Two days in Israel have been amazing! On Sunday we got off to a late start because my plane had to land early because someone on our flight had a stroke. My good friend Amit, whom I met at Acton, picked me up in a really nice rental car and drove us down to Jerusalem for the day. Gethsemene was closed but we did get to go to the wailing wall and walk the Via Delarosa...Jesus's path from when he was beaten all the way to the his burial sight. Most all of the stops had memorial churches in honor of what happened at that particular point. I prayed often and the Holy Spirit kept reminding me that Christ is alive...so that was really inspiring and eye opening. Although there were times where I did feel sad and relived the pain Christ endured, I just kept getting a sense of his resurrection. Way cool. Amit and I stopped half way to have cake and tea at really cool Roman Catholic hostal. They had a great view of the city from the rooftop. I was not feeling well at all but I was so in awe of where I was it really didn´t matter. We finally got to Christ´s burial sight and lit a candle and prayed for several things and for healing of some close family and friends.
We left Jerusalem to head down to the Dead Sea. I didn´t realize it, but it´s the lowest place on earth. Amit and jumped in for a dip and the water was so warm...even though it was 7pm. Also, I didn´t realize how dangerous it is...even though it´s great for your skin, drinking a cup full can kill you and getting it in your eyes burns really. But...you can float like a tube...it´s really a unique experience. After that we drove east near Beer Sheba to stay with a friend of Amit´s...we had a hot shower, AC, and a bed...so I was in heaven!
Today we drove up to Galilee and Amit baptized me in the Jordan.....what a day. We also played in the Jordan, as I was feeling much better. They had this huge rope swing and I´ve got some video of getting airborne.
Later we headed north near Capernaum...where Jesus gave the Beattitudes, and are staying is this quaint hotel called Filgerhaus Tabgha. It´s a German place for pilgramers traveling to see where Jesus lived. It was first built in 1889, but has since been updated and by far the nicest place I´ve seen since being in Israel. It´s actually hidden a bit on the north shore, and when I come back with family we definitely have to come back here.
Tomorrow we´ll head to Capernaum and see where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount...then we´ll head back south to a crusader´s fort that´s supposed to be amazing. As always...I just wish my family was here as it´s a once in a lifetime experience. BUT...its awesome none the less because my ultimate Counselor is always with me!
God bless...until next time!
The JOY of the Lord is my strength,
Travis
Monday, August 2, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Last Day in Zambia
The last 24 hours has been one of the most joyful and spiritually invigorating days in my life. I've been shown joy like never before. In fact- I've never laughed and cry so much in one day.
There's so many stories to share, so for time's sake I'll stick to a couple. I want to share a story and offer encouragement (I shared this with the Americans here on Thursday night). Yesterday (Thursday) I spent the afternoon with my boys in their compound called Kabanana. Our task was to pass out flour, oil, and sugar to the poor in their community. My kids prayed for the people we encountered, did chores around the house, and shared the Gospel. What's crazy is that every person in their neighborhood is in need....the worst imaginable neighborhood you know of is their home. So, towards the end of our trip we found a lady pushing a wheel burrow with about 4 thirty to fifty pound water buckets. My boys sought this lady out and pushed the water about 100 yards to her house, then went back down the hill to draw more water. It took them about 20 minutes just go down and back to get more water. So, because this lady was freed up we got to witness to her friend, who was not a believer, and she ended up accepting the Lord...really cool. As I was kneeling, praying with my kids as they were leading this widow to the Lord, I began to savor the moment and thinking about what the Bible says about true religion- to love the widows and orphans. Here I was (not doing anything) and these orphans were serving this widow and now leading her to know the Lord! I witnessed a miracle.
Here's an encouragement. As we were talking with our first group of women, one of my kids from last year, Felix, was just walking down the street and found us. He didn't get to come to Camp Life this year because there were not enough spots (i.e. only as many kids get to come to camp as we have American counselors). I asked Felix if he wanted to join us, and he spent the rest of the day with us. I gave him my bandanna and he spent the day praying, serving, and ministering to people as if he had been with us all week. He mentioned to me before we left about how his faith was stronger than ever. He looked great. Then, as we were on the bus ride home, we stopped a the Kabanana CRC and I heard a kid say "Uncle Travis!". There in the street was ANOTHER one of my kids (Angel) from the last two years who wasn't on the list and didn't get to come to Camp Life. He looked very healthy and just like Felix, reiterated how well he was doing and how he was walking close to the Lord. Seeing my two boys was a blessing from the Lord because I was reminded how just pouring a week's worth of love into a child has an impact we can't understand. The same goes for you- you don't necessarily always get to see God's work, but any time and energy you may be pouring into someone in need is so worth it. Plus- God will ultimately work in their lives...we just have to be obedient.
