Joy Comes In The Morning....

I found joy in this new day...it came at 4 am for me! Jet lag is definitely setting in and it's not so much fun! However...this morning....God was speaking, asking me to get up and join Him in some quiet time. It was awesome. I needed it so desperately. Much has run through my mind since I arrived...questions, doubts, fears...I asked God this morning to show me why I am here...what my purpose is. Joy. Pure. Simple. Joy. To allow the joy of of Christ that resides in my heart to be so full that it spills over and touches the lives of all I come in contact with. To spread joy... Verses flooded my heart. "The joy of the Lord is your strength..."/"Restore the joy of your salvation..."/songs flooded my heart too..."I've got joy, down in my heart...I realized that I had let circumstances, defeats, situations rob me of my joy that I have in my walk with Christ. I realized that no man takes my joy...I am the one that releases it. I choose joy today. We had an awesome morning at devotions with the Bible Institute Guys. Hearing them sing brought me so much joy. Their voices raised to praise the King of Kings was overwhelming. These guys know how to praise God with their voices! They were singing about how God is King over Africa...over Zambia...over our lives. When He is in the proper place on the throne of my heart...there is joy.

So what about you...will you choose joy today in the midst of your journey? Will you allow Jesus alone to be your joy. Will you hold on to that joy...protecting it from any and every circumstance that tries to rob you of it? Will you let it be your strength today? I pray you have joy to it's fullest today. I choose joy!

Simplicity

I am remembering today one of the main things that draws me to life in Zambia...simplicity. Today was a...a day. I don't quite know what word to use to describe today. Plans changed for the day...so I found myself taking a walk with my new friends Cody and Sarah. We walked to the Kafubu River and around to the school and back to the mission. When we got to the river, we just sat down and talked for a while. It was so nice. We watched as a lady washed her clothes and dishes in the river. Sarah and I commented to each other how this lady was singing as she was washing her clothes....one by one, by hand in this dirty river. I don't even sing when my washer does my laundry all at once. Simplicity. I found myself envious of her. These people get it. They aren't surrounded by stuff. They find joy in simplicity. Her children were laughing (probably at us sittin there watching them) playing in the river, taking the boat back and forth bringing people across the river...it was so peaceful. I enjoyed that moment in the day so much. I long to have that simplicity in my life. I know it is my choice. I will cherish that time sitting by the river talking with Cody and Sarah. It was good.

We then walked back to the mission, surveyed the tabernacle (an outside structure that will house the Conference in a week). As I stood at the front of the tabernacle, I was picturing what it will be like in a week when thousands of Zambians will be here to listen and learn from God's Word. I can't wait to hear the singing. There has been much preparation already by others. It is cool to know that many have invested time and money for this conference, and soon, the investments will result in lives that are eternally changed.

I am humbled and grateful to be a part of it.

We then came back to the mission...I did a couple hair cuts...just in time before the power went off! We had to wait for the generator to be turned on at 7 pm so we could cook some dinner...however, the 2 guys who normally turn the generator on...well, they were in town! So John Sarra went out to turn it on, but the battery was dead...then they had to get the Blazer so they could jump start the generator...so they could get the power on...so we could cook dinner! Whew! Makes ya thankful for electricity!

Tomorrow begins preparation for when teams come next week...there is much to be done! Please pray for the team here and those who are coming! We covet your prayers!!!

love to all...good night!

ONE WEEK

The countdown is on!!!!! Val and I leave one week from today!!!!! I am so excited!!!! I am so thankful that God protected Amy on her way!!!!!! I am thankful that we are able to email......its good to hear from her and for her to give us some advice on things with flights and such!!!!!!

