AKCLI - Villages of Hope News

CD Recording

2012-01-23T10:15:00.000-05:00

CD Recording

Tuesday evening, our friend, Bob D’Antoni from our church in MD arrived from the Children’s Village in Namibia. He was there to record for a second CD of the children there. He came for a one day recording session with our children.

So on Wednesday, gathered around the microphone in our living room, about 25 of the children, as well as Mama Rose C, and Teacher Malowa recorded about 11 songs and scripture readings.

Bob left on Thursday with the basic tracks he had recorded. He will take them back to the states, mix them, add some instrumentation, and send the final version for our approval. So look forward to a CD from the Village of Hope in 3-4 months!

Week 3

2012-01-23T10:14:00.000-05:00

Week 3

Today was the first day of our 3^rd week of school. Yesterday early afternoon we had a heavy rainstorm. I didn’t think any parents would come to the 2^nd meeting held at 4pm. However, we had about 12 parents come. These were folks who couldn’t make the Friday meeting. Once again I was encouraged by the interest and desire of these parents to have their children receive a good education.

I’m wondering if we will also be influencing schools in the surrounding area. The head teacher from Shalubala in Landless Corner has his 2 children coming here. A teacher at the school has a daughter here. One of the teachers at Okada Community School has her son coming here. And the niece of the head teacher at Liteta is now a teacher at our school.

I’m trying to learn the names of the new children. I’m not sure that I will ever be able to do that. The goal of learning these names is complicated by the fact that everyone wears uniforms, so they even look even more alike. We have interesting names like Cleopatra, Wisdom, Savour, and familiar names like Elizabeth, Thelma, Abigail.

On the way to church yesterday with my singing team, Prudence said, “I can’t wait til tomorrow. I like school.” I asked those in the car if they liked having new friends. The response was a joyous yes. I believe that it is very good for our children in the Village to be in a setting with other children, bigger classes, and opportunities to share their faith.

TGIF! - written 1-20-12

2012-01-23T10:12:00.001-05:00

TGIF! This is one of those weeks where I was very aware that I was sooo glad that it was Friday!

This is the second week of school. We have doubled our student population and have 3 new teachers. This also means that we are not serving lunch to about 70, but we have gone up to serving about 140 lunches. You should see the n’shema pot. It takes 2 of our male workers to stir the n’shema. Benedict bought what he thought was a huge amount of pumpkin leaves to have to cook as relish for today. Unfortunately, they really cook down and there wasn’t enough for the upper grades.

I’m still trying to make order in my office. All of you who have been here and helped organize the office, it is almost all moved to a space about 1/3 the size. I don’t yet have glass in the windows, just the grill. So at the end of each day I have to move everything off of my desk that could get wet if it would rain overnight. The room is arranged in 2 areas – one for office and teacher resources, the other the library for students. Right now we also store all the cooking items in the library area. That includes 2 tubs of plates that we use, the huge pot and smaller pots, etc. It is a good thing we eat with our fingers here – no silverware to mess with.

Then the mud!! It has been raining quite a bit this week, so there is lots of mud. The children take off their shoes when they go into the classroom so that helps keep the rooms fairly clean.

Sue (from Buffalo, MN), it would make you so happy to see all 125 kids using the paths in the courtyard as we gather for morning meeting. There is enough room on each side of the hexagon for a class to stand. Of course, if there is lots of rain some of it is filled with water.

Folks who are sending their kids here have put together car pools to get the children to school. There is a car that comes from Liteta, one from Wangwa farms, one from Landless Corner. This has all been organized by the parents. We have nothing to do with it.

We called for a meeting of the parents since there are so many new students and we wanted to inform them of some of our policies and what to expect. I gave them the option of 2 different days and times to come for the meeting; one for 2:30 today, and one for 4:00 on Sunday. To my amazement and joy, we had about 50 parents show up today!! The meeting lasted over an hour. After I finished my part, we opened it up for questions. All of our experienced teachers were there as well. Overall it was a very good meeting.

We have eager children, hardworking teachers, good helpers, and a loving God who has provided the school and all that we have.

No Room in the School!!!

2012-01-15T09:29:00.003-05:00

No Room in the School!!!

The first week of school is over. What an exciting time it has been! We began the week with about 120 registered students. By Friday all the classrooms were full for a total of 123 students. This means that we doubled in size. Our teachers have been working so hard and are so dedicated to the principles and methods that we are incorporating into the schedule for the day. The children are all eager to be at the school.

Parents in Zambia are so eager to have their children receive a quality education, and the government is just not able to keep up with the demand. As in all countries, the future of a nation rests on the education of the children and youth. So we are praying that all of our students will be building a strong foundation in understanding God’s way, developing a love of learning, and growing in mind, soul, and body.

September in January

2012-01-04T11:47:00.002-05:00

When I was growing up, I was always excited for September and beginning of school. Here the school year starts in January. Monday is the first day of school. We have opened enrollment to the community, and as a result of the big demand, we are adding two new teachers. Emmanuel Musonda will be teaching with Bruce Malowa the grades 4-8. We are now interviewing for a grade 2 teacher. In the meantime, we are moving furniture, books, etc. Many of our children from the Village of Hope have been helping. They are always such willing and joyful volunteers!

Susan Lukaart who has been our education mentor (and now AKCLI Board Chairperson) is here from Michigan and helped lead our first day of Professional Development and Planning for the teachers today. We will continue tomorrow. The team we have is outstanding and it is a joy to anticipate what the new year will bring!

Looking to 2012 with great expectations

2011-12-30T08:46:00.004-05:00

After a wonderful and busy time in the US, I'm headed back to Zambia. I arrive just before the end of 2011. We are looking forward eagerly to 2012. Already there are signs that 2012 will be an exciting year at the Village of Hope.

Monday I hit the ground running as we prepare for the students who will be arriving for the start of the 2012 school year. This will be unlike the years before. We are welcoming 40 new students from the community, and a new teacher. Susan Lukaart, our AKCLI Board chairperson and the school mentor will be arriving in Lusaka a few hours before I do so she will be there to help train the teachers and give her input as we set up.

The results of the Grade 7 exams have been completed by the government. However, they have not been posted at the Liteta Upper Basic School where our kids took the exams. I'll post the results for our 6 students here on the blog when we know what they are.

Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and gifts. God is doing great things!

In Our Midst

2011-12-23T07:35:00.004-05:00

Last night Matilda and I went to see a basketball game. Joshua, my grandson, was playing. He is 6 y.o. as were many of the players. So you can imagine that it was a very fun and funny event. As Matilda and I sat on the little bleachers I thought, "these people have no idea who is in their midst. Here is a miracle child, a child from another world, a child who has lived in the kind of poverty unknown by those sitting around us, a child living in circumstances unlike any that is known by those watching the game."

But isn't that true of us? Christ comes to us and we don't see him in our midst. We are so caught up in our lives and activities that often He could be right by us and our attention is somewhere else. We don't see him. He was a miracle child that night centuries ago. He came from another world. And even today He dwells in places and under circumstances that we cannot even imagine.

This Christmas, are we willing to ask for eyes to see Him wherever He may be? Are we willing to take the time to listen to His voice and converse with Him as He sits beside us, and walks along with us through our days?

The Lord is in our midst. Do you see Him?

Fourth Sunday of Advent

2011-12-06T21:16:00.006-05:00

This advent has gone by so quickly. Already we are at the 4th Sunday of Advent - the Sunday before Christmas. My days have been filled with people - family and friends that I don't see most of the year because I am so far away. And my attention has been on Matilda, the miracle girl from Zambia, who would be dead if she hadn't received the medicine for TB, but still carries the results of the disease.

Isn't this what Christmas is all about?....people and miracles. Jesus came because of us, people who needed to see the face of God and to understand His nature and character. And He came to heal, to save, to do the miraculous.

When I see my children and grandchildren and feel my mother's love for them, I'm reminded of the great Love that God has poured out on us. When I spend time with friends I'm reminded of my Best Friend, Jesus, who is always there to listen and to converse with me. And when I see Matilda, I'm reminded that God does the miraculous and gives us the joy of participating with bringing His Kingdom to earth.

As the shepherds, wise men, and even Mary and Joseph worshiped, may this week be filled with worship and awe for a God so big, so kind, so loving, so miraculous that He has made himself known to us, coming humbly as a vulnerable and small babe with only a cow's manger for a bed!

Advent: Dec 4 - Believe

2011-12-05T11:27:00.003-05:00

Believe

With God all things are possible. However, in my life I have seen that we are often required to step out, in faith believing when God has spoken, in order for the impossible to happen.

Once again I think of our Village of Hope. God gave a vision – rescuing orphans in a way that would give them training and a future beyond the immediate need for food and shelter. God gave the vision to Benedict. (Being the wife of a visionary has challenges all its own.) Without a doubt it took faith to believe that God was able, that God could do the impossible.

Some folks thought Benedict was a little crazy, unrealistic, too far out with this vision. Some thought it sounded nice but didn’t think anything would really come from it. And some joined us in prayer, encouragement and giving.

It is nice to think about others, but how can we apply this concept to our own lives?

v Are we actively listening for the voice of God?

v When we hear the voice of God are we willing to test it to see if we are hearing correctly?

v Are we willing to move forward in faith, believing?

The Christmas story is filled with the impossible becoming possible, of people believing strange and incredible things, and then experiencing that with God all things are possible. Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph, shepherds, wise men… Don’t let this Christmas pass by without growing in believing the power of God to do the impossible.

Advent Dec 3: Nothing is Impossible

2011-12-03T09:10:00.004-05:00

December 3, 2011

Nothing is impossible

When the angel Gabriel was announcing to Mary that she would have a baby, the Son of God, he said one of the most astounding things you can read in the Bible. “For nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37.

Nothing? Really? Nothing at all?

I’m sure we all have heard that scripture, but I think there are many times when we don’t believe it or act as though it was true. Our Village can be a reminder of the truth of that verse when you are tempted to doubt.

God has done the impossible:

v We have land on the best road in Zambia.

v We have fertile land great for growing crops.

v When we began we had no significant financial backer, just the word from the Lord that He would provide.

v Six years ago this work was only a vision given by God. Since then we have built 24 buildings, established several businesses, founded a school offering a first class education, given a home and love to 42 children, and welcomed scores of volunteers and visitors who have had life-changing experiences as they have interacted with the children and workers.

It also says in the Bible that God is the same “yesterday, today, and forever.” If he can do the impossible in Zambia, He can do the same wherever you might be.

Advent Dec. 2: Unexpected

2011-12-02T09:46:00.003-05:00

Unexpected

December 2, 2011

Elizabeth, like Sarah before her, had probably given up on ever being pregnant and having a child. She was just too old. Her label as a barren woman was part of what identified her in the community. But God had different ideas. God does unexpected things!

When I was a young girl, I expected to go to Africa to serve the Lord. That seemed to be what you did when you were really wanted to serve and follow Him. Instead, after college there was marriage, 6 children, and service of different kinds. There were even grandchildren.

And then God does the unexpected. He calls us to move to Africa when I am 56 years old.

I don’t think I am the only one. Each year we have many volunteers and visitors who come and bless us at the Village. There have been many times when these people have said, “I never expected to go to Africa. But it was announced at church that a team was forming and I just knew God was calling me to come.”

In this Advent season, let’s expect the unexpected. Let’s not put God in a box. Let’s break out to be available to do what God wants, or to go where he is leading. Let’s pray for the body of Christ, especially where we are, to be open to the unexpected call of God to be His disciples in surprising, amazing, and joyful old and new ways.

Advent Dec 1: Fear

2011-12-01T08:23:00.004-05:00

Advent: December 1, 2011

Fear

An angel comes to Zachariah serving in the temple. An angel comes to Mary in a small Jewish village. In both cases the angel says, “Do not be afraid.” We are afraid of things that we should fear, and we are afraid of things that we should not fear.

Natasha, one of the members of Mama Rose C’s house has some very strong fears. She has a great fear of the bush fires that are around in much of the dry season. I have seen her hysterical at school at the thought of having to walk home, when she has seen smoke in the distance. I have held her close to me as we sat on our verandah, with her eyes closed and my hands over her ears to cover the sound the bush fires make. We have no idea the reason for this strong fear. It may be based on very real experiences she had as a very small child living in the village before she came to us. As you look at her in those situations, you look into the face of fear.

What are our fears? Is the Lord trying to say to us, “Do not be afraid. I am the King of the Universe. The whole creation is mine. I really do have you in the palm of my hand.”

I know without a shadow of a doubt that God is speaking to many of us. The problem is that we aren’t listening. We don’t hear. We see the smoke far in the distance and we let fear blind us and confuse us and consume us.

This advent, may we let the Lord reveal to us our areas of fear that grip us. May we hear His voice, “Do not be afraid.” And may we pray for all the children of the world, like Natasha, who are filled with fear/terror and need deep healing before they can clearly hear the voice – “Do not be afraid.”

First Sunday of Advent

2011-11-27T15:43:00.001-05:00

First Sunday of Advent

Over the last 2 days I have heard 2 sermons on the theme of waiting.
Advent is considered the season of waiting. The focus is usually on
us – we are waiting for the birth of the Messiah. And in the process
it points to all the areas of our lives where we have to wait; for
dreams to be fulfilled, for prayers to be answered, for change to
happen…..

But is it possible that God is also waiting? My son often quotes a
sermon he heard. "We pray and wait for a move of God, and God is
waiting for us to move." So I'm challenging all of us to examine what
God may be waiting for from us, rather than the other way around. Is
He waiting for us to trust Him more? Is He waiting for us to open our
pocketbooks and give more? Is He waiting for us to take an action
step that we keep putting off out of fear, or uncertainty, or
laziness? Is He waiting to meet with us in quiet or reflection? Is
He waiting for us to change patterns in our lives, or even in the
lives of our family to reflect discipleship?

The list could go on and on. Rather than focus on "me," (what am I
waiting for?) let's focus on what God is waiting for from us. I have
a feeling that our joy will increase as we move into His will.

Water, Water everywhere, but not a drop to drink

2011-11-27T15:13:00.003-05:00

About 5 out of 7 days it has rained. There is water everywhere, but no electric power to pump water from our 200 foot deep wells. So, the kids went to the school with lots of containers. They pumped water using the playpump. Then they filled all of the containers.

Pictures on the blog

2011-11-25T08:37:00.002-05:00

While I'm in the states, I have several things I want to do. One is to learn how to post pictures to the blog. So here you have it. Hopefully in the future you will see pictures as well as words. This is one of my favorite pictures. Our kids love to read and this reflects that love as well as the family relationships we have.

Thank You

2011-11-24T04:02:00.001-05:00

Thank You

As we celebrate Thanksgiving in America, those of us who live at the
Village of Hope are thankful for many things:
* Our lovely children, eager, growing, learning
* The mothers and aunties that take good care of the children
* The teachers who are dedicated and know that they are called to this place
* All the staff that work in the businesses
* All the customers, especially the many truck drivers that travel
from South Africa back and forth to the Congo, who see Hope Takeaway
as one of their homes away from home
* The many visitors and volunteers who come and bless us with their presence
* Those of you who pray, care, and give so that we can continue this
awesome work of being part of God's Kingdom rescuing children.

May you too know God's blessing and care!

Thanksgiving Dinner Path - 3

2011-11-23T11:18:00.001-05:00

Thanksgiving Dinner Path - 3
Wishing everyone a blessed Thanksgiving!

