January Report from Kathleen Schwartz
Reflections by Kathleen: The new year has begun with lots of activity for All Kids Can Learn Zambia. Benedict, and Aaron Squadroni, our nephew from Minnesota an architectural student at the University of Minnesota arrived first. Aaron was able to draw up plans for the use of the land, the placement of buildings, the layout and furnishings of the cottages, and more. Early in January Pat Tuttle was also here for 2 weeks; he helped with the continuing plans for the businesses that will help provide income for the orphan ministry. Last Thursday, Drew Fender and Steve Christenbury arrived for two weeks to use their carpentry skills to finish out the kitchen in the first and maybe second cottage. Also on Thursday I arrived with Sena and Kristina, our daughters. We have joined Francis and Kimberly Kamau and their 2 children and Marika Galanis, all have been here since the fall. As usual, already we have been quite busy.
On Friday night Kimberly and Kamau had invited friends over to begin meeting every other week in a small home group. Two couples came. They were Zimbabwe farmers who had "gotten the boot." They lost everything when their lands were confiscated and one man was put in prison for a time. They are beginning again here in Zambia. It was a wonderful time of eating a meal together, singing, and sharing. I look forward to meeting again in 2 weeks. They know that putting their faith and sense of well being in material things will not bring happiness.
Today (Sunday) most of us went to a church that is held in a building that was meant to be a community pub. It was a beautiful setting, in the middle of a field and cows in a neighboring field and a friendly dog coming into the service. That made Sena happy to be able to pet it. Kristina had a different opinion! It is a small congregation and many of those there were also displaced Zimbabweans.
Benedict had invited Bruce Wilkinson, a Vice President for World Vision and living in Zambia to come for church and lunch with us. He came with his wife Linda, and 5 year old son. We had a wonderful time and showed them all around the farm. I look forward to being friends with them and seeing her work inone of the slums of Lusaka.
Great progress has been made at the farm. A wonderful road now goes back to the fenced area where the cottages are being built. Two of the cottages are under roof and should be completed by the end of February. The next 2 are coming along as well. There are now 10 farm trainees and the crops look wonderful; cassava, soybeans, sunflowers (yeah Kansas - I'm from Kansas), and maize. Soon production of blocks will resume - some for more building, some for selling. The area for the wholesale produce market on the road is being cleared and construction will soon begin. Another area of land will also be cleared as the next place for growing crops.
I'm sitting on the wonderful veranda at the house we are renting. I can hear thunder and in the distance see dark clouds coming this way. Since this is Sunday it is truly a Sabbath, no one works. Some folks are napping, some are playing cards, others reading. There are beautiful flowers in the yard, some different from when I was here in June.During my stay here, I hope to give regular updates to this "Update Page". Please log again for more info.
On Friday night Kimberly and Kamau had invited friends over to begin meeting every other week in a small home group. Two couples came. They were Zimbabwe farmers who had "gotten the boot." They lost everything when their lands were confiscated and one man was put in prison for a time. They are beginning again here in Zambia. It was a wonderful time of eating a meal together, singing, and sharing. I look forward to meeting again in 2 weeks. They know that putting their faith and sense of well being in material things will not bring happiness.
Today (Sunday) most of us went to a church that is held in a building that was meant to be a community pub. It was a beautiful setting, in the middle of a field and cows in a neighboring field and a friendly dog coming into the service. That made Sena happy to be able to pet it. Kristina had a different opinion! It is a small congregation and many of those there were also displaced Zimbabweans.
Benedict had invited Bruce Wilkinson, a Vice President for World Vision and living in Zambia to come for church and lunch with us. He came with his wife Linda, and 5 year old son. We had a wonderful time and showed them all around the farm. I look forward to being friends with them and seeing her work inone of the slums of Lusaka.
Great progress has been made at the farm. A wonderful road now goes back to the fenced area where the cottages are being built. Two of the cottages are under roof and should be completed by the end of February. The next 2 are coming along as well. There are now 10 farm trainees and the crops look wonderful; cassava, soybeans, sunflowers (yeah Kansas - I'm from Kansas), and maize. Soon production of blocks will resume - some for more building, some for selling. The area for the wholesale produce market on the road is being cleared and construction will soon begin. Another area of land will also be cleared as the next place for growing crops.
I'm sitting on the wonderful veranda at the house we are renting. I can hear thunder and in the distance see dark clouds coming this way. Since this is Sunday it is truly a Sabbath, no one works. Some folks are napping, some are playing cards, others reading. There are beautiful flowers in the yard, some different from when I was here in June.During my stay here, I hope to give regular updates to this "Update Page". Please log again for more info.
posted by Irmgarde | 3:38 PM
1 Comments:
We first heard about your ministry on a FamilyLife Broadcast back in November. The ministry that God has given you is amazing...and we will be praying about what the Father would have us do in response to what we have learned. Thank you so much for sharing about the work He is doing through you.
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