Several people have been asking if I intend to blog during my time in Zambia this year. Can it really be a year since I first stepped foot on Zambian soil. Well yes it is, I stepped of the plane on the 13th June 2009 feeling anxious about what I would find. So different to how I'm feeling today - I know that I'm going back to met up with friends, the sense of excitement I have is palpable, I really can't believe that I've been so blessed to be allowed to return. God is amazing, he works in so many ways and although I often fight with him, he is ever gracious and allows me time to come to terms with what he wants me to do.
last year when I left Zambia I just wanted to come back immediately, now I know that its God's timing for me to return on Sunday. I came away from Zambia thinking I would be able to do so much, but I didn't allow for the reverse culture shock I experienced - I'd warned many people about it, but I hadn't appreciated just how long it would go on for and how it would affect me both physically and emotionally.
So here I am, half packed, half ready, but fully ready to go. Our God is a great big God and like the childrens song has me in his hand.
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Friday, 2 April 2010
Easter 2010
Good Friday, its been a long day - one or two bright periods, but keeping close to our Lord as he faced the cross, has been hard as I've had to work. But its nearly over and tomorrow we remember... a day to keep watch at His tomb, to be alongside the women who were waiting for the Sabbath.
But, my long day at work means that I'm nearer to raising the money I need to go back to Zambia. I have my tickets and have been thinking about what I need to take with me. It doesn't seem possible that its now nearly six months since I left - today I sent e-Easter cards to my friends in Zambia but also to my new young friends who have been having the most amazing time in Uganda. I thank God for Facebook, its a wonderful resource and enables me to see photo's almost as soon as they getup-loaded.
So this is all for now, its time for some quiet and getting ready for tomorrow.
I pray that if you read this that you will be richly blessed and experience God's peace. x Carol
But, my long day at work means that I'm nearer to raising the money I need to go back to Zambia. I have my tickets and have been thinking about what I need to take with me. It doesn't seem possible that its now nearly six months since I left - today I sent e-Easter cards to my friends in Zambia but also to my new young friends who have been having the most amazing time in Uganda. I thank God for Facebook, its a wonderful resource and enables me to see photo's almost as soon as they getup-loaded.
So this is all for now, its time for some quiet and getting ready for tomorrow.
I pray that if you read this that you will be richly blessed and experience God's peace. x Carol
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
In Australia
So this is really the end, I arrived at Brisbane airport yesterday (Tuesday) morning - it had taken 1 short and 2 long flights to get me here. It was wonderful to see Jon in the flesh - I suppose having seen him regularly on Skype until I went to Zambia I didn't notice much change. It was then a drive north up to Buderim where Emma was waiting to greet me - I crashed for a couple of hours then went to collect Katy and Jared from school, I was a big surprise as they weren't expecting me until Wednesday. Today we went to the local church which also has a cafe, gym and swimming pool - we had a lovely swim although the water was amazingly warm, then after sampling their latte we walked home. Later when Jon and Emma got back from work we went down to the local beach where I was instructed in the finer points of body boarding - I managed to exfoliate my feet, legs and especially by knees but didn't win any prizes!!
Anyway, back to Zambia - as I'm writing this I'm listening to Ephraim (not sure about the spelling). After we came back from Livingstone we had less than a week to clear up and sort everything out to leave ready for next year and off course organise our end of campaign bash. Geoff, James and Emily worked like Trojans - they were joined by Chika and Emmanuel and Neil and Eirlys on Monday which all helped, the windows were given their final coats of paint, walls painted inside and out and thankfully all left ready for occupation on Friday morning. Friday dawned bright and clear, thank goodness Babrah Benson, Eunice, Evelyn and Jane were on hand to help with the food. They were very polite about having to prepare muzungu food (strange white folks). It was a wonderful afternoon, the food was good - grateful thanks to the guys that helped with the barbecue as I was getting very hot and bothered doing the cooking. It was really good to see all of our partners and the folk from Chamba Valley getting getting along so well. It was also sad when I realised that it would be the last time I would be seeing the guys, especially those amazing guys from the Fountain of Hope. Emmanuel did a sterling job getting photo's so I will paste a few in here so that you can see the new building and some of the folk.
We also had news that the video taken by Steve was posted onto Facebook, its excellent if you would like to view it go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FQMDW6mp1Y
So on Saturday morning it was off to the airport to say goodbye to Geoff and James who were flying to the UK, and to Emily who was going to work with the MacDonalds for two weeks. It was strange saying goodbye as we had been living and working together for 4 months. On the way home Cosmas and Emmanuel joined me for breakfast at Arcades where we were able to watch Steve's video - very emotional for us especially as Cosmas had just downloaded onto my computer the final photo's of all the vulnerable children and orphans that he is trying to get sponsorship for. I will be trying to sort out the photo's etc so that they are in some semblance of order ready for when I go back to Zambia next year. In the meantime I've got to produce a shorter version for Geoff to take to the de-brief day on Saturday.
