Education Center

 

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you…”

Psalm 32:8

The Mission of Love Education Center is well under way. Shorty after my arrival, God sent us a builder to begin the brick work on the school. The builder, Evans, lives in Livingstone, but has family here in the bush. He was passing through hoping Jako would have a project for him and as it turns out the other two builders who were scheduled to start that day never showed up. We used him for a smaller project hoping the other builders would come, but they never showed up, so Evans got the “contract” to begin building the school house. He, and his team, began pouring the foundation on May 6^th, being very optimistic that he would finish in less than three weeks. He stayed in a tent just outside the school house and began working at 5 am everyday and worked until the sun went down in the evening, about 5:30 pm. They were very quick and diligent with their work…Evans said that he wanted to get it up as fast as possible so that I could begin teaching the children and the community. I enjoyed spending time at the education  center praying for the school and getting to know the builders during the construction. He just finished the brick work this past weekend, the morning of May 22. It took him just over two weeks to build the five walls, two doors, and five windows (one week quicker than the previous builder estimated his work to be completed).

The center is going to be one large classroom with a store room on the right side. We figured that having a larger classroom would give the young children more space to move around and explore, as well as, give us more space when we open classes for the community in the evenings and on the weekends. Since the school is located right next to the orphanage, the children and mommies there have been able to watch the progress everyday and are very excited about the center opening soon. The only things left for the construction of the building are the roof and plastering of the walls. There is a team coming from Florida in the beginning of June and Jako hopes that we will be able to utilize the team and get the roof on in less than a week. Once the roof  is  compete, Evans will come back in and plaster the walls so that they are smooth and ready for paint. God truly has his hand in establishing this center…he provided the funding, then he gave us a builder, now he is providing a roofing team, and later I know he will be providing everything we will need to fix up the classroom and create a program to enhance and equip the young minds of the children in this community.

I am so thankful that God is in control of this project and that everything is being completed on his time frame and not ours (although I am definitely appreciating the quickness of his timing). Please pray for the continued work on the education center, the people God is brining to work on it, the children who will benefit from it, and above all, that God may receive all the glory for everything that is done!

“Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Proverbs 22:6

Sight to the Blind

 

“As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And he disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Having said these things, he spat on the ground and made mud with saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with mud and sad to him, “Go wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.”

John 9:1-7

Jesus’ purpose on earth was to turn people toward the kingdom of heaven; that his Father might be glorified. He gave sight to the blind, he healed the lame, he cast out demons, he raised the dead, he turned water into wine, he fed 5,000 people with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish, he walked on water, he calmed the storms, and he did so much more. All of these miracles were performed so that people may see the power that God possessed and believe in him. Everything that Jesus did, modeled the gift of salvation…the people being shown love and grace from God did nothing to deserve it, yet once they received it they gave glory to God receiving the free gift of salvation. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Last year, I came with a team from Virginia to Zambia and we brought a unique ministry with us...eyeglasses. We were trained as eye doctors having permission to practice anywhere outside the states. We learned that in the rural areas of countries, the locals rarely have access to eye care, much less money to pay for it. God gave us the idea to bring eyeglasses and medication with us and set up mobile clinics throughout various areas in the bush. We had two teams alternating days running the eye clinic. We had doctors prescribing the glasses or antibiotics, opticians handing out and fitting the eyeglasses, and counselors. Each person that we saw went through all three stages of the clinic and at the end was counseled in the gospel. We paralleled the free gift of glasses or medication with the free gift of salvation that God says is for anyone to choose if they believe in his son. We gave them glasses to show our love for them that only comes from God’s love for us. Most of the people out here have heard “the gospel” but don’t understand it, so the main purpose of our counselors was to answer questions and challenge the locals that if they claim to be Christians, their lives should bear fruit and bring glory to God and he should be enough for them regardless of what valley they are in or mountain they are on top of.

