June 1, 2009 - Long time no update, sorry!!! :)

A friend reminded me that I had not updated my site in a while, so sorry! It's been a busy year to say the least! Three months have gone by so fast since my last update!

I'm so excited! Several of my girls were baptized yesterday. It was a beautiful service. My discipleship group sang a song for the girls who did get baptized. It was a very special day and I praise God for the work He's done in their hearts, minds and lives to bring them to a point of decision and obedience. The girls have all gone through their own battles to get to this point. God has brought them through the fire.

My classes are going well considering the limitations we experience on a daily basis. I have yet to go through one week without computer problems, eletrical failures, etc. The joys of living in a society where NOTHING can be taken for granted.

I have several prayer requests:

- Exams are coming up for students. I'm praying for our computer based exams which are prone to malfunction. These exams are for the UK and any malfunction on our part is not allowed/excused by the exam board. I pray that we will not experience any system glitches or electrical outages during the exams which are scheduled for June 18th and 19th.

- We are still short of staff to fulfill all the duties/roles/responsibilities of running a school in the middle of the bush. Praise the Lord for the staff He has provided recently. The gaps are starting to be filled, but we're still lacking ICT (computers) teachers (we need 2), History, English, French, PE, primary (elementary), pastoral head for girls, and textiles teachers. I am praying for God provide them quickly so as to relieve the already burned out staff currently working to fill the needs in addition to their own workload.

- Several of our forms (grades) are struggling with behavior problems out of the norm for the culture here. I am praying for the Form 3's (ages 13-15), Form 4's (ages 14-17) and Form 5's (ages 14-18). The boys really struggle with drinking problems while the girls struggle with giving into peer pressure for relationships, sex, immodest dress, etc. Out of these students will come the future leaders of Africa. I pray they embrace God and His lifestyle prior to graduation.

- Spiritual warfare in this place continues to be very strong and burdensome. Praying for God to help us in the fight and for releif when the battles are too great! Many students have been placing their faith in Christ or are very close. As a result, the battle has intensified over the last 3-4 months! May God's victory be known in this place!

- There are so many students who come from horrible abusive and/or neglectful backgrounds and struggle to cope with everyday life as a result. Please join me in praying for their safety, healing, and restoration in Jesus Christ.

In April, I had a great trip down to South Africa where I stayed with some friends for a few weeks. My time was relaxing and restful. A great time of prayer and solitude with the Lord which was desperately needed after first term (Jan-April). I didn't realize just how worn down my body and spirit were. May God give me the grace to endure one more term just like it for nothing has changed in my workload and schedule since last term. During my time down south I studied Isaiah....love that book! Great pearls of wisdom to be digested and treasured!

God has been so good to me, so intimate with His love and friendship! I am truly thankful for it keeps me going when days get long and tough. God is my joy and my light! He is my refuge in every moment! I have enjoyed the last month or so going through the Psalms and Proverbs slowly and deeply. Such treasures to behold!

Thank you all for love, support and encouragement! Blessings to you as you hold on tight to Jesus and breathe in His strength for every task and breathe out His love to every person.

Love and miss you all! :)

March 11, 2009 - Feeling much better!

Thanks to everyone who has been praying. I am recovering! Not quite 100% but getting there! It's hard to fully recover when you're back into the full swing of things. Being sick forced me to ponder my life, the things I do that take up time...the result is I have to cut out some things otherwise I'm going to run myself into the ground! With regret I am going to have to cease giving music lessons. I inform my guitar students tomorrow. I'm sad about it, but know that if I don't cut something I will get sick again and eventually have to return to the states because I'll be so worn out. I know I'll have to cut a few more things, but God hasn't revealed what that is yet. I'm desperately praying for two more IT teachers to come so that my teaching load is reduced. That would solve a lot of problems actually. We are so short staffed here and need many to come and work! Anyone interested? :)

Please pray for a boy we'll call C...had a conversation with him tonight about God. He's not sure where he's at and he's getting ready to leave the school to go to another school. I challenged him to do some soul searching and figure out what he believes before he leaves and whether that includes Jesus' teachings or not. I offered to discuss any questions he has...I hope he comes again! Please join me in praying!

Several staff members are really struggling right now in many respects. Many are frustrated, burned-out, lonely, fed-up, you name it, they feel it! God is faithful and carrying us through but I'm desperately praying for God to be their all-sufficiency! He IS enough and yet they are longing for comforts of "home" where they came from, they are desiring immediate chagnes in their situation...I just pray that they work through them and don't skip out on what God wants them to learn esp. in learning to lean completely on Him. I love them all and would love to just snap my fingers like Mary Poppins and make their struggles go away, but then they wouldn't go through the fire and come out looking more like Jesus. I myself and not struggling spiritually or mentally right now, which I am thankful for, but long to help my friends. :) Several are seriously contemplating leaving...I just hope that it truly is God's will for them and they are not running away from the frustration and trials. Please join me in praying for God's gracious hand to guide them into His loving will and for Him to stop them from going where they shouldn't. Although He loves us too much to force us to do it His way. :) I love them, am hurting for them, and desire God to move! Thanks for helping me help them through your prayers! Love to you all! kat :)

February 23, 2009 - Sick with bronchitis...please pray!

This morning I went to the clinic and found out I am greatly suffering from bronchitis...or so he thinks after listening to my chest. He put me on antibiotics, which I honestly don't like and am not convinced I should take because it's not necessarily bacterial ND he's not a doctor. But I am taking them for the moment because I can hardly breathe! Let alone sleep or rest, which is what I really need! Please join me in praying for God to heal me completely for I really need all the strength I can get to keep the schedule I have.

Please also join me in praying for a girl I'll call "A.M". She is struggling with thoughts of suicide. She is coming to me for counseling and I'm praying and trusting that God will guide me with her just like He did for Rachel. So far, she is taking it one day at a time...I pray she clings onto the Lord!

I praise the Lord for how He is moving in this place! Despite the crazy schedule, God is blessing me over and over with opportunities to love these kids, share His Truth, and watch them respond the Holy Spirit working on their minds and in their hearts. Thanks for all your prayers! Many thanks to all of you who have expressed birthday wishes as I celebrated 30 years. :) I love that I have known the Lord for 1/3 of my life! Love and thanks to you all!

February 9th, 2009 - Prayer needed for students...

Hello! Love to everyone this beautiful day! Please pray for the salvation of the following students: Max, Rory, Lameck, and Dhruv (Hindu). The first three are athiest, agnostic, or apathetic towards God.  God has afforded me several opportunities to meet, discuss, and witness to these boys. I'm still praying for them to come to faith in Christ soon!!!!

Please also pray for a young girl named Wanga who is really struggling spiritually. She is threatening to kill someone. She also needs prayer for release from spiritual bondage!

Love to you all...thanks for your prayers!

January 28, 2009 - More students coming to faith in Christ; Snakes on the loose, 'tis the season!

Today the form 5 (seniors) boys killed a large black mamba (very poisonous) snake in their hostel (dorm) over lunch break. They are my neighbors! 'Tis the season for snakes and often when we don't see one for a while we forget they are around slithering ever so silently around campus and into homes. Please join me in praying for safety during this rainy season. :)

This weekend I'm leading worship at a local church about an hour away. I'm really looking forward to worshiping with brothers and sisters from the farm block. I am always encouraged when I do get to spend time with others in the community. I can't wait to see what God has in store. Right now, I'm just praying for the Holy Spirit to guide me as I plan and prepare for Sunday. Such a privilege but oh such a challenge!

Praise the Lord for the kids that are putting their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ recently. Please praise the Lord for Christina (age 11) who put her faith in Jesus this past Sunday. I spoke at our student service on Sunday night on the present Kingdom of God and at the end I offered an opportunity for anyone to pray to receive the Lord. We had several kids come forward. I got to pray with Christina!!! Praise the Lord!

I would love you guys to join me in the battle over the Form 3 (age 14-16) boys who are struggling with behavior problems. Their peers (the girls) confronted them very respectfully this afternoon; however, who knows how they will respond either in backlash or in positive changes. I am especially praying for those young boys who are the "leaders" among the pack who are very immature and really struggling to be better young men.

We keep having power cuts and I'm finding it  very frustrating to teach my IT classes!! :) How can you teach how to use computers and software applications if the power keeps going/staying off! :) Talking them through the steps is not the same as hands on practical application of theory! :) Please join me in praying for a constant supply of electrical power especially when we have our IT classes. Thanks!

Well, have to go. Lots of love to you all! Blessings from the Lord as you continue to hold onto Him for all things! :)

January 22, 2009 - Am sick...please pray!

Hey my fellow peeps out there. Just a quick prayer request! I've come down with another cold on top of allergies (typical this season) and it's really taking its toll on me. Would you mine praying...I'm out of energy, short on sleep, can't breathe and I've got several speaking engagements over the next week. Many thanks for your help and support! Otherwise, thanks for your prayers...I'm almost done with the week and am surviving all the responsibilities placed upon me! Led a community prayer time last night, speaking at assembly for the whole school tomorrow on "Holding Onto Jesus" (appropriate considering I'm doing just that!!!) and then speaking again at our student service "Fusion" on Sunday night...let alone teaching, marking, etc. Thanks for your prayers!!! Love and blessings to you all! Remember to send me updates on you so I know how to be praying for you guys! :)

January 18, 2009 - A week of new lessons, new students, and new adventures!

Hello everyone! My first week back on the job has been full and at times overwhelming! So many new students to get to know and love them to Jesus! What an opportunity...what a challenge! This morning we had a few kids come to faith in Christ after our Church service. Two boys, one new and one of which I have been praying for! A boy dear to my heart. He will be a great leader some day! Please pray for these two boys who are babies in their faith, that they will grow in the relationship with Him and learn to love Jesus in every area of their lives. Their names are Mbaki and Fewdays. Gotta love the Lord for how He works in hearts and minds to draw people to Himself!

I was finally able to unpack fully this weekend after my first week in classes. I am moved into my office and it's starting to feel like a home in which I can "refuge away" with the Lord. Some challenges from the week:

- I have a heavy workload and find I am working every spare minute I have and staying up late to catch up. I hope this doesn't last the entire year, let alone the whole term! I'm praying that God  will  help me work quickly and in efficient ways so that I can take the necessary breaks during the week to stay healthy and in good shape spiritually, mentally and physically! :)

- My cat got bit by a snake! Miraculously enough he didn't die! He's on meds and his paw seems to be back to a normal size now. However, it's a good reminder that this is snake season as the rains are flooding their dens. Please pray for safety from these, God's creatures.