I have to share our luggage story from last night:

ok, my other mother carolyn emailed me and told me that someone wanted to bless me and val by paying for us new luggage!!!!!! praise God!!!!!!! so we headed out to costco at 7:30 expecting to get the luggage and go....well... we got there and found that they did not have any type of luggage that we were looking for......sooooooo we then got in our cars and went down the street to wal mart(thinking wal mart will have it) WRONG!!!! HEHEHE they did not have any of the size we needed....soooooo we thought well Dick's sporting good will have some.....WRONG!!! so at this point we were like , ok we know target has some for sure(we had seen some last week when we were with amy trying to find her camera) so we went in confident, and they had ONE but only ONE.......we needed TWO!!!! so we asked and they said the target in lee's summit has four, so at 9:15 we head to lee's summit!!!!! we get to target thinking our search was over only to find that they had ZERO!!!! yep none!!!!! so we decided to go to the 6th and final store....the walmart in lee's summit!!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!!! THEY HAD IT!!!! we were thanking God and happy to be going home at 10:30pm!!!!!!

every journey is filled with adventure!!!!! it was fun!!!!!!

I am preparing for the journey ahead!!!! I am trusting God !!!!!!

In Christ
Robin

We ARRIVED!!!

We finally made it to the mission!!! God has been so good every step of the journey here. It was physically more demanding than I ever remember it being, you'd think that I'd be used to all the flights by now, but this time, I had to dig really deep inside and ask God to provide His strength in the midst of my weakness'. He did! All of our bags made it! Praise God!

Kevin P. (head missionary here) picked us up at the airport and we drove to the mission, a 45 minute drive. It felt like home. All the familiar sights. So familiar that I felt like I could of driven us back to the mission, I recognized and knew all the turns to make! The watermelon stand, the post office, Shoprite in Luanshya...it all looks the same and it feels like I have never left here! We saw my friend Leonard right before we turned onto the dirt road that leads to the mission! It was so good to see him! Pulling into the compound, I saw Joseph, Lorna and Mama Catherine first. Joseph came running to me giving me his big ol bear hug and Mama Catherine tackled me from behind....literally! You gotta know that she is everyone's Mama here. A wonderful wonderful lady. I love her dearly! Many more friends came and greeted us here...Anderson, Wingstone...John Sarra...and I have met several new friends!

I completely unpacked, had a wonderful HOT shower and a great cup of coffee! Life is good!

The next couple of days we are gonna take it easy and just adjust and get ready to get busy with the preparations. Lots of shopping to be done and that will take a couple of days to accomplish!

On the way to the mission, there is a stretch of road that is very special to me...in between Luanshya and the mission dirt road. It was on this stretch back in 2006 that I know I heard the Voice of God speaking to me. I was sitting in the back seat of the truck that day, the wind was blowing very hard through the open windows...I was trying to take it all in that day. I remember God speaking very clearly to me telling me that this was the life that I was created for. I knew then just as I know now that He created me to be one that goes to the ends of the earth to share His Good News and to be an extension of His hands and feet to this hurting world. It was good to be reminded of that again today as we drove that stretch of the road. Very special moment.

I have tried to post this entry 4 times now...the power went off right as I was getting ready to send it before...This is Zambia!

I am very excited to be back...very excited to meet new people and be reacquainted with old friends...and very excited for all God has in store for me on this journey...and am very tired!

I will write more soon..thank you for all your prayers, comments and emails! I am encouraged by all of them!

Love to all,

Amy

My Journey to London....

I have to make this quick...but I wanted to share how awesome the journey has been already. Leaving KC, I was originally seated next to one lady who decided she'd rather sit with her friend exchanging her seats for a mother with a 2 year old....my flesh was thinking..."that was real nice of her" :) and then God reminded me that He allows all things to happen for a reason...this woman and her son were from West Africa and it was so awesome to share with her about my journey to Zambia and what God was taking me there for. I really enjoyed talking to her and by the time we got to DC I had a new little friend named Kems. Her son wanted to sit on my lap, not hers and we played and laughed and had a blast! He woke up from his nap and wanted to sit on my lap and when he wrapped his arms around my neck....I felt the love of Jesus flow through. It was as if Jesus Himself was hugging me not letting me go! He never lets go of us! That little boy was such a blessing to me.

