2007 Visit to the USA

John 1:7-9 ” He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.  He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.  The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world,…”

  

Early in 2007 ten teenage girls from the Children of Zion Village had the opportunity to visit the US. While they were here they had the chance to sing and visit with the many sponsors and volunteers that help support COZV. This page gives them the opportunity to share their thoughts with you.

    

  

Written by Inonge Julia

My life has changed in many ways…

Going to America was great!   I have learned a lot.  Most of all many people have touched my heart.   God was gracious by letting me have this opportunity.  My life has changed in many ways and my relationship with the Lord got deeper and deeper.  In Psalms it says, “ may my tongue sing of your word for all your commands are righteous and may your hand be ready to help me”.  When I entered the prayer room at the woman’s retreat it felt like angels were everywhere and surrounding us.  I was just amazed at how the Lord was working on me and all my sisters.  When the time came for me to speak I found the Lord was there encouraging me. The Lord said, “ watch and be amazed for I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” Habakkuk 1:5  The Lord had really touched my life and I can see he has touched the lives of those I met.  God is love. As we love those God has created, we experience God. All that I saw was just incredible and unbelievable.  The Lord is very gracious to all those who love him. “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works before his deeds of old.” I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning before the world began. 

The trip meant a lot to me.  Wherever  we went the Lord was always with us and we were surrounded by angels. I have seen that being a Christian means a lot to me.  I really enjoyed the trip.  The Holy Spirit was everywhere.  The trip was not just enjoyable, but it was just a miracle and amazing. What amazing love the Lord has given to us!  It’s really amazing to have a savior. Those who trust in the Lord are like “Mt. Zion which cannot be shaken but endures forever! Continue to your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.”  

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to your sight, amen. 

       

       

This testimony is from Inonge Dorothy Mwila

   On February 9, 2007 we arrived in America tired and sleepy. After we went through all we had to in the airport, we went and found Auntie Lisa ,Sarah, sister, Jennifer and baby August waiting in the airport with coats for us. We went outside and we saw some snow . It was beautiful even though it was dirty The cold air stung my face so bad that my eyes started watering like crying. The van that was loaned to us was a big car.
In America, we performed every Sunday, visited different states, people and churches and were welcomed by all. We met many kinds of people who were waiting to hear us sing. At first I felt very shy and alone even though the other girls were beside me. I was nervous to look at the people, so I looked at the ceiling of the church. Many people encouraged us no matter what mistakes we made.

When we went to the Women’s retreat it was amazing to hear people’s testimonies, who were treated very harshly in their lives. One woman’s testimony touched my heart because God took her out of her troubles safely. I now know that God loves us more than I really thought . I’d also want to be rescued like this woman.
In America, we met new people who were looking forward to seeing us. We sang and gave our testimonies to people who had never met us or had seen us before. I lead many of the songs so I would ask God to help me lead well, even when I was not feeling well or having a cold. By the time we left we al liked watching movies on the Disney Channel and enjoyed all the other interesting things we saw. We went to some people’s homes for dinner. We saw people who are praying for us or supporting the children’s home .On thing I liked was going outside with Auntie Kathy to feed the birds or burning the trash. I fell in love with the backyard of Mama Rebecca’s house and the woods and longed to take a walk.

I met people who were funny and people who are sick and Mama Rebecca and Papa Gary’s parents. I made two new pen pals and I also had the chance to see volunteers who have been here before. I quickly made friends with the McLaughlin’s dog whose name is Zeek. I met some of Hannah’s friends We did and saw a lot of fun things in America and I liked going ice skating the best . While at the women’s retreat, I made friends with the women. When we went to the prayer room I felt the Holy Spirit filling my heart. While praying I imagined the arc, showing me God’s face.

The day before we left the women’s retreat I cried. It was though God was asking me to repent for something I had done before using the prayer room. Auntie Dawn prayed for me, and then I felt like God was comforting me. I can’t imagine the very hard circumstances that some of the other girls and women who gave testimonies had gone through. They never gave up their faith and trust through Jesus Christ.

I am glad I went to America because I’ve seen God’s real followers. I would want to also be God’s real follower.
I miss Aunt Kathy and the other friends and Auntie’s I met. I thank God that some people will come very soon and later this year.

Right now, I am trying to be God’s true follower because when I grow up, I want to be a Sunday school teacher. I already preached to the children and everyone about worship on the Sunday that we returned to Children of Zion Village. Everyone thought I did a good job and I think I want to continue doing this. First I want to listen to what God wants me to say. I am trying my best to do what is right, but it is not so easy. I am trusting God to help me to become a Sunday school teacher. I am thankful that I am saved from the horrible things. I am trying my best with self-control and I think I will continue forever.