- There is one girl who is new to the school and is really struggling with being here. It's more than homesickness. Please pray for her to adjust and for the problems that she is hiding come out so that we as a staff/community can help her. Please also pray for her to put her trust and faith in Jesus for He is the only One who can comfort her and help her through the adjustment to the school as well as all the problems she is facing at such a young age (12). I hope I will get to counsel her and at that time I'll let you more which you can pray for. Her name is "B" for now in order to protect her privacy.

- I think I'm finally getting over jet lag though after lunch today I had to take a nap which felt wonderful! But, I still have so much work to do before 7:15 am tomorrow (Monday). I don't like working on Sundays but at this point if I don't press on then my classes will suffer. Please join me in praying for God to help me work so that I am able to offer the best possible education to those whom He has entrusted into my care. And that I don't lose sleep over it! :)

- Now that I'm teaching IT classes I have become more aware of just how much of a problem the lack of electricity is here. There were several days this past week where I was unable to do what we needed to do in a lesson because the electricity was off and the computers obviously won't work without it. :) So, I'm praying for God to enable or empower us during every lesson I teach IT so that these kids' education is hindered. Many thanks for your help in this!

I have to get back to work, but many blessings to you all! I miss you and wish you only God's best in the days and weeks to come. May He enrich each of our lives ever more with His perfect holy presence as we continue to hold on tight to Him and settle for nothing less than Himself! Love to you all!  Kat

January 12, 2009 - A New Year of Beginnings and Holding onto Jesus!

I can't believe I have been to the states and back so quickly! The new school year has started here at Chengelo School. More students, more names to learn, more hearts to reach, more minds to shape and transform with the Word of God...more, more,  more! For it, this year of 2009 is all about more of Jesus and holding fast to Him. As I've been reading through His Word since the beginning of the year God has been speaking to me the phrase "hold on to Jesus". I trust that the Lord will reveal what this means in different ways as I continue to seek and serve Him here in Zambia. I have already had to hold onto the Lord desperately in the few days I have been back on Zambian soil. With so many new staff starting, I'm considered an "oldie" who is expected to show all the "newbies" around! I am overextended on my responsibilities, but I'm praying about it and committing everything to God trusting in Him to get it all sorted out and for me to have a more reasonable workload!

It was such a sweet reunion with my students yesterday as they all piled into the hostels. I helped check them in and of course lavished hugs and kisses on them along with a few chocolates from the states! My girls are one year older which can mean several things...a change in attitude for the better as a result of some small ounce in maturity I hope!!! :) I love them dearly and can't wait to see what God has in store for us! I'll be catching up with the rest of my students as the week progresses and classes get underway. I'm praying to the Lord for strength for I have yet to really sleep through the night due to jet lag, a busy mind for the new year, etc. The lack of sleep is taking its toll!

My cat Nate survived my long absence and is slowly getting used to his new home. His attitude (which lacked his normal "cuteness" and charm) is also SLOWLY improving...although I shouldn't be surprised, cats rule and people ...well I like to think I have him trained! He and I have had some much needed cuddle time!

My allergies are back with vengence. Same thing happened last year but I'm praying that they will pass quickly if not stop altogether very shortly!

I am so grateful for the time I had back in the US. Thanks to everyone who made my visit extra special. Your generosity, hospitality, kindness and abundant love completely nourished my soul and gave me what I needed to endure a few more years here. I praise the Lord for friends and family in the Lord who have done their part to encourage and support me in the work God has for me! Many thanks to you all...I miss you...but I wouldn't have it any other way for God's way is perfect! Amen!

Since I will be teaching computer studies now I hope that I will have more access online, which should enable me to give updates more frequently! Many thanks for your prayers and patience. Please keep in touch through e-mail or facebook! Love and blessings to you all this new year, 2009! And remember...to hold onto Jesus, the author and perfector of your faith...the One who loves you greatly and knows the plans for you THIS YEAR!

October 21st, 2008 - My 2 Year Anniversary!

Time flies by when you're having fun! :) I can't believe that it was 2 years ago today that I landed on Zambian soil...I hit the ground running and haven't stopped! I'm thankful for every moment, every challenge, every trial, every celebration, everything God has done over the last 24 months!

The thing that has me excited, the thing that I find myself most conscious of  is Christ's return. More and more each day my heart is burdened with the truth that Christ is returning very soon and are we ready? Am I ready? How am I living my life in light of His return? How are we honouring God with the brief "breaths of life" He has granted us? How am I, how are we continuing in our faith as witnesses to this dark world, witnesses to the Way, the Truth, the Life and the Light of the world? Praise God that His grace is sufficient for us to live each day in service to Him and glorification of His Holy Name. I am so excited waiting in anticipation for Christ's return, I can't contain it sometimes. I get giddy just thinking about it. :)

Right now I wish I could gather all of you in a room somewhere and just chat about what God has done, praise Him together, and seek His face for the future. I understand that things are getting worse around the world, especially financially, politically, and with food provisions. I am praying....many are praying...and God is still in control. He knows the future and as children of God we are secure in Him. Praise the Lord! I understand several of you have lost jobs, are struggling financially, etc. and the same is here as well. Many are finding it hard to find food. And yet, God is using the crisis around the world to cause people to seek His face, turn from their ways and follow hard after His Son, Jesus Christ. There is a stirring happening here among the people. The Holy Spirit is moving! I have seen several students put their faith in Christ and still others are seeking and are so close to salvation! God is moving and has not given up on brining people to repentance....He has not foresaken His children even though we may experience physical pain and hardship He is lifting our spirits and rising us up on eagle's wings, helping us to soar above the pulls and evil of the world! Praise the Lord that there is freedom in Christ.

I have to sign off soon so before I forget I've posted some pics on facebook if you're on there. I will have lots of pics to show when I come through the states in December. I'm looking forward to seeing many if not all of you at some point. Not sure if I should do another concert or not...what do you think? God has placed many new songs upon my heart, I just don't want to force them upon everyone! :) Please e-mail me or contact Natalie Noyes to set up a time to meet with me while I'm in the states. I will try to get on again soon to give some awesome (only can happen in Zambia) stories to share! Makes me chuckle just thinking of them. Love to you all and God bless you deeply with more of Himself even in the midst of this trying time  in the world as we approach the return of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Shalom!

August 12th, 2008 - A much needed break!

Hello my sweet friends and family! I'm so excited to be able to get onto this webpage and send a little love note to you all! The kids have gone and the campus is empty, but full of peace and quiet! I'm loving every day of this holiday break which is bringing me rest, relaxation, beautiful days for running, enjoyment in God's creation, reading a few good books and watching a few movies! Last term was very long and stressful! Many good things came out of it for which I am very thankful to the Lord for His faithfulness and fulfillment of Rom 8:28!

I rejoice at the fact that several students this past term have given their lives to the Lord! Please rejoice with me over this fact as more have entered His Kingdom! And I have thoroughly enjoyed watching and helping my girls in my tutor group (indluding the president's daughter) grow in the Lord. I feel honoured and humbled that God would use me in their lives for such a time as this! They are asking such great questions and really processing through difficult topics that directly impact how they live out their lives! I love it! Please pray for Zoe as she is not yet a Christian but is really working through what she believes. She's so close to giving her heart to the Lord! And then of course to pray for the salvation of her family as well! Also, Lubona is the president's daughter and her father, though he is improving, is still in critical health after his stroke at a meeting in Egypt. She is flying to Paris to be with him as he hopefully improves. She is carrying a huge burden upon her with regards to what this means for the country and her individual future. Thank you for helping me support her through prayer. I am in phone contact with her which is good. You all would love her! Well, you would love all the girls for God does and has created each one of them so uniquely!!! They bring me so much joy and delight. I miss them so much over the holidays!

We just finished celebrating out 20th anniversary here at Chengelo! It was a full week of activities and "remembering"! On Monday we held the Rockride Challenge 18km Race (11.25 miles) which is put on every other year. I did it! It was so exhilarating. My knees did hurt a bit afterwards but I pampered them and I was fine the next day. It was so great to see the entire school take part! Most people walked it but there were a few of us brave ones who ran it cycled it. Mind you it was mostly uphill and very sandy! If you've every tried running on very dry loose sand then you understand the level of difficulty...and trying to do so uphill! It was great! Good preparationg for my goal of someday in the next year of running my first marathon!  Other big events during the week included our school play which was held on Wednesday and a big variety show where current students & staff as well as alumni could participate in random acts of artistic display! :) On Wed. at the play I was very proud of my students who participated. I did the choreography for the production. We did "Love In Idleness" which is a somewhat musical take-off of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by Shakespear. Everyone did well with the dancing and added so much to the overall production! On Thursday of course I participated in the variety show as requested! I was asked to organise a current staff act so we did "My First 20 Days at Chengelo" to the tuen of 12 Days of Christmas. Several of us dressed up as students in their uniform and the audience which was primarily current and alumni students loved it! Then I sang an appropriate song for the anniversary celebrations called, "The Way We Were". Overall, everyone did a fantastic job strutting their stuff in front of everyone, young and old, new and young!  We closed off our celebrations on Friday morning with a big ceremony where Zambia's Minister of Education spoke as well as Dr.Green from England who is a well known educationalist in Europe and Africa. It was a nice morning full of memories shared and hope offered for the future of Chengelo. Above all we thanked God for His faithfulness to the school and to His vision which He revelaed over 20 years ago! God has been good and faithful and will continue to be so to  His people and His school!

I have said goodbye to the girl whom I was counselling after her suicide attempt last March. She is doing better and progressing well. She leaves this Thursday for England where her parents have taken jobs with a Christian school there. Please pray for her right now as she is experiencing great loss of her friends, support structure she has known all her life, her home (Zambia) for that is all she has known, and as she copes with all the changes she will experience and differences she will have to adjust to in England. She is very fragile right  now but I trust as God has spared her before He will help her cope and progress even more in this new chapter of her life. Thank you for your prayers as I counseled her for truly it was the Holy Spirit doing the counseling!

