What a blessing this weekend has been. Peter and I are 64% raised, so that's only $2800 left to go. We are so excited. We only have 35 days left to fund raise and 80 days before we leave. I can't believe we will be boarding an airplane together that soon to go on our first trip without children together.
Ok, now that seems sort of funny. We've been together for 16 years and we've never been on any trip/vacation just the two of us and the first one we are sharing without children is to share the love of Christ with the orphans in Zambia. That just makes it even more special.
It seems like everything is right around the corner. Our two interns, Kate & Courtney Joy will be leaving next Tuesday for Zambia and will be over there for a little over 60 days. How exciting for them. I can't have a small pull of jealousy as they will be spending all that extra time with the My Father's House children, but what an adventure for them. If you would like to follow their journey, please look at their blogs as they will be blogging while they are over there.
http://www.courtneybissell.blogspot.com/
http://katecolwill.blogspot.com/
They have been such a blessing and I know they will do great work over there!!!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Why Zambia? THE NEED....
This is probably the most common comment I hear...why don't you just do something in your hometown or in the US. You are absolutely right..people should do more in their hometown, some are not able to go outside of their own area. I believe we, as Christians, have a command to GO whether it be to our family, friends, neighbors or around the world. So the question...why Zambia. My answer, I don't know. Haven't figured that one out yet and truly only God knows why.
When I was spoken into motion last year, I've said it before, I really didn't want to go, but now I wouldn't change it at all. What a blessing when I came home and Alyson, who was 4 then, was looking through the pictures of the children I met and she said "Mommy, if you need to go help the orphans again, it's ok if you leave, I know you'll come back." Both our girls are learning daily about what orphans are and the need in Zambia. They are growing because of it. They're not perfect, I still can't help but smile when I buy something for the orphans and then later I buy something for the house and they make sure I'm not taking it to Africa with me. The look of pleasure or relief is priceless, but they understand the need is there to give. Peter and I have begun to see what we do in this world is more important than what we have. It doesn't matter the items that we leave behind, its the legacy of who we are that our girls will remember.
So why Zambia....still I don't know; but here is what I do know.
There is a need in Zambia. In 2009 there were 690,000 AIDS Orphans in Zambia which made up half of all the orphans in the country; which means if it weren't for the AIDS epidemic these children would not be orphans.
Children whose parents are living with HIV often experience many negative changes in their lives and can start to suffer neglect, including emotional neglect, long before they are orphaned. Eventually, they suffer the death of their parent(s) and the emotional trauma that results. The loss of a parent to AIDS can have serious consequences for a child's access to basic necessities such as shelter, food, clothing, health and education. Orphans are more likely than non-orphans to live in a large, female-headed households where more people are dependent on fewer income earners. This lack of income puts extra pressure on the AIDS orphans to contribute financially to the household, in some cases driving them to the streets to work, beg or seek food.
The majority of children who have lost a parent continue to live in the care of a surviving parent or family member, but often have to take on the responsibility of doing the housework, looking after siblings and caring for ill or dying parents. Children who have lost one parent to AIDS are often at risk of losing the other parent as well, since HIV may have been transmitted.
So, with the numbers so overwhelming, what can one person do. It almost seems like it's impossible. But I have learned through God all things are possible. God has promised...to be a Father to the fatherless, their strong defender and provider. It is through Every Orphan's Hope that a difference is being made. They work with the local churches to defend, visit, comfort, encourage, care for and pray for orphans. www.everyorphan.org
God brought me to the need and I have responded. What will you do? It doesn't have to be Africa, but look around? Are you doing all you can to further God's kingdom by sharing the hope that only Christ can give? This isn't to put you on the spot; but we can all do something.
When I was spoken into motion last year, I've said it before, I really didn't want to go, but now I wouldn't change it at all. What a blessing when I came home and Alyson, who was 4 then, was looking through the pictures of the children I met and she said "Mommy, if you need to go help the orphans again, it's ok if you leave, I know you'll come back." Both our girls are learning daily about what orphans are and the need in Zambia. They are growing because of it. They're not perfect, I still can't help but smile when I buy something for the orphans and then later I buy something for the house and they make sure I'm not taking it to Africa with me. The look of pleasure or relief is priceless, but they understand the need is there to give. Peter and I have begun to see what we do in this world is more important than what we have. It doesn't matter the items that we leave behind, its the legacy of who we are that our girls will remember.
So why Zambia....still I don't know; but here is what I do know.
There is a need in Zambia. In 2009 there were 690,000 AIDS Orphans in Zambia which made up half of all the orphans in the country; which means if it weren't for the AIDS epidemic these children would not be orphans.