Then when I boarded the flight for London....here comes a guy down the aisle with a ton of baggage, I seriously don't know how he got on with so much....and he sits down next to me...He was from Ghana in West Africa....coincidence? nah! Divine Appointment! God is so cool! I believe that He placed me next to these African people on both flights to remind me that the mission doesn't start when I get to Zambia...it's starts the minute I leave KC.

What an awesome blessing and I am only in London! WE made it safely, went through security, found a cute little restaurant called "Giraffe" had a wonderful breakfast...and now I think I will take a little nap! We have 8 more hours till we leave London!!!

Thank you for all your prayers...all of our bags got checked all the way through to Zambia! Major answer to prayer!!!!

More to come, Love to all!

~Amy~

The Time is Now!

Today is the day!!! I cannot believe that it is finally here! In a few short hours I will be boarding the plane on my way! WOOHOO! There is much excitement and anticipation inside my heart right now...I cannot wait for the quiet time on the plane....SLEEP!!!...I am excited to be reacquainted with Dennis and Sue (the missionaries I am travelling with)...and I cannot wait to see the familiar faces of my Zambian brothers and sisters in Christ!

There has been so much preparation that has gone into this trip and I could not GO if not for the AWESOME support system I have here with my family and friends....you all have been such a HUGE blessing! I say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart! I am overwhelmed with your generosity, your love, your prayers, your faithfulness to our Faithful God!

A HUGE thank you to my dear mom....I could not do this trips without you and Dad's support. I am not sure how it feels to put your baby on a plane and know that she is going half way around the world....but I know that it has been the investment of my Godly parents that have given me this passion for the souls of men. Mom, I know it's your dream to do these things that God has allowed me to do, and my dream is that one day real soon, you can come with me and see with your own eyes how Big God's world really is and why the passion for people is so deep inside my heart. It has been placed there by God, and watered by the continued support and love of you and Dad....THANK YOU!!!! Thanks for once again packing all the STUFF...you amaze me how you get it all in! Thank you for all your help...I love you Mom and Pops!

To my dear friends who spent the evening with me last night...YOU GUYS ROCK! It was an adventure! I have learned that these trips don't come without adventure!!! We were definitely on a mission last night to find the one last item needed...a camera....and 4 stores later, a little frustration, and lots of laughter...we got it!!! Thank You Homey's!!! I thought I was gonna have an accident in the car as I listened to Mr. Bill explain how we were gonna demand service at the last store...praise God, we didn't have to!!! God is so good! I am gonna cherish last night forever!

Today I look forward...forward into all God has for me in this journey. I was reminded of a verse this morning while getting ready..

Luke 9:62

And Jesus said unto him, no man having put his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.

LOOK AHEAD. WE are asked to look ahead and not turn back. Today I look ahead with anticipation and eager expectation in all I know He is capable of doing! May He be glorified in my life!!! I encourage you all to look ahead to what He has for you, don't look back!

I am off....thank you so much for all that has been given and invested to make this journey possible...I couldn't do it without you!!! Pray us through!!!

~Amy~

Trust and Obey

"Then in fellowship sweetWe will sit at His feet
Or we'll walk by His side in the way
What He says we will do, Where He sends we will go
Never fear, only trust and obey......"

These words have been running through my mind a lot over the past week or so..... I have been thinking about the last two lines...... what He says we will do......Where He sends we will go,
Never Fear, ONLY TRUST and OBEY....... He has said in HIs word to GO and I know He is calling me to Go to Africa ........the whole NEVER FEAR ONLY TRUST AND OBEY part.....well............ lets just say GOd is teaching me alot in that area. It says Never Fear only Trust and obey, not only am i not susposed to fear when it comes to africa but i am to Never fear, im to ONLY trust and obey. God has been speaking to me and asking me to take steps of faith every day, with my job, africa, and my future and my prayer is that my life will be lived NEVER FEARING THAT I WILL ONLY TRUST AND OBEY LIKE ITS ALL I KNOW, WHEN IN DOUBT TRUST AND OBEY, WHEN SCARED, TRUST AND OBEY, HAPPY TIMES, TRUST AND OBEY................with the money still needed for my trip I TRUST YOU!!!!!