The reason I am giving all this background information is because I was blessed to have met with the chief of our area, Chief Nawya, and prescribe him and his wives eyeglasses. There have been disputes over what land was given to Mission of Love for the community project of the orphanage, so Jako had to go meet with the chief and settle matters. While they were meeting, Jako noticed that the chief had trouble reading, rightfully so being 76, and offered to bring a doctor to look at his eyes and prescribe him reading glasses. A week later, we show up with our mobile clinic. Thankfully, the team left all the extra eyeglasses, test kits, and refractors needed to run the clinic, so I was able to dig everything out and set up a small version of the clinic at the chief’s palace. I was the doctor and Jako acted as the optician. We successfully prescribed glasses to the chief, his three wives, a senior headman, and a dear friend of the chief’s. After we finished and closed the clinic, Jako, the chief, and I had time to discuss biblical matters. We were encouraged by the chief’s words about honoring God in his handling of the land and the decisions he makes regarding the people under his authority and care. We looked at scripture together and prayed for him and his family. It was a very unique experience to have had, but I am glad that God opened the doors for us to bless him in that way. It is a huge blessing to have gone for years without clear sight and one day is able to see more clearly than one thought was possible. We continue to pray for the Chief and all the matters he must deal with on a daily basis, that he seeks wisdom from God and no one else. He has a lot of say in what happens with the land, the school and anything else we hope to get established for the community here, so we are thankful that he desires knowledge from God and wants to allow God to work through those in the community to help the orphans and the widows.

 

Clothes, Clothes, and More Clothes

 

God is ever so gracious in providing for our every need. Lately we have been inventorying what the children at the orphanage currently have and what they need. They get a “new” pair of tennis shoes each year, and usually have the opportunity to trade clothes that are so full of holes they can no longer wear, for donated items that are in a bit better condition. Each of the children needed new shoes, since their old ones are pretty worn out (filled with holes), a warm winter coat, gloves, and a couple of tops and bottoms. The children already live above what is customary in the village, but because they are still a part of the community, we don’t want them to be too high above standards with clothing, shoes, food, etc. They each have 2-3 play outfits and 1-2 good outfits. Usually they will trade a couple of their worn play clothes for new ones and the use their worn good clothes for play clothes. Some of the children have harder time giving up clothing, but if the clothes are still wearable, we redistribute them in the community so by giving up clothes they are helping out other children who are in need.

That being said, a couple weeks ago, we got word from a missionary contact in town informing us that a huge donation came in from the states. Once they had pulled everything they needed for the orphanages they support, they had a lot of leftover shoes and clothes. We stopped by the next time we were in the area and were surprised to find a pair of shoes that would fit each of the children in our orphanage, as well as, a pair of gloves and new clothes for them and the babies. We were just about to send shoe sizes to a team that will be coming this summer, but God obviously has other plans. Since we were able to get shoes for the children, the teams can focus on bringing other things to help out the children, the school, the house mommies, and the orphans in the community.

In addition to the recent donations we received, we have several containers full of clothing that teams have left  behind or brought for the children and adults. I was lucky enough to get the task of organizing all the clothes and taking a brief inventory of what we have. I was stuck in the front room of the house for a couple days going through everything that we have and making piles for girls, boys, men, and women. From the clothes we had, the children at the orphanage have all received “new” clothes and shoes for the next year. We also just compiled a list of all the children we help out in the community so that we can distribute the rest of the donations that we have.

Praise God! He has provided for everyone that he has given us to take care of :o)

“But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, ‘what shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Matthew 6:30-33

Trust

Two weekends ago I was privileged to attend a women’s conference with several other female missionaries in the area. Most of the women were from town, Livingstone, however, there were two others coming from the same direction as Amber and I. We rented out a very nice lodge called Kubu Cabins outside the city. There were about 24 women present ranging from 25 years of age to 80. It was such a remarkable thing being together with other women who also have a heart for serving God in Africa. The older women had such encouraging testimonies to ways they have experienced God and also the major sacrifices they had to make. With technology now, it is much easier to stay in contact with family overseas, but 40 years ago, it was not so. Can you imagine leaving for Africa not knowing the next time you would even have contact with someone in your family? One lady told me that she didn’t even know either of her parents has passed away but for a few years after their death. When she said good bye to them and got on an airplane (on two different occasions) it was the last time she saw/spoke to them. So, I praise God for the technology we now have to contact our families and friends back in the states. The sacrifices are still great, but nothing compared to what some of these women had to give up serving God in previous generations. What an amazing testimony to the way we are called to live our lives completely devoted to Christ and no one else.

