Monday, June 13, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Why a Blog?
This blog has been created to inform you of an exciting opportunity that I have this summer. I will be traveling to Ndola, Zambia from June 29 until August 4 to work alongside established missionaries at Lighthouse Christian School, a ministry established in 2005 by Wilbroad and Zicky Chanda with the help of Covenant Mercies. With the loving servant’s heart of both the Chanda’s and Covenant Mercies, children from the communities of Chipuliksu and Nkwazi - two sprawling slums on the outskirts of town – are brought together in the classroom with children from Ndola's middle class. By doing this, they are ultimately seeking to inspire the students to “defy the stigma that weighs so heavily on kids growing up in slums and keeps them trapped in multi-generational cycles of poverty” (http://www.covenantmercies.org/).
This opportunity is very special to me because it represents the Lord's answer to a desire that I have had for some time to serve children in underprivileged conditions abroad. This dream arose when visiting the orphanage Rancho3m in Mexico during my junior year of high school. Over the last few years, I have been seeking out opportunities to turn this dream into reality. I am encouraged that the Lord knows the desires of our heart and "will grant [our] heart’s desire and not withhold the request of [our] lips" (Psalm 21:2). Since the Lord has given me this desire, I have been pursuing an opportunity to work once again with missionaries serving in this capacity.
In the midst of praying for an opportunity to serve, Bonnie Sherer, an admirable woman of God from my church, Sovereign Grace Church, connected with Lighthouse Christian School in Ndola, Zambia. She too has had the desire to serve children since a young age. It has been a joy to watch the Lord faithfully provide for her and grant her the desires of her heart as she humbly serves Him. She has recently made the sacrifice of moving to Zambia to teach the children at Lighthouse Christian School.
As I heard the inspirational mission of Lighthouse Christian School and followed Bonnie’s blog, I sought out the possibility to visit Bonnie and serve alongside her. With much joy, I received confirmation from Bonnie and the Chanda’s to come and visit this summer! With faith, I step out trusting that the Lord has big plans for me this summer. While at the Lighthouse Christian School, I plan on serving alongside Bonnie in whatever capacity she needs. Specifically, I will assist in the classroom and also with some after-school tutoring. I may also be a part of the literacy program for the parents and guardians of the children. Many parents live in the slums and do not know how to read themselves, which complicates their children's education. I will also serve the church by being a part of the Mercy Ministry Team by serving on a street Kid-Feeding Program.
I am in need of your support. More than anything, I am aware of my inability to do this on my own. First, would you please come alongside me in prayer for God’s providence over this trip and more than anything for the children of Lighthouse Christian School? Pray for their salvation and for the joy of the Lord to fill their precious hearts. Second, would you please consider supporting me financially? I am still in need of nearly $1,500. I have acquired the funds for my flight to Zambia, my shots and my Visa. I am still in the process of gathering support for my daily living - food and transportation. My hope is that I will be able to bless the school with a financial donation outside of my traveling expenses. Left to myself, this is impossible. I am full of faith that God will provide all of this and more. I am confident that God is able and willing. If you would be willing to partner with me as a prayer partner and/or financially, would you let me know by contacting me via e-mail (mckenzie.harrod@gmail.com).
As I plan for my trip, as well as while I'm in Zambia and after I return home, I would like to keep you informed. Please check out Bonnie’s blog (http://bonnieinzambia.blogspot.com/) to get a taste of what I will be experiencing. Also, feel free to check out the growth of the school (http://www.covenantmercies.org/index.php?pID=630). Thank you for your prayers and financial support.
This opportunity is very special to me because it represents the Lord's answer to a desire that I have had for some time to serve children in underprivileged conditions abroad. This dream arose when visiting the orphanage Rancho3m in Mexico during my junior year of high school. Over the last few years, I have been seeking out opportunities to turn this dream into reality. I am encouraged that the Lord knows the desires of our heart and "will grant [our] heart’s desire and not withhold the request of [our] lips" (Psalm 21:2). Since the Lord has given me this desire, I have been pursuing an opportunity to work once again with missionaries serving in this capacity.
In the midst of praying for an opportunity to serve, Bonnie Sherer, an admirable woman of God from my church, Sovereign Grace Church, connected with Lighthouse Christian School in Ndola, Zambia. She too has had the desire to serve children since a young age. It has been a joy to watch the Lord faithfully provide for her and grant her the desires of her heart as she humbly serves Him. She has recently made the sacrifice of moving to Zambia to teach the children at Lighthouse Christian School.
As I heard the inspirational mission of Lighthouse Christian School and followed Bonnie’s blog, I sought out the possibility to visit Bonnie and serve alongside her. With much joy, I received confirmation from Bonnie and the Chanda’s to come and visit this summer! With faith, I step out trusting that the Lord has big plans for me this summer. While at the Lighthouse Christian School, I plan on serving alongside Bonnie in whatever capacity she needs. Specifically, I will assist in the classroom and also with some after-school tutoring. I may also be a part of the literacy program for the parents and guardians of the children. Many parents live in the slums and do not know how to read themselves, which complicates their children's education. I will also serve the church by being a part of the Mercy Ministry Team by serving on a street Kid-Feeding Program.
I am in need of your support. More than anything, I am aware of my inability to do this on my own. First, would you please come alongside me in prayer for God’s providence over this trip and more than anything for the children of Lighthouse Christian School? Pray for their salvation and for the joy of the Lord to fill their precious hearts. Second, would you please consider supporting me financially? I am still in need of nearly $1,500. I have acquired the funds for my flight to Zambia, my shots and my Visa. I am still in the process of gathering support for my daily living - food and transportation. My hope is that I will be able to bless the school with a financial donation outside of my traveling expenses. Left to myself, this is impossible. I am full of faith that God will provide all of this and more. I am confident that God is able and willing. If you would be willing to partner with me as a prayer partner and/or financially, would you let me know by contacting me via e-mail (mckenzie.harrod@gmail.com).
As I plan for my trip, as well as while I'm in Zambia and after I return home, I would like to keep you informed. Please check out Bonnie’s blog (http://bonnieinzambia.blogspot.com/) to get a taste of what I will be experiencing. Also, feel free to check out the growth of the school (http://www.covenantmercies.org/index.php?pID=630). Thank you for your prayers and financial support.
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