As the students have returned to their homes for the holiday (term) break many of them are returning to bad situations that often include violence, abuse, neglect and abandonment. Please pray for our students at this time. One of my mentees just lost her dad this past week to a brain infection of some sort. It was sudden. She and her younger siblings are trying to cope. Please pray for their family and for their healing and acceptance of what God has allowed. Another girl whom I've been counseling has been abandoned by her dad to live in a home on her own with her siblings (she is the oldest) because the step-mom doesn't like them and verbally abuses them. They feel utterly rejected and abandoned. She has exams when she comes back...please join me in praying for her ability to cope with the changes and be able to give her exams her best effort despite what is going on in her home life. These are just a few of the situations which are often encountered here by children. It breaks my heart to know what they go through but I am so thankful that God has granted me the opportunity to love them through listening and counseling. In order to help them more I am starting a Masters program in January through Distance Learning  that focuses on Professional Counseling. I hope to directly use and apply what I'm learning with the students God has brought me here. I thank you for whatever prayer support you can offer as I meet with each of these hurting and damaged children/students.

Thank you for your prayers regarding the Lord showing me what I should be focusing on during my time here at Chengelo. He has shown me that He has brought me here for such a time as this to counsel, teach, mentor and disciple. As a result of such clear direction and confirmation I have decided to step down as house parent. Often this role as parent conflicts with the others and doesn't afford as often as I would like for counseling and mentoring because of the need to discipline. So I have informed the head of the school of this and will be moving at the end of the year to a new flat. This itself generates a prayer request because there is a housing shortage here on campus. They have too many staff and are expecting more but do not have enough housing nor have they received approval or funds from the Board of Governors to build more housing. It's a sticky situatio here that desperately needs God's hand at work to solve what seems to be an "insolveable" situation.

Thers is so much more that I would love to add but have run out of time for today. Many thanks for all your love and support. I look forward to seeing many of you during my visit in December! God's best blessings of more of Him to each of you! Love - Kat

July 7th, 2008 - Happy Belated 4th to everyone...Happy Belated Birthday to my Grandma Diekamp!

Hey everyone! I hope all enjoyed their holiday, the beauty of "pyrotechnology", family & friends, and of course all the good eats! No celebration here of course, but I did receive a few "happy 4ths" and a British version of our US national anthem...not too bad! Things are progressing here. I'm in the middle of writing term reports for all my students. It takes so much time, but I'm ticking them off one...by...one! Some sad news about our country's president here. President Mwanawasa had a stroke sometime last week and is in serious condition. I'm thanking the Lord that I've been able to be there for one of his daughters who is in my tutor group. I've been able to love her, listen to her and counsel her through the phone as she waits to fly up to Paris to be with her dad (that's where he's receiving medical care). Please pray for Lulu as she is confused with everything going on. Also, please lift the entire Mwanawasa family up in prayer...let alone the stability of the country during this time.

We are gearing up for our big 20th anniversary celebration that will take place the last part of July/first part of August. Should be a good week full of events, memories, and praising the Lord for how much He has accomplished over the years. Between now and then there are too many things to do as always! Please pray for stamina, strength, endurance, patience, wisdom, and God's protection during this final preparation period.

A quick update on my friend Nathanja whose family was in a bad accident several months ago. She just had her baby...6 weeks early! He is doing well, tiny, with some jaundis (sp?) and is breathing on his own now. No signs of any damage from the accident, radiation, medications, etc. Praise the Lord for this miracle baby! His name is Yonas Nasia (sp?) Meyer. His middle name is Hebrew for "miracle". Not sure of the spelling. A precious little baby! I wrote a song for him entitle Little One. Sang it for him when I got to see him...he didn't cry so I think he likes it. :) Nathanja is doing well as is Dad (Todd). Their son Jaysen seems to be coping well. Please continue to pray for this family as they are still struggling with after effects from the accident including a court case which is trying Todd for involentary manslaughter even though the road conditions led to the accident. It would be unheard of in the states and yet they are having to endure such hardship here. Please pray for God's mercy and justice to be done!

I'm hoping to purchase a ticket home soon for the December holiday! Please pray for God to reveal the cheapest ticket to save the school money. Yes, the school has offered to pay for a ticket home for me because I will be completing my first 2-year contract soon! Isn't it incredible how much time has gone by already! With that said, my work permit is up for renewal. We have been having problems lately with getting work permits for expatriats approved. Please join me in praying for my permit to go through. I trust God wants me here for at least one more 2-year contract but it all depends on whether imigration will approve so...may the Lord's will be done and may He impress it upon the minds and hearts of those making the decision over my permit! :)

Okay, no more time to write...I'm on duty in a few minutes. Love and blessings to you all! I miss everyone of you and look forward to seeing you in December...Lord willing of course! Cheers - kat

June 22, 2008 - Tribal Survival!!!

Hello everyone! Just a quick update to let you know that things are going well and tomorrow (Monday) I head off for a 1-week tribal survival camp with my tutor group of 11 girls between the ages of 12 and 14. :) The program is a week along and similar to the favored show "Survivor" - but this Mkushi Game Park style! The game park belongs to one of the school's govenors called Noah's Ark Game Park. Who knows what I'll be doing, eating, or touching over the next 5 days! :) Please pray!!!! There are many types of animals we will be encountering including the possibility of snakes! Ahh! So I would greatly appreciate your prayers. Let alone, I'll be watching over 22 young teenagers in the middle of Africa surrounded by wild creatures of all shapes and sizes.  Please also pray for my health I'm still battling a terrible cold and will be sleeping outdoors where it is cold right now! My prayer is that my cold doesn't turn into something worse because of weather conditions, wading through water when it's "freezing" and so forth. Will be taking lots of pictures which I hope to put on Facebook when I get if I can get a good connection. Also, I am feeling a little overwhelmed right now with all my responsibilities with school. There are 6 weeks left in this term...may God's grace abound and may His strength fill me each day a new! Love to you all. Kat

June 4th, 2008 - Long time, no update!

Many apologies to everyone! How I have longed to get online and update everyone with what's happening this side of the world. Many things...will try to give a quick update. I hope the electricity holds out while I try to cram two months worth...here goes!

My brother's wedding - incredible! It was so beautiful and an amazing experience to watch God work yet another miracle to draw my brother and his wife together to glorify Him with their union. I had a fabulous time with family and making new friends with Janelle's family. They are a wondefully loving family! It was such a blessing, joy, and privilege to witness God at work and spend time with everyone even if it was only for 3 days! I also got to see some friends in London as I passed through both times. I am so thankful to God for answered prayers. Janelle is truly an answer to my years of praying for my brother's future wife. It's so incredible to see how God exceeds our expectations and greatest hopes! The wedding was so beautiful and gave all glory to God. I will try to post pictures on facebook as I seem to have trouble with this website and download time. So if you have access to facebook, look me up and check to see if there are pics posted! I will try but I can't promise anything. (I've been trying to get online now for an hour just to let everyone know I'm fine and doing well!) I am thankful to have such a wonderful brother and now an amazing sister in law! Love to you both and God's best blessings for your union in marriage! - Love Kati

About a month ago, I had three incidents with nature. First a stick attacked me out of nowhere and broke off in my big toe. :) No, really, somehow a stick managed to get stuck in my toe. It was about the size of the end of a pen. It was pointy which is how it went in and thick where it broke off. I received surgery the next day at the local clinic and am now back to running! I am thankful for the experience because when I went to the clinic it was obvious why God allowed it to happen. There was a young lady there with her two children from guess where....vancouver WA! Of all places and it wasn't obvious that she knew the Lord. I was able to pray with her for her sick daughter. Now, I continue to pray for her family's salvation! She's married to a farmer from Zimbabwe. That evening after I got back from the clinic there was a spitting cobra outside my front door. It spit at me but God is good and it didn't harm me. Unfortunately the snake is still alive roaming somewhere. As long as it doesn't attack, spit, or come in I'm good! :) God spared me again! Then a few days later I got stung by a bee again (I've had several meetings with bees!!!) My left leg swelled (same leg as the stick). It was a great week! But God is good and faithful. He got me through each "circumstance". He is a good and at times humourous God!

My friends, the Meyer's, who were in the terrible car accident are doing better. Please continue to pray for the following:

- Nathanja's wrist isn't healing correctly. She is still in great pain and needs much prayer for a miraculous healing for the doctor here is hesitant to anything for another 6 months. She is due at the end of July, first part of August. She is at 31 weeks and is having contractions. Please pray for the baby to stay in until the organs and lungs are fully developed!

- Todd is under major stress and pressure. He is really struggling with his job (wish I could go into details but the Lord knows). Please pray as God leads. He is also trying to deal with taking care of his 1.5 year old and hurting pregnant wife. He's under great emotional and spiritual stress!

- Their work permits are up this August and yet they still feel called to Zambia. Pray for God to get their work permits approved so they can continue to work here at Chengelo.

In general the school is struggling to get work permits granted for expatriats. That will include me soon within the next few months. My 2 year work permit is up in 2 months. Please join me in praying for God to renew the work permit through the immigration office. They are really causing problems for the school right now. I am confident  at this  point that God wants me to stay on for another contract which is two years and the school has asked me to stay; however, the approval of my work permit for another 2 years is up in the air so please join me in praying for it to come through!

My students are doing well. Several were baptized recently. A few have come to faith in Christ and I rejoice with them and what God is doing! I love that I get to be apart of the process and discipling them. Please join me in praying for their growth in the Lord!

Students are entering exams this week and next. Please join me in praying for their best efforts, focus, study disciplines, etc. Pray for God's mercy for them! :)

Counseling of students is going well, very well actually! God has confirmed a long-term calling to do counseling in ministry and in schools. He has led me to pursue further education through distance learning while teaching here. Please join me in praying for God's direction, guidance, and confirmation of where to get further training. I'm considering different schools. I also trust God will provide finances for it. He has already provided some. Right now what He has revealed is the following so you can join me in praying about it:

- Get a MA in Christian Education for teacher training and more qualifications that will enable me to stay in Zambia let alone any other country that God may lead me to in the long-term future.

- Specialize in Counseling in a secondary education setting.

- Once the MA is received while I'm working here which will take several years then He has led me to come back to the states to get my doctorate and work in the US. The Doctorate would be in Education focusing on Counseling in a school setting. I would get a job in the US hopefully as a school counselor in a school in Oregon which is my preference, but we'll see how the Lord leads. Then upon completion of the doctorate I would possibly work in the states for any more experience and training to solidify preparation for either returning to Zambia where I would counsel in several schools in an area and train others to do so to (which is lacking here) or go to where the  Lord leads which could be another country here in Africa or somewhere else...who knows maybe in the US. I am open of course to His leading. But He has confirmed this path in many ways. I am patient for His timing. I await His leading as to when and where and how. I will be pursuing applying for several distance education programs. If you have any thoughts or prompting form the Lord as to direction for me please let me know! I appreciate the prayers!