    

  

Anna Amy states:

I was very excited to go to America. I couldn’t wait, but the trip to Windhoek was very long. At last, we got on the plane I was so excited about my first plane ride! We arrived in America at last, and I couldn’t wait to see what America looked like. When I first saw snow I was amazed at how beautiful the snow was and Mama Rebecca’s house was very beautiful. We quickly had lunch. I was the first one to play in the snow. I put snow on my big sister’s heads. I fell in love with Aunt Kathy’s cats. We rested for one day before we started singing, dancing and sharing our testimonies. We all fell in love with the Disney Channel. We watched it every chance we could get. We did many new things in America like going to the mall for the first time, getting food from McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s for the first time and seeing different food, movies, shops, and people.

   
At the first performance, I was very nervous. We went to many places to sing. We also went to the zoo, museums, ice-skating, saw Disney on ice, the Horse Expo, dog show and many churches. I had fun doing all the new things The trip has changed my life in many ways. I am thankful I got to go because many people have never been to America or will ever get the chance to go. I got spoiled. All I did was eat, go perform and watch Disney channel or other shows.
The women’s retreat was the most wonderful thing that had happened while I was in America. It was moving and I enjoyed being there. The tent, where we performed was amazing. It was like being with God. I was very nervous about speaking in front of people but God helped me to overcome it. It was a blessing to be allowed to speak, sing and share with the children about Jesus in a public school.

   
The people in America and made me feel very special and I felt welcomed and was amazed at how people worshiped God. The retreat taught me a lot about God and I realized that I was not spending the time with God that I need to.

  
 

My name is Beerina Cayi and I am 17 years-old. The time I arrived in America, I found three people standing and waiting for us with coats, hats and gloves for us to wear. These people were Auntie-Lisa, Auntie Sarah and sister Jennifer. They took us with two cars. Some of us rode with Auntie Lisa, Sarah’s mother and some of us rode with sister Jennifer, Mama Rebecca’s daughter. We went to Mama Rebecca’s house. In Mama Rebecca’s house we found her big sister Aunt Kathy and her two cats. Her one cat is very fat and other one is very shy. She gave us two rooms to share. In one room there were four girls and the other room were six girls. We also found some clothes on one big bed for us to share. Some of us slept on the floor and some of us on the bed.

When we started to sing at churches and share our testimonies for the first time I was nervous. It was difficult to stand up in front of people whom I never knew before and share my life, but I prayed about it and the Lord really helped me. After praying about it, I felt free I knew that the Lord had answered my prayer. I really became better and better about it. I did not know that I was that close to God until I went to America.

The place where I best saw God’s power was at the women’s retreat. It was a wonderful place. I never knew that it would be like that. I saw how people worship God in many different ways in America. They praise him by dancing and singing as we do, but they also spend their time with God, which I don’t usually do. I also learned that I needed to spend more time with my Heavenly Father. At the women’s retreat, I was very happy. It was like we were in heaven, many people were filled with God’s spirit and joy in their hearts. The prayer room was just like we were in God’s hands. When we were praying in it I felt like angels were covering us with their wings.
I just want to end with this verse in , “Matthew 7:8 It says, “for everyone who keeps on asking receives and he who keeps on seeking finds and to him who keeps on knocking the door will be opened.”

This is what I am trying to do. I really received him in my life, but sometimes I make mistakes and do things that he doesn’t like. Through it all I am still asking him and seeking his face.
   

   

My name is Annia Moyo.

I am one of the 10 girls who went on a tour to the United States of America. The trip was great! There was a lot to learn and see. It was great to see one of my favorite dreams being fulfilled by God from the day we left Katima Mulilo. The whole trip was full of miracles and the Holy Spirit of the Lord was there to help us through. The idea of the whole trip came when Mama Rebecca was asked to speak at a women’s retreat. The idea of the trip was fulfilled, because of your prayers, my prayers and the overflowing love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the God of all miracles.

The trip changed all of our lives, it especially challenged me. I worship, pray and have a relationship with God but God revealed to me that there is a whole lot more to being a Christian than I have. I shared my testimony in many of the churches we visited, and I said that I am looking forward to what is ahead. God showed me what I should be looking forward to, through so many people’s lives. When he showed this to me, I felt ashamed of myself because God has always been there waiting patiently for me. I haven’t accepted and fallen at his feet for his time. I haven’t given him a chance. I have always done what I think and know what is right but haven’t waited for directions and the right timing.

