In the summer of 2007 I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Africa to share the love of Christ with the AIDS orphans of Zambia. I wrote in my journal everyday so that I would not forget all the amazing things that God did while I was there. During this time God spoke to my heart on a much deeper level than He ever has before. I committed to giving these children everything I had; physically, emotionally, and spiritually. In order to do that I had to finally learn what it meant to rely on God to make it through the day. Reading His word and writing in my journal were a vital necessity and actual nourishment to my body. I would not have made it through the day without having that time with God. The words that I wrote in my journal are very personal and precious to me. 

6/29/07

“For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; and to the other, the fragrance of life.” 2 Corinthians 2:15-16

Today was our last day at Camp Life and it was so bittersweet. I was so sad to see my children go, especially knowing the extreme poverty and abuse that they go home to. However, I was comforted in knowing that they now have the love of Christ in their hearts. We all got in a circle and wrapped our arms around each other as I said a final prayer over them. I prayed that God would continue to bless their lives and praised Him for the joy that they had brought into mine. I cried as I hugged and kissed them all and reluctantly put them on the bus. Their arms reached out at me from the windows as the bus began to drive away and I touched some of their hands until I could no longer reach. It was one of the most emotional experiences of my life and a moment that I will never forget.

The transformation that has occurred in their lives this week is beyond all imagination and understanding. The girls that I had at the beginning of the week were not the same girls that I just put on that bus. They came to me broken and abused with very little joy in their hearts. They now have a light that shines from within them for all the world to see. They no longer have to live their lives in fear because they are more than conquerors in Christ. They have received the power of the Holy Spirit and no longer have to face this world alone. They can declare the name of Jesus when facing evil and be victorious over all adversities that come their way. They can wake up everyday knowing that they are loved by an almighty God who will never leave them or forsake them. The abuse that they suffer at home will no longer consume or define their lives. They will not feel the sting as a hand slaps their precious faces or feel the pain as words of hate pierce their beautiful hearts. They have been set free from the chains that have been holding them prisoner for as long as they can remember. I feel so blessed to have been apart of this spiritual journey and praise the Lord for allowing me to be His hands and feet in Africa.

I poured out every ounce of my heart and soul into these children until every last drop was gone. The Lord has allowed me to share in their pain so that I may get a glimpse of the sadness that He feels when He thinks of these orphans. I know He weeps for them constantly and His heart for them is so big. I prayed for the Father’s heart for these children on the first day of camp and He graciously granted it to me. This is why I am able to experience the same things that He feels and the emotion that I have received as a result of that prayer is indescribable. I have cried tears of deep sorrow and tears of overwhelming joy throughout this week. My eyes have also been opened to the spiritual warfare that we as Christians have to face on a daily basis. This war is not as obvious in America but it is extremely evident here in Africa. This whole country is saturated with darkness but the children that go through this camp are becoming a light shining God’s love down on Zambia. I will never stop praying for this country for I know the battle has just begun.

Saying goodbye to Charity, my Zambian interpreter was so hard. We are two completely different people, with two completely different lives, who only have the love of Christ as a common thread. We have learned so much from each other this week and she has forever changed my life. Together we were a powerful team who brought the truth and light into 14 beautiful little girls. I am a better person because God has blessed me with her life. She has absolutely nothing but the Lord in her heart and a smile on her face which is all she needs. Her love for God, despite the hard life that she has had, is so humbling to me and a powerful testimony that God’s love is ENOUGH to sustain us! He is ALL we need!

My favorite part of today was at the end when all of the American counselors that were leaving were told to go to the middle of the room. We were then surrounded by the remaining Americans and all the Zambians. They then sang the MOST beautiful song that I have ever heard over us. It brought tears to my eyes. The songs here in Africa have so much power and are sung with the deepest passion for God. Then our Zambian pastor said a prayer over us which was the most compelling prayer that I have ever heard. As his words rolled off his tongue they poured directly into my soul and filled my heart with joy. I have never felt closer to God than I did on this day!

In the summer of 2007 I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Africa to share the love of Christ with the AIDS orphans of Zambia. I w...

This was a letter that I wrote in May 2007 describing how the Lord called me to a mission trip in Zambia...

Those of you who know me….. know the AMAZING things the Lord has been teaching me this semester and have seen the miraculous ways He has changed my life. Looking back on my spiritual journey over the past two years, words cannot describe the astonishing love and peace I have experienced through coming to know Jesus Christ, the author and perfecter of my faith. The past year has been a HUGE time of spiritual growth as I have learned to trust in Him and Him alone. Every time I take a step of faith and fix my eyes on Jesus, I am blown away by the beautiful way He proves His faithfulness to me. Each time I am obedient to His calling I am blessed BEYOND belief and as I draw closer to Him I am being transformed into a more Godly woman everyday.