Children whose parents are living with HIV often experience many negative changes in their lives and can start to suffer neglect, including emotional neglect, long before they are orphaned. Eventually, they suffer the death of their parent(s) and the emotional trauma that results. The loss of a parent to AIDS can have serious consequences for a child's access to basic necessities such as shelter, food, clothing, health and education. Orphans are more likely than non-orphans to live in a large, female-headed households where more people are dependent on fewer income earners. This lack of income puts extra pressure on the AIDS orphans to contribute financially to the household, in some cases driving them to the streets to work, beg or seek food.
The majority of children who have lost a parent continue to live in the care of a surviving parent or family member, but often have to take on the responsibility of doing the housework, looking after siblings and caring for ill or dying parents. Children who have lost one parent to AIDS are often at risk of losing the other parent as well, since HIV may have been transmitted.
So, with the numbers so overwhelming, what can one person do. It almost seems like it's impossible. But I have learned through God all things are possible. God has promised...to be a Father to the fatherless, their strong defender and provider. It is through Every Orphan's Hope that a difference is being made. They work with the local churches to defend, visit, comfort, encourage, care for and pray for orphans. www.everyorphan.org
God brought me to the need and I have responded. What will you do? It doesn't have to be Africa, but look around? Are you doing all you can to further God's kingdom by sharing the hope that only Christ can give? This isn't to put you on the spot; but we can all do something.
Zambia Bound
God has led our family on an amazing journey over the past year and a half. Last July when I (Cheryl) traveled to Zambia, I fell in love with so many things; but most importantly I went from loving God to being in love with God. There is no other way to explain it. When I came home, the only thing I knew was that I would go back to Zambia and that I was meant to serve the Lord through Every Orphan's Hope (EOH); but I had no idea where God would lead me.
Through many struggles and much prayer, I have gone from serving the Lord at Camp Hope as a teacher to serving as the AfricaTrek Coordinator for Every Orphan's Hope. Those of you that know me well, know I'm far from the most obedient person in the world and as God led me to this position, I feared the responsibility and questioned it every step of the way, especially when many close to me had opted not to return to Zambia this year. Those who I would depend on the most were slowly removed from the trip until it was just God and I. So, I did what I do best when God finally shoved it in my face; I surrendered; there was no other place to go.
All I can say is how I am amazed at the way he leads us. I am so unworthy, I say this often, but am loving every step of the way in this journey. God has blessed EOH with a number of amazing individuals that have stepped forward to serve in Africa this year and I am thankful to have the privilege to come along with them this year as their leader.
So I thought God couldn't amaze me any further, but about a month ago, Peter (my husband) decided to come with me to Zambia to teach during Camp Hope. I'm sure he will add his own journey on this blog as we are currently sharing it. This has been a long journey and it has been a struggle for him to decide if he was going because of God or me...God won again. How does that keep happening?
So where does this leave us?
In regards to our girls, we have had some amazing individuals step forward to offer to watch them, Alyson (5 yrs) and Brittan (4 yrs). We are so thankful to both our sisters who will be caring for them while we are away, along with our friends who have offered to make themselves available to them for the breaks they will need.
Finances...well. That's a different story. Since I knew I was returning, I had 3 successful garage sales, gave up my Christmas presents for EOH donations and only needed a small amount of donations that were covered by friends and family so I managed to complete all fund raising with little to no difficulty....but as I said Peter did find that it was time for him to go too. We have really both been "Spoken Into Motion" throughout this last year and a half. So we are in need of funds for this trip after all. If you are interested in helping, please go to the How Can I Help post.
This whole journey has been a true joy as I look back. So now I look forward with excitement and a bit of hesitation as to where He will lead me next. Obedience is such a struggle; but I'm trying. I pray for obedience constantly and what I find is that the more I pray about it, the more opportunities I get to learn it; isn't it funny how that works. I would pray for something else, but since He knows my heart, there's no point.
I would like to ask that you also pray for the widows and orphans in Zambia that we are so blessed to serve through the Lord and the Every Orphan's Hope ministry.
Through many struggles and much prayer, I have gone from serving the Lord at Camp Hope as a teacher to serving as the AfricaTrek Coordinator for Every Orphan's Hope. Those of you that know me well, know I'm far from the most obedient person in the world and as God led me to this position, I feared the responsibility and questioned it every step of the way, especially when many close to me had opted not to return to Zambia this year. Those who I would depend on the most were slowly removed from the trip until it was just God and I. So, I did what I do best when God finally shoved it in my face; I surrendered; there was no other place to go.
All I can say is how I am amazed at the way he leads us. I am so unworthy, I say this often, but am loving every step of the way in this journey. God has blessed EOH with a number of amazing individuals that have stepped forward to serve in Africa this year and I am thankful to have the privilege to come along with them this year as their leader.
So I thought God couldn't amaze me any further, but about a month ago, Peter (my husband) decided to come with me to Zambia to teach during Camp Hope. I'm sure he will add his own journey on this blog as we are currently sharing it. This has been a long journey and it has been a struggle for him to decide if he was going because of God or me...God won again. How does that keep happening?
