The Alan Christmas

The Alan Christmas was very great. (The Alan family is from Texas and has been staying at the Village of Hope in the absence of the Kamau and Schwartz families.  They hope to spend a year with us in Zambia beginning in July 2009).  It's a Christmas kids will leave to remember. They were taken to Fringila at about 10:30. They just disembarked from the canter and scattered in different directions to play. Some went to the swings. Others were seen bouncing on the trampoline. Some house mothers were close to the small ones while others were playing volleyball. Some kids were just busy laughing and running around.

 At 12:30 they were called to take a special meal. They gathered around the table where Alan offered a prayer before they started eating. Pictures attached tell a better story. They enjoyed the meal so much that some ask for more and they were given.

 After the special their special meal they went for the second time of play time. This time Alan lead the house mothers, anties and the Lusumpa family to a Christmas buffet meal prepared by Fringilla.

When the house mothers were through with their meal, Alan paid for the Kids to ride on house. They could not believe it, they were very, very happy. They got on the beast two-two for a ride.

To close the Alan Christmas Outing the kids gathered around the tables reserved for them for a drink and a cupcake.

We were all back at the village by 15:30 hours when it was announce that the giving of the gifts to kids should be delayed because Chief Liteta was to visit. About 17:30 hours Mr. Lusumpa came with the Chief: All the kids gathered in the Visitors House to welcome Chief with a song "One more time, He allowed us to come together". The chief who looked puzzled was given a sit and Mr. Lusumpa went on to introduce him to the Kids and the Alan Family. He thanked him for being so gracious as to come at such a short notice. The Alan Family then distributed their Christmas gifts to the kids in the presence of the Chief, his body guard and the Headwoman Mutoya. They also gave gifts to the Anties, the house mothers and the Lusumpa family.

The chief was so impressed to note that all the kids are from is chiefdom. Antie Doreen came and kneeled before the chief with one of the Kids who happen to be a relative of the chief. Immediately the kid kneeled down the chief point at her and mentioned the name of the late mother who happens to be his close relative. The chief shock his head and also greeted Doreen who is well known by the chief being a close relative also. The chief also recognized mother Rose 1 who is related to his wife. In the mean time kids were busy admiring the nice gifts give by the Alan family.

To wind up this special Christmas session the Chief was ask to say something. As per tradition everyone was asked to stand as the chief took the stage. He talked about how happy and grateful he was to see all that is being done for the orphans at the Village of Hope. The chief said that it was a surprise to him because all he used to see is the Farm Market. He encouraged the Alan Family and the house mothers to continue the good work that God has given them. As the chief was speaking things became so emotional that Alan could not hold his tears. The Headwoman also stood up, greeted the kids and thank Alan and the house mother for the great work they were doing for the orpans.

The kids escorted the chief outside and gave him a big bye-bye as he was driven off. On the way the chief, his body guard and the headwoman talked about how strange it was that such good things were going on in his chiefdom and he did not know. The headwoman told the chief that when she saw the orphans and how happy they looked, she was gripped in her heart that she almost cried. Kids scattered back to their respective houses to play with their new toys and dolls. What a Christmas! The Alan Christmas!

By Emmanuel Lusumpa

(Picture difficult to attach. They will follow letter.)

Long Absence

I begin with an apology for all of you who regularly check this blog.  I know that there has been a long absence.  After 2 great teams visiting in October and November which took all of my time, Sena and I returned to the US.  It is good to have some time to spend with family, especially those 2 cute grandchildren!
Benedict returns this weekend.  I will give you some updates from Zambia and my conversations with him.
* The rains have come!  Things are very green, there has been lots of water, and Willy even had to mow the grass in our backyard.  (For those of you who have been there in the dry season, you know that is quite something.)
*  This week during a big rain and wind storm, one of the electric poles that is on Paddy Doyle's property across the road and that services our property, went down.  That means that there is no electricity for the time being to our Village.  They have hooked up a generator so at least they have water.  Just think about life without electricity and you know the difficulties that they face.
*  The Alan Patty family from Texas have arrived for the month of December while the Schwartzes and Kamaus are in the states.  I'm sure they will have many stories, especially with no electricity.
*  Pastor Emmanuel Lusumpa and his family have moved into the Village.
*  The grant to proceed on the chicken project has now been signed so that work can begin on building the houses to raise broilers to sell.
It is a busy place and God is at work.  The children are doing well, and have this month of December off as a vacation.
Blessings to all of you who care about what is happening, who pray for us, and who read this blog. 

Report from Benedict on Graduation pf Conservation Farming students

I am so grateful to the Lord for the graduation! It was quite excellent. We had it in the restaurant. The Chimwemwe ladies sang, also the UCZ Church choir. Both were totally amazing. Their harmonies could blow you socks off. I taped the whole thing. The UCZ choir has a lead woman vocalist with an incredible soprano voice that works so well with the rest of choirs voices. Harriet gave the commencement address; Emmanuel spoke, and I spoke just a little. 70 to 80 people came. There was lots of singing and dancing. The students made food.

We ground the maize they served on our new hammermill! I pointed out that they had prepared the land, planted the seed, and God grew the maize. They then harvested it, and even ground it on our own mill, then cooked it. They were the hands throughoutthe entire process, but it required God's partnering with them. He provided the seed; He grew the maize; He provided the hammermill.