And So Much More

 Sometimes you are so close to something that you can't appreciate all that there is.  One of our volunteers here from WI commented the other day to Benedict that there is so much more going on here than just orphan care.  That is so true. 

• We have outreach – discipleship, skill training, and soon English lessons for our workers.
• We have the Chimwemwe Ladies Club – outreach to women in the community.  They are being discipled, learning about health and medical information, earning some money of their own.
• We have involvement with the Okada Community School and outreach to children.
• And all of us, staff and children alike, are learning and growing. 
• Volunteers are experiencing God in the context of Africa, hearing God's call, going back to share the mighty acts of God with their friends, family, and church.
• And now the Community Center opens up all kinds of possibilities.

So there is so much more, and all because God called us to first minister to widows and orphans.  Praise be to Him!

The First Community Event

 On Saturday we had a concert outside the new Community Center which was under construction.  Some folks thought that everyone who would come would fit in the large room of the Center.  Others, like me, thought we would quickly overflow and need to have it outside.  When I arrived about 20 minutes before the scheduled time, I was greeted by about 100 kids who had eagerly gathered at the market and were waiting for us.  Yes, we had to move the event outside.  There were over 300 people who attended.  Don, the evangelist who travels around the world playing his trumpet and speaking, played and had everyone sing on some of the songs.  Then Pastor Kenneth, a pastor from Kenya who had come to be part of the project, preached the simple gospel message.  At the end people were given an opportunity to invite Jesus into their hearts.  Many people raised their hands and then met with the team afterwards.  Many, many children wanted to know more. 

 What is very clear is that there is a huge need for children's ministry in this area.  One half to two thirds of those attending were children.  And there are so many more children in the area.  Once the word gets out, we will easily grow the number of children and adults who attend our community events. 

 In one way we have already outgrown the community building.  We will use the 2 classrooms for school for our Village of Hope children.  The large room will be used for tutoring, computer training, library, smaller meeting area.  Then the verandah will be a "stage" for events.  On Thursday afternoon we have invited everyone back for the dedication of the building.

From Slab to Roof in 2 weeks

 Last Monday a team from Neenah, WI with 4 fellows from Kenya began work on the Community Center located behind the market.  Their goal was to finish the work in the 2 weeks that they are here.  They will succeed.   We had the slab poured before they arrived. They put up the walls, door and window frames, interior walls, trusses, and roof.  Tomorrow is their last full day and they only need to put on the metal roof pieces.  It has been quite amazing to see them work with some of the Zambian workers and accomplish so much so quickly.  We will have the dedication on Thursday and hope many people come to the afternoon ceremony. 

Gifts and Nutrition

 I met a man at the Orphan Summit who comes to Africa and distributes Moringa tree seedlings.  He brought us about 80 on Saturday.  He shared with Miriam how they are to be planted and cared for.  These trees are extremely nutritious.  Some of the trees you let grow tall so they will continue to produce seeds.  The rest you cut when they are about 5-6 ft tall.  Then you harvest the leaves which then grow back in about 6 weeks for the next harvest.  The leaves are dried, crushed and then added to food as a great supplement.  I'll keep you posted on how well the seedlings do.

The sounds of the Village

 There are some sounds that I'm experiencing for the first time here in our Village.  At night/early evening, when it is dark, you hear the happy sound of children playing and talking.  Since we don't have lots of outside light, it is pretty dark, so you can't see the children – just hear them.

Around 4:00 every morning, our rooster begins to crow.  I hope I learn to sleep through it before long, but he sure makes a lot of noise.  He is doing his job, however.  We have many little chicks following their mother hens around.

 We have made a large fenced area behind the new house here.  So we have our 3 dogs out there much of the day.  Zee, a long-haired Chihuahua, is the yapper.  Samantha, the Rhodesian Ridgeback has a deep "woof".  And fortunately, Colby, the puppy German Shepherd doesn't make too much noise, because when he does it is a loud howl. 

The tractor is parked outside our house.  Most tractors here don't have starters.  So they have to either be parked on an incline or pushed to get them going.  There is an incline outside, so the tractor is parked there every night.  So in the morning, we hear the sound of the tractor getting going. 

A Miracle at Work

 

While I was gone to the US, Benedict was overseeing the completion of the house that we will move into, hopefully Saturday.  Much work had been done:  floor in, ceiling in, built-ins in kitchen, and painting done.

 

We are under a time table to finish before teams come on Saturday and Sunday.  So yesterday workers were putting in the windows, building doors, running the lines to the septic, building shelves for the closets.  Today all that work will continue as well as hooking up the electric lights and outlets.  A group of the Chimwemwe Ladies are coming to sweep, mop, and then wax the floors as well as clean windows.

 

It will truly be a miracle when we "shift" (move) over.  And we are excited about being in the Village and close to the children and housemothers.

 

 

Back in Zambia

 

I returned late Monday night from the US.  While there I visited our children and grandchildren, including a new grandson, and attended Orphan Summit IV.

 

Much has been happening here while I have been gone.  Some little things stand out to me:

*There are new faces among our children!  We now have 4 different sibling pairs including a set of twins. 

*Another house is full with Rose (our second Rose) and the children who will call her mom.

*The village chickens have 2 batches of chicks (15 all together) and another hen is sitting on her eggs.  We only bought one of our village chickens.  The rest were gifts from the families of the children who have come to visit.

*Poinsetta trees are in full bloom.  Rather than being potted plants at Christmas time, poinsettias here are tall trees with the blooms at the end of the branches.

 

It was good to get back and see my family and friends half a continent away from my family and friends in the US.

 

 

Orphan Summit

On May 1-3 I attended Orphan Summit IV in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.  This Summit is the coming together of agencies, churches, and individuals who have a burden for the 143 million orphans in the world.  Yes, there are 143 orphans worldwide.  This Summit has grown from 30 attendees 4 years ago to over 600 this year.  Also the amazing fact is that it is around this issue, and the fact that the church needs to respond, that we see the coming together and uniting of the Body of Christ.  

 

We had a breakout session.  It was a great joy to share about what we are doing.  I found that we are truly unique in combing orphan care, economic development, entrepreneurial training, and involvement in the local community.  Many people wanted to know how we are doing what we are doing.