Nelson – Note: Nelson wants to be a doctor.: "I am a piece of nshima
and I am put in the mouth. The teeth grind me into small pieces and
then I am wet because saliva has made me wet. After I am wet, I am
swallowed. When I want to go to the windpipe the valve will close and
I will go into the esophagus. I will take 6 seconds to reach to the
stomach. When I reach the stomach I will be mashed into small
particles, because in my stomach there is a muscle that is very strong
that mashes my food. After I am mashed, I go into the didium and then
I go to the liver that helps to see if I have poison. It will clean
me. I go to the gallbladder if I have so much fats or butter. It
will help me to be cleaned. Then I will go into the small intestine
where I will be absorbed. The nutrients will be moved from the small
intestine to all parts of the body including my small cells. Then the
food that I came with, if it was bad, it will go into the large
intestine. In the large intestine the muscles that are found there,
they will be pushing me and I will be in the rectum. From the rectum
I will be in the anus, and then I will find myself in the toilet."

Kimani "My Short Life as a Pepperoni Pizza"
Hi. I'm Kimani. I'm a pepperoni pizza, and I just went into this
kid's mouth. Yuck. Oh no! I'm being divided into little pieces by
these white things that are different shapes and sizes! And now I'm
going down this hole! Going down…down…down. Splash! I'm in the
stomach. Now I'm being broken down into little pieces again.
One hour later.
I'm going through this loooong tube. Then I start going down again.
It doesn't smell too good. Then, all of a sudden I start falling!
Then…splash I'm in the toilet.
The End.

A Visit to the Village

2011-11-22T13:51:00.001-05:00

A Visit to the Village

On Saturday, November 12, Henry, Rachel and I travelled to the Villages of
Hope in Zambia (http://www.akcli.org). We arrived in Lusaka at 9pm and were
met by Benedict Schwartz and his neighbor Richard Nyrienda. It was a two
hour drive up the Great North road to the Villages which are about half way
between Lusaka and Kabwe. We stayed in the Schwartz'home and the next
morning attended worship with them at the community center which is on
the Village's property. There we first met the 42 orphans who are currently
living in the village. After church we visited each of five houses where
8-9 children live with their house mother. The children showed us their
bedrooms (4 or 5 to a room) and we saw how their meals were prepared in the
Zambian way over a charcoal fire. Henry received lessons from one of the
house mothers on how to carry a five gallon bucket of water (half-full) on
his head, He needs a lot more practice. The next morning we
visited the school and the children sang us their welcome song as well as
the Zambian national anthem (in three languages). We sat in on their
morning bible study which was on a passage from James, and the children took
part in answering questions and talking about how the verses are applied to
life. Before we left to go back to the airport we visited the truck stop
and market that the Villages runs. We bought some beautiful tote bags that
the Chimwemwe Ladies club make from recycled plastic grocery bags. Our stay
was not long but we came away with so much appreciation for how God works
through the people He calls to take care of the widows and orphans. There
are funds for two more houses in the village, but until the ongoing expenses
of running those houses can be met, serving moreorphans has to wait.

There are many orphanages and wonderful missions to support. What is so
unique about Villages of Hope is that they are striving to be
self-sufficient. The Schwartzes are very entrepreneurial and have a number
of components that helps to support the houses, including a small truck
stop, a chicken farm, produce and the tote bags. To get to the fully
self-sufficient stage requires a lot of oversight and initial capital, and
more importantly, operating funding to bridge from start-up to
self-sufficiency. Many other missions are carefully watching and learning
from Villages of Hope. If it is successful, it will have an impact far
beyond the immediate children it serves.
Blessings,
Ann

The Path for your Thanksgiving Dinner - 1

2011-11-21T09:56:00.001-05:00

The Path for your Thanksgiving Dinner – 1

In June, Kayla and Sarah Cook made their second trip to Zambia. Once
again they gave wonderful lessons about the human body. One
assignment for our older class was for the students to pretend to be a
piece of food going through the digestive system.

As we approach Thanksgiving Thursday, the day when most folks over
work their digestive system, I thought it would be a good time to
share the writings of some of our students. Look for more the next
two days!

Prudence: "When you put food in your mouth, the food first goes
through the esophagus. After it goes through the esophagus it goes in
the stomach and then the river makes the gall bladder and the gall
bladder will send the food to the small intestine and after that it
goes to the large intestine. After that it gets to the anus and
that's when we want to go to the toilet."

Paul: "Hello. I am a piece of chicken. When I was put inside the
mouth, I screamed, "Help! Help!' But the teeth weren't so merciful.
It chewed me up and again I screamed. But the saliva pushed me in the
esophagus and the esophagus pushed me in the stomach with a lot of
saliva. The stomach mashed me and pushed me agin in the small
intestine. I went into all dark room and went into the large
intestine. Some of my pieces were left inside and the next thing that
I saw, I found that I was in the toilet."

Terrance: "Hallo. I am a piece of bread. I was on the plate and
someone grabbed and he put me in his mouth. I slid in the esophagus
and I went in the stomach. I went in the small intesting and it was
dark. Then I went in the big intestine. I thought it would be light.
It was more dark. I cried, "Help, Help." I came out of the big
intestine and I was in the toilet."

Shiabu: " I'm a piece of egg. I'm eating eggs. The saliva helps me
to make eggs soft. It will go to the esophagus. It will enter in the
stomach. It will go to the small intestine. It goes to the big
intestine and nutrients separate from the bad food and the nutrients
go other parts of the body."

Exidah: " I am cake. I am food and someone ate me. I had some germs.
My tongue broke the food and we go out."

Matilda is Coming!

2011-11-16T11:36:00.001-05:00

Matilda is Coming!

I'm the one who usually writes this blog, and being in the US makes it
difficult to share about happenings in the Village. However, the big
news is that Matilda was granted a US Visa at the American Embassy in
Lusaka so that she can travel to the US. Benedict will pick up the
Visa tomorrow, and they will leave Zambia on December 7. We expect
that the medical evaluation will take place after Christmas sometime.
Matilda is hoping to see snow and we have a warm coat for her as she
goes from warm weather to cold.

Sunday Service

2011-11-06T07:10:00.001-05:00

Sunday Service

Today we had a guest preacher. Claude Allen, an advisor to the AKCLI
Board is visiting for a few days and shared about kings who began
their reign when they were as young as some of our kids: King Manassa,
a king who made bad decisions, and King Josiah, who made good
decisions. It is great to know that our children are encouraged in so
many ways to make good decisions, live lives of caring and service,
and be forgiving and loving. Our Bible study this week was the
parable about the wicked servant. How many times to forgive? 70 X 7.
We made a paper chain that didn't have quite 490 pieces but still
reached from one end of a double classroom to the other end and more.
What a great visual to illustrate how we can't even count the number
of times we are to forgive one another!

Rain has started

2011-11-06T07:05:00.001-05:00

Rain has started

On Thursday night most of the Village was up for a couple of hours.
Thunder, lightening, and downpours. I'm not sure how much rain we
got, but it was probably 3-4 inches. So as the children walked to
school they got to walk through puddles and mud, great fun! But now
grass is starting to grow and the world will be turning green
everywhere. The children are doing well in school as we have the last
month for the year. The 7th graders are finished with the exams and
will be volunteering in the various businesses and learning how to
milk cows, take care of chickens, plant maize, sew, and other things.
They will have wonderful hands-on experiences that will be helpful for
the rest of their lives.

Lunch time Sprinkler

2011-10-27T12:54:00.001-04:00

Lunch time Sprinkler

When Sue was here in January and we were making a plan for our
courtyard, we had a plan for a shower head for the children to be able
to run under water on the hot days. Well the hot days of October are
here. In the car yesterday it said that the temperature outside was
105 degrees!

We don't have a sprinkler head set up, but I just sprayed right from
the hose for the students that wanted to get wet. Some children had
clothes that were dripping by the end. I asked Doreen (the aunt that
was cooking lunch) if she had ever seen a head teacher squirting
students with water. From the look on her face, I would have to say
no. My plan is to do it every day this week. Thursday and Friday are
supposed to be the hottest days!

Matilda's Progress

2011-10-23T03:11:00.001-04:00

Matilda's Progress

Plans are moving forward for Matilda's trip to the US for medical
care. A friend in the US has gotten good winter clothes and coat
donated by a very nice used clothing store. We have purchased a few
things here for her to have while she travels. The challenge is
getting the government papers. Rather than Nov, she may be coming in
December.

Grade 7 Exams

2011-10-23T03:09:00.001-04:00

Grade 7 Exams

Monday is National Independence Day. Then Tuesday to Friday, Nelson,
Paul, Isaac, Namakau, Mary S, and Prudence will be taking the Grade 7
exams at Liteta Basic School. These are national exams. In the past
you were required to get a certain score to be able to pass to Grade
8. However, since the goal is for all students to go up to Grade 9,
it doesn't matter what your score is, you continue to Grade 8. For the
mock or practice exams they did in July, Nelson was number 4 out of
134. He is aiming at being number one this time!! And Teacher Malowa
says that they are ready and he is very confident.

Matilda

2011-10-10T10:32:00.001-04:00

Matilda

In case you haven't heard, Matilda is going to the US for medical
attention to her back. It will probably include back surgery. Doctor
and hospital care is being donated. She will be staying in the home
of Kayla Cook who has visited here a couple of times and is a nurse at
the same hospital. We are praying that we can finally get Matilda's
passport this week so that we can make ticket reservations and get the
US visa for her to travel. Please pray. We are also seeking
donations to pay for the ticket. Please pray and if you are able to
give, we would be very grateful.

To follow her progress, go to www.matildaspath.wordpress.com.

Health Report

2011-10-05T11:57:00.001-04:00

Health Report

In a blog entry a couple of days ago I said that Selita was very ill
with measles. She is doing better although still in "sick bay."
Yesterday I took Isaac to see Dr. Mutali. Isaac is from the same
house as Selita and he seemed to be having some of the same symptoms.
The doctor wasn't sure it was the measles since there is no rash, but
it could be.

By the time I got back from the doctor, the children had come home
from school. Then Benedict ended up taking about 6 to see Dr. Mutali.
Both Moses and Adam have the rash and are in the same household. But
there is lots of sickness going around with coughing. Some of that
may even be very mild form of the measles.

Dr. Mutali said that he had seen other cases of measles in the last
few days. Even some of our students who live in Nyrienda Village and
Liteta have been sick.

Today is National Teacher's Day. Schools are closed and parties are
given for the teachers. In this case it is a good thing to have no
school today since so many kids are not feeling well. The ones who
are healthy are going to go to the school for a while this morning to
clean and do some gardening. Did you ever hear of that happening in
the states? Tomorrow as part of our appreciation of the teacher's, we
will take the teachers to lunch at Ibis Gardens.

A final note, Rose Nyrienda died yesterday. She is one of the sisters
that we bought this land from. She had been sick for some time, heart
problems and then a sore on her leg that wouldn't heal. Rose had
studied nursing in Zimbabwe and England years ago. Her daughters now
live in the U.K.

Last 24 hours - quite something

2011-10-02T12:04:00.001-04:00

Last 24 hours - quite something

Well, the last 24 hours have been a bit unique. It all began last
evening as the sky blackened, lightening, thunder and rain!! We
haven't had rain since March and the rainy season isn't suppose to
begin until the middle of November or early November. And according
to the weather, we may have more on Tuesday and Wednesday. Although
it was great to smell that wonderful smell that rain brings, we hope
that this doesn't mean that the rainy season has begun since no one
has their crops planted yet.

The second unusual event happened as Benedict opened our front door to
go outside. There tucked in between the door and the floor was a
snake. After seeing the head poke into the house, he quickly closed
the door, put some solid objects up against the small opening, and
called for someone to get the guard. Guards are usually the ones who
come to kill the snakes. Along with the guard came Dick, and a group
of our boys all carrying sticks. At first they didn't see it. On
closer inspection they were able to kill it right where it was. It
was a puff adder about a yard in length. As with most snakes, it is
poisonous. So we now will double check all the doors in the houses
and at the school to make sure there is no room between the bottom of
the door and the floor where snakes can get in.

Finally, after church, we took Auntie Doreen and a very sick Selita,
along with Shadrack and Sharpie to see Dr. Mutali. After a brief look
at Selita, he told us it was a classic case of measles. A couple of
months ago it was chicken pox and then mumps. Now it is measles.
However, Selita is sicker than anyone was with the other two childhood
diseases. She got an injection and medicine. We agreed that she
needed to be isolated in the room set aside for that in our clinic.
We drove up close to the clinic building and as she was walking into
the building, she passed out.

We have a book Where there are No Doctors, and we read about measles.
It is highly contagious and anyone with it should be kept isolated, so
we made the right decision in taking her out of her house until she is
over this. In medical books from the states, the only thing they have
on measles is information about the vaccine. So it takes a book that
understands the medical situation in developing countries to explain
what we can expect.

So please pray that we do not have an epidemic with the other 41 kids
getting it as well. They do give vaccines here to children under 5.
But for most of these children we have no idea who even got vaccines
when they were that age. Thank you for your prayers, and I'll keep
you posted.

A Special Week, School Clubs Begin

2011-10-02T10:42:00.001-04:00

A Special Week: School clubs begin

This week we began an exciting program at our school. Many children
were arriving early and by the time the bell ran for class they would
be quite dirty from playing around. At the same time, we wanted to
have some extra-curricular activities or clubs to explore things that
the children were interested and for which there was not time in the
school day. So we put the two together and started having clubs
before school at 7:15. Each day we have a helping team that fills the
water containers, lights the fires in the braziers for cooking lunch,
and makes sure all the pots are clean. Now, in addition to the
helping team we have:
Monday: Choir 1, and Math Club
Tuesday: Choir 2 and Art Club
Wednesday: Praise Dance, Needlework, and Jets (the Science clubs in Zambia)
Thursday: Piano and SoL (Servants of the Lord doing servant activities
around the property)
Friday: Debate and Press Club
Most of the teachers have one extra activity. I have a few more since
I have to open anyway and I've been trying to find a way to
incorporate more music training.

Now the challenge will be to maintain the enthusiasm and the energy by
the teachers to keep it all going.

Roman's Holiday Visit

2011-10-02T10:37:00.001-04:00

Roman's Holiday Visit

In the month of August, during the school holiday, Roman went to visit
some of his relatives. I asked him to write an account of his time
there so that I could share it with you.

"When I went to the Holiday I felt good and my name is Roman. I am 11
years old. I taught my family to make compostmanure. If you want to
make compostmanure you can start with leaves and on the top grass,
sticks, and manure from the cows and oxes. You need to make
compostmanure high.

And I told them about the word of God and how great is our Father in
heaven. I told about God's love for me and them.

We also went hunting in the deep bush. We hunt rabbits, mice, and an
antelope and bush pigs. We hunt these animals with dogs and
slingshot. I have nine dogs, three big ones and six puppies. The
names for the dogs are Spot, Lion, and Dots. The six baby puppies,
they have no names. My Grandma is going to name them.

One day my uncle and my friend and I went for hunting. We went
hunting for a bush pig. Then we saw it. The dogs ran after it and we
followed the dogs until we killed it.

In one day we killed three bush pigs. Another day we went hunting
mice. We dug and dug. In one day we killed nine mice. One day we
went hunting for antelopes. We killed two antelopes.

On Saturday we went for singing and after singing I prayed for the singers.

I was very happy to meet my family. And I told them when you want to
eat you need to pray.

My favorite thing to do is make wire cars. I have one wire car.