I've got a ton more stories but not enough battery on this computer. I'll be heading for Israel tomorrow and will be there until 8/4....Please pray that I will get to experience Jesus's presence like never before.
Love y'all- God is so good!
Travis
There's so many stories to share, so for time's sake I'll stick to a couple. I want to share a story and offer encouragement (I shared this with the Americans here on Thursday night). Yesterday (Thursday) I spent the afternoon with my boys in their compound called Kabanana. Our task was to pass out flour, oil, and sugar to the poor in their community. My kids prayed for the people we encountered, did chores around the house, and shared the Gospel. What's crazy is that every person in their neighborhood is in need....the worst imaginable neighborhood you know of is their home. So, towards the end of our trip we found a lady pushing a wheel burrow with about 4 thirty to fifty pound water buckets. My boys sought this lady out and pushed the water about 100 yards to her house, then went back down the hill to draw more water. It took them about 20 minutes just go down and back to get more water. So, because this lady was freed up we got to witness to her friend, who was not a believer, and she ended up accepting the Lord...really cool. As I was kneeling, praying with my kids as they were leading this widow to the Lord, I began to savor the moment and thinking about what the Bible says about true religion- to love the widows and orphans. Here I was (not doing anything) and these orphans were serving this widow and now leading her to know the Lord! I witnessed a miracle.
Here's an encouragement. As we were talking with our first group of women, one of my kids from last year, Felix, was just walking down the street and found us. He didn't get to come to Camp Life this year because there were not enough spots (i.e. only as many kids get to come to camp as we have American counselors). I asked Felix if he wanted to join us, and he spent the rest of the day with us. I gave him my bandanna and he spent the day praying, serving, and ministering to people as if he had been with us all week. He mentioned to me before we left about how his faith was stronger than ever. He looked great. Then, as we were on the bus ride home, we stopped a the Kabanana CRC and I heard a kid say "Uncle Travis!". There in the street was ANOTHER one of my kids (Angel) from the last two years who wasn't on the list and didn't get to come to Camp Life. He looked very healthy and just like Felix, reiterated how well he was doing and how he was walking close to the Lord. Seeing my two boys was a blessing from the Lord because I was reminded how just pouring a week's worth of love into a child has an impact we can't understand. The same goes for you- you don't necessarily always get to see God's work, but any time and energy you may be pouring into someone in need is so worth it. Plus- God will ultimately work in their lives...we just have to be obedient.
I've got a ton more stories but not enough battery on this computer. I'll be heading for Israel tomorrow and will be there until 8/4....Please pray that I will get to experience Jesus's presence like never before.
Love y'all- God is so good!
Travis
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Joy & the Holy Spirit
Hello all!
Camp Life has picked up quiet a bit since Monday- I have been blessed to be a part of God doing some really cool things.
Tuesday was definitely a blessing- God revealed His joy to me in several neat ways. First, I was running fever Monday night and still on Tuesday morning. Only having Camp Life for 5 days meant that I really didn't want to be sick any because I wanted to give my kids all that I had. I prayed that the fever would go away, and God answered. By 10am on Tuesday morning the fever was gone and I felt better than ever. I also had the opportunity to do 5 blessing times (one on ones with each child) and really was encouraged by how they were all doing. A few of the boys have really started to read the Bible and apply it to their lives- very encouraging since they're only 12-16 years old. These kids are so much more exposed to tragedy and bad things at an early age, so really they've lived through things most of us don't see in a lifetime. At lunch my boys served a girls group lunch- I'm teaching them how to be true gentlemen as in Zambia girls are treated as second rate citizens. They seemed to enjoy this and were very shy during our brief time together. In the afternoon we had our sex talk and we shared with the the story of Solomon, I threw out some Tommy Nelson one liners, and we used an analogy to show the guys how vulnerable they are when sleeping around. HIV is such a huge problem- 1/6 people in Zambia have aids...it's truly out of control. But- praise the Lord- two of my 5 new kids accepted Christ (John and Luke) later in the day:)
Today (Wednesday) was another amazing day. My fever subsided yet again and we really tried to share with the boys in a very practical sense what Grace is and who the Holy Spirit is and how he works in our lives. We actually read scripture from John 12 about how the Holy Spirit, our counselor, is always with us and teaches us "all things". I'd never really thought about that before...he teaches us all things...not just some things. Both my Zambian counselors shared stories with our group about how the Holy Spirit worked specifically in their lives. I want to share one in particular.