I am training for a marathon and am happy to report how God has used my running to draw myself and others closer to Him. Just going around the track at school has brought other women out of the woodwork and now we all at various times throughout the day/week spend our time getting healthy for the Lord while praying to Him and praising His name! I  love running for the Lord and thoroughly enjoy my times talking with Him as He places each foot in front of the other, let alone fill my lungs with fresh air! I still haven't picked which race I will run but I would love your prayers for endurance and perseverance as with my schedule each day is a battle to get out when the tempation is to stay in and work! Please pray for God to provide more running partners with my pace and committment because Nathanja (same as above) is 7 months pregnant and at risk of early pregnancy let alone in pain from the accident so no running for her! :)

The school here where I work is going through many changes. This is the year we celebrate 20 years of education. Except that it seems as though we are really going through some major testing. Lots of staff are experiencing many problems in different ways and areas of their lives. Several key staff members will be leaving at the end of this year and possibly earlier depending on approval of extensions for work permits. One of the staff to leave is the head of our secondary school. This will be a significant change in the culture and management of the school. Please pray for our community as we enter into this uncertain time of change and adjustments.

Thanks for praying!  I have had less problems...well, no problems from those boys I asked you to pray about! Thanks to the Lord for taking care of each of them. :)

Okay, have to go. Hopefully this posted. Never know until I check later. Love to you all! Thanks again for your faithful support, patience with the long periods of silence, and prayers!!!!!! Love to you all! Kat

April 1st, 2008 - Happy April Fool's :)

I'm so thankful God has provided an opportunity to get online, thanks to the Moffats who have access. Hopefully the school will come back online soon! Pray! :) Just wanted to let you all know that God is answering your prayers. Meyers have safely journeyed to Belgium and sessions with Rachel are going very well. God has been good and faithful to answer, guide, and protect. Please join me in praising His name! He is so good! 

This week I hope to rest...unless the Lord brings forth another opportunity to serve Him! Please join me in praying for the students who have all returned home to their respective families/caretakers. Many come from terrible home environments. Pray for the Lord's protection and goodness to come out of trials for them. Pray that I may have the Lord's wisdom and guidance as to how to counsel them when they return for many have sought my help prior to departure for term break. I love being there for them but know that I need this time to rest and refresh. My times with the Lord continue to be sweet and uplifting. He is so close and so intimate when we really seek Him! I thank Him for His grace in continuing to meet my deepest needs at each moment. Love to you all! Wish I could write more... cheers from Zambia and many thanks for your partnership in prayer and service to the Lord!

Oh, one last request...in May I'll be traveling home to be in my (only) brother's wedding. Lots of travel for a whirl-wind trip but well worth the exhaustion! Please bathe my travels in prayer with me. I'm looking forward to such a joyous occasion, but not the travel in the middle of the term. Love you! - Kat

Hello All

Just a quick hello! I have no internet access in Mkushi due to a lightning strike to our satelite.  Apologies now for typos because I'm trying to type fast to get a message out. I was able to get to this internet cafe here in Lusaka where I have been staying at a hospital with a dear friend and co-worker from Chengelo whose family was in a terrible accident.

This past Saturday my friends (Nathanja who is my running partner, her husband, 14 month old son Jaysen, Liewe (a student teacher training at Chengelo from Belgium) and Liewe's girlfriend visiting for the holidy break from Belgium were in a terrible accident on a remote road 4 hours north of Chengelo. I was supposed to accompany them but the Lord impressed upon my heart that I wasn't supposed to go. Now I know why...He needed me to be healthy and okay in order to support the family during this time. All sustained injuries except for little Jaysen who doesn't have a scratch on him, nothing! Such a miracle considering the car rolled several times, is smashed all over and the windows are all broken except his! So many miracles have happened and come out of this I wish I could write them all now, but for now, please pray. Nathanja suffered injuries all over her body but primarily a multiple break of her left arm/wrist. She went through surgury on Tuesday and is in great pain because her unborn (5 months) baby. So far the baby has survived despite the accident, surgery, medication, and x-rays. Please pray for this baby to be unharmed. The stress alone is enough to abort. I have stayed with Nathanja since she came from the mission hospital near the accident. We have had no sleep really since then. God is giving me strength for each day. I will share details of others later, but please pray for full recovery of Nathanja, todd, and Liewe. Pray for Eva's family as they morn her death. All are christians, including Eva's family which is good. Todd has been charged with involentary manslaughter even though he had to swerve to miss a road-wide pot hole. Pray for their flights back to Belgium and the travelling with all their injuries let alone a 14 month old. Pray for strength and recovery for myself as well. It has been a honour and privilege to be there for Nathanja during this time. We have been staying in a good hospital but unlike the west they don't provide anything except surgury and pain meds. We provide our own bedding, toilet paper, meals, you name it!!! I have been looking after her and cleaning her other wounds which the other nurses refuse to do. Anyway, God has been good, I give Him all the praise!! He has been so good, so faithful and working miracle after miracle. I hope to tell the full story cometime if He allows.

Please also pray I will start counseling a girl named Rachel, a young 14 year old student here who tried to commit suicide the last week of classes (2 weeks ago about). Please pray for the Lord to guide me and that the Holy Spirit will really do the Counseling through me.

Other than that I am healthy, doing well in the Lord and giving Him all the praise every day for His perfect grace, provision, love and support! I thoroughly enjoy being a poured out sacrifice for Him!

Please pray with me...many thanks! Love - Kat

A Long Time No Update!

My apologies to you all! I have been silent for way too long....not my desire of course! So much to update you on so please be patient with me. :)

First, before I forget I am on Facebook now. I'm only able to get on about as often as I am on my website, so I wouldn't expect much more communication through there, but sometimes Facebook works when my website server doesn't. If you don't know what Facebook is I would encourage you to check it out! It's a neat communication tool.

Also, I have finally been able to get Skype to work which is a free way to talk to me!!!!!! and see me if you have a webcam. So, please try it out. My ID is Kathrin.Hitchcock. I just talked with a friend living in Texas. There was a little delay but it was so good to hear her voice. And it was all free!!!!!

So, I'm back into full swing of teaching and loving it still! I definitely see this as a training ground. I am learning so much. My only prayer is that I'm teaching and giving as much as I am receiving from the Lord and His people here. We're getting ready to celebrate 20 years for the school. A big celebration is planned for the end of 2nd term which is the beginning of August. Many activities are planned, but a lot of preparation is required which adds onto the workload. Please pray for all the staff here as we prepare for this memorable event, celebrating God's work in this place.

God has brought many more new students here this year maxing us out at just over 300. When I first started teaching well over a year ago we were down in number at about 260-270. More and more students are inquiring about the Lord, more and more are responding to His voice, and several are wanting to get baptized! Please rejoice with us as God is moving in this place to raise up His church!

I have similar responsibilities this year even though I requested for a change in workload. God is still helping me to manage just barely (sp?). Instead of teaching, houseparenting, and tutoring all the same students I am now teaching only half of the girls that live in my hostel and have picked up another lower form 4 class (Grade 11) instead. I am also no longer tutoring my girls in the hostel and instead I am the tutor of the Form 2 (grade 9) girls including the president's daughter so I do appreciate your prayers as I mentor these young girls into mature godly (I pray) young women. It has been a joy getting to know them over the last 8 weeks. They have become my own kids really, always lavishing hugs on me and asking so many questions! I don't remember asking so many at my age...but then I'm sure my parents and teachers may remember different. I love that I get them at this age where they are still moldable and curious about what I really think. We've had some good cleansing discussions about "boys" and "sex". Praise the Lord that I can share with them God's heart on the issue when their only influence up until now has been movies from Hollywood! And we all know the message preaced there!

Pleas join me in rejoicing over my friend, Nathanja, who has become my closest friend here. She is pregnant with her second child after much prayer. She is due in August. I rejoice with her; however, she is/was my running partner. So, please join me in praying for God to raise up another running mate in the mean time so that my training for the marathon isn't hindered.

Relationships with students continue to blossom; however, being a single female on campus has presented some new issues since I've been back. Some of the boys are not so respectful about the teacher-student separation. Please pray for protection and wisdom on how to handle situations. There is one student in particular, I won't name him online, but please pray for him to back-off and see how rediculous his behaviour is. The school is aware but could potentially turn into a bigger issue. I teach him which is frustrating but so far the Lord has given me grace on how to handle him. Other students have expressed crushes, explicitly and indirectly through other students. Please pray for all my students to see me as their teacher, mentor, and parental figure, nothing more!

Please pray against the snakes here. There are many poisonous snakes here in Zambia many of which seem to dwell in our kneck of the woods. We've had many problems this rainy season. Please pray for safety and protection of all of the community during this time.

Please pray for my alergies. I didn't struggle last year, but I have really had it bad this rainy season. Some nights are so bad that I can't sleep which isn't good considering the schedule I keep. Please pray for God's healing and protection.

Pray for my brother and his fiance Janelle who are getting married in May. May the Lord bless their future union and draw them closer to Him in deep intimacy as they approach their wedding day! My parents have been so gracious to help me fly back for their wedding. Please pray for safe travel between May  19th and the 27th.

Ahh...electricity going to go off. Love to you all. Hope to update some more soon! Blessings, Kat

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008!

Just a quick note to let everyone know that I made it to Lusaka okay; however, I did experience some problems along the way including a cancelled flight out of Johannesberg. The Lord has been so good and faithful to answer our prayers and take care of me and all my luggage. Despite the layover in Joberg my luggage made it in on the new flight unharmed. This is truly a miracle considering thieves had access to it all night!! God is so good and I give Him all the praise for answering our prayers. He even provided a nice couple to help me figure out what to do when I was at my wits end and stuck with no way to communicate to anyone! They helped me find a cheap but safe hotel that had a shuttle service. Yes, of course they loved the Lord and where very happy to help. The timing was the Lord's because they shouldn't have been there. Long story which I don't have time to write now but I thank them for responding to our gracious Lord's guidance and nudging! Please join me in praising the Lord for His goodness and perfect provision. I'm getting a ride out of Lusaka tomorrow and hope to arrive just in time to welcome my students back! Talk about close timing!