I told them "that God loves them. That He gave his begotten son that
whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Roman

Books for Teachers

2011-09-26T08:38:00.001-04:00

Books for Teachers

Teachers in Zambia are taking more courses to meet the government
requirements for more advanced education. They do this through
"distance learning," by taking courses during the holiday months of
April, August, and December, and then writing papers from their homes.
I have had several teachers who come to me wanting my help in getting
information to write their papers and answer the questions. I am
always astounded at how they can possibly answer the questions with
very little resources/books available and for many, no access to the
internet.

So we are planning on establishing a library for teachers. We are
looking for books on a variety of subjects related to teacher
training: educational principles, educational psychology, child
development, science, political science, teaching methods, geography
(world not American), world history, early childhood, adult education,
etc, etc. These books need to be in good condition, and not so old
that the material is out of date. We also don't want any teaching
manuals that go with specific curriculum books used in the classroom.
It needs to be a stand alone book. If the book is something you think
has value that it will probably be of value to us.

Eastern Hills Community Church in Aurora, CO is putting together a
container to send to us in Zambia. If you have books that you are
willing to contribute you can ship them to:
Eastern Hills community Church; 25511 E. Smoky Hill Rd; Aurora, CO 80016.
To follow the progress of the container and to see a list of other
things being collected to send, go to www.hopecontained.com.
They plan to ship the container by the end of October, so please send
the books right away.

For any of you teaching in a school, please share about our need with
fellow teachers and see if others are willing to help teachers in
Zambia.

Thanks to all of you who send us books!!!

Democracy at Work

2011-09-26T07:58:00.001-04:00

Democracy at Work

This last week, Benedict and I felt that we were watching history
being made and the blessing of democracy lived out. Zambia is the
only African nation that has had peaceful transition of power, not
once but twice in its short history. The second time was just this
week. More clearly than we have seen before, even in the US, people
were able to speak loudly by marking a ballot.

Many of you know that there were presidential elections here in Zambia
on Tuesday. For the last 20 years the MMD party has been in power,
both with the presidency and the parliament. Presidents are elected
for 5 years, so 5 years ago there was a presidential election and then
another one 3 years ago when the President died. (They don't
automatically move the vice-president to the president, but have
another election to finish the term.) Three years ago there were
accusations of fraud by the MMD to maintain control of the presidency.
The major opponent then was Michael Sata of the PF party.

Once again this year Sata was running. There were 10 candidates in
all from various parties, but the two main ones were Sata and Rupiah
Banda from the MMD and the serving president. Due to the possibility
of fraud, Sata and the other parties did much to be present at all the
polling places, looking for extra ballots, following vehicles carrying
the marked ballots to the capitol, etc.

Voting took place on Tuesday. The Electoral Commission had said that
they would announce the results in 48 hours. It is not computerized
here. As the time went on, and no announcement was made, there was
unrest in several cities with burning and some looting. With the
overwhelming popular support that Sata had, people still felt that the
MMD would somehow manipulate to keep Banda as president.

From what we could see, there was great support for Sata among the
people. We assumed that if the MMD tried to fraudulently steal the
election from Banda that the country would erupt. However, finally at
12:30 a.m. Friday morning, Sata was announced the winner. There was
jubilation everywhere. One of our teachers, living here in the
Village, got calls all night from her relatives in Lusaka reporting on
the dancing and celebrating in the streets. People said that there
had not been anything like this since independence over 40 years ago.

Due to the possibility that current government officials could steal
and do corrupt things, the swearing in of the new president takes
place immediately. So at 2:30 on Friday afternoon, with hundreds of
thousands outside the Supreme Court, Sata was sworn in. Everyone was
amazed that Sata had invited the first president, Kenneth Kauda, as
well as Banda to walk in with him to be sworn in. It was a great
statement of the unity of this country.

Sata campaigned on two major issues: corruption in the government, and
foreign companies and investors in Zambia who disregard the people of
Zambia by mistreating workers, bringing in foreign labor instead of
hiring Zambians, and are never prosecuted for crimes they commit.
(Last year at a Chinese owned mining company, 13 workers were shot by
two Chinese managers and there were no arrests.) These two issues
were important to the people here and by voting they made a big
statement to the Zambian government, Africa, and the world. We cannot
argue with his stands on these issues.

Although there is some concern about what will transpire under Sata,
during his first few days in office he has demonstrated a gracious
spirit. There is hope that things will change, corruption will be
rooted out, and that China and other countries who would take
advantage of the Zambian people will be held accountable for their
actions and that their investment here would truly help the people of
this country.

Now we ask your prayers
* for the President to select good leaders for his cabinet
* for strength and wisdom to move forward on his promises
* that he will be moderate, toning down his sometimes harsh rhetoric
* that he will listen to God for direction and wisdom.

Nelsons' Report on the Field Trip to Livingstone

2011-09-23T07:14:00.001-04:00

Nelson's Report on the Field Trip to Livingstone

I thought that you who read this blog would appreciate hearing from
one of the children. Nelson wrote the following report on the trip.
I have edited it some and placed in parenthesis any clarifying
information. He wrote the 8 pages by hand on college ruled paper!

"When we arrived at the station (in Livingstone), we saw Teacher
Bosman coming to us and saying, "How are you. I am sorry for coming
late." Then a man said, "Come in my car because I am very busy. I
need to go." (This was a friend of Erna Bosman who she had gotten to
help transport us to where we stayed since her second car had broken
down the day before and wasn't fixed til after we left.) We went
into his car and he started driving very fast because he was a person
who takes people with medical emergencies. (Nelson points this out
since the kids were in the back of the vehicle – a truck – and they
were bouncing along the road!)

We arrived around 18:30 where we were going. (Crocodile Creek – right
on the Zambezi River) We had dinner with Teacher Bosman and everyone
liked it. We unpacked, made our beds, settled in for the night. We
had a prayer and we went to sleep. Early in the morning we woke up
around 6:00. We did our chores and brushed our teeth. When everyone
was done, we had breakfast.

After eating we wore our yellow shirts (from Eastern Hills Community
Church) and the car came to pick us up. We went to see Victoria Falls
with everyone. It was nice to see how God created that amazing thing
that everyone from different countries come to see. It was great to
see all different wonders in the world that God created. We went to a
place where we watched a video about how people made the railway line
and the bridge.

After we watched the video, we had lunch with our friends and Aunty
Janet. (A group of 7 students from a small private school joined us
for both of the days. Erna is helping them as a teacher. Four of the
students spent Friday night with us.) After we finished eating lunch,
one of the Auntys called us so that we could learn more about the
building of the bridge. A man (an actor, pretending to be the French
engineer who oversaw the building of the bridge) who was very funny
told us more about how people started making the ralway line and the
bridge. He also told us that two people died. There was metal that
was being moved by crane and was released before it was time to
release it. It crushed two of the workers. He also told us that no
one died from falling into the gorge because they used to hang a net
so that if someone fell down that net would hold him and it would
protect him.

It was amazing to hear what John Cecil Rhodes said. "Even if they die
while making that bridge, it will be a benefit for the people who use
it." To me it was amazing to hear that. I know that it was God's
plan for that bridge to be found there. I was glad to see it with my
own eyes, so that I can believe what is right and not what is wrong.

After we finished learning, we went to a place that was near the
falls. People told us that we must not go with any food because the
baboons would gt our food. We left everything that we had in the car.
When we went in, we saw the statue of David Livingstone. He was the
first white man to see Victoria Falls. He didn't discover it, it was
already known by the people who lived near it.

On the way to the small bridge, we saw big baboons coming toward us.
We went to the place where water was coming from and there was the
biggest baboon. Everyone left a way for it to go through. On the
smallest bridge, it was cool and nice because the water that was
flowing from the Victoria Falls, was coming on us with high pressure.
We went toward where it was cool and the grass was green. Teacher
Malowa took a picture of me.

When we were going back, we saw a baboon sitting on the walking path.
It was almost hitting me. I saw it wanting to stop me so I ran away.

We left the Falls and went to a place where we saw giraffes and
zebras. I was amazed to see the man (the keeper and feeder) talking
to the animals and even animals listening to him. He told us that if
you want to see the giraffes and zebras you must not make noise. He
told us more about the animals. The giraffe beats with front leg and
the zebra beats with its back legs. He also told us that the he can
give signals to one of the giraffes and the animal will bend his neck
down and let the keeper hug him. He said that if we touch the zebra,
it will beat us with its back legs because it doesn't know us. I
learned a lesson that it is just like dogs. If they don't know you,
they will bite you.

It was nice to see how our wonderful God created all different kinds
of animals to listen to people.

After we finished everything we went back to where we were staying.
We took showers and played some games with Aunty Kathleen. We had
dinner with everyone, prayed and sent to sleep.

Early in the morning we woke up and we did our chores and brushed our
teeth. After having breakfast we went to the David Livingstone
Museum. We learned more about Zambia and how people used to live long
ago. We also saw how different animals were grouped in all kinds of
categories. We learned about archeology, how people used to go and
dig up different metals and bones to find out what happened on that
particular time. They told us all the different things that Bushmen
and Sand people used to do. They also told us about David
Livingstone. He was a man who brought Christianity to Africa and
helped the slave trade in Zambia to be finished. Many people liked
him because of the great work he was doing in Zambia. He died in
chitambo Village. They buried the intestine and the heart in Chitambo
Village because he used to say that his heart was always in Africa.
He died because of malaria and dysentery.

When we finished learning more things in the museum, we started going
to Mukuni Safari Lodge. We saw elephants on the roadside. We sat in
cars for some minutes watching them eat and play. I thought that it
was God's Plan for us to find them on the roadside. (We were about an
hour ahead of schedule and there were the elephants, between 16-20,
including old and young. They came so close to the car that we had to
move. I had never seen so many elephants all together in the wild
before.)

After seeing them, we left and started going to Safari Lodge. When we
arrived we saw cheetahs in the cage. A man explained where we would
go and the rules. We went with him to the other cheetah cage and he
told us the names of the cheetahs. The man said, "Lets look for Mama
Che Che." Suddenly she came and spit saliva on my feet. The trainer
told us that Mama Che Che was a cheetah that you cannot make fun and
jokes about. He told us that if a cheetah wants to catch you, don't
run away because it will think that you are an enemy. Then it will
put you down.

After seeing the cheetahs, we went to see lions. They told us their
names and how they are. After the man finished telling us about the
lions, he told Aunty Kathleen to take some pictures of us while
standing near the fence of lions. He told us that if the lion wants
to catch you, you must not run away. You must stand and make yourself
like you are a giant and make any noise you can. The lion will run
away or sit down. The man also said that even if a lion knows you,
hyou must not give it your back because it will usually eat you. They
told us that this is the only Safari where people can catch lions and
cheetahs without being eaten.

We left and went to sit under a big baobab tree where we had lunch
with Aunty Janet's children. We sang a song for Aunty Lyadra thanking
her for bring us lunch.

We went to Teacher Bosman's house. As we were leaving we saw a snake
getting into her house. Pastor Bosman killed it with his weapon.

We stopped at ShopRite and we had ice cream cones with everyone.
After we got back we had dinner with everyone and it was delicious.
(Before dinner the children had a wonderful time playing in the white
sand on the beach. They had probably never seen sand like that and it
was also fun watching them.) After prayers we went to sleep.

Early in the morning we woke up and we had to pack our things because
it was the day for us to go back to the Village. We had breakfast and
we went to the bus station where we had to go with the Mazhandu Family
bus.

It was a nice journey (10 hours in all) and we reached back home
safely. For me, I wish that one day God will open all the necessary
doors that one day I will go somewhere I have never seen. I really
enjoyed it and I thank Gof for everything that He created on this
earth. I will always pray for those people who made that trip for us
and took care of us." Nelson Munthal

We need Your Prayers

2011-09-14T04:01:00.001-04:00

We need Your Prayers

Next Tuesday are the national presidential elections for Zambia. The
person elected will be president for 5 years. Although there are 10
people running, the contest is really between two of them. Please
pray for the man God would want to be elected. Please pray for
peaceful elections. There is often trouble in Lusaka the capitol at
election time and could be both during and after the election. We are
not expecting any difficulties where we are, but we want everyone in
the country to be safe. We want the country to continue to be a place
of peace and growth.

Grade 7 Mock Exams

2011-09-11T10:23:00.001-04:00

Grade 7 Mock Exams

In Zambia there are country wide exams that have to be taken at the
end of Grades 7, 9, and 12. For grades 9 and 12 you have to pass the
exams to continue. It used to be that way for grade 7. But the grade
7 exams are still given. At the end of Term 2 (July) students take
"Mock Exams." We have 6 seventh graders and they went to Liteta Basic
Government School for the Mock exams. This is where they will go in
October for the real thing.

This week we got the results from those Mock exams. There were 137
students (including our 6) that took the exams at Liteta. Nelson was
#4, Isaac was #25, Paul was #27, Mary S was #29, Namakau was #32,
Prudence was #45. We were very pleased since some of our students
have only been in school for 3 years.

We are blessed to have wonderful teachers, especially Bruce Malowa who
is teaching the Grade 7s (along with 4, 5 and 6th graders), and
materials and books to read. In the future our students will have the
benefit of more years of study at our school, and the results will
continue to be good.

Term 3 and a Big Field trip

2011-09-08T10:06:00.001-04:00

Term 3 and a Big Field Trip

Monday was the start of Term 3. It is going well. Today we had a
meeting of the mothers, aunties, and teachers. We have one every 2
weeks. It was so great to hear the mothers thanking the teachers for
all they do, and the teachers reciprocating. Bruce said that it takes
everyone to raise these children and everyone is important.

I announced today the news that the oldest grades are going on a field
trip to Livingstone next week, thanks to a gift from friends in the
US. These are the students who had Teacher Erna Bosman as a teacher
before she moved to Livingstone. Erna and her husband have been
planning our time in Livingstone. Teacher Bruce will also go and he
has never been there either.

Before I announced about the trip I read Romans 12 where it says,
"rejoice with those who rejoice, Weep with those who weep." I said
that I know everyone wants to go on the trip, but this time only this
group is going. So I don't want anyone bragging about getting to go,
or anyone being mean to someone if they aren't going. So things went
pretty smoothly and there wasn't much talk about the trip after that.

The last field trip I went on was to NYC with Sena's 8th grade class
at Good Shepherd School. The one thing I can be sure of is that all
of these kids will listen and obey and be great to be with it. Should
be fun!!

Layers Cooked!

2011-08-25T04:04:00.001-04:00

Layers Cooked!

One of the hazards of this time of year is brush fires. Last year a
fire went through much of the property, and today we had a repeat. I
was in Lusaka but we had gotten a text message that there was a big
fire on the property. The fire was so big that there was smoke
everywhere and it was hard to breathe according to reports. The fire
last week outside the fence near our house was very small compared to
today's fire.

Late this afternoon, after returning from Lusaka, as I drove over to
check the school and around the property, there were still little
fires, and logs were smouldering. With such a big fire, it does make
it possible to see the land better and it makes me want to walk around
and know the property better.

The good news was that the dairy cows were fine. The new fields of
vegetables (cabbage and tomatoes) were fine, and the green maize crop
was untouched.

The bad news was that the building with the chicken layers was burned
up so all but 17 layers were cooked! It was really kind of sad. When
I returned from Lusaka, Mama Rose M and Kimberly were sitting on a
verandah plucking the feathers off of some of the burned chickens and
cleaning them to be eaten. Some parts were burned pretty badly, but
everyone was eating chicken for supper last night. Chickens were also
sold at Nyrienda Village for a small amount since they were burned.
Pre-cooked meat! As I drove around, and passed the burned layer
building it even smelled a bit like cooked chicken!

