The training session started with lots of information on HIV/AIDS - what it is, how you get it, how it's 'treated'. I don't think really any of the information was new to me, but it was comforting and shocking to hear again. The hardest thing to understand is that living in a world torn apart by AIDS is what these kids do every single minute of their lives. We watched a video of a skit they did, and they talk about it, and it's just every day truth. "AIDS took my mother" "AIDS took my brother" "AIDS took my family". 10 year olds have to live with that, and with no true sense of hope that it won't take someone else near and dear to them the next day. It was heartbreaking to watch on video, and I'm just praying that I'll be prepared to interact with these kids in person, to know their stories, and feel their pain and loneliness. We were told how the AIDS orphans that attend Camp LIFE aren't all necessarily orphans the way we think of the word. Some of them have only lost one parent, some haven't truly lost either, but have been sent away to live with relatives b/c their parents can no longer care for them. These kids are sent away and they feel that it's because it's easier than trying to love them and care for them. They're sent to their relatives who usually don't care either. Many of the people in Zambia believe that families that are hit by AIDS are cursed, and that the kids are cursed and aren't worthy of love. So our job is to love on them and to let them know that in Christ they are loved. Each day of the camp will focus on a different theme as follows:
Monday: In Christ I am Loved
Tuesday: In Christ I am Accepted
Wednesday: In Christ I am Secure
Thursday: In Christ I am Significant
Friday: In Christ I am Victorious!
This week I will be working to memorize scripture that tells us that no matter what we have done, no matter what others tell us, when we accept Christ as our Saviour, we can rest in the knowledge that we will ALWAYS be loved. John 3:16. John 15:9. Romans 5:8. 1 John 4:18 are the verses I will be starting with. I'd love any input into others that are appropriate. I will be doing my own study to prepare me for my time with the kids on Monday, and for those of you looking for how you can prayerfully support me this week, it'd be that I am diligent about studying the Lord's word, and that He will show me the verses I should know so that I can best serve my kids.
Thank you to all of you who have donated to assist in the expense of my trip. So far I have raised about 1/4 of the cost. The funds are due April 15 - only 3 weeks away! - but I am still encouraged that God will provide what is necessary to make this trip a reality for me and the 40 orphans that get to attend camp as a result of my fundraising. I will keep you all updated on my progress! I continue to pray that God blesses all of you for your prayers and support!
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