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Hello!
It has been a few months since my last email, so it is time for an update! In January I was able to visit my sister in Florida and there I found out that I am going to be an aunt in July (woohoo!). I baked so many loaves of sourdough bread, visited some friends that live a few hours away, and had many trips to local coffee shops to study God’s word and have sweet conversations with friends. In February I had the opportunity to speak at my church’s elementary- aged girls ministry. I was able to share about missions and the ministry that I get to do in Zambia. I taught them how to wear a Zambian chitange, we played a few fun Zambian themed games, and I taught them a local Zambian song. This was a huge blessing to me!
My time in the states was a sweet time of encouragement, refreshment, and good memories that I will cherish. I am so grateful for the support of my family, friends, fellow believers, and my home church- Renovation. Ministry can be hard, and it can be lonely at times when you are on the other side of the world, far away from the comforts of home. But God has been so good to me. He provided the love and encouragement that He knew I needed. Thank you Lord for my time in the states!
I arrived safely back in Livingstone, Zambia on March 4. It is such a long journey coming back, and I am so thankful that I arrived safely without any major complications and with all of my luggage. It has been great to see everyone here after being gone for 3 months and jump back into ministry. I am settled into the new guesthouse where I will remain for the next 1-2 months until my new housing is completed (more on that next month). I have visited the women at the prison a few times where there are now 42 inmates. Last year there was around 25-30. Thankfully some of the women have been released since November! We visited the Old People’s Home with our women’s bible study, where we distributed some much needed food and the ladies did some cleaning. I had the opportunity to stop and chat with most of the people who live there (currently about 40 people stay there). In past visits, I have been reminded by these sweet people the value of just walking over to them and greeting them with a smile. Many of them don’t get to see their families, as they do not come to visit them often or at all. Most are eager for someone to sit with them and chat and they often ask for prayers. It is such a blessing, I love these people!
I was excited to see a few people in our local church, the Church of Life, step up and lead the children’s Sunday school in our absence. I was a bit worried when I left for the states, but I was praying that God would call some of the church members to teach these children. And He answered that prayer! These women are doing a wonderful job teaching the children on Sundays.
Lastly, I had to make a trip to Lusaka with Ken and Karen to visit the US embassy last week. It takes about 7-8 hours to drive there, and it is not an easy trip! But thankfully the trip was successful. I managed to apply for a new passport without any issues. We also took advantage of being in Lusaka by purchasing some needed supplies. All in all, it was a great trip. Until next time, God bless!
-Tayler
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