So where does this leave us?
In regards to our girls, we have had some amazing individuals step forward to offer to watch them, Alyson (5 yrs) and Brittan (4 yrs). We are so thankful to both our sisters who will be caring for them while we are away, along with our friends who have offered to make themselves available to them for the breaks they will need.
Finances...well. That's a different story. Since I knew I was returning, I had 3 successful garage sales, gave up my Christmas presents for EOH donations and only needed a small amount of donations that were covered by friends and family so I managed to complete all fund raising with little to no difficulty....but as I said Peter did find that it was time for him to go too. We have really both been "Spoken Into Motion" throughout this last year and a half. So we are in need of funds for this trip after all. If you are interested in helping, please go to the How Can I Help post.
This whole journey has been a true joy as I look back. So now I look forward with excitement and a bit of hesitation as to where He will lead me next. Obedience is such a struggle; but I'm trying. I pray for obedience constantly and what I find is that the more I pray about it, the more opportunities I get to learn it; isn't it funny how that works. I would pray for something else, but since He knows my heart, there's no point.
I would like to ask that you also pray for the widows and orphans in Zambia that we are so blessed to serve through the Lord and the Every Orphan's Hope ministry.
How Can I Help
We have been very blessed to have this opportunity to travel to Zambia together. If you are led to help fund Peter's portion of the trip, he is in need of raising $4000 to cover the cost. Cheryl's funds were raised upon her return last summer through generous donations for garage sales and donations for Christmas presents in place of items.
If you are interested in helping fund his portion of the trip please follow the below steps:
Go to http://www.everyorphan.org/
Select the DONATE tab at the top of the website
Enter your contribution information
Type "Peter and Cheryl Greif" as the Selected Missionary
Choose Google Checkout to fill out your personal information
So what else do we need???? PRAYERS!!!! I know that all of this is God's plan and not ours, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't at least a little bit worried about both of us leaving our girls. We have heard the words about if we are sure this is a wise parenting decision; but we are being faithful. It doesn't mean that we don't have our doubts, believe me we both do; but those seeds always seem to be planted by others and it requires us to focus on God. No one said being obedient and surrendering has been easy for us; but the joy we have both found in the Lord has been enough to give us strength. I cling to Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me"; yes it may be overstated; but it is where I am.
If you are interested in helping fund his portion of the trip please follow the below steps:
Go to http://www.everyorphan.org/
Select the DONATE tab at the top of the website
Enter your contribution information
Type "Peter and Cheryl Greif" as the Selected Missionary
Choose Google Checkout to fill out your personal information
So what else do we need???? PRAYERS!!!! I know that all of this is God's plan and not ours, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't at least a little bit worried about both of us leaving our girls. We have heard the words about if we are sure this is a wise parenting decision; but we are being faithful. It doesn't mean that we don't have our doubts, believe me we both do; but those seeds always seem to be planted by others and it requires us to focus on God. No one said being obedient and surrendering has been easy for us; but the joy we have both found in the Lord has been enough to give us strength. I cling to Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me"; yes it may be overstated; but it is where I am.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Zambia Bound
God has led our family on an amazing journey over the past year and a half. Last July when I (Cheryl) traveled to Zambia, I fell in love with so many things; but most importantly I went from loving God to being in love with God. There is no other way to explain it. When I came home, the only thing I knew was that I would go back to Zambia and that I was meant to serve the Lord through Every Orphan's Hope (EOH); but I had no idea where God would lead me.
Through many struggles and much prayer, I have gone from serving the Lord at Camp Hope as a teacher to serving as the AfricaTrek Coordinator for Every Orphan's Hope. Those of you that know me well, know I'm far from the most obedient person in the world and as God led me to this position, I feared the responsibility and questioned it every step of the way, especially when many close to me had opted not to return to Zambia this year. Those who I would depend on the most were slowly removed from the trip until it was just God and I. So, I did what I do best when God finally shoved it in my face; I surrendered; there was no other place to go.
All I can say is how I am amazed at the way he leads us. I am so unworthy, I say this often, but am loving every step of the way in this journey. God has blessed EOH with a number of amazing individuals that have stepped forward to serve in Africa this year and I am thankful to have the privilege to come along with them this year as their leader.
So I thought God couldn't amaze me any further, but about a month ago, Peter (my husband) decided to come with me to Zambia to teach during Camp Hope. I'm sure he will add his own journey on this blog as we are currently sharing it. This has been a long journey and it has been a struggle for him to decide if he was going because of God or me...God won again. How does that keep happening?
So where does this leave us?
In regards to our girls, we have had some amazing individuals step forward to offer to watch them, Alyson (5 yrs) and Brittan (4 yrs). We are so thankful to both our sisters who will be caring for them while we are away, along with our friends who have offered to make themselves available to them for the breaks they will need.
