Stephanie brown

“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself
unspotted from the world.”
James 1:27

Zambia, Africa

I had felt God calling towards the continent of Africa for a year or so before I finally took the plunge into His graceful will to walk in obedience. Thus began my travels to Zambia this summer to help in hosting a program called Camp Life for orphan and vulnerable children. I committed to the trip knowing that I was going to share the love and word of Christ with hundreds of orphan children, but beyond that I was pretty much in the dark as to what the routine of daily life would be. I had no idea how God would use me, or what He would be teaching me. And as usual He moved in power beyond anything I could imagine and taught me how to truly love, the power of prayer, the utter joy of simplicity, and reliance on Him. He also used us to bring the peace and light of Jesus to 400 orphan children.

However, the Enemy is always on the horizon, attempting to interfere with the Great Commission. You see, when we arrived in Johannesburg we discovered that our airline had gone on strike and that there was no chance of us getting to Lusaka for the next week. We tried everything possible to obtain another flight that might take us to our final destination, but to no avail. The Lord declared His power and sovereignty, showing us that nothing can keep us from His will, by providing a flight to Lusaka two days later.

Go Light Your World

The theme for Camp Life 2005 was “Go Light Your World.” We spent the week singing songs and making crafts, but most of our time was spent by sharing Jesus as the light of the world with His most beautiful children. On the first day, we met all of the native Zambians who were to work along side us. I instantly fell in love with these people. They are so full of the love of Christ that it truly overflows from their heart and becomes visible on their faces and in their conversation. We shared our faith with the children and they shared with us what it was like to live in the reality of most countries outside of the United States. Each day, we would sit down with our children and ask them about their lives. What we heard was not only amazing, but heartbreaking. Take the story of Petrenella, a 14-year-old girl whose house had been burned down and her mother killed by her uncle who practiced witchcraft. Or the story of Anna, a little girl who had been sent to live with her Auntie after her parents passed away. She was expected to earn her keep by working in the house. One day she fell ill and unable to work. Her punishment (for being sick) was that her auntie melted plastic containers on the stove and then proceeded to pour them all over her body, leaving wounds that are still unhealed. Their stories are not unique and Satan is attacking these children from every angle. They do not have enough food to eat or places to sleep, they are verbally and physically abused, and they have lost their innocence. These children have been forgotten and forsaken by the world that they live in, and their faces clearly show the brokenness of their spirit. But Jesus always keeps just enough room in the heart for Him to be let in.

Friends, I can tell you that God is working powerfully in these children through people like you and me. The transformation of these children’s souls at the end of the week was visible in their beautiful smiles that overflow from their joyful hearts. On Thursday, each child received a new pair of shoes, a t-shirt, and a new bandana. The children then went to their communities where they spoke the words of Jesus to nearly everyone they met: 40-year-old men, grandmothers, shopkeepers, and children. They prayed for the sick; they boldly approached men in bars and asked if they could share the word of God. Grown men poured out their beers on the bar and walked out, knowing that the words of these children were His Truth! Words cannot convey how amazing it was to see these children boldly and without any inhibition proclaiming the word of God! There are so many more stories that I could share, but there would not be enough pages to proclaim how awesome is our God, El Elyon, God Most High, Sovereign over all the earth! I encourage you to keep walking towards Him, and to never take your eyes away because He will be BIG in your life, if you allow Him to take his rightful place in your heart.

The Love of Christ is Beautiful

The love of Christ is so beautiful and I experienced it in a new way this summer. There is something so pure and sacred about ministering to children, especially in a country where they are considered the lowest of the low. Even more beautiful is to teach these children the love of Christ and then to see them go and teach it to others. My prayer is that each of us would experience the love of Christ in a new way each day and in response we would come and serve Him in obedience. I guarantee you will find no greater fulfillment.

“We must keep on doing the work of Him Who sent Me while it is day. Night is coming when no man can work. While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world."
John 9:4-5

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