Lord,
I just want to praise you for all you are doing, the things you are teaching me and the things you are doing in my heart are priceless and i am in awe of the journey up to this point and I am expecting great things from you! Father I trust you! I WILL TRUST YOU AND OBEY YOU IN ALL THINGS!!!!! I LOVE YOU FATHER.


ROBIN MARSH

God's Provision

When it comes to the Provision of God...why do we doubt? Why do I doubt? Why do I ever fear that He will not take care of me, that He wont provide exactly what I need exactly when I need it? God's provision on this whole Journey to Zambia has been absolutely amazing and I just want to lift His name REAL HIGH right now! I love it when He shows His power!

To some, it may seem crazy the life I live...taking time off here and there being self-employed and no vacation pay, staying home for a small amount of time in between....but I know this is the life I have been created for and it is a life of faith. Faith in the God that delights in doing the impossible. Faith in ALMIGHTY GOD. Faith in the Great I AM. A life of faith even when it doesn't make sense to others.

God's provision has overwhelmed me and I feel His love so much. I picture His arms around me and Him holding me saying..."I love you, Amy....always have, always will and I will take care of you and provide your every need." I would love to go down the list of those who have cheerfully and faithfully gave to make this journey possible. I would love to mention each one by name....but some have asked to remain anonymous so I wont. But I do want to SHOUT OUT a HUGE THANK YOU!!! Thank you to all those who have given to make this journey/mission/dream possible for me. God has used you to provide and meet a HUGE need! 2 weeks ago, I was not even close to the goal of the amount needed....NO WHERE NEAR close! (that was where the fear and faith collided!). and I am over 3/4th's of the way there and have NO DOUBT in my mind that God will provide the rest needed before I go! NO DOUBT!!! God is so Faithful and once again, my faith has been tested and my faith has been increased.

I write all this to lift HIS NAME High....and also to tell each of you that He IS FAITHFUL, He can be trusted and He wants to do the same for you! He doesn't just help people that go on missions trips...He is Faithful to ALL His children, even when we aren't faithful to Him. He wants and will provide for you in the same way He has for me, whatever the need. The biggest lesson I have learned in all of this is that it will be "according to your faith". Let our faith in Him, His Power and the Person of Who He is be HUGE! Will you trust Him today to do the impossible in your life? He wants to provide!!!!

~Amy Hayward~

Sharing Zambia with Gateway Church VBS

Sunday Evening we had the opportunity to present God's work in Zambia to close to 100 children at a Vacation Bible School at Gateway Church in Blue Springs, MO. It was awesome! We were able to share with these children the similarities and differences that they have with the children in Zambia along with sharing with them that one thing we have in common is we all need Jesus! It was so awesome to see their little eyes light up when they would understand something! They helped us make bracelets for the children in Zambia and we are excited to bring them and pass them out! Just when you wonder if they are really catching what you are saying....I was taking stuff to my car and I hear this mom say to her little girl..."no, you cannot go to Africa with her in 2 weeks"....that little girl got it and wanted to see this place we were talking about! So awesome! We had a blast sharing and I know that the children and adults enjoyed it too!!!

Praise Jesus!

~Amy~

I have been wanting to write on here for over a week now, but due to our Internet being down at home, that has not been possible! Last Monday my fear and faith collided big time! I began to get head worms about this trip...asking myself what was I thinking in taking a month off of work...how's it all going to work out? I was in HUGE panic mode! Fear and faith colliding big time! God gently began to remind me....haven't I done this before? Have I not sent you again in 3 weeks time everything paid for? How BIG am I to you? How much do you trust me? I slowly began to calm down. And then that day He used so many people to provide financially for me. Reminding me once more that my faith in Him must stay the same no matter what my circumstances are. He confirmed over and over that this is His plan and He is going to take care of all the details in getting me there! He can be trusted! Praise Him....the journey continues!

~Amy~