It was almost time to buy new layers who were coming to the end of
their laying life, but now our need for new layers is more urgent. We
sell lots of eggs in the market, use them in the takeaway, and have
them for the children in the village.

If you read this and want to help us start a new batch of layers, your
gifts are very welcome. Checks can be sent to AKCLI, 224 N.
Washington St, Havre de Grace, MD 21078. (And pray that Hurricane
Irene goes out to the ocean, since it is projected to go up the
Chesapeake, and visit our beautiful town of Havre de Grace!) You can
also use Paypal on the website: www.akcli.org

Roman and Matilda

2011-08-22T10:32:00.001-04:00

Roman and Matilda

The stories of our children are the most interesting that I could
write about. Right now it is very quiet here in the village since
over half of the children are visiting extended families during this
holiday month.

Roman was looking forward to going to visit his grandmother and
grandfather. When Kamau took the children to the social welfare
office to meet the relatives, no one was there for Roman. He was very
disappointed. The next day Kamau received permission from the social
welfare office to take Roman directly to the Village where his
grandparents live. When they arrived, they found out that the
grandfather had gone the week before to the wrong office, was given
misinformation, and waited all day but no one came. So in fact they
wanted Roman to visit. Roman went with his Bible. He said he was
going to preach to the people. He also said he was going to teach
them about what he has learned about "farming God's way." Kamau said
that before he left the grandparent's village, Roman was already
gathering the twigs and sticks needed to start making compost manure!

We have very exciting news about Matilda. For those who have never
been to our Village of Hope, Matilda had spinal TB at about the age of
5. Before that she was a normal, active child. The TB caused damage
to her spine and spinal column and she has been unable to walk
unassisted since the age of about 5. She is 10 years old now,
although very small. (Her mother is also a very small person.)

Kayla Cook is a surgical recovery nurse and was just here in June for
her second visit to our Village.
Although she couldn't believe the positive change in Matilda, she
felt concern wondering if there is more that can be done medically for
her. So she talked to the orthopedic surgeon and to the hospital.
The doctor, after looking at Matilda's xrays from Cure Hospital in
Lusaka, felt that there was help he could offer her. So he has put
together a team of doctors who will provide their services free, the
hospital has agreed to provide it's services free, and the company
that would manufacture any spinal hardware needed in case of surgery
has been approached about providing their equipment free. So Matilda
is coming to the states!

Kamau will be working on all the Zambian documentation that is needed.
Once that is done, I will get her a medical visa to come to our
country. Hopefully all this will be done so that we can bring her to
the US in November when Sena and I come.

I have told Matilda and Mama Anna and everyone I speak to feels that
it is God at work on behalf of this sweet girl. Matilda is the person
here in Zambia that I have known the longest. She has been through a
lot and the fact that she is alive is a miracle. Due to our
intervention she got the medicine for the TB or else she would already
be dead. So join us in praying for a miracle of healing through the
hands of the doctors who will be evaluating and working with her.

Fire, Fear, Yarn, Song, & Peace

2011-08-18T11:50:00.001-04:00

Fire, Fear, Yarn, Song, & Peace

This afternoon, on a perfect day - blue skies, pleasant temperatures -
I was sitting on our verandah. Prudence and Matilda had come over for
"cotton" or what we call yarn. It is a very popular item and I have
been dispensing it until we are down to a few balls. The yarn from
the US is much better and thicker than what you get here. Lots of our
children can crochet and knit, in addition to the mothers and aunties.
As we were sitting peacefully, we began to untangle the last ball of
cotton of pieces that had gotten all mixed up. It was a sweet
peaceful time.

However, in the field outside the fence, one of the frequent bush
fires started. The flames were quite high. Natasha is very afraid of
fire and she had made her way to the verandah. So I had her sit in my
lap. I covered her eyes and ears with my hands. The fire is very
noisy and almost sounds like rain coming down. I started singing and
the others on the verandah with me joined in to help cover the sound
of the fire.

Kids got buckets and ran the "hose pipe" (hose) out to be closer to
the fire. They were filling buckets and handing them to some of the
workers who were trying to keep our grass fence from burning. There
was no danger to us since on our side of the fence there isn't
anything that would keep the fire going. However, we really didn't
want to have the fence burn up and with it some of our privacy.

Although there was a lot of action, I had a lot of joy and peace as I
sat on the veranda, singing with the girls, enjoying being with them,
comforting Natasha, and (for the most part) enjoying the beautiful
day. I realized that I need to take more time to just sit with the
kids on the verandah enjoying the beautiful time of year and the break
from school, with gratitude for all that we have, including the love
of these children.

Outreach, Wisconsin Team, and Holidays

2011-08-15T05:04:00.001-04:00

Outreach, Wisconsin Team, and Holidays

On Saturday morning at 4:30am we bid farewell to the team of 12 from
Neenah, WI. What a great time we had with them! They provided a
variety of helps, from organizing the Village container that had
clothes, shoes, books, etc to passing out shoes to all the children to
organizing supplies at the school to helping with the Outreach to the
children at the Green Farm. It was a special team because there were
not only loving adults who enjoyed being with the children, but a
family with their 5 children came and it was a joy to see the American
and Zambian children becoming friends and playing together. We expect
to see some return visitors from this team!

The Outreach to the Green Farm was organized by Kimberly, Kamau, and
Dick. They set up like a carnival with all kinds of games and
activities. Some of our children went. They helped with the games,
translating for the visitors, did a couple of musical dances, and a
skit. Dick did a teaching, and he is great with children and of
course speaks their language. It was held in their new preschool
building area that has a nice fenced yard, and modern toilets. (that
is not always available everywhere you go here) Although the focus
was for the children at the Green Farm, the word got out and many
children walked over 2 miles to come from the Nyrienda Farm. There
were over 100 children present. Everyone came home tired but happy
from the event.

Today I looked out of my verandah and saw a line of kids carrying
bags, headed to Kamau's house. He was transporting over half of our
children to the social worker's office in Chibombo where the children
meet their relatives to go for 1-2 week visits during this holiday
month. We usually don't let the children go in December since it is
one of the hunger months, and many of the people do not have food for
the children then. We will have to have a movie night or something
special for the kids who remained in the Village. It will be a quiet
week for us which is nice to have now and then.

Exciting end to Sunday lunch

2011-08-07T09:12:00.001-04:00

Exciting end to Sunday lunch

With each team that comes from the states, we have one meal at Ibis
Gardens, the conference center across the road from our Village. So
today the 12 from Wisconsin joined us for lunch after church. We were
sitting out under the tree. Our meal was almost done when William who
is about 12 noticed a snake crawling towards our table. We figure
that it must have dropped out of the tree. Everyone began to scatter.
Some of the workers grabbed sticks and ended up killing it by hitting
it. It was about 1 1/2 yards long, very dull gray in color. The only
thing I know is that it wasn't a boomslang since they are a bright and
beautiful green. The goal here is to kill any snake that you see,
since most are very poisonous. It made for a bit of excitement and no
one was hurt. That is the first snake I have ever seen at Ibis, and I
have been there many times. Maybe it will be the last!

End of Term 2

2011-08-07T09:07:00.001-04:00

End of Term 2

Thursday was the last day for children of Term 2 for the 2011 school
year. We closed with a special program. The staff has decided that
we will try and do one special program each year when extended family
members would be invited. Many of these people live rather far away
and a Christmas program in December comes in the rainy season when
some roads are impassable. So we have targeted the second term. This
program included:
National Anthem: all 3 verses, and one verse in Bemba
Our welcome song that we sing when visitors come to our school
Reciting of memorized Bible verses that were then translated into
Nyanga for those relatives who don't speak English
Two plays about street kids that we had put together for African
Children's Day a month ago
Acting out of Acts 12 - Peter in prison
Mary B and Brighton playing songs on the guitar. They take lessons
from Aunt Kimberly.
Two choreographed songs

It was a wonderful program and it was well received. After the
program, lunch was served in the restaurant for those relatives who
had come some distance. Teachers joined us for the luncheon and were
able to talk to these relatives and learn more about the students that
they are teaching.

Now the Holiday break has begun. Teacher Bruce Malowa is gone for 2
weeks for his distance learning classes as he works on his degree.
Teacher Joan Chirwa has brought two of her children to be staying with
her during this holiday break. Some of our Village children will be
going to visit relatives. On Wednesday will be a special event for
the children at the Green Farm, organized by Kimberly Kamau and Dick
Mumba with help from the team from WI. And I'm looking forward to
some down time - something I haven't had for over a year. Reading and
crocheting are both on my to-do list. I want to make a baby blanket
for our new granddaughter who is scheduled to arrive in early
November.

Re: Email

2011-08-03T12:54:00.001-04:00

Hi Julie, Benedict here. Look forward to seeing you guys sometime. If
I understand your question, Kathleen hit the "send" button this
morning, and it went out to everyone on the mailing list. Thanks for
your great help! You and Kathleen make a dynamic duo! Many Blessings,
Benedict

On 8/3/11, Julie Dickey <julieannedickey@gmail.com> wrote:
> aha! How Cool!
>
> Got the email, should I go ahead and sent the email date on
> ConstantContact? Or do you do that? Already set up the email list!
>

--
Sent from my mobile device

A Funny Story

2011-07-31T12:17:00.001-04:00

A Funny Story

Last Monday Benedict and I met at our restaurant/Take-away for lunch.
As we walked in, a woman was holding a fussy baby and feeding it by
spoon some porridge. We got our food and went into the book store
part of the restaurant, sat down, and began to eat. After a while,
out of the corner of my eye, I saw the lady get up, and strap the baby
on her back. Then we heard the most awful sound. I thought, "that
baby is really sick. It has a terrible case of laryngitis." Benedict
thought, "what is that lady doing to that baby? Did she drop the
baby?" I was thinking that it sounded like a chicken. Then I saw the
woman leaving the building. The baby was on her back, and in her hand
she held a live chicken in a bag with the head sticking out. We had
not seen the woman arrive, obviously with a chicken. Our experience
of living in the US had not prepared us to expect that anyone would
bring their live chicken to lunch at a restaurant, while they ate!
This story continues to make be laugh!! i hope it does you too.

Tomorrow a team of 12 from Wisconsin arrives for 2 weeks. This team
includes a family of 7. This also is the last week of school for Term
2. We are preparing for a special program on Thursday. Grandmothers
and extended members of the children's families have been invited.
Lunch will be served to them. So it is a busy time.

Amazing!!

2011-07-19T11:42:00.001-04:00

Amazing!!

I know that some folks regularly check this blog. (I'm grateful!) So
even though I can't write much right now I will say that we have a
team from CO here. There are only 4, but they have been doing an
Amazing job and keeping so busy. Mark, the mission pastor, has been
serving everyone and helping things to happen. As a former science
teacher he has done teachings on bees, taught the teachers how to use
microscopes, organized our science supplies, brought the message on
Sunday, is trying to deal with the bees in the tree in the courtyard
at the school, and doing our Bible lesson at Morning meeting this week
until he goes.

George is setting up a security system, running wire and all that is
entailed, as well as working on computers.

Verla has a sewing center set up in the Community Center. In the
mornings Chimwemwe Ladies come along with mothers and aunties from the
village. They are making different things, and for some it is the
first time to use a machine. In the afternoon, 5 of our girls are
learning to sew. She has over seen the cleaning and fixing and
setting up of the many machines that have been given, but that we
haven't been able to use until now.

And Sharlene has helped Verla get the machines going, worked with
George to network the computers in the office area, done lessons on
how to use computers with our teachers, and today was working on
designing a flyer about the road front to pass out to the truck
drivers and others to get more business.

So it has been a great and amazing time. They leave on Thursday and
we will all be sad about that. I'll write more later about other
interesting things that have been happening here.

An African Medical Minute

2011-07-04T11:41:00.001-04:00

An African Medical Minute

Do you ever have a problem with nosebleeds? I have heard of the
natural solution here in Africa. This has been confirmed
independently by 3 individuals. You take a small piece of elephant
dung, set it on fire and then take several breaths of the smoke. You
can also use a porcupine quill burning mixed with the dung. I was
warned not to breathe in too much because it will give you a bad
headache. But according to Teacher Bruce, several years ago he had
problems with nose bleeds, and after doing that he didn't have a
nosebleed for several years.

I was told this information one day because Ethel, one of our
children, was having a nose bleed at the end of morning meeting.
Although we didn't try this remedy, we probably will in the future.
You may ask where we could get the elephant dung. One of our parting
gifts from Teacher Bosman was a bag with 3 chunks of elephant dung.
There are lots of elephants in the Livingstone area where Teacher
Bosman moved. Elephant dung looks like wood and wood pulp and fiber
all compressed. And that is what it is.

So if Ethel or any other child develops nose bleeds, I will put
Teacher Bruce in charge of dealing with the situation!

KamZamNews

2011-06-23T12:48:00.001-04:00

This is from Kamau and Kimberly's News Blog. This one was titled
Witches, Mumps, and Pox. For pictures go to
www.kamzamnews.blogspot.com

..From Kamau

Greetings friends! I trust this finds you all doing well! From what
we've heard, you have been experiencing a sizzling hot summer season
especially in the East Coast! Here in Zambia, the months of June and
July are usually our winter season and yes it has been getting cold
late in the evening and especially early mornings' but it has none the
less been a rather warm winter which is unusual.

You in the Northern Hemisphere may find it hard to believe, but it
really does get cold in Zambia to a point where I have been forced to
wear several layers of clothes to stay warm. The house we live in has
a tin roof and no ceiling such that when its get cold, the only
solution is to dress up and go to bed early. Now during the hot
months, the opposite is true! The same tin roof gets so hot you feel
like you are broiling slowly.

Now about those pesky witches! This is one of those things which as an
African I really find aggravating! Especially when I witness the
strong spiritual, emotional and mental bondage many are subjected to
including some believers! It especially get me riled up when I see the
adamant rejection of the care of a medical doctor because the person
or the family of the patient believes that the illness has nothing to
do with normal sickness which any person born of flesh may suffer, but
a belief that someone has cast a spell or that out of jealously, the
patient has been bewitched and therefore medical science has nothing
to offer.

This was our experience recently when one of our workers became
seriously ill and we decided to take him to hospital. He was admitted
into the local district hospital but a few days later, his wife and
his brother came to see me and told me that the patient was being
transferred to the national hospital for more specialized care and
they therefore need money to help facilitate this transfer. They were
given the funds but several days later, they came back and said they
needed yet more money! I was confused and thought perhaps we were
having a communication barrier, because as far as I knew the transfer
to the national hospital and already been effected! I don't speak
their particular language and so I asked one of the staff to
translate. It finally came out that they needed the funds to pay a
witch doctor who I was told was treating the patient! I got so angry
and told and them there was no way we were going to take money God's
people have provided to pay for the services of a witchdoctor!

The whole story eventually surfaced and I found out that lies had been
told; the district hospital had not really transferred the patient but
the family had decided to remove the patient from the district
hospital and taken him to a witchdoctor in the village because they
had decided that what he was suffering from was not a "normal illness"
but that he had been bewitched and therefore the only way he could be
cured was through "traditional means." They were heard to say that
they had seen a witchdoctor and that the witch had actually shown them
on a "screen" the persons who had bewitched their loved one. According
to the family the people responsible for the "bewitchment" were the
patient's two co-workers who out of jealousy had done this terrible
deed.

