Today we had the privilege of going into the deep bush to work with African Encounter group! What an amazing experience!

We drove very far, then we walked very far, through the tall tall tall grasses! I was holding my breath the whole way, praying for protection all the way. I have a joke with the guys here that “I did not come to Zambia to die!!” LOL Jared just walked like he has done it his whole life. BUT, I will tell you that it was so worth it!!!

When we first arrived there were about 25 teens who all loved the Lord and were sitting waiting for us. They had their Bibles open ready to learn!!! Words cannot explain the feelings that overwhelmed Jared and me. We studied Psalm 23, then we played some games, then I got to help the girls make lunch….. a bush lunch… will explain later. Then we got to teach them “Mighty to Save”…. It was beautiful… they sang in 4 part harmony What an awesome blessing!

Cyndi spoke to the kids about the importance of saving themselves for marriage. They were very attentive and appreciated all she shared.

The group planted a garden and before we left we walked to see it, we were expecting to see a tiny garden, instead, there was about 3 acres of cabbage and half of tomato plants. They are so very pleased because they are going to use it to minister to the community.

Jared and I both are longing for all of you to be here experiencing this with us. We are excited to return and share so much more…. We love and miss you, Susie and Jared

Good morning! God is soooooo good!! Amen! We are having a wonderful time here! The people and Wonderful and very loving! We are having a wonderful time in the Lord, we have kindred spirits and enjoying each other.

Last night we had the guys from the Bible Institute here for spaghetti supper and enjoyed them. I was doing the dishes and Henry (one of the guys) joined me. I washed and he dried and put away. It took us almost 2 hours to do all the dishes, BUT during that time we worshipped together and had a blessed time! We sang hymns, praise and worship, sang silly opera ways and danced before the Lord!! What an awesome time!! I would not have traded that for anything!!

I have a prayer request, tomorrow I will be speaking to the ladies from the surrounding villages and I need the Holy Spirit to direct me. Please pray for me that I will say EXACTLY what the Lord wants me to.

Thank you so much for your prayers, we love and miss you all.

Susie and Jared

Good afternoon to my friends in America!

Jared and I are doing very fine! We are having a wonderful time here in Zambia. Yesterday, we went to the deep deep bush to have service with the nationals. What a wonderful experience! We cannot wait to tell you all about it! We are waiting to tell you in person because it was so very special!

After leaving the bush, we came home and visited some of the neighbors and had a wonderful time talking, taking pictures and playing hacky sack with the children. The nationals are so friendly and welcoming that it took us a while to get back to the mission house. We wish that all of you could be here with us!

Today we have spent the day doing inventory and preparing for the task ahead. We will begin teaching on Monday. We have a very full program (that is what they call it) for this week. We are making rice for supper. Miss and love you all, Susie and Jared

Greetings from Zambia!

Greetings from Zambia!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Everything is going very well! Our flight was fine, London was interesting and Zambia airport was dilapidated! We made it through customs. Jared was stopped and questioned! He did fine! Then we piled in a mini van and drove to bus station and boarded a bus.. We were on the bus for 8 1/2 hours! We were so very tired and sore BUT we made it and that was the most important part! Thank you all for your prayers!!!!!!!!!!!! When we arrived the missionary wife prepared spaghetti alfredo and green beans for us. Then we quickly went to bed.

Then Friday morning we went to devotions with the Zambian preacher "trainees." They are the men that attend the institute preparing for church planting the deep bush. What a blessing to hear them worship and sing songs to our Great God Who provides everything for them! We so wish you could be here to experience what we have already experienced!

Jared got to go on a mission team to the bush nationals today, and he got to see 3 come to the Lord!!!! We are so pumped! And anxious to see what else the Lord has in store for us! I went to town today for some groceries, enjoyed spending time with the missionaries.

Tomorrow, we will be attending church in the deep bush. Looking forward to writing more in the near future. Thank you so much for your prayers, please continue!

Love to all!

Susie and Jared

june 14, 2010

Well, this is the day before our BIG day! We are so excited! The Lord has been so very gracious, using people to bless us! At church yesterday, we received $100! Praise the Lord! Then, we had youth revival, where Jared got to share his calling to the mission field and how he knew that God was leading him to serve on the mission field somewhere this summer.
He also shared what he will be doing while he is there and specific prayer requests for while we are there. It was such a blessing to hear him speak to his peers and be confident in what he was saying and confident that the Lord has called him to do this! It thrilled our hearts to see that his desire is to serve the Lord and cultivate a relationship with the Zambians.
After he finished sharing, Kevin had us come to the front and the youth laid hands on us and prayed for us! What an awesome blessing.... we have the "cream of the crop" youth!! Their prayers were precious and from the heart! What an overwhelming joy that came over me to know that we are a part of such a great group of kids! They prayed and we cried! What a glorious time! Thank you, Kevin for sharing your kids with us! You do a great job!
Today, we are finishing house work, packing, and last minute instructions for Scott and Justin. Then we will be heading out tomorrow morning for Atlanta. Our plane leaves at 9:15 pm and we will be flying to London (9 hours) then we have a 10 hour layover and leave for Zambia at 7 am and flying for 10 hours then boarding a bus for a little bit, then getting in a car and driving 7 hours to Luansha. Were we will be staying for most of our trip.
Thank you for your continued prayers, we will keep you posted as we are able.
Love you all, Susie and Jared

June 11, 2010

All Praise to Jehovah-Jirah!! We have been praying for God to lay it on someone's heart to help with the remaining expenses of our trip and that they would be obedient to Him when He did! And AMEN... I received a call from a man who told me that the Lord had laid it on his heart and he just wants to be obedient!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What an AWESOME God we serve! So excited to know Christians that are surrendered and desire to be used!!!!
So it looks like we are in good shape to go. We ordered the tickets, purchased travel insurance, almost done packing, and did some research as to what to expect when we are there.
Please pray for God to blind the eyes of the customs officers when passing through into Zambia as we have teaching materials and if they see it they will tax us heavily. Next for God to use us, keep us safe, and that we too will have a teachable spirit while we are there! Thank you for caring, praying and supporting us! We love you.... Susie

before Zambia Trip

We are so excited about our mission trip to Zambia. My son Jared and I have been invited to work with Strategies for Effective Teaching Centers, International. We will be training and teaching teachers how to integrate God's Word into their every day curriculum. We will also be working with a deaf school. We will be teaching them how to use what they already have: God, God's Word and what natural environment He has already provided for them.
It is our prayer and desire to be used by God and to give Him all the glory for what He has done and is going to do while we are there. Please pray for us daily while we are there and that the Lord will open the eyes and hearts of the Zambians.
Also, pray for our finances, we have received $4,300 and we are still in need of $1000. We know that we serve a Great, Big God and He will provide for us.
If the Lord lays it on your heart to donate money, please send it to Gum Springs Baptist Church5454 Franks Ferry Road, Walling, TN 38587 .*for tax deduction
We leave on June 15th and will return July 9th.
Thank you in advance for allowing the Lord to use you. May He bless you 10 fold for your prayers and generosity.
Sincerely,
Susie and Jared Kelly