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

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

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

Long Overdue Update

Greetings from College Station, Texas! I'm sitting in my hotel room right now thinking about all the close friends I have and how I wish I could catch up with you all. I've decided to start updating my blog so I can keep everyone in the loop on where I am, what I'm doing, and how the Lord is using me.

This summer Austin and I got an opportunity of a lifetime- we got to run Camp Huawni (www.camphuawni.com). We had an amazing summer with the kids; it was a great change up from the grueling Acton schedule. We had many kids say it was their "best summer ever"; that made our hearts smile.

On July 21st I flew out with my brother and Mom to Zambia; we took part in putting on Camp Life, a camp for orphans in Lusaka, Zambia. I actually got to be with my same orphans from last year- it was a blessing to see how they've grown. They have endured so many struggles they encouraged me once again to live a better life for His Kingdom. I love my kids! (https://fathersheart.legacymissions.org/ambassador.php?aid=1A.00000919). It was also a blessing to have Austin and my Mom there- this experience truly changed my life in a profound way and it's so neat to see that happen in their lives as well. I am planning on going back next year. Pray about it...you never know...maybe you should come with us!

Finally, in August, I accepted a job with Royalty Pecan Farms (our family's orchard) in Caldwell, TX. It's been a rich experience, as we've assembled a great team of people and a unique, premium product (www.royaltypecans.com). After running the retail side for Royalty for a few months, I am so grateful for the lessons learned at Acton and for the teachers and classmates who pushed me to learn more. There is no shortage of ways in which to implement the lessons learned at Acton.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful December and happy holidays. May the Lord bless your Christmas- what a wonderful and magnificent birthday we get to celebrate.

God bless and keep in touch!

Travis

Hello Family and Friends!!! I apologize for the much overdue update. Things are going fast and furious, and I feel blessed to be at this stage of school, life, etc!

As far as Acton goes- things are great. Two weeks from tomorrow and we are finished! It's truly been one of the most stimulating journeys in my life. Tomorrow morning I will be pitching my business opportunity with classmates Hugo, Lawson, Scott, and Joe. We will actually be pitching a real business opportunity, one which we may potentially pursue post Acton. Also, last week I was privileged to host the TCU CEO Club. Brad Hancock, a very talented entrepreneurship teach at TCU and dear friend, and the TCU faculty led a group of TCU students to sit in on a case study. The students also got a chance to hear from former Horned Frog Vernon Bryant as he discussed private equity, what it means, and what all he does here in Austin. Thanks to all you TCUers who I got to meet- I truly enjoyed getting to hear your stories and ambition for an entrepreneurial career path.

On to other news- I attended the 2nd Zambia Camp Life meeting two weeks ago- it was also amazing. I have been praying that the Lord would come through financially for me this year. Thanks to many of you, I raised half of the $4,000 needed for the trip. This past week- God showed up and supplied the rest! I was reminded of Proverbs 3:5-6; He is so clutch! Please continue to pray for my kids and my brother and mom, who are also going with me. The final Camp Life meeting is coming up on April 17th.

Lastly, as some of you may already know, this summer I have secured a very high paying and lucrative job opportunity- the Camp Huawni director position! Well, maybe monetarily it doesn't pay great, but the intrinsic (i.e. enduring/self) value of loving on the kids and staff this summer is priceless. Hey- I do get free rent and will be on the meal plan of our famous chef Miss Ada (she is the most wonderful cook in all of Shelby County!). Following Huawni and Africa, I hope to be back either in Fort Worth or Austin. I've got several opportunities- please pray that the Lord will make the path clear to me and that I would follow joyfully.

So, as Acton winds down, I am trying to soak up as much of the environment and knowledge as possible. I'll be graduating on May 3rd, finally. So before I go, just know that each of you are in my thoughts and prayers. Thanks again for your support. And finally, remember that each day we are all called to be on mission to loving others- we are missionaries, believe it or not! Have a blessed Easter!

He is Risen,

Travis

ps- I am currenlty mentoring a prisoner named James- he and I are involved in the Prison Entrepreneurship Program (www.pep.org). Please pray that the Lord will bless and guide him as he begins the process to turn his life around and start his business.

In the Middle of Mid Terms

Hi y'all!

I apologize for taking so long to update everyone on what's going on. School has been fantastic but super busy. I just finished up my fourth mid-term exam and will be taking my Raising Money final this coming week. It's crazy how fast time flies- we've only got 7 or so weeks of classes left. Every Acton alum I talked to says to cherish this time and finish strong, which I'm doing my best to do. I'm really going to miss being with such a bright and down-t0-earth group of classmates. This past Friday my good friend Rodrigo (from Guatemala) forced me to have dinner with him- we'd been planning on getting together just to catch up outside of classes, but our schedules are always swamped with school work. It was great just to hang out with "Rodas", as I call him, and unwind a little. Fortunately he got to meet Tully, who was on his way down to Lake Amastad for a bass fishing tournament.

On other fronts, last night I got to go to the first Camp Life meeting here in Austin! Thank you to those who are supporting me- it's been a blessing to see how God has been at work financially. I need to raise another $2,000 or so to pay for the trip. The meeting went very well- Greer caught us up on all that's going on in Zambia and introduced this year's theme (John 3:16). I'm especially excited that this summer I'll have family with me- it's going to be amazing! It was great seeing Josh Rives, who now works full-time for Family Legacy. Josh said he's going to be putting up my video from last year (the one I can't find out how to post on this site). As soon as it's up- I'll post and/or provide a link.

I hope everyone is doing well and hope to see y'all soon!

Sponsor my Zambian Orphans Online

I have some wonderful news! You can now sponsor one of my kids through Family Legacy's website. It costs just $36 per month to take care of my kids' basic needs (school fees, supplies, food, etc.) It's so easy, and one sponsorship will literally change one of my kids' lives forever. I know some of you have asked me how you could sponsor one of my orphans. Just click on the link below and it will take you directly to my page. Each one of my kids is certainly a miracle- they are great kids who love the Lord. Thank you so much for your support and God bless!

Sponsor Travis's Orphans