Back From Zambia....Let the Blogging Begin!

I'm back!!

40 Sponsers!!! The Goal Has Been Reached!!

It is an incredible feeling reaching a goal! Especially one I initially thought was going to be quite a challenge. I have found there is a feeling you get when you need other people, and they find you and help you. It is almost like a space opens deep inside you from being humbled and love fills it when others sacrifice something for you and you can't repay them. It makes me want to work hard and give the best of myself even more so when I am there, giving all that I can because this is an opportunity that I was given from others. So that is a great feeling. The Lord told me he would take care of me and I feel kinda ashamed that there was any doubt in my heart at all. Thank you, de mi profundo de mi corazon (from the bottom of my heart). Now there are only eight days left until I leave!! Now that is crazy exciting!

Love Renee

Passport Has Arrived!

So don't worry about praying for me to get my passport because just after I finished typing that update, my brother handed me a package right from the mail with my passport in it!!! Amazing. So new prayer requests: that God would already be preparing my heart for what is ahead. That the rest of my team would be funded and that I would get some sleep before I go, cause I am exhausted.

37 Sponsors!!!! 3 to go!!!

This has been an incredible week! With nine days to go, God is bringing all the pieces together. Now if you want to pray that I get my passport in time, that would be great! I am so incredibly thankful for everyone who has made this investment into my life and who graciously given to me. It just means so much to me....I really can't describe it other than a deep feeling of being loved. A few of the members on my team still needs a couple thousand dollars, if anyone wants to find out why it is better to give then to receive. lol. That may be a good opportunity to experience. But yes. I just finished exams on Monday and so school is done for another year. I really can't believe it but it feels good. My heart is already longing to go and prepare for this Zambia adventure. The excitement is beginning to well up inside me. God is good.
Renee

23 Sponsers! 17 left to Go!!

Everyday I have more to be thankful for. I read this good quote about God's provision: "God gives every bird its food, but He does not throw it into its nest." by J.G. Holland. I got a GST cheque from the government today that can go towards Zambia, from working all year. The last couple days the Lord has been speaking to me about His purpose for my life and I am excited about how Zambia will help unfold that. Thank you for your prayers and for your financial support. This is most definitely an adventure, seeing how this continues to come together. I'll keep this updated. But for now I am off to study for exams.
Renee

18 Sponsers! 22 to Go!!

Thank you so much to everyone who has sponsored me. Accepting others gifts because I could not do it without them, is a humbling experience, but a profound appreciation and thankfulness to you and to the Lord have been instilled in my deepest parts. So thank you!

Zambia Letter minus the fancy pictures.

STUDENT MISSION TRIP 2007

Dear Friends and Family,

This past year I have been studying international development at York University where I first learned about the AIDS crisis in Africa. Joyfully, God has opened up a tremendous opportunity for me to serve Him this summer that I would like to share with you. I have been accepted as part of a student team that will be going to Zambia, Africa for several weeks in May. Partnering with the mission SIM and Scripture Union, we will be working alongside the Zambian volunteers for the APPLE (AIDS Prevention Plus Life Education) project. We will go into the schools in the Western Province to teach Bible and Christian sexual values to a population where over 89,000 people have lost their life to AIDS and 920,000 people are currently living with this disease. On the weekends we will serve the local churches and their youth groups in ministry. There will also be opportunities for outreach in a community school for orphans, VBS programs, and ministry through music and sports.

I am excited about the experience that lies ahead, for ministry to others, for personal growth as I seek to communicate Christ cross-culturally, and for the opportunity to learn from the Zambian friends we will meet. We recognize that our service needs to be supported in prayer and so would first ask you to consider joining our team in this regard. I will supply you with a schedule and prayer needs before I leave, and will share with you the blessings of what God accomplishes through us on our return. It would be great to have you minister with us through your prayers for the people of Zambia.

We also have financial needs to cover the airfare, inoculations, room and board, health insurance and ministry costs of this trip. Each team member needs to raise approximately $4000, and this amount must be on hand by the end of April. I’ve come to see my need as a 40 day challenge that requires 40 people to sacrifice $100 and I am reminded of Noah trusting the Lord for 40 days and 40 nights in an arc full of animals. Please consider being a part of this mission team in this regard. If God leads you to participate with financial support, make your cheques payable to S.I.M and note ‘Zambia Trip’ and my name on the memo line. All donations for the student mission team are tax deductible and will be receipted accordingly. Note that receipts are usually sent out at year-end, but can be issued immediately, upon request.

Thanks in advance for your prayers and financial support. May God richly bless you as you partner with us in this outreach.

In Christ,

Renee Heemskerk