Noah was in the front seat of a bus on his trip through Lusaka one day; he was in the very front seat in the corner by the windshield. For some reason Zambians love the front seat (shotgun!). So..as he was riding he felt the Holy Spirit leading him to just get off the bus. He didn't know why...but finally he just got off and caught the next bus. About fifteen minutes later, his new bus drove up on the bus he had been riding. That bus has crashed into a ditch, and the seat he was sitting in had been completely crushed all the way to the other side of the bus frame...if you getting chills right now...so did I!
Later today we took a trip to the new LRC (Lifeway Christian Schools) to see the new schools and how they were being put up. This location was actually a old World Hunger site (not exactly the right name) that had been abandoned. Family Legacy has been testing four schools and they've had remarkable results in effectively educating kids. When we got to the LRC probably 200 kids atleast crowded around our buses and as we got out jumped into our arms. I've got some great pics, but it was amazing just holding these kids. They are so poverty stricken but so joyous to see us. It was a true reminder of why I am here.
Tomorrow we'll be traveling into Kabanana Compound to visit my kids village and pass out flour, honey, and oil and bless people in their community. Please pray that me and my boys will be courageous and filled with the Holy Spirit to touch those in need. Also please pray that I will be an encouragement to both orphans, Zambian Staff, and Americans and that I will "leave it all on the field." I am praying for all my donors as again this trip would not be possible without you.
Love & Ztwownana Milo (see you tomorrow in Nanja),
Travis
Isaiah 40:31
Monday, July 26, 2010
Camp Life Day 1
Day 1 is in the books at Camp Life- it was great to be back in the swing of things with my kids. This morning we started the day off singing and praying with the Zambians. My Zambian translator is Brian- he's an incredible writer and one day wants to write a book. My other helper is Noah; he's a super servant and blessing to work with as well.
I got 11 kids this year- 7 are kids I've had from years past and 4 are new. It's been great because Emmanuel, who I had in 2008, is back (he wasn't in our group last year). It's been a blessing to see how the Lord has worked in his life and how he's grown into a young man. I had 4 one on one times with Salati, Sindiso, Emmanuel, and Phillip. They shared stories about how they've grown up spiritually and it seems they've been making great decisions as they grow into young men.
Please pray for two of my new boys- Mandra and Lazarus (different one from my first year). They both seemed distant in all of our interactions today, even when we played games. This is their first year at Camp Life, so I don't know much about them. Please pray that the Lord will open their hearts to hear God's word and that He will give me and my helpers the words to speak into their lives.
Also- if you could pray for my health...tonight I've been feeling a bit of fever and I don't want that to get in the way of this week.
Everything else is going really well- it's been great to reconnect and do Camp with my close friends who've been coming for the last 3 years.
Thanks for your prayers and I'll be in touch!
Nehemiah 8:10,
Travis
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Father's Heart & Sunday with the Zambians
Hello all! Well- I'm in Zambia and the last two days have been full of blessings.
Yesterday I got the opportunity to go see my sponsor child Elijah in the compound of Jon Leing. I was earlier in the day told that Elijah had moved to another village away from Lusaka, but to my surprise I found out that that was a different Elijah and my Elijah was here. I spent the afternoon playing with him and his friends at the Family Legacy CRC (Community Resource Center) and then visited his home. I quickly saw that their family had moved since last year- their house was about 10x10...that it. I got to meet his mother, two sisters (one is Francia), and his sister's 5 month old baby. One HUGE blessing was finding out how much better Elijah's father was doing. Last year when I visited he was very sick. We've been praying for healing and his father is doing so much better! He was out working when I visited. It was such a blessing getting to see Elijah at home- he is such a precious child!
This morning we had church with the Zambians and Pastor Rafael preached a very powerful message- "A Christian Believer with a Difference". He pretty much brought the message that there are many of us who believe, but that obedience and action are the key to living an authentic life with Christ. It was a very great check for me and reminded me to see how my actions were lining up with my beliefs. As Rafael reminded me- even demons beileve in Christ. Jesus said, "If you love me you will 0bey my commands." Our actions and what we say we beileve in must match up- otherwise...we (myself included) are just fooling ourselves.
I'm actually having lunch now and am getting to see my Zambian partner from last year- N'Kandu. It's been incredible to see N'Kandu grow in his faith this year as he's leading the children's camp at his church and going to college.
Thank you for all your prayers!!! I really appreciate it. Zambia is a great place for me to come back to to be reminded of how real and powerful the Lord is and how he's accessible...we just hae to believe, obey, and follow Him.