Now, being accused of practicing witchcraft is a very serious charge
in Zambia! People accused of bewitching others have been killed and
sometimes burned alive in their grass huts! Killings of people
suspected of witchcraft occurred recently in a place called Mansa. You
can therefore appreciate the deep hurt and pain our two workers were
experiencing not to mention the danger inherent at such an accusation.
The two threatened to report this matter to the police in order to be
accorded protection and help guard their reputation. When we as
management found out that the family had removed the patient from the
hospital, we decided to step in and do whatever was necessary to help
him access medical care. We paid a visit to the home of the worker's
parents in the village to plead with them to allow us to take him to a
good hospital. We found the worker lying on a mattress on the ground
very weak and emaciated; he could barely see or talk. We were informed
he had not eaten for days nor used the bathroom. After some
discussion, the family agreed to let us take him to the hospital, we
took him to a private hospital where we were sure he would get proper
care and attention. The doctors at the well equipped Egyptian Orthodox
Hospital very quickly diagnosed him with TB which is a treatable
disease. He was there for almost a week and was beginning to eat and
get stronger when he suddenly took a turn for the worse and died. He
was only 27 yrs. He left behind his wife and two children, one a very
young baby. The cause of death was listed as respiratory failure and
TB. NOT witchcraft! But a treatable illness! I can't help but wonder
if he would be alive today had he been able to access thorough medical
attention much earlier instead of a dalliance with primitive and
hollow remedies.

Here at the children's home, we have faced our own challenges with
chicken pox among some of the children and an outbreak of mumps. Four
of our children in the same house tested positive for mumps and just
last week, two other children from a different house also tested
positive! We hope it doesn't get out of control; we are trying not to
panic! (Did I hear witchcraft!!!) Just joking! I am reliably informed
that this illness is particularly bad for boys and especially older
men! Boy, am I glad I have 44 children!

May God's peace and grace rest upon you!

The Kamaus

Handel in the African Bush

2011-06-19T12:20:00.001-04:00

Handel in the African Bush

Today I was teaching 12 of our new students. One of the new girls the
class is Loina Bwanga. She is the daughter of Mr. Bwanga, who is in
charge of our chickens. He has a large family who live on our
property near the chicken operation. His wife recently had twin
daughters. Loina is 10 or 11, has been going to a school near us,
speaks fairly good English, but can't read. (This is a function of the
school she was attending, not her intelligence.) So she is in this
class where we are starting at the beginning.

As part of their early learning experience at our school, they get to
do things that they may never have done before, like coloring, cutting
paper, gluing, and other things. Today they were cutting pictures
from greeting cards and gluing them onto a piece of construction
paper.

Some of the cards were Christmas cards. To my shock and wonder, Loina
began singing "For unto us a child is born" from Handel's Messiah. I
asked her where she had heard it or learned it. She said that they
use to have a CD of it, although it now skips. I started singing it
with her. I am still amazed that this family that lives in the
African bush in very basic conditions has been listening to the great
music of Handel.

Visitors, New students, and a lunar eclipse

2011-06-17T11:29:00.001-04:00

Visitors, New students, and a lunar eclipse

Well, it has been a very busy but good last couple of weeks. Never a
boring moment.

We had Kayla and Sarah Cook here for 10 days. They were here 2 ½
years ago. Kayla is a nurse and Sarah is her daughter and a flight
attendant in the US. They did a wonderful series of classes at school
on the human body. The way they present things makes it a way that
the children won't forget. They also set up the examining room in the
clinic, so we should be able to start using it. And they did very
complete physicals on all of the kids. They had done that when they
were here before, but about half of the kids weren't living in the
Village then. (Adam had grown over 6 inches and so had Docklin.) So
they had a very busy time for 10 days.

On Friday Prince, a Zimbabwean who is in ministry in Kenya, brought
his wife. He had been here in November to do the videotaping and made
that very nice tape that is now on You tube. He was here to video a
little more, including an introduction for a short video, with Claude
Allen who arrived on Saturday.

Prince's wife is Chipo and she has started a school in a poor section
of Nairobi, Kenya and it is in a 40 foot container. Prince had wanted
her to come and see what is going on here including with our school.
So this time she came with him.

Claude, who arrived on Saturday, is an advisor to our AKCLI Board in
the US. He has been in over 200 countries, both in his current job
and when he worked at the White House as domestic policy advisor to
President Bush. I enjoyed asking him questions about his jobs in
Washington and things he did then.

On Monday a man from Zimbabwe arrived, Francis. His wife is a friend
of Susan Lukaart in MI where she is teaching at Aquinas University.
They want to return to Africa at some point in the future.

Prince, Chipo, and Claude all left on Tuesday. Francis left on
Wednesday morning and then a couple who are from the Philippines but
are living in Lusaka working for an NGO, came out for the morning and
lunch. How amazing that in a short amount of time we can have all
these visitors from places around the world!

In addition to all the visitors coming and going, things have been
busy at school. We now have 14 additional children attending school,
children of our workers. Most can't read or write and understand very
little English. I have been teaching 12 of them in the mornings. I
have been doing pre-reading activities, and then some basic math. I
have been using the office, which is still somewhat a mess from
unloading the container and all the boxes with books and teachers'
supplies. Hopefully by the end of next week, the office will be
presentable and usable.

I enjoy working with these new kids since it gives me a chance to get
to know them. Most of them are so eager and want to learn. One girl,
Grace, really touches my heart. She is 10 years old and has never
been to school. She can kind of write her numbers but they are so
tiny, and she is still in the stage where they are backwards or upside
down sometimes. I can tell that she is trying to use what little
English she is learning, and every morning she runs up to greet me in
a very joyful manner.

Finally, last night was exciting. We had a complete lunar eclipse.
Kamau had had the yard workers collect fire wood. We started the
campfire around 8:00 and the eclipse began around 8:20. Many of the
kids were pretty active, singing, and "bouncing around." However,
Mary J, and Gift small came and stood by my chair the whole time
asking questions and looking at the moon. It was very neat. When the
moon was about half covered I made all the kids sit and be quiet and
ask questions if they had any. Around 9:30 the moon was covered.
Actually it looked kind of brown and not white. It was a perfectly
clear sky and as the moon disappeared, you could see the stars even
more brightly. The Southern Cross and the Milky Way are so clear to
see. As soon as the moon disappeared everyone went to bed. It stayed
covered for about 2 hours, so we weren't going to wait that long. But
this morning the white moon was back for all to see.

It is much cooler now. It was about 45 degrees this morning, so I
wear several layers. I would much rather stay in bed under the
covers! But it does warm up and was probably in the 70s during the
day.

Our lives are filled with so much variety: of people, of children, of
daily activities, and the world around us. I'm so glad that our God
is a God of creativity and variety and that He shares that with us.

Total Lunar Eclipse

2011-06-15T12:23:00.001-04:00

Total Lunar Eclipse

Tonight there is a total lunar eclipse that is visible throughout
Africa. It begins at 8:20. Since this is the cold time of year, we
will be sitting around a campfire, looking heavenward. Some of the
little ones will probably be in bed, but most of the kids are looking
forward to being able to go out and see the eclipse. This morning at
morning meeting I used a big yellow balloon, a smallish globe, and a
small blue balloon to demonstrate what is happening. Tomorrow morning
we will then use various paints and colors to draw what we have seen
so that we can remember the event. There won't be another one until
2015 here in Africa and that one will be at 3am.

We now have 14 new students, dependents of our workers. Although some
say that they have been in 4th grade, they don't know how to read or
write and their English is very limited. I work with them in the
mornings and it is a great joy to see the light appear in their eyes
and faces as they learn do things and get to do things they had never
tried before. Since we have had this experience before, we know that
in a few short months, they will be speaking to us in English, reading
books, and learning so many things.

Games Night

2011-06-05T13:10:00.001-04:00

Games Night

My son-in-law is a game's fanatic, not the kind where you sit in front
of a TV and watch others playing with a ball and knocking each other
around. He is the kind of fanatic who finds that one of the things he
likes to do most is sit at a table with other people and play card
games, board games, card/board games, etc, etc.

I've learned a lot from him and he has introduced me to a whole new
world of creative games. I already knew that playing games is great
for the brain, and great for children to play. In Zambia people
rarely play games, other than the kind that can be played with small
stones or other natural objects. So I have been trying to introduce
game playing to the teacher's in the hope that they would want to
teach the students.

We have lots of wonderful games that people have given to us and
shipped on containers. In the school day there often isn't much time
for the teachers to play games, so last night we had a fun time at our
house around our very large dining room table. Teacher Bruce and his
new bride Alice came; Teacher Joan, Kimberly, Malaika, and Kimani,
Sarah and Kayla, and Sena and I. We played Ten Days in Africa,
Skipbo, Trouble, and Speed. We also had popcorn to eat and had a
great time together. We will have to do it again soon.

What we learn about God's Way through our bodies?

2011-06-05T13:09:00.001-04:00

What we learn about God's Way through our bodies?

The study question for this term (3 months May-July) at school is
"What can we learn about God's Way through our bodies?" Once again we
are blessed to have Kayla and Sarah Cook here visiting. They came 2 ½
years ago and since Kayla is a nurse, they led some classes on the
human body. So now they have come prepared and will be presenting 6
lessons to the students. On Friday we learned about cells and got to
act out with our bodies how the cell works. Then with play doh they
made sample cells. We also learned about the brain.

We love the way they teach with lots of hands-on activities. Kayla
also has such a gentle and encouraging way of teaching and brings in
the wonder of this magnificent creation God has made – our bodies.
Now we can't wait to see what we will learn and do next week!

Comings and Goings

2011-06-01T10:52:00.000-04:00

Comings and Goings

This morning Anita Mumba left for Micronesia. She is the wife of Dick
Mumba one of the missionary families here. She has not been back to
her small home island in 15 years. During that time both of her
parents have died. She will travel Lusaka to Johannesburg, to Hong
Kong, to Manila, to Guam, to another island, and then 2 days on a boat
to her island. Please pray for her. She is nervous about remembering
her language after being immersed in English for so many years. Pray
that she is able to show the love of God to many. She will be gone
for 2 months. So also keep her family in prayer while she is away.

This afternoon Sarah and Kayla arrive from Indiana. We are looking
forward to their visit, the second time they have been to the Village
of Hope.

Finally, Benedict's mother had the ultimate home going yesterday. At
95 years of age, after becoming more and more frail she died in her
apartment. The funeral is Thursday. Benedict has been in MD for the
last 2 weeks to spend time with her and with his sister Sandy. Four
of our six children will be there for the funeral, and I wish I could
be, but I will be there in heart and love.

Firsts

2011-05-30T11:18:00.001-04:00

Firsts

Yesterday I had to go into Lusaka after church to pick up our
daughter, who had spent the weekend there. I asked the two oldest
girls in the two newest houses to come with me; Annette (10yo),
Tereshina, Agnes, and Mary J (all 9yo). They were so excited.

We left immediately after church. On the way they asked what the
"round grass" was? It took me a while to figure out what they were
saying since I sounded like "glass" and I hadn't seen what they were
referring to. I finally understood that it was the round hay bales in
the fields.

I pointed out a couple of places on the way that have so much rubbish
(trash). I wanted it to be an object lesson on what happens when you
litter. One said, "that will make you sick."

I actually got pulled over at one of the traffic stops because one of
the brake lights wasn't working. I had to get out of the car and go
into the little Police Office to pay a fine. So the girls sat in the
car watching all the trucks and cars going by and wondering what was
happening. That was a first for me too.

When we got to Lusaka, they kept exclaiming over things that they saw.
I found out that Annette has been to Kabwe, a town north of us. None
had been to Lusaka before, and the other 3 didn't even know what a
city was.

We went to Arcades, a shopping mall which has a big craft fair on
Sundays. We went to Zamchick for lunch for chicken and chips (French
fries). Turns out it was the first time they had ever eaten chips. I
gave each pair of girls from a house 20,000 kwacha (about $5) to get
something for their mothers (housemothers) as we walked around the
crafts.

At one of the booths their eyes lit up to see a pair of shiny,
colorful, big earings. I don't know what the mothers thought of that.
There was a bit of money left so, I added a bit more so that each
girl could get a small thing for themselves.

We ended our trip with ice cream. None of the girls had eaten ice
cream before! So I think it is a day they will never forget.

A week ago our housekeeper, Esther, went with me to Lusaka. One of
the malls was recently remodeled and now has both an escalator and
elevators. So Esther, who is about 35, rode an escalator and an
elevator for the first time.

Of course, being in Africa, I have my own things that have been
firsts. But to see someone else do something that is commonplace for
me, but a first for them, is a joyful experience.

A Teacher and A Student

2011-05-30T11:16:00.001-04:00

A Teacher and a Student

I am sharing the writing of a retired teacher and Nelson, a 7th grade
student at our school. At our school we have a visitor book and this
is an entry from last week.

27-05-11 "I visited the School when I came to see one of the teachers
who is my daughter. I was very impressed with what I saw. The school
is very good. I worked as a teacher for a long time in many schools.
I had never seen what I have seen here. There are a lot of materials,
resource materials for both teachers and pupils.
This is a good development to both the community and the country at large.
May the good Lord continue blessing the people that are helping this
place to continue running.
How I wish we can have this kind of school in all the provinces.
Truly the School of Hope has brought hope to all the people of Zambia.
Keep on with this kind of spirit, Mrs. Terry Chisoinga Kombe

"The Reception of Teacher Malowa's Wedding" by Nelson
At Chibombo when we reached, we found that there were many people on
the door that we couldn't get in. The Teacher Chirwa said to the men
who were at the door, "We are the guest of honor." Then the men said,
"Move you people so that the guest of honor can get in." Then we went
in and they gave us a bench to sit on.
When we sat, people came in and started dancing and all the others
were cheering for them. After a while, we were listening to the music
and other people giving speeches. Then the women came and said, "It's
time for Teacher Malowa and Aunty Alice to come in." All the people
cheered when they saw Teacher Malowa and Aunty Alice coming in dancing
with a nice step.
After a while, when all the people settled and when Teacher Malowa
and Aunty Alice sat down, Auntyt Kimberly gave me a camera to go and
take pictures. When I went in front, there were a lot of camera men,
but I managed to take pictures. When people settled, some relatives
of Teacher Malow and Aunty Alice gave a speech about the wedding and
how it was. They said that we must do what is right like the way
Teacher Malowa did it, to make a wedding.
After the relatives of Teacher Malowa and Aunty Alice finished, Aunty
Kathleen went in and gave us a speech saying that it was the first
Zambian wedding that she had ever gone to, and it was interesting to
see how people do when there is a wedding. Afterward we went in and
greeted Teacher Malowa and Aunty Alice saying, "Well done" and
"Congratulations." After some time, people started bringing different
gifts to give Teacher Malowa and Aunty Alice. Then we said, "Goodbye
Teacher Malowa and Aunty Alice.
On the way back home, we went in Aunty Kimberly's car with Aunty Hope
and the other Aunty. After we went for a while we dropped Aunty
Harriet and the other Aunty at Nyirenda Village. Weh n we reached
home, Cottage 2 ran to us and asked us how it was. Then I went home
and I ate my food. After that I read my books and my Bible. Then I
prayed and slept.

Friends

2011-05-28T10:22:00.001-04:00

Friends

This blog is really about you, our friends, those who read and are
interested in the children, people, and work here in Zambia.

First I am pleased to let everyone know that we have a new volunteer
who will be managing our Facebook page. Since those of us in Zambia
are not able to easily access the internet, Deb will be helping us by
posting news and pictures. She is also more knowledgeable about
Facebook. So if you are on Facebook, please make sure that you go to
Villages of Hope Zambia (the one with a black and white picture of
Isaac and Gift), and sign up. Also spread the news to other friends
that you have.