Happy New Year to everyone and thank you all so much for all your love, support, encouragement and wonderful fellowship over the last month. I truly enjoyed every minute with each one of you. I missed seeing some of you which I hope we will be able to catch up the next time the Lord allows a return to the US. Until then may the Lord continue to guide and bless each one of you with His perfect love and grace. He truly is everything we need every moment of the day, every day of our lives here on earth. Love and blessings to you all this new year!

Cheers,

Kat

October 30, 2007...1 Year Anniversary

Can you believe a year has already passed?! Time has gone so quickly...so much as transpired since October 19th when I left the states and arrived on October 21st. What an incredible journey this past year has been. This year of service has had its celebrations and challenges, joys and trials, but through it all the Lord of heaven and earth, of the US and Zambia has been faithful! I rejoice with all of you at what God alone has done through all of us, in us and around all of us. This final term of the school year is progressing well. Only a few short weeks left until I leave my students and depart for the US. I will miss them greatly while I'm gone but will rejoice ever so much more at seeing all of you!

A few quick prayer points if you could join me in seeking our Lord on behalf of others here:

- Prayer for students as they study and sit for external Cambridge examinations.

-Prayer for staff to persevere through the end of term working with all their heart in everything they do as working for the Lord and not for men (Col 3:23-25)

- Prayer for myself as I manage all my responsibilities here at Chengelo as well as prepare for my visit back to the US. Too much to accomplish before then...I pray for wisdom regarding how and when to do each task set before me.

- Prayer for my relationships with students that they would continue to grow and display the love of Christ in ways that draw them ever closer to Him.

- I'm meeting with two more girls this week who need to talk about things. Please pray for our meetings and for God to reveal His will for me regarding what He wants me to say if I am to say anything, what advice I am to give if any, and how I can love them with His love and grace.

- Pray for my heart as my little kitten has gone missing. I don't know if he's out hunting and will return someday or if he's gone for good. I still praise the Lord for the blessing he has been which has been a great gift from God; however, I also know the Lord can take away (Job!) for which I also praise Him, however difficult it may be. :(

- I spoke this past Sunday to the students at their own "Fusion" service on "Putting Jesus First and the Cost of Discipleship." I pray that something the Lord shared through me would affect them in a way that causes thier hearts and minds to stir and propel them to the open arms of Christ. Several students have already come up and acknowledged they were challenged. I praise the Lord for that and ask that we pray for them to respond in action oriented faith to the challenge they received.

Okay have to go for now...love to you all! Kat

October 13, 2007...Sweet Surrender, Self-Denial, and Sunny Days!

Well, the students arrive tomorrow after a week-long much needed half-term break. Students come back to exams, studying, and more exams. This last half of the final term of the year is supposed to be a little less stressful, a little less busy, and a little more sentimental. We'll see. There is much to accomplish in the next six weeks before I join you all on American soil.

If you could pray for the following I would greatly appreciate your partnership as I seek and the serve the Lord here:

- Pray for my girls in the hostel. The last few weeks before half-term break were very rough, stressful, and trying. I love these girls so much but I feel as though I'm hitting a brick wall. They're tired, emotionally spent, worried about their exams, and frustrated by the rules of the school that I get to enforce. Fortunate me! :) I am happy to serve in this way but it is tiring to play the role of "cop" which is what it feels like at times. "Don't do this. Stop doing that. Quit touching each other. Study. Go to your rooms. Etc.!" I feel  like a ranting mother and not a loving parent. The girls have requested to talk with me. I can only imagine what they want to say. I pray that it won't be a "bash" session against the enforcer of the rules when they don't want nor like the rules set in place by the school. They want their freedom as I expressed in a previous entry, freedom that doesn't include being told when to be in, when to go to bed, to study, etc. I would greatly appreciate your prayers for right now this is one of the major messages I communicate and I simply want to communicate Christ's love. Many of them still do not know Jesus as personal Savior. I feel as though the rules set in place are getting in the way. How to enforce them in love and with grace is a very hard challenge. I desperately need the wisdom of the Lord to do so. May His wisdom and grace shine down on me each encounter with each girl each morning, day, and night!

- Please continue to pray for opportunities to share Christ's love, His Truth, and His Way with students in my care and in my classroom. God has been answering our prayers for this so I pray it would continue. I've had many opportunities to pray with students, to continue to share testimonies of what He has done and continues to do in my life, and to live as a witness of His Kingdom here. The battle is great for these kids' souls. They are the potential future leaders of this country, a country that continues to change subtlly and not so subtlly under the growing influence of Islam. The other major influence on these kids that draws them away from Christ is the western world, Hollywood, and the wonderful aspects of our American culture that preach everything but the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its unaldulterated form. It sickens me to see how these kids dress on weekends, looking more and more like they walked off the streets of Hollywood. We try as a school, as as staff to encourage and require modesty of them but that is only outward appearances. Their prefered style of dress reveals deeper internal issues that only the blood of Christ can cleanse and renew. Please pray for them, their salavation, influences on them, and wisdom from the Lord to know and be convicted about the difference between right/wrong, beautiful/trashy, appropriate/inappropriate, etc.  They are desperate for Christ's love.

- Please pray for two boys whom I will not mention names who are known Muslims. They are brothers. The younger one is very bold with his relgion and has been working among his classmates to bring them into the Islam faith here on campus. Please pray against the devil's schemes, pray for these boys' salvation, and pray for the lies that they have shared would be revealed for what they are.

- Rainy season is quickly approaching which means electrical storms, electrical outages, and mud, lots of mud! :) This of course also leads to an increase in Mosiqutos, Snakes, and other lovely creatures that look like bug-versions of Goliath. Pray as the Lord leads... :)

Love to you all, have to do some other work before the students arrive. Another reminder to contact Judy (see contact page for her #) to schedule a time with me. I want to see you guys, but in order for that to happen I need you to find a good time that works for both our schedules. I can't do it from here so please give her a call and I'll see you in just a few short weeks!

Blessings and joy to you all in the Lord Jesus Christ,

Kat :) 

October 4, 2007...A Long awaited hello!

Too much time passes between updates and I do apologize. How I long to write to you all everyday. I get so excited by all the things I want to share with you and when it comes to the opportunity to capture my thoughts on this site I find I am speechless. I don't know where to start, what to share, what is of importance given the short amount of time I have. I am greatly looking forward to my return. I understand that my schedule is filling up so please contact Judy to make I get to spend some time with you. It's the only way I can manage the few short weeks I'll be in town. Please also note on your calendars my "Catch Up With Kat" concert on December 2nd in the old chapel at Beaverton Christian Church. If you would like more information please contact Judy at the NESTeam office (see contact page). She can give you directions and other info. I'm looking forward to sharing stories and music from Zambia. I hope you will come!

The school had a difficult time this last week. We lost one our primary students, Suilange, in a horse-riding acident on campus. The school has morned and grieved together. He was such a great kid who was open about his faith in Jesus Christ. It is a comfort to know that he is with his Lord. He was such a joy around campus. Our community here has taken comfort in the knowledge that we love and serve a Soverign God who is in control of all our circumstances, all of our trials, and all of our joys and celebrations.

On the academic front, things are progressing well in the classroom. Each day I am thankful that the Lord has shown me my calling as a teacher. I get so much energy (even though I'm exhausted) from coming up with new ways to present information to my students. The challenge is so rewarding when you see the look of understanding blossom across their faces. I get to be a mixture of things in front of them: serious, goofy, different characters, animated, controlled and calm...so many different roles that best communicate the subject matter. I love it! I do struggle though with the students here who are taking their A-levels (similar to university level). Unfortunately, the current students have really been struggling to commit to their studies and put the time in that's required for such an academic level. I am frustrated on their behalf that they are battling (like most teenagers) to be responsible and do the hard thing of sacrificing social opportunities to focus on their studies. Please pray for them. Often my times with them are tense and strained because of this battle they are fighting. I am a constant reminder of what they're failing to do.

On the hostel front, we have our okay days and we have our not-so-good days. Right now the girls are tired and they're agitated by the rules in set by the school. They are desperate for their "freedom"...their concept of it anyway which seems to include no rules, all play, no work, and no adult supervision. :) Sound familiar anyone? I'm sure we all accepted that definition at some point in our growing up years. :) It's such a battle ground, the hostel. My desire is to do what I can to teach them the ways of being a woman of God, the ways of true beauty as defined by the Lord, the ways of being a respectful, dynamic, and effective leader as I hope they will be leaders some day. Some days I feel as though I have had no influence, no impact at all. If anything I feel as though I've pushed them in the opposite direction. But through prayer and comfort of the Lord I recognise that it is not my battle to fight nor is it a battle over what kind of women they will be, but rather, it is a battle over their souls and whether they are members of God's Kingdom or not, let alone how effective they are in that Kingdom. I hope what I'm trying to communicate makes sense. I'm tired, exhuasted actually, and at times I feel as though my brain isn't working properly. God is carrying me through each day by His grace. Please join me in prayer for these girls, for my own strength, and for perseverence through this battle of old.

Need to go...have more to write, but time will not permit just now. Take care everyone and I thank you all for your prayers.

Oh, I almost forgot. Wanted to share some great news, a wonderful answer to my prayers of many years. My brother is engaged to a wonderful young woman of God. I am so grateful for the Lord's perfect provision for Mat. He is my dear younger brother, my only sibling, who loves the Lord! I am elated, overwhelmed actually by God's beautiful gift in Janelle. I haven't met her yet, but what I do know of her she is an angel from the Lord meant just for my brother. Please join me in praising God for their engagement and future marriage. Oh, happy brithday bro on Oct.11 just in case I can't write before then! :) Love sis!

Love and blessings to you all! - Kat

September 10, 2007 ... "Random Thoughts..."

Hello all! Well, Term 3 of the 2007 school year is underway and the students are all recovering from their mock exams. It's nice when they return to campus. I realise once again how much I love them, care for them as my own, and miss them while they're away. Yesterday I had all my girls over for a nice big Sunday lunch. I spent all morning cooking up a storm, but it was well worth it. We had a great time together even if the meat I had prepared wasn't quite to their African liking, which is typically fried in oil. I cooked them a healthy meal because I not only did I want to encourage them that there are other options to preparing food besides frying everything, but I'm making healthier choices about what I eat so that I can improve my running. They liked most of the dishes which were cooked with fresh herbs from my garden, but the meat was too "healthy". :) I baked the chicken in freshly squeezed lemon juice and glazed it with honey from Zambia. The pork chops I boiled with a little apple vinegar. Oh well, at least their tastebuds were exposed to something different. :) I treated them to an American dessert afterwards. I'm sure you can guess...apple crumble. It was great to spend some "chill" time with the girls.