Finances...well. That's a different story. Since I knew I was returning, I had 3 successful garage sales, gave up my Christmas presents for EOH donations and only needed a small amount of donations that were covered by friends and family so I managed to complete all fund raising with little to no difficulty....but as I said Peter did find that it was time for him to go too. We have really both been "Spoken Into Motion" throughout this last year and a half. So we are in need of funds for this trip after all.
If you are interested in helping fund his portion of the trip, he is in need of raising $4000 to cover his expenses. Please follow the below steps:
Go to http://www.everyorphan.org/
Select the DONATE tab at the top of the website
Enter your contribution information
Type "Peter and Cheryl Greif" as the Selected Missionary
Choose Google Checkout to fill out your personal information
So what else do we need???? PRAYERS!!!! I know that all of this is God's plan and not ours, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't at least a little bit worried about both of us leaving our girls. We have heard the words about if we are sure this is a wise parenting decision; but we are being faithful. It doesn't mean that we don't have our doubts, believe me we both do; but those seeds always seem to be planted by others and it requires us to focus on God. No one said being obedient and surrendering has been easy for us; but the joy we have both found in the Lord has been enough to give us strength. I cling to Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me"; yes it may be overstated; but it is where I am.
This whole journey has been a true joy as I look back. So now I look forward with excitement and a bit of hesitation as to where He will lead me next. Obedience is such a struggle; but I'm trying. I pray for obedience constantly and what I find is that the more I pray about it, the more opportunities I get to learn it; isn't it funny how that works. I would pray for something else, but since He knows my heart, there's no point.
I would like to ask that you also pray for the widows and orphans in Zambia that we are so blessed to serve through the Lord and the Every Orphan's Hope ministry.
Through many struggles and much prayer, I have gone from serving the Lord at Camp Hope as a teacher to serving as the AfricaTrek Coordinator for Every Orphan's Hope. Those of you that know me well, know I'm far from the most obedient person in the world and as God led me to this position, I feared the responsibility and questioned it every step of the way, especially when many close to me had opted not to return to Zambia this year. Those who I would depend on the most were slowly removed from the trip until it was just God and I. So, I did what I do best when God finally shoved it in my face; I surrendered; there was no other place to go.
All I can say is how I am amazed at the way he leads us. I am so unworthy, I say this often, but am loving every step of the way in this journey. God has blessed EOH with a number of amazing individuals that have stepped forward to serve in Africa this year and I am thankful to have the privilege to come along with them this year as their leader.
So I thought God couldn't amaze me any further, but about a month ago, Peter (my husband) decided to come with me to Zambia to teach during Camp Hope. I'm sure he will add his own journey on this blog as we are currently sharing it. This has been a long journey and it has been a struggle for him to decide if he was going because of God or me...God won again. How does that keep happening?
So where does this leave us?
In regards to our girls, we have had some amazing individuals step forward to offer to watch them, Alyson (5 yrs) and Brittan (4 yrs). We are so thankful to both our sisters who will be caring for them while we are away, along with our friends who have offered to make themselves available to them for the breaks they will need.
Finances...well. That's a different story. Since I knew I was returning, I had 3 successful garage sales, gave up my Christmas presents for EOH donations and only needed a small amount of donations that were covered by friends and family so I managed to complete all fund raising with little to no difficulty....but as I said Peter did find that it was time for him to go too. We have really both been "Spoken Into Motion" throughout this last year and a half. So we are in need of funds for this trip after all.
If you are interested in helping fund his portion of the trip, he is in need of raising $4000 to cover his expenses. Please follow the below steps:
Go to http://www.everyorphan.org/
Select the DONATE tab at the top of the website
Enter your contribution information
Type "Peter and Cheryl Greif" as the Selected Missionary
Choose Google Checkout to fill out your personal information
So what else do we need???? PRAYERS!!!! I know that all of this is God's plan and not ours, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't at least a little bit worried about both of us leaving our girls. We have heard the words about if we are sure this is a wise parenting decision; but we are being faithful. It doesn't mean that we don't have our doubts, believe me we both do; but those seeds always seem to be planted by others and it requires us to focus on God. No one said being obedient and surrendering has been easy for us; but the joy we have both found in the Lord has been enough to give us strength. I cling to Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me"; yes it may be overstated; but it is where I am.
This whole journey has been a true joy as I look back. So now I look forward with excitement and a bit of hesitation as to where He will lead me next. Obedience is such a struggle; but I'm trying. I pray for obedience constantly and what I find is that the more I pray about it, the more opportunities I get to learn it; isn't it funny how that works. I would pray for something else, but since He knows my heart, there's no point.
I would like to ask that you also pray for the widows and orphans in Zambia that we are so blessed to serve through the Lord and the Every Orphan's Hope ministry.
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