Secondly, we do not send out letters requesting donations and we do
very little fundraising. However, that doesn't mean that we don't
need partners to help with this work. The care that our children
receive – loving home life, great nutrition, outstanding education -
is being held up by the Zambian government as a model for others. I
wish you could see the joyful, enthusiastic, loving children that live
here. But we need partners who will help us through financially
giving. You can help sponsor a cottage of 8-9 children. You can help
sponsor a student or a teacher at our school. You can help invest in
the community around us and the future of the children by contributing
to the initial costs of the economic development of this organization.

To contribute you can go to the website and give through the Paypal
account, or you can send donations to 224 N. Washington Street, Havre
de Grace, MD 21078. If you have any questions email us at
villagesofhope@gmail.com.

Mumps

2011-05-25T12:16:00.001-04:00

Mumps

The latest health news from the Village is that we have an outbreak of
mumps. One of the children probably was exposed when they went back
to their home village during the holiday month of April. So far it
doesn't seem too serious. No one is as swollen as I was when I had
them as a child. But they are hurting and some are a bit swollen. I
couldn't even find mumps listed in a Pediatric Health book from the
states. So what is no longer a problem in the US is a common
occurrence here in Zambia.

School Enrollment Growing

2011-05-25T12:14:00.001-04:00

School Enrollment Growing

This morning we met with the workers here at the Village of Hope. For
the first time we are offering to open the enrollment of our school to
children other than the children in our care in the Village. The
criteria is that at least one parent has to be employed here, that the
child needs to between the ages of 6-11, and in grade 1 or 2. There
will be the same fee that is charged by the Okada Community School
next door, plus there is a fee for lunches.

The workers, mainly men, asked questions. The biggest issue they had
was with the fees and for those in Liteta, the transportation. Later
in the day I heard that there was excitement by some of the workers
that they could bring their child here.

So in the next couple of days we will be receiving the applications
and the new children will start next Monday. Everyone is excited!

Imagine....

2011-05-22T07:04:00.001-04:00

Imagine.....

Imagine living in a neighborhood, really 2 blocks of a street where:
there were 48 children
you could be outside in wonderful weather about 85% of the year
there was the sound of happy children playing much of the time
you could hear the squeak of the swings on the play set
you could hear the cheers from a soccer game being played
if you needed help there were many hands volunteering to be the one(s)
walking down the street meant being greeted many times by, "Hi
Auntie" or "Hi, Uncle"
That is what it is like where I live, at the Village of Hope

Different worlds and cultures

2011-05-17T12:06:00.001-04:00

Different Worlds and Cultures

When I was in the states last month, our daughter Jessica, gave us the DVD set for the first season of "The #1 Ladies Detective Agency" produced by the BBC. Jessica knew that it was a favorite book series of mine, as well as many other people over here. So we have started watching it. It is set and filmed in Botswana. What a wonderful series. I recommend it to anyone. It would also be especially interesting to folks who are planning a trip to Africa. We give it high marks and thank you Jessica!!

A funny thing happened recently. We needed Felix, our resident artist, to repaint our roadside signs. These are big signs that advertise the Take-Away, Market, and Shower facilities (for truckers). Benedict asked him if he could add "hot" to the shower signs so that it would read "Hot Showers."
Felix: "Yes!"
Benedict thought: "I wonder if he knows how to spell hot." So he asked, "Do you know how to spell hot:"
Felix: "Yes!"
Benedict thought: "I better check to make sure." So he asked, "How do you spell it?"
Felix: "H -E-A-R-T"
So much for the accents we have! Although we thought to put "Heart showers" might get more business than "Hot Showers!"

KamZamNews Update from the Kamaus

2011-05-15T06:37:00.001-04:00

Greetings Everyone!

For many of you in the US it is the time of year when the days are getting a little longer, warmer weather is on its way and cookouts are welcome! Well, it is the opposite on this side of the world as we start to have shorter days, wear warmer clothing and relish a hot cup of coffee or lemongrass chai. Cookouts are still welcome though! Take a moment to view some photos of what we have been up to!

The Kamaus

www.kamzamnews.blogspot.com

The wedding

2011-05-12T09:19:00.000-04:00

The Wedding

Sunday was the wedding for Bruce Malowa, one of our teachers. I arrived back on Friday from the US. Then on Saturday one of the things I did was to have all the kids come in their clothes so we could make sure everyone was adequately dressed. We still had a couple of shirts that were too big and some shoes that were needed. So I tried to find the needed items. I also took ribbon around to the houses for the girls to use in their hair.

Sunday we started gathering on our verandah at 9:30. All 42 kids went, all the mothers and aunties, the Kamaus, us, and the Mumbas girls. It took 2 trips to transport everyone to Liteta. There was much excitement, as you can imagine.

When we arrived at the church, all eyes who were near the doors, turned to me. Benedict and I were the only white people there with over 500 in attendance. I was escorted to the front of the church since I was the guest of honor. Bruce had asked me a couple of months ago. Our folks- children and adults - were seated in a couple of places in the church. The choir was singing, acapella, and they were very good. I enjoyed listening to them. In the US they could cut CDs that people would buy.

After a delay the ceremony started. One of the first things was that the "Bible boy" came in. He came in with a couple of young adults who were carrying the 2 pillows that the bride and groom would kneel on. The boy was the cutest thing. He was all dressed up in a suit. He carried the Bible and did a little slow step to the music. He was about 4-5 and seriously did his job - all the way up and all the way back.

The groomsmen came in from the front of the church, the bridesmaids from the back, doing a kind of dance step. The met in the center of the aisle and continued with slow dance steps as they came together. Actually, the men came in with the flowers that they then gave the girls.

A ribbon was then put across the aisle. So Alice, the bride, came in from the back on the arm of her father with her head bowed (humilty and seriousness) (to the tune of "Here Comes the Bride played by the DJ and from a CD. How many times have I played that for weddings in the US! The recording was even of an organ!). Bruce came in from the front. They were doing a slow dance type step too and they met half way down the aisle. The pastor then said that before the service could proceed that someone had to give permission. So the father said he did. Everyone cheered. Then Bruce and Alice proceeded up the aisle, both being very, very serious - no smiles.

The wedding continued with the bride's head down the whole time and Bruce looking very serious. When it came time to pray, the pastor asked all the couples that had been married the longest - 30 years or more to come up and kneel around the couple to pray for them. So Benedict and I were part of that group. At the end of the ceremony, the pastor had all those same couples process out.

After the wedding, we had to take most of the kids back to the Village. Then the 6 7th graders, Kimberly, Sena, Isha, and 2 mothers with me went to the reception. It was a small hall and when we arrived people were lined up trying to get in. Of course, my white face made us stand out and they knew I was the guest of honor so we all were escorted in. People were sitting in rows of chairs facing a center aisle where the bridal party came in and then the bride and groom. They still were both very somber.

Certain things were done, like cutting the cake after a guy danced in carrying the knife. Gifts were brought up to the front - many unwrapped and you don't need to have a card since they don't write thank yous and there is no mail delivery here. There was a time for coming up and greeting the couple. Before that a member of the bride's family gave a short speech, a member of the groom's family, and the guest of honor (that's me). I had Zandile interpret for me.

I thanked them and said it was a great honor to be asked. I said I had been married for almost 38 years and had 6 children, 4 of them married so this reminded me of those weddings. I referred to the quote in Proverbs about a strand of 3 cords is not easily broken - husband, wife, the Lord. I also referred to the accident they had been in when going to marital counseling. It was a miracle that they weren't killed and I said that God had a purpose for them together to serve Him. Then I said that this was my first Zambian wedding and I was having trouble with getting use to the Zambian tradition of the bride and groom being serious. I said I knew that it was their culture to be serious (they clapped and laughed) but (looking at Bruce and Alice) I hope that they had joy and a song in their heart. They smiled!!! This was a bit of a comfort since it is hard to know what is going on in a person's mind and heart when they look so serious and almost sad.

All in all it was a very interesting time. I would now like to go to another Zambian wedding - maybe Pentecostal and not Seventh Day Adventist.

So that is my report and we are still talking about it. Bruce and Alice and a female cousin of his have now moved into the Village for a short time while we finish the first building of the senior staff/teacher housing. It is common to have another family member stay with you, I think, when you get married.

It is a different world!!

Through the wardrobe

2011-05-04T09:07:00.001-04:00

Through the Wardrobe

For any of you who have read C.S.Lewis' The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe you will understand when I say that Benedict and I refer to the time we fly back and forth to Zambia as going through the wardrobe. We move from one world to another. So after almost 5 weeks in the US, being in 6 states, seeing 5 of our children who all live in different states, being with 7 grandchildren, 2 parents in their 80s, a mother-in-law who is 95, one AKCLI 2-day Board meeting, and things I don't even remember, I leave tonight for London, then Johannesburg, and then Lusaka. The next 2 nights will be spent sitting up trying to sleep on planes. By the time I land in Lusaka I will have been in 11 planes since I left On April 3.

I'm thankful for all the safe flights, my wonderful family, friends who care, my Kindle (makes luggage lighter), and the children I look forward to seeing when I arrive at the Village of Hope. In my luggage I have 22 pairs of flip-flops for the girls to wear to Teacher Malowa's wedding, books for the teachers, a great Sudoku book, various odds and ends, and clothes including dress shirts for some of the boys.

There won't be any down time when I arrive. Saturday we will have all the kids do a trial run for the wedding - making sure every one has something nice to wear. Will probably take pictures of everyone then. Sunday is the big day with the wedding that everyone will go to in Liteta, and the reception in Chibombo that the 7th graders will attend. Then Monday teachers report for the start of Term 2. I just pray that my brain is working and I don't fall asleep when I should be setting up school for the arrival of children on Wednesday!!!

Wedding Clothes

2011-04-04T08:01:00.001-04:00

Wedding Clothes

It always takes some time to plan for an important wedding. Teacher Bruce Malowa is getting married May 7. All of the children will be going to the church ceremony and the 6 grade 7th students will go to the reception. Knowing that many of our children will need new clothes, we decided to start planning now. So one day last week we told them to put on their best clothes and line up. What a hodge podge of outfits we had! A few were fine, although Gift small - proud of his jacket - is to big for it. Kimberly and I looked at each one and wrote down what they needed. So only about 3 girls had a dress that was good enough. Fortunately, in the recent Delaware container someone had sent a box of fancy dresses, probably some from weddings. So later in the week, Kimberly came to school and we called the girls in small groups to come and pick out something, which they tried on. It still left about 4 girls needing dresses. Fortunately, Maureen Kunda is a creative whiz and is able to make wonderful dresses for the girls. We plan to try and get fancy flip flops for their shoes. Maureen will also make ties for all the boys. We will need to get pants for a few and shirts for some. Some of these things are outside our budget for clothing, so if anyone wants to contribute something, that would be great. If we get more than we need, we will use it to buy other clothes items that we don't have from donated items.

Needless to say, we are all excited about the wedding. I asked Bruce this week to talk to the kids about why he wants to get married in a church, and what being married means to him. We both see this as a learning time for the children. They won't get to go to many weddings!

Foundations of Farming

2011-03-29T01:13:00.001-04:00

Foundations of Farming

A few weeks ago Kimberly, Kamau, and Mr. Banda went to a conference in Harare Zimbabwe to learn about Foundations in Farming, or Farming God's way. Mr. Banda is in charge of all the gardens and cropping. They came back enthused and excited about what they had learned and the potential for our Village. One of the results has been that each day Kimberly works with some of the children. One or two houses each week have "garden duty." They are collected twigs and branches, cut grass - both cut when green and cut when dried, and are making piles to be used in a compost project for our next crop. The children are excited and working hard. Mark Wenham, our friend, came in November and planted a small demonstration plot in the village using the principles of this approach. It was a very nice crop of maize. We even have a big sign that lists the principles: planting to standards, in a timely way, without waste, and joyfully. All of this should help us as we move to the place of being able to grow all the food we need to support the Village.

A Celebration and Windshield Wipers

2011-03-24T01:50:00.001-04:00

A Celebration and Windshield Wipers

On Tuesday we had a luncheon for the Senior Staff to celebrate the retirement of Mr. Phiri. It was a lovely time. We held it at the restaurant and the food was delicious. My mother always gives the menu for special events, so I'll follow her example and have your mouth watering: roasted potato wedges, rice, a tomato gravy, fried chicken, a meat and gravy dish, cole slaw, and cake. We have wonderful food at our restaurant!

Mr. Phiri brought his wife, Catherine, his youngest son (the last of 12 children – all living – all by one wife!) who is in 5^th grade and 2 grandsons who are both in 7^th grade. All 3 boys are very handsome.

There was laughter and fun. Mr. Phiri said that by having this luncheon to honor him, we were saying to him that he had done a good job, and he was very appreciative.

Mr. Phiri was our first employee and became the supervisor of the workers. He had worked for Mr. Nyrienda who had owned the land originally and who was the father of the 3 aunties that we bought the land from. He was able to tell us where good black soil could be found on the property, where the gravel, and crushed rock could be found – left from when they redid the Great North Road, and where the "beacons" or property markers were. I once walked with him through grass that was almost 6 feet high, with bush all around and he found his way to a cement marker in the ground at the corners of the property.

We are very grateful for all that he did in the early years of the ministry.

On a different topic, the latest fun activity of the boys in the village has been to make "cars" from long grasses. They drag the long grass behind them and have a piece of it in the front. The interesting thing about it is that they use this grass and make "windshield wipers" out of the grass that they actually manipulate to go back and forth, just like real wipers.

Then 4-5 will line up side by side and walk along together with their "cars." I am doing an inadequate job of describing their "toys," but the interesting thing to me is the ingenuity to use what is around them to make something that is fun to play with. No Nintendos, computers, Wi's, TVs! And the items change as the seasons change since they are based on what is available. A month or so ago it was all whistles from the grass in the early rains. Now it is these cars.

We also have a lot of guitars made of scrap wood, a plastic bottle and string they find. They have great fun strumming and singing and it is fun to watch.

I was so blessed this afternoon to walk around the village as I took pictures. Some children were swinging on the swing set, some were clearing a small patch of land to expand the garden for their house, some were "driving cars", some "playing guitars," and some were sitting on their verandas reading. On a day with beautiful weather, there was such a sense of peace and joy.

Fresh Milk

2011-03-22T13:09:00.001-04:00

Fresh Milk

Our children are now able to drink fresh milk. Our 6 jersey cows are being milked, 4 calves, and 4 of the jerseys are pregnant. So every morning they are milked and the children, for the first time on a regular basis, are able to drink milk. The next step will be to train the older ones so that they can help milk the cows. Thanks to Uncle Dave from MN we have a wonderful set-up and quite beautiful animals.

New Uniforms

2011-03-17T01:40:00.001-04:00

New Uniforms

Today we had our Mother/Auntie/Teacher meeting that we have every other week during lunch time. We were meeting and the children were playing outside. All of a sudden we heard so many squeals and screams. As we looked out the window we saw about 6 of the ladies from the sewing factory walking along the veranda holding folded uniforms.

We had ordered them some months ago and had bought the material. The children kept asking me where the uniforms were. Their red T-shirts were getting very used.

The hold up was the buttons and we said, don't worry about all the buttons being the same. We just want the uniforms.

The uniforms were passed out by the mothers. It was so wonderful that they happened to be present when the uniforms arrived. Then each child tried it on. The shirts are red, the bottoms are dark navy blue. The boys have shorts and the girls have skorts (shorts with a front panel that makes it look like a skirt). They were so excited and proud looking. Tomorrow we will take a picture of the whole school in their new outfits.