The focus of the retreat was “Come Away with Me”…leaving behind ministry, families, life, responsibilities, friends, and occupations to spend a weekend with Jesus. Our sessions were from Beth Moore’s “Extraordinary Women “conference challenging each of us to draw closer to God through truths that he has laid out in his Word. The speakers addressed many areas of life that women tend to struggle with that keep them preoccupied and focused on tasks rather than a relationship with their Savior. One of the thoughts of focusing your life and drawing closer to God is to pick a word for the year and a verse to go with it. The speaker suggested that the word and verse will help you to stay intentional in your life and ministry, as well as, to focus on what God is teaching you. I thought this was a terrific idea and I went to the Lord in prayer over a word for this year…thinking back to January and onto what will come; I asked God to reveal to me what he has been teaching me and what he wants me to focus on this year. A few minutes later, the Holy Spirit revealed the word “TRUST”. Since the beginning of this year, God has asked me to take several leaps of faith, most of which prepared me to move to Zambia, in order that his plans would be fulfilled in his timing. I praise God that he gave me the strength to take all those steps and I am even more grateful that he is using those moments to teach me to trust him with everything he has given me. I can look back and see divine moments where God has been asking me to trust him more and more and with bigger things…I truly believe that as the year continues, he will keep asking for more until I have completely surrendered it all to him.

So 2011 will be a year of giving up my desires, ambitions, goals, and plans; so that God can fill me up with his desires, ambitions, goals, and plans for my life:

“No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.” Romans 4:20-21

Arrival

 

“Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, you are my Lord, I have no good apart from you.”

Psalm 16:1-2

Well it is safe to say that I have made it into Zambia and am looking forward to the work that lies ahead of me. After spending a few days in South Africa, I was ready to head into the bush and see the orphans and house moms again. I had a warm welcoming from everyone I had met last summer on the short trip I took here, as well as, from Amber, Jako, and Jakob. It feels great to be back here in Africa serving in a place that God has given me a great passion for.

In the next week, or so, a builder will start the brick work on my house, located directly across from Amber and Jako’s house. It will have enough space to house other female missionaries that travel through for various periods of time. God willing it will be ready by the time teams start arriving for the winter season.

The second day we were back in the bush, Jako and I met with the builder for the school/education center. We decided that the space would best be used as one large classroom and a small storage room. This will allow us to use the school as an education center where we can offer bible studies, English classes, and after school tutoring. Please be praying for the building of the school and for the programs God wants us to offer to the community to better equip them and strengthen their relationship with Jesus Christ. There is a huge need for discipleship and ESL classes for the men and women in the surrounding villages; great opportunities to share the gospel.

In order for me to stay here for two years, I need to obtain a work permit from the government. We went to file the paperwork in Lusaka and they never mentioned that I needed a police clearance report, so I got fingerprinted at the police headquarters and sent everything off to the FBI CJIS. We are praying that I get the results in 4-6 weeks and will be able to go back and file all the necessary paperwork.

Since I have left America, God is showing me that he is in complete control of everything that is happening around me. I have given up any control I thought I had, to him, and I am constantly trusting in his plans and his will for my impact here in Zambia. So far, I am not sure if anything has gone according to my plan other than my departure date! He has been in control of my luggage, my arrival, my lodging, my work permit, my safety, my companionship, and most of all my heart. I fully believe that what he says in his word will come true and right now I am excited to see his plans revealed for me through Mission of Love and working here in the Mpapila Village. I am thankful that God has provided so many people to be a part of what he is doing here. Each of you are in my thoughts and prayers and I am excited to be serving alongside of you in God’s Kingdom.

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.””

Jeremiah 29:11