shoo!bug

We've got a great new partner in ministry and I want to tell you about them. shoo!bug has created a very cool new way to keep away mosquitos and other bugs. Imagine carrying around a credit card that could keep the bugs from getting to you. Well, that's what they've created and they have generously donated 1,000 of these shoo!TAGs to Family Legacy.

As most of you know, Malaria is an on-going health problem in countries like Zambia. Keeping away mosquitos can be tough but with the shoo!TAG, the children living in our full-time care will be protected with just one card!

I don't generally plug companies or products but I would strongly encourage you to check out shoo!bug. They've got a great product (that you can buy for yourself!) and they care about protecting children in need. What a great combination.

Learn more in this article about our new partnership.


Blessings,
Anne

A Longing Fulfilled

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick. But a longing fulfilled is a tree of life."
- Proverbs 13:12

The Tree of Life Children's Village provides beautiful new homes for the most vulnerable children living in Lusaka, Zambia. After year's of hosting Camp LIFE each summer, Family Legacy determined that much, much more was needed to serve these children. Sending them home to remain in dire circumstances is not what we felt called to do.

In 2009, the Tree of Life Children's Village opened on a plot of 130-acres of beautiful land just outside of the capital city. Children who live here are blessed with a new family of 13 brothers or sisters and a house mom. Together they attend school, church and play every day in their neighborhood just like normal kids.

Currently, there are 7 homes at the village with 3 more opening this summer. Nearly 200 children have been rescued from poverty, abuse, and rejection to a live of freedom, joy, and hope. Days of living in fear turned to days of just being kids.

Here is a glimpse of the communities these children were living in:

Here is a glimpse at their new home and community:

Learn more about the Tree of Life Children's Village on our website and look for photos of the 3 new house openings this summer!


Blessings,
Anne

Camp LIFE 2011: Day 1

Today is DAY 1 of Camp LIFE 2011. This year's theme is Seek First the Kingdom.

Since the day I learned of this theme, I feel like all I have heard in sermons and bible studies is the Kingdom of God. I know this is going to be a powerful message for the thousands of children who will attend Camp LIFE over the next 7 weeks and the Americans traveling there as camp counselors. 

We will all learn that God has the authority to reign and rule - HE is almighty. While we anxiously await the day that HE will rule over this world, we cling to His rule and reign in our own hearts. We cling to the truth that we are daughters and sons of the Almighty King - we are royalty in His eyes.

For children living in the gutter of their society - truly the least of these - what a remarkable discovery to learn that God, your Father, is King and you are royalty in the greatest Kingdom the world will ever know!

Please pray for Camp LIFE, specifically for the following:

1 - That God would prepare the hearts of the Zambian children. This year, more than ever, we will have the most vulnerable children in the community. They desperately need this message of hope and light in the midst of their despair and darkness.

2 - For the Americans traveling, maybe for the first time, to a 3rd world country where they speak tribal languages and live in unimaginable circumstances. This will be powerful for them as well. Pray the Lord would impact their hearts and use them to speak truth to the children in their groups.

3 - It takes quite a bit of man power to operate 7 weeks of Camp LIFE - full-time American and Zambian staff, hundreds of Zambian volunteers, and American college students serving as summer-staffers. Prayer for us - that we would have endurance and JOY throughout each week.

Thank you, as always, for your love, support, and prayers.

Blessings,
Anne

A Few More Photos

I've been working on several print pieces for the ministry and consequently have been looking at hundreds of photos along the way. Only a few of these are actually used on our materials but I've enjoyed seeing so many great moments captured in beautiful photography.

Here are a few of my new favorites:

Girls at Camp LIFE

Singing and dancing at Camp LIFE - there is TRULY nothing like this!

One of our sweet Camp LIFE kids enamored with his new friend

 

 

A glimpse at life in the community - children caring for children

 

We are blessed just to show these children that they are loved

My prayer for us today - let the joy in these faces remind us of how greatly we are loved by God and the call we have to BE a blessing.

What is Camp LIFE?

If you've spent any time with me (or my blog) in the last 6 months, you've heard me talk about many of the programs we provide here at Family Legacy. But, you've probably also wondered what in the world I was talking about! Here is a little more information on our largest and longest-running program, Camp LIFE.

Started in 2001, Camp LIFE happens over the course of 7 weeks each summer. Camp LIFE brings healing, hope, and joy to the orphaned and vulnerable children of Zambia and offers American families and individuals a chance to minister and serve together. 

2 years ago, I got to be a part of this experience and it was a powerful week for me and my group of boys.

Through one on-one time, Americans learn more about each child’s home life and prayer needs. Many of the children are able to open up about the difficult situations they face and find freedom and healing during this time.

During this week-long experience, the children of Zambia get to hear the Word of God and experience life more abundantly. At the end of that week, every child gets to experience that first-hand as they receive a new t-shirt, a bandana, and a brand new pair of shoes.

We also have A LOT of fun. Remember back to your days as a young camper. I'm sure you still remember the songs, dance moves and funny skits that shaped that week for you. These kids go home with those same memories. And, I too will ALWAYS remember the joy of these moments.

If you want to learn more about Camp LIFE, visit our website or watch a few testimonies. 

Also, take a look at my picture site with lots of details about my trips in 2009 and 2010.

If you've ever thought out taking a short-term mission trip to Africa, pray about joining us for the summer of 2012. It will change your life!

Blessings,

Anne

Logistics, Logistics, Logistics!

For the last 5 years, I've been working at the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center and one of my favorite projects each year was working on the planning team for the Crimes Against Children Conference. I had NO IDEA how much God was training me for my role at Family Legacy.

I know many of you have never been to Camp LIFE before, but if you have, you know that there are a multitude of details that have to be in place for your trip and for camp as a whole to be successful. I have been the recipient of those organized details twice as a participant. Now, on the other side, I can appreciate so much more the hard work that goes into ensuring the success of 7 weeks of Camp LIFE with over 500 participants in Zambia, Africa!

Here's a quick inside look at what it takes to make this happen:

First, we have to send containers full of supplies over to Zambia early in the year so they make it there in time for Camp LIFE.

In case you're wondering, this is a shipping container...

Loading the container... (yes that is LOTS of peanut butter - this is our lunch delicacy in Zambia every day)

We also sort and distribute all of the participant t-shirts. LOTS and LOTS of t-shirts!

Of course, there are a million other things that get done behind the scenes, but we don't typically take pictures at the office. :)

It is a lot of hard work but undoubtedly is a labor of love. I cannot wait for Camp LIFE to get started in 4 short weeks. Please be praying for the 500 Americans who will be with us this summer and for the thousands of Zambian orphans who will be forever impacted by this experience.

Blessings,
Anne

Latest Newsletter

In case I don't have your address, here is a copy of my latest newsletter! Learn more about what I am up to these days and read about Emma Tembo's amazing transformation.

Thank you all for your support and prayers. This journey of changing jobs, raising support and pursuing God's call on my life to serve the orphans of Zambia has been a tremendous blessing. I never understood the depths of faith required to truly trust in the Lord but He has graciously revealed what it really takes and made up the difference where I am lacking.

Please continue to be in prayer for this ministry and for my role here at Family Legacy. To make a contribution towards my support, please visit my donate page: www.familylegacy.com/anne.

Blessings,
Anne