In Zambia, uniforms are a mark of a student and indicate that you are getting an education. It is a source of pride and something that all students desire. Next year we will probably have to get ties for the boys who pass Grade 7 – a sign of being more senior in your school.

Praying and Giving

2011-03-15T00:01:00.001-04:00

Prayers

The children here are very serious and conscientious with their
prayers. We have begun praying at times in a way that is done around
the world in various Christian churches. I first learned about it
from my son who traveled with YWAM. It is praying all together at the
same time, out loud. I watch the looks on their faces and the posture
that they have as they pray and it is inspiring.

Each day we pray for the teachers. Last week Teacher Malowa and his
fiancé were in a serious bus accident. They were riding in one of the
many minibuses that go up and down the great north road. They were
going to Kabwe to meet with a pastor. As the driver went to pass
several big trucks, he didn't realize that a smaller truck in the
front was turning right. (everything is opposite here when it comes to
driving). He tried to stop before he hit it but was unable, although
he did keep the bus from flipping over. The bus was destroyed. The
driver was pretty badly injured. (They took him to Liteta hospital.
It seems he may have had a couple of broken legs. They sent him to
Lusaka to the hospital and since there was no ambulance to take him,
he had to travel in another minibus!) But all the passengers in the
crashed minibus were ok with just some cuts and bumps and bruises. At
school we talked about how the prayers of the children had been
answered for their teacher. Teacher Malowa said he had thought about
how the children prayed for him every day and that he believed that
kept him from serious injury.

We are also now praying for the people of Japan. It is interesting
that last week we had a visit by a group from Japan that is doing
medical and other humanitarian work here in Zambia. A few of those
who came were returning to Japan and probably arrived the day of the
earthquake. They were lovely people and we hope they come and visit
again.

The children will remember about Japan and pray for them for a long
time. After praying for the people of Australia when the flooding was
taking place, they continued to ask me how things were in that
country. What an amazing way to learn earth science, geography, the
forces of nature, and current affairs as we pray for the world.

Giving

Here are some writings of the children as we learned about giving last week.

Group of Joshua, David, and Roman: "If you want to give we must give
love to our friend. If you steal you must take it back where you
found it. That means to give love to God. If Auntie tells you to
give your friend an apple, if you give him or her, you are giving love
to your friend and God."

Group of Prudence, Mary J, Idah: "When your friend provokes you, you
have to forgive him. If you forgive your friend, God will forgive you
too."

Group of Paul, Steven, Shaibu: "When your friend does something bad to
you, you must forgive him or her and give love to them and God will
help you."

Group of Nelson, Adam, Kahilu: "When you give more and God also will
give you more….I learned that we must give to receive. If I don't
given then I won't received….When someone hits you, and when he says
sorry, you must forgive him…If you don't forgive God also won't
forgive you because you haven't forgiven your friend….We must forgive
our friends with all of our heart, because God also forgives us."

The cows have arrived!

2011-03-06T07:28:00.001-05:00

The Cows have Arrived!

The cows have arrived! Five cows & four calves braved the traffic
today on the Great North,
and came to our side of the street. Their 2.5 acre night paddock is
fenced, the milking parlor has a roof, the 20' container is in place,
and we are putting a 700 liter tank on the roof to provide them with
water! Thanks Dave Wright, we've only just begun, Praise God.

Keys, Tears, and the Love of Teachers

2011-03-02T12:54:00.001-05:00

Keys, Tears, and the Love of Teachers

Strange title, right? I have discovered that when I send several entries on the same day, they end up double posting on this blog. So I am including several items in this one entry. The title is to capture your interest and also to help me know where certain stories are located. (A sign of my computer illiteracy that I have to do it this way.)

We have 2 keys for the lock for the door of the office at school. Then the locks to the various doors of the classrooms are in the office. Yesterday I left school early for several meetings. I forgot my keys on the desk. So when Brenda locked up (she locks the lock on the grill door, then throws the key into the office, then pulls the wooden door shut) she threw the key back into the office. When we arrived at school we had no key. I took a broom from the house hoping that I could fish the key out. Didn't work! So when the children came to pump water, Exildah said,"I can climb through the grill door at the Community Center. Maybe I can here." She tested to see if she could get her head through. The openings are small on the school grill/security door. She could get her head through but I wasn't sure that the rest of her body would make it since she has grown so much. The suggestion was that Gift small give it a try. He lived up to his name. He got his head through and his body followed. He handed me my keys off of the desk and we were able to get in! As Benedict said, we don't want to encourage him too much in that kind of activity – kind of like breaking and entering. If you saw the opening he went through, you would probably be surprised that he made it!

The grade 7 students (3 girls and 3 boys) are doing lots of extra school work to prepare for the grade 7 exams. Each week they get a schedule of assignments for English, Science, and Social and Development Studies. Part of the English work this week is to write a Personal Narrative. Today I was working with Prudence on the editing of what she wrote. The suggestion in the textbook was to write about a first in your life – first time you rode a bike, first time you went to school, etc. She choose to write about coming to the Village of Hope.

Her narrative shares that first her mother died. Then her "stepmother" (aunt) died. Then she came to the Village. As we were working on this very special piece, I realized that tears were coming down her cheeks. I could only hold her close and love her. What trauma for one so young! How I wish she would have been able to share more what was going on inside her at that moment that brought the tears. I asked if she wanted to stop working on the narrative, but she wanted to finish. I will always remember the first day that she and Paul and Precious (her cousins) came to school. Rather than being sad, they were beaming as the children were singing songs at morning meeting.

Finally, this has been a special week for the children. On Monday, during lunch break, I heard the children screaming. I didn't know if someone was hurt or if there was a snake around like had been the day before. I went outside to a chorus of children yelling, "Teacher Bosman!, Teacher Bosman!" Their beloved teacher had come for a visit. Teacher Bosman moved to Livingstone in October with her husband. But they were in the area and the children were thrilled to see her. And Teacher Bosman was thrilled to see the children again. As with so many people who visit, these children have a special place in her heart.

Then today, Teacher Precious who now works at Fringilla had a day off and came to visit. Again the children ran to give her a big hug. What a blessing for the children to have these two people ,who have been important in their lives and who come out of love, to see them.

Prayer Answered

2011-03-01T04:17:00.001-05:00

Prayer Answered

On Friday night the rain returned. We have continued getting rain off and on and that should help everyone who is growing maize. We started a little vegetable garden near the kitchen at the school and it is sprouting well. Once we have lots of seedlings, Alex and the children will transplant them into the rest of the garden area, since they are now only on one row.

Yesterday there was great excitement when the children found a mother mouse who had babies. The mother was dead but the babies were alive. So several children were holding the babies. Sunday we heard screaming in the Village. Afraid that children were hurt we went outside and the excitement was a spitting cobra that the boys killed.

School is going well with wonderful teachers. A new mother starts today and after being trained, she will be the permanent mother for the house that has not had a mother since Miriam left.

Our Bible Study at school this term is about Christian Character. Last week we discussed Forgiveness. Dick Mumba preached an outstanding sermon on forgiveness at the Sunday service. He said that forgiveness is turning over the matter to God. He is the judge, we cancel it in our minds and hearts, and just give it to him. It spoke to all of us.
May the children learn to give love for the offense and to remember it no more, just as God has done with us.

KamZamNews from the Kamaus

2011-02-23T10:19:00.001-05:00

Hello Everyone!

Recently, we received an end of the year update from one of our friends and it was such a pleasure to read how their sons were growing and developing their own interests. It kept them on our minds for a few days!

Stop by our blog to see what has been going on in our lives.

The Kamaus

http://www.kamzamnews.blogspot.com

Fwd: Chimwemwe Ladies

2011-02-23T10:07:00.001-05:00

Chimwemwe Ladies

This letter was sent to folks who have helped with buying and selling the bags and necklaces that the Chimwemwe Ladies make. If you are interested please let us know at villagesofhope@gmail.com.

Dear friends of the Chimwemwe Ladies!!

I pray that you are all doing well, and once again we thank you for your caring and support over the last couple of years. One of the goals of the Chimwemwe Ladies Club for 2011 is to improve our quality.

For our bags, this will mean trying to standardize the sizes of the bags. We have worked on this in the past but we will do better on this. It is still difficult to standardize the colors since it depends on what plastics we receive on containers and what we are able to buy in Lusaka.

For our necklaces and jewelry, it will mean to learn how to make more varied beads and to improve the quality of the beads we make. Last Friday we had 2 ladies come from Lusaka who make the beads and sell them at the Sunday Market at Arcades. They spent about 3 hours teaching the ladies how they make and do their beads.

So we are hoping that you will continue to help us in the selling of these things. We have been praying for rain and after more than 3 weeks we have had a little bit today. We are praying that it continues. If the dry spell affects the maize crop, the ladies will need more than ever to earn money from what they can make just to feed and educate their children.

In January and February we had a few volunteers who took things back to the states for us. They aren't able to sell everything in their churches that they carried back. We sent back 130 necklaces alone.

Would you be interested in selling bags or necklaces right now. If so, please let me know and I will connect you with the person that has them. If you have things that you aren't able to sell, please let me know. Also, if you have any money that is still owed from things you have already sold, please send it to ACKLI at 24 N. Washington Street, Havre de Grace, MD 21078. We need those funds to be able to pay the ladies and to buy more materials.

Thank you

Women to Women

2011-02-19T10:53:00.001-05:00

Women to Women

One of the goals for the Chimwemwe Ladies Club this year is to improve the quality of what we do. That will involve trying to standardize the sizes of the bags and making different and better beads.

At the craft market at Arcades on Sundays I had met 2 ladies who make the bead necklaces. They make a greater variety of beads than we have been making. Since I was the person that kept encouraging the women to do the beads, and showed them the little that I know or could figure out, we were somewhat limited.

So last Sunday we were in Lusaka to drop off Steve at the airport. I talked to the 2 ladies and asked if they would come out and teach our ladies how to do what they do. I assured them that we would not be in competition since we send our things to the states to sell.

So Friday they came. From the Chimwemwe money we paid for their transportation, gave them a stipend, and bought lunch for them at the restaurant. It brought me great joy to see them surrounded by many of our ladies, all working together and learning from one another – women helping women. I think our beads will have more variety and be a bit better in quality since Mutinta and Precious, the ladies from Lusaka, came to teach them.

I am looking forward in this year. The rains have not been good, and it seems that the maize crops will be poor unless we get more rain. That means a lot more hunger. However, if our ladies are able to make and sell more of their craft items, it will provide money to feed their families. At the last meeting they were asking if they could be paid so that they could pay the school fees for their children. Their children had been "chased" from school because they haven't paid the fees. So Tuesday will be pay day.

And we in the US complain about our finances, even though we never have to worry about our kids going to school, or our children being hungry.

The Blessings of Volunteers

Many of you who read this blog have visited and served here at our Village of Hope. In the last month we have been reminded once again of the blessing that each person is to us and the gifts you, as volunteers, share with us.

In the last month we have had a great variety of wonderful contributions to our work here. Susan, Steve, and Jim who came and helped with organization and structure, Steve who spent hours daily working with Patrick on the finances, Dave who helped design and set up our dairy program so that the children will have milk to drink to add calcium to their diet, and Sue, whose plans for the courtyard at the school, based on all the children's suggestions should become a reality and a thing of beauty in the next month or so.

We are now beginning to make plans and schedules for other volunteers in 2011. We look forward with joy to anyone who may come to join with us here at the Village of Hope.

Healthy Children

A woman came last weekend to interview for a position as housemother. She has visited many other orphan care ministries. She made a comment that we heard recently from a government official who was visiting. "These children look so healthy. I've never seen children looking this good at any other place I have been."

She was also surprised and pleased with the way that the children greeted her. Since we are all so used to meeting new folks, welcoming them, and interacting, the children have learned to be friendly and polite. Although we teach them these things, it was a joy to hear from her that the children are putting into practice what they have been taught.

It is a joy to know that God has given us a mission and the strength to provide a quality home for these wonderful children.

Gathered Round the Piano

2011-02-14T08:53:00.001-05:00

Gathered Round the Piano

On the last container that came from Delaware, we received 2 pianos. One of them is at the school in the office. Today it was overcast at lunch time and a couple of kids came into the office where I was working. They were "playing" on it a bit. So I moved over and began to play songs that they knew. What an experience to have children in Africa gathered around the piano, singing as I played "To God be the Glory," "Blessed Assurance," "Thy Word," "He Lives," and other songs. And they had such joy as well. As I will always remember the time, I pray that they also will remember the joy of the Lord and the words of truth that they were singing.

Pray for Rain

2011-02-14T08:45:00.001-05:00

Pray for Rain

The rainy season began at the end of November and usually runs into March. So far we have had about 1/2 the rain that we need. The skies have become beautiful and blue with white puffy clouds. But we need rain. Our neighbor Paddy Doyle told us yesterday that if we don't get more rain, there will be lots of hunger here in Zambia. So please pray for rain for this area.

Re: Feet

2011-02-07T14:41:00.001-05:00

Kathleen,
It is soo good to hear from you again. I've been missing your updates
and to have these last ones filled with such excitement and
encouraging news is such a blessing! I'm so glad that you've found
teachers that are "getting it' :)!!!!! YAY!! What fun and what joy!

Susan and I have had a very difficult time connecting here in the
States...but I'm going to try to pin her down for an update on her
trip very soon! Can't wait to hear all about it. Sounds like it was
a good one :)

God Bless!
Angie
On Feb 4, 2011, at 12:13 PM, Kathleen Schwartz wrote:

> Feet
>
>
> I wonder how many teachers in the US know what their student's feet
> look like? That might strike you as a funny question. But I thought
> of it as I was sitting across the table testing some of our older
> children. I became aware of the bare feet and the joy of looking
> down and seeing these sweet feet that get dirty and muddy, that walk
> all over the Village, that are strong, and, yes, dirty.
>
>
> The children take off their shoes or boots to go into the
> classroom. All the shoes are supposed to be lined up against the
> outside wall neatly so they don't bring the dirt into the
> classrooms. So basically they are barefoot most of the day.
>
>
> Think of the things kids get to do here that so many kids in the US
> would love to be able to do: eat with their fingers, be barefoot in
> school, run around exploring and searching for bugs and other
> eatable "treasures."
>
>
>

From Julie D

2011-02-06T09:46:00.001-05:00

From Julie D

I forwarded your AKCLI"feet" Update to Ellie Hymes from my church who is working at an orphanage in the Philippines. This was her immediate response. "Its funny you would send this now. Just yesterday I was praying with a little circle of teenage girls. I was noticing their toes!!"

God is everywhere!!

Prayers Always,

julie d

My Mother's Response to "Feet"

2011-02-06T09:44:00.001-05:00

My Mother's Response to "Feet"

I loved the idea about their feet! You remember that is the way we grew up, barefoot and outdoors in summer time! I will never forget nearly burning my feet when we attempted to cross a dry deep dusty field to go over to the neighbors and we could hardly stand it; I grew up with many of the hardships of countries still suffering today! We didn't have electricity, phones and never went to a Library. Our learning was really wonderful tho as we remember butchering our own animals, mother canning it and rendering lard outside in huge iron pots! I always loved my life in the country and is why it was so hard for me to leave it so young to go to the city and a huge big school. It was probably the only way I would be willing to leave that beautiful place that I loved so much. So you can see you foot item really brought back memmories for me! I remember when Robert and I stood out in the barnyard and watched a big plane far up and we wondered how the people were and where they were going and wondering if ever we would fly and I think we assumed it would only be a dream and then to think that I have flown all over the world How mysterious and marvelous are the plans of the Lord as already He knew all about my future and then to have such a good husband and wonderful children and joy and strength in my older age what more could I ever ask for!