A life-changing moment was when I heard the testimonies at the women’s retreat It was spiritually moving, and a whole new challenge. The night before one girl gave her testimony, the Holy Spirit told me that I will see the person that will change my life today. When a girl sitting in front of me in the next row got up and walked over in front of the room to get prayed over the Holy Spirit said. “There she is.” From the moment she got up I was in the midst of God’s love and his amazing peace. That night I told the Lord that he should let his will be done and that I was ready for my life to be changed. The next day, I rose up with a peace that I never ever had in my life and when I prayed and ask God about it, He said, ” This is the day I have made and have been preparing you for the next step in our walk. I’ve been waiting for you to allow me to take the next step, when you were ready.” When God said this to me. I felt like rejoicing forever. A little later in the morning the girl gave her testimony and I cried through the whole thing. Her testimony was wonderful! Her testimony was so moving and touching that I found myself crying with her in times of sadness and smiling in times of joy. She has gone through a lot and in different ways than I have. It was encouraging to hear from someone who has gone through similar things. I always thought that I was the only person who was abused very badly by people. God has done great things for her and he would surely do more. She sought and depended on God through her time of sadness. I will depend upon God through all things. That is the morning I found out that I don’t depend upon God for all things. I felt guilty because I don’t talk to God about all things and don’t share how I feel with friends and people around me especially when I’m sad, sick or not feeling well.

Now life is different, I want a better relationship with him “Yet a time is coming and has come now when the true worshipers will worship the father in spirit and in truth for they are the kind of worshipers the father seeks.”

John 4:23
God seeks me. Why should I not be seeking him, the King and the ruler of heaven and earth?

Ever since we came back, I have been worshiping the father in spirit and in truth, just as he deserves to be worshiped. “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”
I seek God in all I do and long for him. I long to be alone with God I depend upon him. “I lift my eyes to the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.”
Pray with me that I may never turn away from our Lord.
“Teach me Lord to follow your decrees that I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.” Psalm 119: 33-37

Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight, turn my heart towards your statutes and not towards selfish gain turn my eyes away from the worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. And let your will be done in me and for those who believe. Guard my life for I am devoted to you.

I write to you because your sins have been forgiven on account of his time for this testimony is useless without him. I write to you because you have known him who is from the beginning, and is to reign forever. I write to you because you have overcome the evil one and seek my Lord and in God. I write to you because you have known the father loved him and worshiped him in spirit and in truth (paraphrase from 1 John 2: 12-14).

May the Lord, maker of heaven and earth bless you from Zion.

  

   

Nicky writes:

The Lord changed my life when we went to America! It was a blessing for me to meet people there who love and care for me. I want to say thank you from all of us for the food, clothes, inviting us to your homes and all the fun things you planned for us. You were all so generous and kind to us while were in America! I would liked to end with this wonderful verse. ” You have taken off your old look with its practices and have put on the new look which is being renewing in knowledge into the image of its creator.” Colossians 3:9-20

    
The true you is the new you, you are becoming and that’s how we are now, our old looks are gone and our new looks have come to us.

Thanks to many of you

  

  

                      

          

Maggie writes:

When I went to America I learned and saw how people worship differently from us. Before I went, I had heard the gospel for the first time and I understood how I was included in Jesus Christ’s family and that he loved me enough to die on the cross for me. In America I shared how Christ has changed my life up to the point I am now. I hadn’t imagined that I was chosen before the creation of the world, but God had a special purpose in that I was included in Christ when I heard the word of truth and heard the gospel of my salvation. I hadn’t believed that I was marked in Him with a seal and that he promised the Holy Spirit to me. In America, I also did a lot of fun things which I haven’t done here in Namibia. While I was in America I went ice skating, ate at Chucky Cheese and played some funny games. I played in the snow and threw snow on my sisters. The best place I visited while I was in America was the Women’s Retreat. There we sang and shared our testimonies of how Christ has changed our lives. When we went into the prayer room, I felt as if we were in heaven glorifying God and the angels were surrounding us. When we came out of the prayer room, I felt happy and special in the eyes of the Lord. I would like to end with this beautiful verse. “Have mercy on me, O God according to your unfailing love; blot our my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.” Psalm 51:1-4

                

—————————————————————————————

Isa 12:4-6
And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his
name, declare his doings among the people, make mention
that his name is exalted. Sing unto the LORD; for he hath
done excellent things: this is known in all the earth. Cry out
and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One
of Israel in the midst of thee. KJV

 
These verses say all that is in my heart this day. My heart overflows
with the blessing that we were able to share and be given on our trip to
America and to be in His special ministry that God chose for us. Each
of you have made this possible and we thank you and ask for you to
continue your commitment to all of us here in Children of Zion and Mafuta
with your prayers and support. May our Lord return to you the
blessing you have given to all of us a thousand fold!