Yesterday evening I led worship again at "Fusion" which is a Sunday night service for students. The Lord was faithful to usher us into His presence. We had a guest speaker who has taught many years in Zambia at different schools. His message was about "Kingdom Requirements". There are five that he gave us: R - O - H - F - S which stands for Repentence, Obedience, Humility, Forgiveness and Surrender. It was the S that the Lord highlighted for me. The speaker used an object lesson for S which was pouring water out of a cup, all of it and then challenging us to put the water back into the cup, all of it! Impossible. But that was his point with Surrender. Once we truly surrender something to the Lord it's poured out, all of it and it can't be put back, or rather, we can't take it back. It's gone permanently! My prayer now is for the Lord to reveal what it is that I have not truly surrendered to Him. I'm sure there are several points or areas of my life that need surrendering. What about you? Is there anything that you're still holding on to whether with both hands or just one finger? Is there anything you thought you surrendered but in actuality you've taken it back...several times? The Lord wants us all to Himself. He wants us to be in complete unity with Him, His heart, His desires. He requires us to die to self daily so that we may live and live life to the full. What is it that is preventing you (and me) from experiencing deeper intimacy with God, from receiving deeper understanding and knowledge of who He is and what His heart desires, and living life to the full as He planned? I ask that you join me in praying for God to reveal to all of us the areas of our lives that are keeping us back in our relationship with Him, the areas where we are continuing to remain on the throne and not allow God His rightful place. My second prayer for us is that once He does reveal those areas that we will respond in obedience and faith. Blessings to you all as you seek and wait on the Lord!

I have updated my "Prayer Requests" page for additional points. Thank you in advance for your partnership for it is what the Lord uses to keep my going here!

The weather is warming up and I am thoroughly enjoying this time of year! It is my favorite so far. The trees have all changed colors, and there's a nice light breeze that cools the warmth of the sun. I am enjoying running in this weather. My girls are spending time studying outside the hostel on old cushions instead of being cooped up in their rooms. Whether their actually studying I'm not sure! 1:1 meetings with students are going well. God is answering our prayers regarding wisdom and speech. I pray for God to continue to guide my every step with each of them. This weekend I start working with the Drama club on their Christmas production of a musical version of "A Christmas Carol". I will be working with all the students on the choral pieces trying to get them to sing in parts. We'll see how it goes!

I continue to be the only American here which has it's advantages and disadvantages. I am often the brunt of jokes, point of disagreement in political discussions, cause of problems all over the world (especially wars), speaker of nonsense for Americans don't speak true English, and from the country that all the students think they want to go to whether to study or live in the world Holywood has painted. I don't get through one day without being reminded of where I'm from...that I'm American! It's interesting is really all I can say. Interesting. I'm not bothered by it at all. :) It's fun at times to "push back" with some staff who can take it. Let's just say being an American here in a boiling pot of different cultures is quite an educational experience!

Okay, have to sign off! Blessings to you all. Only 2.5 months until I see you! Remember to contact Judy at Nesteam if you want to schedule a formal time with me. Love to all! - Kat

August 21, 2007

Wow! I can't believe it has been over a month since I have been able to update my website. Apologies to all who have been wondering...is Kat alive? :) I am and have finally reached a point in my service here where I have a little of a "breather" to rest and refresh after a long difficult term. July was a busy month to say the least, but I'm finding that a full schedule is the norm year round here. I'm thankful though for each opportunity to serve; however, the Lord is showing me that He has a specific plan for me while I'm here at Chengelo and it isn't answering "yes" to every request for my help. Some of you may be thinking, "Duh Kathrin!" Well, it's a lesson I find I have to learn every so often because I do love serving the Lord in different capacities requireing a range of skills and brain power and often get excited about "new" roles and responsibilities. I also have a hard time saying no to someone when help is needed. My weakness is that I struggle to remember that I may not be the best person for the request; better said, I may not be God's person for the job! I'm learning and practicing more and more the discipline of bringing every request whether they be large or small, to bring it before the Lord and seek His answer of "yes" or "no." Hard lesson to learn...but isn't the lesson of saying "no" to self a daily lesson we all struggle with?... at least at some point in our walk with the Lord? I find however the Lord has to repeat the lesson with me because I didn't learn it completely the first time...or tenth time around, if I'm honest! :) What can I say, I'm still a work in progress as we all are! :)

My love for the students continues to grow, which I am still amazed because there are some days I feel like my heart is going to burst because I love each of them so much! If you remember I asked for you all to pray for God to reveal ways in which I can share Christ more vividly and explicitly with my students. Well, He has definitely been answering our prayers. He has provided more opportunities for me to naturally share in and outside the classroom. Some opportunities have been due to student initation, others have been subtle nudgings of the Spirit. It's been great! I have two requests for you to pray about specific students. I would love to tell you their names but will keep them confidential due to the nature of our relationships. There is one girl I have started to meet with and counsel regarding her past sexual behavior, her family situation, and her desire to change (to name a few areas of discussion). She is such a sweet young girl with a precious heart that desires to change, to seek God, and to be a new creation. It's such a joy to talk with her, pray with and for her, and to watch her grow/change right before my eyes. Please lift our relationship up to the Lord. I desire to relate to her with His love, His wisdom, and His complete guidance regarding what she needs at this stage in her life. The second request is for a young boy here at the school who has suffered from sexual molestation by another student. This happened several years ago and the violator has been expelled from the school, but none the less this student needs counseling as he works through what has been done to him, where is God in all this, and what is God's plan and desire for him. His parents are aware of my assistance and supportive, for which I am thankful. Another teacher was meeting with the boy but has just finished their contract and left the school so I will be filling her role as counselor, listener and friend. Please join me in praying for this young man, his healing, and for his relationship with God. It appears that he is a Christian, but I'm not sure yet.

This next term is the last term of our academic school year. It is when students in grades 12 and A-Levels (university level) will sit final International Cambridge exams. For the students it will be more stressful, but for teachers I'm told it's a little more relaxed than other terms. I'm grateful because this will give me a little more room for meeting with students 1:1 which is my desire and preference. As much as I love teaching and working with students in the classroom I thoroughly enjoy the 1:1 aspects of my job where I get to know them better and minister to their individual needs.

Thank you all for keeping in touch with me even though I haven't been able to as much as I wish! You all have been so supportive, so faithful, and so patient! I can't wait to see all of you in December! That's right! I arrive in Portland on Monday, November 26th, at 4:30 PM. I can't wait to see all of you...well as many of you as I can. :) I will be in the Portland area until Dec. 12 at which point I fly to St.Louis for the holidays to be with family there. I will head back to Portland on the 28th of Dec. and then out to Zambia on Dec. 31st! Short visit, but have to get back to start the new school year back here. If you would like to visit with me, have me come to your house, homegroup, share at an event/gathering, whatever please contact Judy at NESTeam. NEST office phone number is < namespace="" prefix="SKYPE" xml="true">              < XML="true" PREFIX="SKYPE" NAMESPACE="">              503-641-4346                                    . Judy has a calendar she is keeping on my behalf since communication here is intermittent. I would love to see you! Several of you have offered housing for me which I am very grateful! I would love to take each of you up on it because then I can spend individual times with you and your families. So please contact Judy with a good time for me to stay with you.

Thank you all for praying about what I requested with regards to my feelings of loss and loneliness. God has been faithful to answer by providing more of Himself! What I was feeling (not that the feelings have completely gone away) is normal for change and changing cultures/jobs/countries/etc. I know it will still take more time for me to feel some sense of "normalcy" again...that is me being/feeling normal again. :) But I rejoice in the Lord for what I've learned through this trial. God has been reminding me of His promises in His Word about what is produced through trials and struggles. Our faith is perfected, we are perfected in His image. My faith has grown, my intimacy with the Lord and love for Him has deepened, and perseverance has resulted for which I am truly thankful. I will write more soon about lessons I've been learning and other happenings here in and outside the classroom. Love to you all today! - Kat

July 3rd, 2007

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY...1 DAY EARLY! :) Don't know if I'll be able to get on tomorrow so wishing you all a wonderful holiday. Hope you get to see some great fire works display. I also have to wish my grandma a very happy happy birthday. She like several others including  myself have a holiday birthday. Enjoy it grandma! I'll be thinking of you!

Okay, thanks to Lee Albaugh's help I now have a page with pictures on it. He had to upload them for me since my connection is too slow to do it. I hope you can see it. The page is off his site but here is the link: Kat's pictures from Zambia. Let me know if you can't view them. I'm still going to keep trying from this end because I have so many pictures to show you guys that Lee doesn't have access to. He only has pictures he took while he was here last April.

I know in my entry below I promised a lot of updates but as I said in my e-mail I just sent out to everyone I haven't had connections this past week. Just when I had time to write I didn't have access!! Oh well, I'll take what I can get which is the norm around here. :) Students are coming back today so I can't stay on long. Hopefully you will receive my e-mail update. I have put some urgent prayer requests in the e-mail update. If you didn't receive it you may not be on my distribution list yet. Go to my contacts page, follow the instructions and sign up. If you have troubles just send me an e-mail and I'll sign you up. Thanks!

Cheers to everyone and enjoy the pics on the new page. The link is also on the left.

Happy Independence Day everyone! Happy Birthday Grandma! Love to you all!

June 25, 2007

Good day to everyone! I hope everyone is doing well and content in the Lord. I have just started what is called "Half-Term" which is a week long break for the kids; however, teachers are busy marking mid-year exams, preparing grade reports and are technically "in-service" with the hopes of a day or two of "break" from the daily madness. :) In all sincerity, I miss the kids when they are gone, but it's nice to have some time of peace and quiet, time to catch up on grading everything, and extra time to be still before the Lord. At the end of the week we have our annual community retreat which lasts from Saturday to Monday. The kids then return on Tuesday next week and we resume classes on Wednesday. So between now and then I hope to make some major updates to my website. I just wanted to check in with you all and let you know that I have survived this first half of Term 2.