Feet

2011-02-04T12:13:00.001-05:00

Feet

I wonder how many teachers in the US know what their student's feet look like? That might strike you as a funny question. But I thought of it as I was sitting across the table testing some of our older children. I became aware of the bare feet and the joy of looking down and seeing these sweet feet that get dirty and muddy, that walk all over the Village, that are strong, and, yes, dirty.

The children take off their shoes or boots to go into the classroom. All the shoes are supposed to be lined up against the outside wall neatly so they don't bring the dirt into the classrooms. So basically they are barefoot most of the day.

Think of the things kids get to do here that so many kids in the US would love to be able to do: eat with their fingers, be barefoot in school, run around exploring and searching for bugs and other eatable "treasures."

Visiting Village of Hope

2011-01-30T08:26:00.001-05:00

Visiting Village of Hope - Zambia

This letter was sent out to those who we thought might be considering a trip to the Villages of Hope. If you are part of this group, we hope this information is helpful.

January 30, 2011

Dear Friends,

Greetings from Zambia and the Village of Hope!

Our new year, 2011, has begun with a great start to the school year, and the children are joyful and flourishing. One visitor from the Ministry of Youth Services said that he saw a "sparkle" in the children that he hadn't seen anywhere else. So we are grateful to the Lord for allowing us to be part of this work.

I'm writing to you in my role as Volunteer Coordinator on the Zambian side. I know that many of you, individually or as you lead missions in your church, may be considering coming or sending a team to our Village of Hope. Last year we were so blessed by the many individuals who came to serve, help us, and share love with the children and staff.

As the New Year has begun, many of you are now putting together your calendars for the year, so here are some things to consider.

Ø Currently, all contacts about volunteering should be sent directly to me at villagesofhope@gmail.com or call the AKCLI office at 410-939-5900. Many of you have been in contact with Terry Brandon in the past. He is no longer serving as Volunteer Coordinator in the states. So please do not send any information to him.

Ø We schedule based on a first come, first served program. Although we try to work with groups to make sure everyone is accommodated, the earlier you reserve the dates, the better.

Ø We have an updated Volunteer Manual which I will send to you if you are considering a trip.

Ø Although many folks want to come in the US summer, we welcome volunteers throughout the year. Also it is often a little less expensive to travel at other off-peak times.

We have spoken with some of you and know you are working on a plan for a trip. If you have a time that you are proposing, please let me know as soon as possible.

Blessings to all of you. We thank you for your prayers and we look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new friends throughout this year.

In His Service,

Kathleen Schwartz

Volunteer Coordinator in Zambia

Sent to the Blog

2011-01-29T03:59:00.001-05:00

We Are Not in Kansas Anymore!

A few days ago Benedict was thinking about where all of the adult missionaries serving in our Village of Hope lived when they were kids, like the kids here. Kamau lived in Kenya, Anita lived in Micronesia, Kimberly (as an army kid) spent years in Germany and other places, Dick lived in Zambia, Benedict was in PA – an east coast kid, and I was raised in Kansas.

How amazing it is that, literally, from the 4 corners of the earth a team has been brought together to love and care for the children here. And who knows where these kids, raised in Zambia, will live when they are adults. Maybe they will go out to the 4 corners of the earth.

Shutterfly

Sue Wright, who is visiting from MN, put together a Shutterfly book to bring to our children here. I first saw Shutterfly when our daughter Jessica used this internet technology to put together the pictures from her wedding. Sue used pictures that had been taken of various activities of the children in their church. She put them together and wrote a story, or descriptive narrative to go with the pictures.

Sue and Dave have gone around to all the houses and shared this book. Our children here love it. They have questions like: What are their names? How old are they?

Sue's plan is to use the pictures she is taking here to make another book to have at her church. She will send a copy to us so the children will have a book with pictures of themselves.

This is a great idea and perhaps others who are planning trips to Zambia would want to put together a Shutterfly book of their church or family or community to share with us.

Thank you, Sue, for starting our Shutterfly library!

2011 Volunteers

We are beginning the process of setting dates and collecting information from individuals, churches, and groups who are planning to visit and volunteer at the Village of Hope. A letter will be going out soon. If you are interested, please let us know at villagesofhope@gmail.com. When the e-mailing is sent out, you will be sure and get a copy that will include our updated Volunteer Manual.

Mr. Rogers Visits Our Neighborhood

Before I returned to the US in November, we had had some problems with several children who don't know how to handle their anger. The song had come into my mind, "What do you do with the mad that you feel?" This is a song that Mr. Rogers wrote and sang on his PBS program watched by my children when they were young. I went out to Amazon and ordered a songbook and a 2 episode DVD of the program in which he deals with anger.

Last week, thanks to electricity in the school, and Kimberly's tech assistance, we watched the programs. For the first time children saw someone swimming using proper strokes, fish in a fish tank, a kid doing a "poppa wheelie" in a wheelchair, a slide whistle, a mechanical train that goes on a track, and probably other things that I'm not even aware of.

I didn't know when I ordered it that in the second episode Mr. Rogers visits the performing group "Stomp." They used hands and feet, buckets, brooms, pipes and drums to make musical beats and songs. I expect to see our kids trying some of those things.

The message that came across to both the children and the teachers was that each person has things they can do when they feel angry so they don't hurt themselves or other people. Whether it's a sport, art, talking about it, and most of all praying, we can have things we do when we are angry.

As I watched the programs, I was struck again by the genius that Mr. Rogers was in his creative love for children, his music, and his loving way. If he was still alive I would have wanted to write him and say that he has touched children in Africa and we are grateful.

Mr. Rogers Visits Our Neighborhood

2011-01-29T03:57:00.001-05:00

Mr. Rogers Visits Our Neighborhood

As I watched the programs, I was struck again by the genius of Mr. Rogers in his creative love for children, his music, and his loving way. If he was still alive I would have wanted to write him and say that he has touched children in Africa, and we are grateful.

2011 Volunteers

2011-01-29T03:54:00.001-05:00

2011 Volunteers

Shutterfly

2011-01-29T03:53:00.001-05:00

Shutterfly

Sue and Dave have gone around to all the houses and shared this book. Our children here love it. They have questions like: What are their names? How old are they?

Sue's plan is to use the pictures she is taking here to make another book to have at her church. She will send a copy to us so the children will have a book with pictures of themselves.

This is a great idea and perhaps others who are planning trips to Zambia would want to put together a Shutterfly book of their church or family or community to share with us.

Thank you, Sue, for starting our Shutterfly library!

We are not in Kansas Anymore!

2011-01-29T03:52:00.001-05:00

We Are Not in Kansas Anymore!

A few days ago Benedict was thinking about where all of the adult missionaries serving in our Village of Hope lived when they were the same age as the kids here. Kamau lived in Kenya, Anita lived in Micronesia, Kimberly (as an army kid) spent years in Germany and Phillippines, Dick lived in Zambia, Benedict was in PA – an east coast kid, and I was raised in Kansas.

Blessings of Brothers and Sisters

2011-01-20T11:08:00.003-05:00

Blessings of Brothers and Sisters

For the last week and a half we have had Susan Lukaart, Steve Eckert, and Jim Kramer in our Village. Susan and Jim are members of the AKCLI Board. What a blessing it has been to have them here with us! Susan helped get our school year started with her invaluable training and mentoring for all the teachers. Steve met with the mothers and aunties to talk about trauma in children, a workshop that Steve and Susan did together in Ethiopia before they arrived in Zambia. All of them were working on Board business including a meeting with the Zambia Board. It has been an exciting time.

On Sunday night, Dave and Sue Wright arrived from MN. Dave heads up the mission committee at my sister's church. Dave is a large animal vet. He will be working on helping us develop a dairy program that will supply milk and meat for our children in addition to a training opportunity as the children help with the whole process. Sue is landscape designer. She will be helping us with landscaping around the road front as well as at the school, working with the children to make a landscape plan for our courtyard.

All of us have gifts and talents that God can use not only where we live but in ministry to others. God's good economy!

A Small World

2011-01-20T11:08:00.001-05:00

A Small World

In November Dick and Anita Mumba moved to our village. He is a pastor, church planter, and farmer. She is a teacher and both of them were in YWAM (Youth with a Mission) for many years. They met Kamau in Kenya YWAM over 20 years ago. Dick is Zambian. Anita is from Micronesia.

Sue Wright is visiting from MN. A family from Sue's church served for 2 years in Micronesia. When she asked Anita if she knew this family, Anita did know them from their service in her home country.

Since my sister goes to Sue's church it makes a circle: from me to my sister Minda, to the family in her church, to Anita, and back to me. It is a small world and God brings people together from so many different places.

First Week of School

2011-01-20T11:07:00.001-05:00

First Week of School:

Dedicated teachers

Teachers learning and working together

Eager children

Rain

Muddy boots and shoes

Electricity!!

Never ending sorting and organizing

A real desk for the office!!!! (thank you DE container)

Tall, green grass everywhere

Lunches for teachers from our restaurant/take away

A break from all the dust of the dry season!

Brown to Green

2011-01-10T10:50:00.001-05:00

Brown to Green

When I left Zambia on November 3 we hadn't had rain since March. Although the trees were leafing out as the hot season was on us, everything else was brown and you couldn't get away from the dust and dirt. As we returned on Jan 5 the transformation was almost too much to take in. There is green everywhere. The grass has grown and is often very high. The trees all seem to have grown several feet and the branches bow down. Flowers around the restaurant are profuse and beautiful. There are more birds and there is the constant sound of bird song. Yesterday as I worked with the worship team to prepare for the service, we had a singing toad join us from outside. How loud and exuberant he was! We have had rain, rainbows, and beautiful sunsets. It is a beautiful place to be.

Exciting School Beginning

2011-01-10T10:46:00.001-05:00

Exciting School Beginning

Today we began the 2011 school year at our School of Hope. Susan Lukaart who has led our Education Leadership Team is here and today and tomorrow are for teacher professional development and training. It was an exciting time. Our 3 teachers are so intelligent, asking questions about how to best teach and apply the principles of our school. We were able to really dialogue about our view of children and the potential and creativity they have. As Zandile said, the children are all blessings from God.

Tomorrow we will continue our planning and preparation. Then the next 3 days the children will come for the morning to give us more time for planning as well as time to meet with Susan whose passion for children and learning, as well as experience is invaluable for all of us.

The children can't wait to get back to school. What a blessing that is!!

KamZamNews

2010-12-28T11:01:00.001-05:00

KamZamNews

For all the latest news and great pictures, check out Kimberly and Kamau's newsletter at KamZamNews@blogspot.com. It is great to see all that has been going on in the last 2 months.

"I Heard the Bells"

2010-12-24T06:22:00.001-05:00

"I Heard the Bells"

In this year of global fear, wars and rumors of war, economic uncertainty, news of man's inhumanity to man, and personal challenges for many, the words of this song came to mind. It was written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow as the civil war raged. May you be blessed and filled with the Lord's peace no matter what your circumstance as you affirm "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail with peace on earth, goodwill to man."

I heard the bells on Christmas day their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the word repeat, of peace on earth, goodwill to man.

And thought how, as the day had come, the belfries of all Christendom
had rolled along the unbroken song of peace on earth, goodwill to man.

And in despair I bowed my head. "There is no peace on earth." I said.
"For hate is strong, and mocks the song of peace on earth, goodwill to man.

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep. "God is not dead,nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, goodwill to man.

Til ringing, singing on its way, the world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime, of peace on earth, goodwill to man.

Blessings to you this day!

Our God is good!

2010-12-22T08:47:00.001-05:00

Our God is Good

I'm writing this from Maryland as we wind down our time here. The Lord has been good in adding new partners to our ministry and increasing the support from those who believe in our vision and mission. More people are hearing about the working of God at the Village of Hope. The Vision and Mission of AKCLI has been reaffirmed by both the Board and those who support us, and by many who are "veterans" of years of service in Africa. One former member of the Wycliffe Board of Directors wrote, " I want to add that you are doing something unique and that has the potential to impact many, many people across Africa. We are behind you and are committed to do all we can to help strengthen you in the vision God has given you."

So we celebrate this Christmas season with joy in our hearts for who God is, with peace in our spirits knowing that the King of the Universe is on the throne, and with love in our hearts for the wonderful children now living at Villages of Hope and the new ones God will bring this next year. Blessings to all of you who read this. We also ask for your prayers as we end 2010!

Future Farmers of Zambia

2010-12-16T09:00:00.001-05:00

Future Farmers of Zambia

I received a report this week from Kimberly and Kamau that I want to share with you. The rainy season is in full swing, and we needed to get the maize planted as quickly as possible. Women were hired from neighboring villages. However, they worked very slowly. So Kamau enlisted help from our kids. In a couple of hours, with the help of our agricultural workers, they were able to plant more maize than the ladies had in several days.

Knowing how eager the kids are to help, I can imagine that they were thrilled when "Daddy Kamau" asked for their help. In other situations, the children almost fight over who is going to be the one to help. Nelson said to me one time, "I feel so good when I'm helping around the property."

Some of these children are the future farmers of Zambia and they will have the skills and determination needed.

Sharing about Zambia

2010-12-16T08:55:00.001-05:00

Sharing about Zambia!

This is for all of you in the Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania area

Merry Christmas!!

Dear Friends,

I know that this is a very busy time of year. But we wanted to share with folks what is going on in Zambia. It has been 2 years since we have shared at our home church, Mt. Zion United Methodist, in Bel Air, MD. So we will be speaking at the 6:00pm service on Sunday December 26. In addition to sharing, we will also have a time of praise and worship. For those who have visited, you too will have an opportunity to share about what your time at the Village of Hope meant to you, even how it has changed your life, and how you see God working there.

This is the day after Christmas, so you won't have to be shopping, cooking, or wrapping presents. Let's just come together to worship the Lord!

Our phone numbers:
Benedict: 443-269-9491
Kathleen: 443-569-1206

Church address: 1645 Churchville Road
Bel Air, MD

Please pass the word. Blessings to all of you, Kathleen and Benedict

Little Dresses for Africa

2010-12-01T19:29:00.001-05:00

Little Dresses for Africa

I was watching NBC news tonight and they had a story about this woman who had the dream of making dresses for girls in Africa. The whole thing has become huge. When I did a google search there were many sites where they talk about these dresses or give the directions. And many are made from pillowcases! So for those of you who sew out there, you might consider making some dresses, shipping them to Village of Hope, PO Box 4, Fringilla, Zambia. We can use them for our girls and for little girls in the neighboring communities.

Prayer Request

2010-12-01T11:00:00.001-05:00

Prayer Request

We are asking for prayers for our AKCLI Board meeting Friday night and Saturday. This is an important meeting and we want it to be covered in prayer. Thank you so much for your interest and your prayers for this work.

A Broken Foot

2010-11-20T08:56:00.001-05:00

Before we left for the US, Kimberly and Kamau were gone to Kenya for 7 weeks. As the time for their return drew close, I thought, "How wonderful that there have been no broken bones while they are gone." Kamau has been the one to take the children into Lusaka to the hospital when there have been broken bones.

On the Tuesday before they were returning on Thursday, we were having our teacher meeting with the mothers and aunties. We heard a child screaming and 2 of the teachers went to attend to the child. It turned out to be Mary B. There was no blood, no scrapes, no swelling. But you couldn't touch her leg without her crying out. So Benedict had the honor of taking Mary and Auntie Doreen into Lusaka. It turned out she had broken her foot or heel. I'm told that she is doing fine, but please be praying for her.