4,000 Tomato Seedlings

 We now have a nursery where we can get seeds to grow in large numbers.  Recently 4,000 tomato seeds were started.  However, after evaluation, it was decided that now was not the best time of year to grow tomatoes for retail.  What to do with the seedlings?  No problem!  Make them available to 53 children who will eagerly plant them. 

If you want to gain some muscles, come to Zambia and work in the garden with the hoes they use.  They are very heavy and you lift them and swing them into the ground.  I don’t know how the children are able to use them, but they do and make nice gardens.  I’m hoping that in a few weeks they will have lots tomatoes to eat.

Gift taking a break from working in her cottage's garden.

The fruit of their labor. 

Gift hard at work, the children love to help in the gardens! 

Visiting Relatives

The month of April is a holiday month for the children. School has finished Term 1 and we have a one month break. In April and August, many of our children go to visit extended family. About 30 children left to visit family, each with a bag or backpack with their clothes. For many this is an extremely joyful experience. For others, they are very, very glad when they return to our Village. No child is forced to go, and only those relatives who have requested a visit are receiving children. We send them off with prayers and we continue to pray for them as they are in these situations: for safety, for health, and that they will be good examples of God’s love to their relatives. Please be praying for them as well during the next 2 weeks.

Teacher Appreciation

After our last day of classes for this Term, the staff went to Ibis for lunch, thanks to the generosity of others. What a wonderful team we have at the school: 9 Zambian trained teachers, 4 teacher assistants, 2 housekeepers, and one cook. As you can see, they are all young, and want to learn new ways of doing things, and hardworking. And Teacher Bruce Malowa is especially glad to have several male teachers now after a couple of years when he was the only one!

Awards Assembly at the School of Hope

At the end of each Term we hold a final assembly.  At that time, awards are given out, five by each teacher.  This term we used our newest building, and all 230 children and all the teachers were present.  Awards are given for academics, for “being smart” (which means having good personal hygiene and looking good), most improved, etc.  Each teacher has their own 5 categories. 

This term I was very moved when Priscilla Juma received the award in Grade 3 as the most improved.  Her father is an employee as a guard.  She came almost 2 years ago and has struggled.  She has hearing loss and has other learning challenges.  When her name was called, she received the most claps and exclamation of support from the students of any other award.   She proudly came forward to receive the award, something she would never have done 2 years ago.  She would have been too shy.

To me, it is a reflection of the culture of our school which is one of love, encouragement, and affirmation for all students.

90 Years old

On Sunday, March 24, by Dad and his twin brother,. Uncle Warren.  celebrated their 90^th birthday together. There were born in a home delivery in Blair, KS.  Both have been kind and wonderful husbands and fathers.  My father has traveled the world telling people about Jesus, serving as a United Methodist pastor and then on staff at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.  I’m very grateful for the example my father gave me from my earliest years.  He always had a passion for missions and even as a young girl, I  thought I would be a missionary in Africa.  Now he and my mother pray for us, help to support the organization, and encourage us, always interested in seeing pictures and hearing reports.  Happy Birthday, Daddy, and thanks for all you mean to me!

10 year old Repairmen

 My office at school is furnished with wonderful metal cabinets that came from the states.  However, all of these cupboards had to travel in a 40 foot container for days.  The trip took a toll.  So, one of the metal cabinets has 2 drawers that have been giving me trouble.  They catch on each other and then they won’t go in all of the way.

One day this week I asked Joe and Gift small if they could try and help me with the drawers.  I left them in the office, tools in hand, and went to a meeting with the teachers.  The boys were motivated because they wanted to help and they also wanted to stay at school longer on a Thursday half day.  (Thursday is the least favorite school day for kids since it is half day.  They would rather be at school!!!)

After the meeting I came into the office to be greeted by two smiling boys.  “We fixed the drawers.”  And they had!! Both drawers slide in smoothly – in and out.   No one has as sweet and eager repairmen as I do!