer be encouraged and grow in their faith and to meet new faces from previous years also!
This young girl, Namogolwa, age 11, we met this summer in Katete village when we were ministering to them. Her mom came because suddenly her daughter was very possessed and was not acting like herself. Immediately we prayed for her and had faith in our hearts that she would be delivered and set free even if we did not see it right away. We heard reports a few days after we left that she was back to normal, but it wasn't until a month later we went to her home village and got to see her and her mom again!! The joy on their faces says it all! It was like reconnecting with old friends again and we were able to witness God radically restore this young girl.
The new building project, the Boma is coming along together great!! Tommy finished framing out the second story and I was able to sit and annoy him while he worked! Not really annoy him, but I just sat and watched, when I had some down time a few weeks ago. Once the plaster was on the walls, the other girls and I began to paint the front side of the building! (not pictured) We can't wait for it to be used next year for teams and conferences!
Here are some random pictures of what I've been up to in September! Ester, Njaykwa, friends, elephants, a chameleon, women's ministry, and flying back to the states with Tommy!
Last weekend, was my last week in Zambia before I flew back to the states. Originally when I planned to send this newsletter out, I would have announced my return home but it just worked out that I am finishing it now and sending it from USA soil! I'm sure you'll have some questions about what's next, so I have tried to answer them below :)
I’ve been able to reflect on my time in Zambia and what the past 9 months have meant to me. The one thing I find myself continuously thanking God for is the relationships I’ve made; relationships with the local pastors, relationships with the people, relationships with team members, and my relationship with God. It is such a beautiful and amazing thing to have friends from all across the world.
Saying goodbye is never easy, especially when a piece of your heart is in that place! But, like I said earlier, I am so grateful for the relationships I have made in Zambia and the home it has become for me.
What's next now that I am in the states? That's a great question! I am continuing to work with Trail Missions as their missions/communications director, meaning I am still planning and recruiting teams for 2024 and helping them in any ways possible, but from this side of the world for now! I am also working part time with an organization called Vive18 that helps bring awareness of addiction to youth and high school students all over the United States.
Am I going back to Zambia? If so, when?? YES!! I am planning on returning to Zambia in April 2024! I know this could all change, but this is my plan as of now :)
What was the craziest thing I ate while in Africa? I've eaten some interesting things but the two craziest things I've tried were hippo and monitor lizard.
What did I not realize I missed until I came home? I didn't realize how much I missed having a hot shower whenever I wanted, haha!
What am I going to miss the most about Zambia? I am definitely going to miss the people and friendships I've built!! There's been so many inside jokes, memories, laughs, cries, everything, doing life with a group of people and not having them around will be challenging and I am going to miss them!
I want to say thank you to each and every one of you for supporting me the past 3 years! Your financial support, emotional support, and prayerful support as been a huge blessing to me and my work with Trail Missions! I really can't thank you all enough! It seems crazy but a complete God thing that what was once a 2 week trip in 2021 turned into a new love for people and God and would open doors for a 4 month trip in 2022, and then a 9 month trip in 2023. Ultimately, a lifetime of love for a country and people that I would not have known if it weren't for that original 2 week trip!
Much love to you all! I hope to see ALL of you face to face soon!!
Amanda
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