The Lord has been burdening my heart for Africa since the beginning of the year. Everywhere I would go He would constantly be showing me Africa and the AIDS orphans of Zambia in particular. Being in Aggie Sisters for Christ I got the privilege of hearing multiple testimonies of girls who have traveled to Zambia and their stories would bring tears to my eyes. I can’t explain how strong my desire became after that but that desire would instantly be hindered by doubt and discouragement. All year long I have felt this calling to be a missionary but would immediately push it out of my mind as soon as it would come. “No God…. Surely that is not my calling.” I would tell myself over and over again, consistently ignoring all the clear signs the Lord was giving me. It’s too far, TOO expensive, I am a new believer… how could I possibly make a difference?

Time went by and slowly the deadline for the $3900 for the trip had passed, but not a day would go by that I would not think about Africa. My aspiration to go only grew stronger after that point and the thought of waiting a whole year until I could go was almost unbearable. In April I joined a new Hope Group through my church and when I walked into the house where our group would meet for the rest of the semester I was shocked! The home was filled with African artifacts and pictures from missionary work in Zambia. Two of the girls who lived in the home both went to Zambia through the same missionary company I had been looking into. 

Great! I thought to myself… how can I meet in this place every week and not be overwhelmed with regret of my disobedience? 

Over the next couple of weeks I began to express my inconceivable longing to go to Africa. Little did I know… that one of the girls worked for the company (Family Legacy Missions) and said that she could make it possible for me to go if I raised the money in two weeks. Even after all this… I still was not convinced, how could that even be possible? 

Later that week at church our pastor called for anyone thinking about going on missions to come up to the altar to be prayed over. As if I needed anymore of a clear answer as to whether or not I should go, I went to the front and got on my knees in prayer. “Lord if it be your will please CLEARLY show me if I am to go… and I will!” I prayed this over and over again as I felt multiple hands on my back praying over me. I was immediately broken and as the tears streamed down my face I was able to accept what I already knew all along… I was to go to Africa! After the service a friend of mine (Who had no idea I had a desire to go to Africa) came up to me and told me, “You need to go!” The look on my face must have been priceless, “What are you talking about?” I asked him. He said that throughout the service the Lord had burdened his heart to tell me to go even though he had no idea what this meant. 

I was blown away!!! Could this be anymore CLEAR? 

I immediately called Family Legacy Missions and told them to sign me up and that I would have the money as soon as I could. (Not having any idea how that was going to happen) When I got home my friend, who had told me to go, called me and asked what it was that God was calling me to do. I told him all about Africa and how I had committed to go but that I was unsure of how I could raise that amount of money in such a short period of time.

Ok…. Here is the really good part!

He then shared with me that his family supports missionaries and that he would love to support my trip. He told me to raise what I could and that they would fund the rest! WOW!!! Within one hour of fully submitting to the Lord’s calling for me, He had already provided the means to go. Before we got off the phone we prayed for the Lord’s provision over the next couple of days. By the time I hung up the phone my room was covered with Kleenex tissues. I then felt a note in my back pocket that one of my friends had given to me at church. I opened it up and began to cry even more as I read the words on the page and as a $100 check for Africa fell into my lap. She told me in the letter that God had laid it on her heart during the service to help me get to Africa. (She knew that I had wanted to go… but had NO CLUE that I had already committed to it) Within one minute of hanging up the phone and praying for the Lord’s provision, God had already put $100 in my pocket. By the end of the night, after sharing the day’s events with my Hope Group, I had raised almost $1000!!! And the rest is history!!

Looking back on the way everything happened I am still in disbelief! The trip is officially booked, the vaccines have been painfully administered, and the passport is in! (After waiting 11 hours in line) All I need now are your prayers! I leave on June 21st and will return July 1st. During this time and the few weeks leading up to the trip I am asking all of my friends and family to pray for me. I need prayers for preparation and prayers that God will use me in unbelievable ways while I’m there. Please pray that my words will not be my own but that the Lord will speak through me to further His kingdom so that He may get all the glory. We will be sharing the message and hope of Jesus Christ with the orphans of Zambia and so prayer is also needed for their salvation. Finally, please pray for my family… they have been extremely supportive throughout this whole process but are very nervous for me to be traveling halfway across the world.

I hope that this testimony is proof of how BIG our God really is! Never underestimate the power that He possesses for He can do mighty things in your life if you just fully submit to His will. Nothing is impossible through Christ and through Him alone all things are attainable. Thank you so much for your love, support, and continuous prayer!

In Him always,

Jessica Lynn Elton

♥ “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” ~1 Thessalonians 5:16

♥ “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.” ~James 1:27

♥ “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

~Hebrews 11:1

♥ “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’” ~Matthew 19:14

A picture from Africa. One of my girls just got a new pair of shoes and I am praying over her in them!

This was a letter that I wrote in May 2007 describing how the Lord called me to a mission trip in Zambia... Those of you who know me...