It's been a good but rough half. Rough in the sense of experiencing some deep loneliness due to many things I'm sure but one is missing all of you. It's hard serving in another location away from friends, families, favorite places, etc. Don't worry, I love it here, but that doesn't mean I don't think about you all often, longing to share my journey with the Lord in person! I'm feeling like I'm going through a "stripping" process...I've been stripped of my comforts from home, namely those I love, I was stripped temporarily of walking and exercising (which I've grown to love here) when I hurt my back, and this last week I have been stripped of my voice due to laryngitis. On Wednesday this past week my throat started to feel like it was on fire. I wasn't surprised since I've been nursing several of my girls who have struggled with colds and the like. By Friday I was completely knocked out. I'm just thankful it  was my last day of teaching for a week. On Saturday, which was Parent Day for some of my students, I could hardly talk to the parents about their children. Most of them understood but it was so difficult. After 3 hours of squeaky whispers I had no voice at all. Ironically, the next Sunday I was scheduled to lead worship at church. I wrote up everything I wanted to say and had others to help be my voice. It went well praise the Lord, but it's very frustrating because the one thing I love to do is sing to the Lord as you know...and I CAN'T DO IT! Please pray for my health, my recovery, and patience while I rest my voice.  I would greatly appreciate prayers for strength as I have a lot of work to complete this week which takes brain power and energy. Many thanks in advance. By the way, my back is doing much better. Hopefully, I will be back to running soon!

The last few weeks I have had some special times with various students. I have also been receiving feedback from different staff members commenting on the progress in certain student's behavior due to my influence and discipline. I give all glory, honor, and praise to the Lord who has sovereignly guided each effort on my part. In this next half I hope to "step it up" a little more in including more explicit witness about Christ in each of my classes. I know I will receive some flack from students in the form of behavior and attitude problems let alone what the enemy might try to do to counter my offensive approach to sharing the gospel. Please pray for my increased efforts. My prayer is that out of it the Lord will highlight those I am to witness to whether by planting seeds, watering them, or harvesting. It has really been pressed upon my heart in my own daily Bible reading with the Lord that time truly is short, shorter than we realise, for His return is very near! I have no time to waste hear for "slow evangelism" per se. I've already taken hits physically and emotionally when it comes to spiritual warfare, but if the fruit that is born because of my faithfulness to His calling is multiplied because of such hits then I say, "Bring it on Lord! May your Kingdom increase here in Zambia, at Chengelo no matter what I have to endure!" I desperately want to see these children that have been entrusted to my care to a certain extent become God's children where their souls are completely entrusted to the Lord Jesus Christ. Will you join me in this great battle and wage war with me on their behalf. Pray with me for increased opportunities, for miraculous heart transformations, for God to be maginified and glorified in and through these children. I am really studying the Book of Romans this week as that is what has been impressed upon my heart. I just finished another Bible read-through started January 1st of this year. It is without hesitation one of my favorite parts of my day and I hope to do it in an even shorter time starting July 1st. Four months is my goal even with the chaotic schedule that I maintain. God is faithful when we are faithful isn't He!! I love seeing Him in action when I just give Him even a little! Anyway, until July 1st I will be studying Romans...who knows what the Lord has in store. You are welcome to read with me and tell me what He shares with you. Who knows what He might reveal to you that He wants you to tell me, which directly impacts the ministry here. May God inspire you as we work together to seek His will for this place.

I must go now, but I will be updating the other pages on this site this week. Love to you all! By the way, my kitten, Nate, is doing great! He follows me everywhere I go. We enjoyed our first fire together this past weekend. Yes, we have fires...it's too cold here!!!! I have to wear several layers during the day and sleep under many heavy blankets just to stay warm. Okay, cheers to everyone. May God bless you this week as you seek Him even more for every area of your life! Love - kat

Note from Kat June 13, 2007

Hello everyone! Long time  no update I know! Hopefully you guys are still checking at times to see if I can get online. The first half of this second term is almost over. Just over a week left to go and then I'll have a week off from teaching but will spend my time marking/grading mid-term exams, essays, and other homework that needs to be returned soon! :) I wasn't able to get online for a few weeks due to experiencing a bad fall, hurting my back and coxic (spelling?) bone. It's been two weeks and I'm feeling better. I'm walking around and not in as much pain. So thank you for your prayers for those who received an update e-mail from Lee Albaugh with NESTeam. I appreciate any prayers regarding my full recovery as I won't be able to have it checked out until I return to the states, so I'm told.

Yes, I am coming home for a visit! I'll be returning for a much needed break during the month of December. I've purchased my tickets so Lord willing I will be with you all in just over 5 months! It will go by quickly I'm sure. I'm hoping to have a "ministry update / concert" in Portland at BCC (Beaverton Christian Church) at some point during my visit so stay tuned for more information on that. I hope for it to be a time of sharing stories of what God has done and is doing, praising God together for His faithfulness, and music (I long to share some of the new music I've written while serving the Lord here as well as songs I've learned in the native languages). I know December is a busy month but I hope you'll be able to come.

 I recently held a vocal workshop for students, training them on the basics of singing, breathing, music theory, etc. 35 students attended, which I hear is a great turn-out! Only 5 boys, but they held their own when we did some choral pieces and sight singing. I hope to do another next term as the drama club has asked for my assistance to help with preparations for the end of year musical which will be A Christmas Carol. Several of the students have a lot of potential. I trust the Lord will guide me in my instruction of them. Ultimately I hope and pray for opportunities to witness to them for many aren't believers. God has brought us together through music for a purpose and I trust it will bear fruit for His kingdom!

Tonight I am meeting with my hostel girls as I do every week for our "Beauty Box" nights. I ask for your prayers for every week it is a spiritual battle. I'm challenging them on different levels with regards to inner beauty, outer beauty, how they see themselves, purifying our hearts and minds, how our actions reveal what we believe about ourselves, God, and the world in general, etc. Tonight we are starting a two part series on "Battle of the Mind". It will be a battle...many of these girls have lots of luggage they are carrying around with them that influences everything they do (just like the rest of us!). It hinders them in thier growth as women, individuals, and most importantly with the relationship with God whether they have one or not. Please pray for God to break through these mental barriers they have set up. Pray for God's redeeming power to crush the lies they have grown up believing and replace it with truth rooted in His love and grace.

I am now the proud mother of a baby kitten named Nathaniel (Nate for short)! He is actually an answer to prayer. Yes, indeed I prayed a few weeks back, a child-like prayer on a whim. I asked the Lord specifically for an orange-tabby kitten to come to my doorstep. And what do you know, a few weeks later he appeared. At least I think he's a he. :) The vet is coming tomorrow to check him out. Bascially, how I came to be mommy of this precious little kitten (I hope to post a pic soon if the internet conneciton allows me) was orchestrated by the Lord truly. Unbeknownst to me this little kitten was born in the classroom building closest to my hostel flat back in April/May. Not sure how old he is. I'm guessing 6-8 weeks at the most. I'ts only been 2 days and I've got him trained to use the litter box already. It's a make-shift litter box of sand and plastic. :) I feed him milk and bread at the momment. Can't get cat food here like you can in the states. Most people feed their pets Nshima (corn meal mush) mixed with gravey and some minced meat. Not sure what to do...guess we'll see what the Vet suggests. For now, he seems to be quite content in his new surroundings. He loves being loved on and I love loving on him. :) Some of my girls are ecstatic about the kitty...others wanted me to reassure them that the cat won't be living in the hostel. :) They would prefer a dog! Dogs aren't allowed on campus otherwise I would have prayed for a dog. :) I'll keep you posted.

Overall, I'm doing okay. The Lord has used my back injury and this little kitten to bring my girls and I closer. It's still a struggle for I look for and seize opportunities to challenge them and push them a little harder, but we have made great progress this half term. I am so thankful for your prayers! It is a daily battle faced here for the salvation of these precious souls! My other students are coping with studies. They are in the middle of mid-terms right now so they are more serious than normal; however, we still have fun in class!

Thanks for your patience. During half term I will be spending some time completing the updates I've started, posting pictures as much as the internet connection allows, and catching up on e-mails. Thanks for your patience! Love to you all...and may God bless you with new insight into His Sovereignty and perfect providence for and over our lives! - Kat :)

Note from Kat 19/5/07

Hello everyone! Today marks a year since I graduated from Multnomah Biblical Seminary with my Masters. I still can't believe how fast time has flown. It's amazing what God can do in such a short amount of time. I knew a year ago that God was calling me to Zambia, but I had NO IDEA what to expect, what I would be doing, where I would be living, what lessons were in store...no clue! What a gift the last year has been. I am truly thankful for all of you, your support, your encouragemnet, and more importantly your commitment to serve Him faifthfully as you serve with me for God's Kingdom here in Zambia.

When I think of even one of you let alone all of you who are so distant from my physically I am filled with joy and an ache that I can't describe. I miss you all so much, seeing the beauty of Christ in each of you. I can't wait for the day that the Lord will reunite us in person. Until then may we all do as Hebrews 12:1-2 says, "...let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith!" What joy there is to be had when we keep our eyes glued to the One who daily saves us from this world and from ourselves, who fills us with inexpressible joy no matter what the circumstance, and who lavishes His mercy and grace as we stumble through this journey called "life."

Things to pray for this week:

- Thanks for God's goodness as displayed by His faithful answers to our prayers!

- Strength to endure the long days.

-Propper perspective (God's perspective) to work through the trying times of disciplining students, teaching them the ways of the Lord, and expressing His love in different ways that can be heard, understood and fealt by those students whom God has put in my path. Proper perspective on all areas of life, everything I'm felling, experiencing, etc.

-Comfort in those lonely times when I long for the closeness of friendship, the sweetness of companionship, and the presence of a faithful friend.

-Wisdom and direction for those times I am leading worship at North Church and at Fusion which is the Sunday evening service for the students.

-Creative ideas for teaching Business Studies and Religious Studies to 14-20 year olds so as to keep them engaged and excited about the content. :)

- True Rest in the Lord! Days are long, weeks are long and a Sabboth is rare when one is on duty on the weekend. :)

-Praise for God's faithfulness in His support and perfect provision to cover and meet all my perceived and unexpected needs!

Love to you all! I'm hoping that in a week's time I will have more time to download some pics and upate other sections of my website. Until then, thanks for your notes of encouragement and love! I feel your prayers. It may sound weird, but I DO!! Thank you from the heart of Zambia! Love always - Kat!