Love,
Travis
Yesterday I got the opportunity to go see my sponsor child Elijah in the compound of Jon Leing. I was earlier in the day told that Elijah had moved to another village away from Lusaka, but to my surprise I found out that that was a different Elijah and my Elijah was here. I spent the afternoon playing with him and his friends at the Family Legacy CRC (Community Resource Center) and then visited his home. I quickly saw that their family had moved since last year- their house was about 10x10...that it. I got to meet his mother, two sisters (one is Francia), and his sister's 5 month old baby. One HUGE blessing was finding out how much better Elijah's father was doing. Last year when I visited he was very sick. We've been praying for healing and his father is doing so much better! He was out working when I visited. It was such a blessing getting to see Elijah at home- he is such a precious child!
This morning we had church with the Zambians and Pastor Rafael preached a very powerful message- "A Christian Believer with a Difference". He pretty much brought the message that there are many of us who believe, but that obedience and action are the key to living an authentic life with Christ. It was a very great check for me and reminded me to see how my actions were lining up with my beliefs. As Rafael reminded me- even demons beileve in Christ. Jesus said, "If you love me you will 0bey my commands." Our actions and what we say we beileve in must match up- otherwise...we (myself included) are just fooling ourselves.
I'm actually having lunch now and am getting to see my Zambian partner from last year- N'Kandu. It's been incredible to see N'Kandu grow in his faith this year as he's leading the children's camp at his church and going to college.
Thank you for all your prayers!!! I really appreciate it. Zambia is a great place for me to come back to to be reminded of how real and powerful the Lord is and how he's accessible...we just hae to believe, obey, and follow Him.
Love,
Travis
Friday, July 23, 2010
London
We arrived in London today and got the pleasure of showing Kelly Bumpkin and Kim Malnar around the city. We went by Big Ben, Parliment, Westminster Abbey, St. James Park, Green Park, and Buckingham Palace. I slept the whole flight from Houston to London- much needed! We fly out to Lusaka here in an hour or so and on Saturday morning I'll get to go see Elijah and other kids in the Jon Leing compound.
Thank you for all your prayers- the Lord is already in this and working.
Sunday we'll have church with the Zambians, which is my favorite because they really know how to worship. Sunday evening I get to meet my translator (called evangelist) and other partner (apostle). Monday- I meet the boys and Camp Life starts!
Have a blessed weekend- thanks for all your support!!
His joy is my strength,
Travis
Thank you for all your prayers- the Lord is already in this and working.
Sunday we'll have church with the Zambians, which is my favorite because they really know how to worship. Sunday evening I get to meet my translator (called evangelist) and other partner (apostle). Monday- I meet the boys and Camp Life starts!
Have a blessed weekend- thanks for all your support!!
His joy is my strength,
Travis
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Leaving for Zambia Today!!!
Hello Family and Friends!!
To say the least- this has been an eventful 48 hours. Yesterday I traveled to Fort Worth to get my passport that turned out to not be there! Thank y'all for praying- today the Lord has answered one of many prayers in helping me go back to Zambia. After driving through Nacogdoches from Camp to get my birth certificate (I just happened to be driving through Nac...my birthplace), passport photos at Walgreens, and boarding pass, I sped down to Houston where I had an outside chance to get to actually get my passport today. I had all the documentation, but as I got ready to sign the lady at the counter said, "I'm sorry, but it's past the cutoff- it was at noon." I pleaded and prayed that the Lord would get me through. Sure enough..she checked with her manager and they pushed it through!!! PTL. I'm still not on the flight, but I'm fully aware He is in control.
Thanks first and foremost to you who made this trip possible- you are His hands and feet and I know the Lord will bless you many times over as he has me over and over as I go back to Zambia.
If you're praying- please pray for the following:
1. Strength and Energy- I'm on "e" right now
2. Vision and humility to just share what He wants me to say
3. Spiritual growth for my boys (Elijah, Salati, Sindiso, Angel, Moses, Phillip, Davies, Felix, Steven, Peter, Edward, Japhet, Suwilanji, Jack, Lackson, Lazarus, and Emmanuel)
4. For us to experience true JOY and fun
5. Empower me to encourage other Americans on the trip
I'll be leaving tonight- I am so sad to be leaving my kids at Camp Huawni...this is the last week of Camp (pic above is my tractor crew on cookout for Session 3). Our staff especially has done an amazing job- you can pray for them too! (energy and to finish loving the kids strong!)
I'll try my best to keep everyone updated.
Nehemiah 8:10,
Travis
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