P.S. - I can't wait to share all the new songs God has placed upon my heart. I hope you will one day enjoy them as much as I do as I use them to worship Him. Cheers!

Note from Kat 8/5/07

Okay, haven't been able to upload pictures like I thought I would be able to. I will keep trying. Girls have moved back into the hostel. Things are under way this term and already back to their normal level of constant chaos. :) Just kidding, it's not chaotic, just busy. It's going to be a challenging term. At the end of term back in March and the beginning of April we experienced some problems in the hostel as a backlash against the rules that the school has set. Needless to say the Lord helped us overcome the trying time, but we are getting off to a careful and delicate start to this term. Hopefully I will be able to post more soon. I just have a few minutes before a staff meeting to say Hello and let you know that I do know I haven't made all the updates I promised below, but it's still a goal and I will try my best to update little by little as I get a few minutes to get online. Please pray for the staff and myself for several of us are currently experiencing some great spiritual oppression. I trust God has some great things in store and know that there will be testing and trials involved. Thank you in advance for your prayers offered on behalf of myself and all those whom I serve with here. Your partnership in God's work here is so vital! I can't thank the Lord enough for you. Cheers and lots of love to you all! - kat

Note from kat 5/1/07

I can't believe it has been more than a month since I was able to update my website. I have tried several times but haven't been able to get into the site where I can edit my pages. Praise the Lord I can get in today! I have also been traveling some. Over the next few days as the internet connection allows I will be updating as many pages as I can in addition to adding new ones detailing some of my travels. Thank you so much for your patience and checking in to see what has transpired! I'm going to try and catch up on some e-mails this week too before the next term starts, which is this weekend! Isn't time flying by?!?! I have officially been gone for 6 months!  I find it hard to believe...then again, on some days it feels like I've been here for years! Work is tough and draining but so rewarding! I miss you all greatly, think of you often, and keep you in my prayers as the Lord brings you to mind! Check out the other pages for updates! - Love to you all - Kat :)

P.S. - For those of you who haven't visited the NESTeam International website yet, check it out! A new link has been added on the left!

Note from Kat 3/17/07

Thanks for praying for my girls! They are coping well, which I know is due to the prayers you have offered up on their behalf. Tomorrow the school is providing transport for those who knew her well to attend the burial. They will travel 4.5 hours down to Lusaka (capital), attend the burial, and then drive 4.5 hours back all in one day. It will be a time of closure for them but rough so please keep them in your prayers. I have had opportunities to counsel them, thanks for praying for that! What I learned in my Crisis Counseling class at Multnomah has come in handy this week!

Tomorrow (Sunday) I am speaking at Fusion, an optional Sunday night service for Secondary students. I will be speaking on "A Holy Nation", the third part in a 4-part series. I'm looking forward to sharing with the students, but would appreciate your prayers as I finish my preparations and give the message that God has laid on my heart. The message title is "A Holy Nation of Misfits!" right out of 1 Peter 2:9.

I've had some opportunities to witness here. Back in December I wrote about some Peace Corps girls from America. Well, since then I've been afforded several opportunities to hang out with them and share a little of my faith. We've had some interesting conversations and I trust that the Lord is working. I've learned much from them and respect them highly for the work that they do living they way they do in the Zambian bush.

I've updated my Zanzibar page if you want to read on...the story continues. :) Cheers to all, lots of love, and may the Lord bless you with an increased love for and sensitivity to Him!

Note from Kat 3/15/07

Just after I updated my website last night I went to be with my girls. Upon giving them their phones (they're allowed to use their phones between 9:30 PM and 7 AM) they discovered that one of their classmates who graduated last year (grade 12 - and my girls are all now in A-levels which is after grade 12) and didn't return to do her A-levels like her classmates was found dead in her house yesterday (3/14/07). I stayed up most the night with them as they grieved together. Please pray for each of them as they work through this tragedy. We're not quite sure if she was saved or not. I only met her briefly and had the fortunate opportunity to give her a voice lesson before she left last year. She was a very sweet girl with a lot of potential. The family suspects that foul-play, but she also was very unstable and could have committed suicide. The police are investigating. Please pray for her family, friends, the girls in my hostel who are greatly distressed by her death and the rest of the school who knew her well. Her name was Nikayi and I've included a picture of her that I took at the end of last year just before their year-end formal dinner. May the Lord be glorified through this trial.

Note from Kat 3/14/07

I've now uploaded a Zanzibar website for you to read about my trip. I will updating it with stories and pictures as time allows. I wish I had a large chunk of time to do it all at once, but it's a wish and not reality. :) I'll take what I can get. If things weren't busy before they're becoming quite chaotic now with the end of term in sight. April 4th is the last day of the first term (there are three total). Then we have a month off. I, however, will be joining up with Lee and NESTeam to help out up north and work along side our ministry partners up there. Can't wait to meet them all and serve the Lord in a different capacity. I am still very much enjoying teaching; however, a break is always good. Can I get an Amen from my fellow teachers? :)

Well you wanted a snake story and I have one for you! I finally saw my first snake! An official African, well Zambian, cobra...full neck/head flare and all! I was getting ready to have a meeting with a fellow staff member who I meet with weekly to study God's Word and pray. We walked into her house and there it was. They are fascinating creatures, but I'm happy to just think on the memory rather than encounter another one any time soon! We shared a shreak together and ran out the front door leaving the snake to flare to and scare the wall and surrounding furniture. She ran to get her husband who is the chef in our dinning hall. I went to get the gardener by the horse stables. She came back with a large group of men all clothed in their culinary finest with blue hair nets and large snake-pummeling sticks. A see a joke coming out of this...how many chefs does it take to slice a snake? Alright, not a good one, but it was quite humorous. It was a big one so they said. It's absolutely amazing how flat the neck of snake gets when it flares outward. Well that's my first snake experience though short lived, which I give praise for!

There are so many stories to share. It's hard to pick which ones to write about in such a short amount of time. How about conveniences here...or rather, the lack of conveniences we all enjoy in the western world. Laundry - all done by hand in old concrete washing tubs. My housemaid helps with most of my clothes but I have the privilege of washing my undergarments by hand, wringing them out, and waiting for the sun to shine in the long drawn out rainy season. It's not so good when items stay damp for days on end...sometimes you need to wash again due to mildew and not-so-great smells. :) Oh the joys of living in the bush! :) All you grandmas and grandpas out there...does this bring back memories of the good ol' days? Cooking - all done from scratch as they say. Everything is grown and butchered right here at the school compound.  Yes, you can get prepackaged items from the capital 4.5 hours away, but those run out when you can "get into town" often. I do love cooking so I don't mind, and it's fun to be creative in the kitchen; however, it is very time consuming. There are some days I'm so busy I wish I had something I could just pop into a microwave to heat up and voila, instant meal! Dependable electricity - I emphasize the first word, dependable. I miss being able to flip a switch and the lights come on...and stay on. At times it's been a point of frustration when teaching. I teach from PowerPoint slides that I generate instead of writing on black or white boards. I prefer talking to slides rather than getting messy with chalk; however, I get to do that too with two of my classes. It's amazing how my skin can get "whitter". :)

On the whole I'm doing okay. I have my moments in all honesty. This week I am missing home, home being all of you guys, the people I love and adore! For someone who likes to get out and do things it's hard some days to be "stuck" here in the middle of no where. But please understand me, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else for it is here that the Lord has called me and desires me to be. I can get out and do things, but sometimes I feel limited. Some days I long to go out with my girlfriends from Multnomah (hey ladies!), go to a movie, enjoy a good "worship practice" with my fellow musical servants at BCC, feel and smell the different seasons in Oregon and Missour, etc. I truly do miss you all and long to be with you. I can't thank you enough for your prayers, e-mails, letters, and packages full of love and  support. They do help me get through the hours, days, or weeks of "missing home."

Oh, I wanted to share with you one more thing before I have to get back to the hostel. I've written several songs since arriving in this foreign land. Surprise, surprise, I know! But one I have fallen in love with. I'll put the words here for you. Can't wait to sing it with you someday either worshiping with you at home or in our true heavenly home as we worship with the angels the One who deserves all our praise, glory, honor, and heartfelt worship!

Song: We Are Your Chosen People  (based on 1 Peter 2:9)

Copyrighted by Kathrin Hitchcock, March 3, 2007

Verse 1: You are the Holy One, great are the works You've done. You've made a way for all people of the world to call upon Your Name and be made One with You.

Chorus: We are Your chosen people, we want to give You praise. Help us to be Your people all of our days. We are Your chosen people, we want to give You praise. Help us to bring You glory and bless Your holy Name today, tomorrow, and forever.

Verse 2: You are the Great 'I AM', the spotless risen Lamb. You came to set us free, to live with You in victory. We know that one day soon we'll see Your face.

Chorus

Bridge: We are Your royal priesthood, a nation holy and true. You've called us out of darkness and we belong to You.

Chorus

I have introduced this song already to the school and so far they love it and are singing it. I'll hear them randomly throughout the week. This Sunday I preach for the first time at the school's Sunday night service for secondary students, "Fusion." I'll be speaking on what it means to be a holy nation. Please pray for God's Word to speak clearly to this generation here in Zambia. Love to you all!

NOTE: FOR ALL OLD ENTRIES PRIOR TO THIS LAST ENTRY PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK TO THE LEFT FOR "OLD JOURNAL ENTRIES". THANKS!

Note From Kat - 9/27/06

Thanks to all who came to the concert! It was a great success! The Lord abundantly provided through many generous hearts!

I will be giving another concert in St.Charles, MO on October 8th, 2006, at 4 PM. If you're in the area let me know and I'll give you the location (khitchco@bluebottlecom).

First Album for Aroma Ministries...SWEET AROMA...has officially been released!

 We had a successful concert on September 24th at Beaverton Christian Church. A hearty thanks to all the musicians and volunteers who made it possible! I love you all so much and can't wait to see what the Lord will do with the sacrifice many have made for His Kingdom purposes! May God bless each one of you with His sweet love!

If you weren't able to purchase your copy at the concert just e-mail NESTeam (NEST316@aol.com) and they will get a copy to you. The CD is a minimum donation of $15 plus shipping and handling fees. All proceeds go to support Kat and NESTeam International ministries in Zambia Africa. To learn more about their work check out the links to the left.