So the rest of Saturday was spent with Emmanuel, his mum Babrah and Chika who came back later - they gave me a lovely lunch we then went back to the cottages to pack up and sort out all the things that needed to be left for next year. Later in the evening Babrah and Benson came back and prayed for me, such a wonderful, kind couple. In the morning I went to the early service where the congregation prayed for me, and then it was time to go - Cosmas and Emmanuel took me to the airport - the hardest goodbyes to say. I thank God for all the blessings I have received. God has been so good to me, I came hoping to be a blessing but, for the little I was able to do I have received unlimited blessings. Being taken into peoples hearts I now have a new extended family - who are as close to me as my family.
Over the last few days, especially, whilst I was awake on the plane (when all around seemed to be sleeping) I pondered on how God's word has been so alive - I guess having daily devotions in our groups has greatly helped but somehow I think it was being with so many people that not only lived by the Word they were able to talk so openly and honestly about how much they were blessed. This time for me has been a time of exploring what God is saying to me and one recurring passage is Jer 29:11 - I marked this passage in my bible when I was at Loyola on retreat in 2007. It is wonderful to know that God still has plans for me, that there is still work for me to do and that he wants to bless me. So I pray that I will continue to accept the challenges that he will certainly place before me.
I thank everyone who has taken the time to read my blog, and for all the prayers that have really helped me when the going has been hard. Please continue to pray that I will be able to raise sufficient finance to go back and help Cosmas with the orphans and vulnerable children, help Babrah set up her Home Care Givers project and go and help Vasco and Vincent.
Sorry I couldn't get the photo's to upload so I will try and put them onto Facebook
With many thanks to you for reading my blog and praying for me.
Shalom
Carol
Anyway, back to Zambia - as I'm writing this I'm listening to Ephraim (not sure about the spelling). After we came back from Livingstone we had less than a week to clear up and sort everything out to leave ready for next year and off course organise our end of campaign bash. Geoff, James and Emily worked like Trojans - they were joined by Chika and Emmanuel and Neil and Eirlys on Monday which all helped, the windows were given their final coats of paint, walls painted inside and out and thankfully all left ready for occupation on Friday morning. Friday dawned bright and clear, thank goodness Babrah Benson, Eunice, Evelyn and Jane were on hand to help with the food. They were very polite about having to prepare muzungu food (strange white folks). It was a wonderful afternoon, the food was good - grateful thanks to the guys that helped with the barbecue as I was getting very hot and bothered doing the cooking. It was really good to see all of our partners and the folk from Chamba Valley getting getting along so well. It was also sad when I realised that it would be the last time I would be seeing the guys, especially those amazing guys from the Fountain of Hope. Emmanuel did a sterling job getting photo's so I will paste a few in here so that you can see the new building and some of the folk.
We also had news that the video taken by Steve was posted onto Facebook, its excellent if you would like to view it go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FQMDW6mp1Y
So on Saturday morning it was off to the airport to say goodbye to Geoff and James who were flying to the UK, and to Emily who was going to work with the MacDonalds for two weeks. It was strange saying goodbye as we had been living and working together for 4 months. On the way home Cosmas and Emmanuel joined me for breakfast at Arcades where we were able to watch Steve's video - very emotional for us especially as Cosmas had just downloaded onto my computer the final photo's of all the vulnerable children and orphans that he is trying to get sponsorship for. I will be trying to sort out the photo's etc so that they are in some semblance of order ready for when I go back to Zambia next year. In the meantime I've got to produce a shorter version for Geoff to take to the de-brief day on Saturday.
So the rest of Saturday was spent with Emmanuel, his mum Babrah and Chika who came back later - they gave me a lovely lunch we then went back to the cottages to pack up and sort out all the things that needed to be left for next year. Later in the evening Babrah and Benson came back and prayed for me, such a wonderful, kind couple. In the morning I went to the early service where the congregation prayed for me, and then it was time to go - Cosmas and Emmanuel took me to the airport - the hardest goodbyes to say. I thank God for all the blessings I have received. God has been so good to me, I came hoping to be a blessing but, for the little I was able to do I have received unlimited blessings. Being taken into peoples hearts I now have a new extended family - who are as close to me as my family.
Over the last few days, especially, whilst I was awake on the plane (when all around seemed to be sleeping) I pondered on how God's word has been so alive - I guess having daily devotions in our groups has greatly helped but somehow I think it was being with so many people that not only lived by the Word they were able to talk so openly and honestly about how much they were blessed. This time for me has been a time of exploring what God is saying to me and one recurring passage is Jer 29:11 - I marked this passage in my bible when I was at Loyola on retreat in 2007. It is wonderful to know that God still has plans for me, that there is still work for me to do and that he wants to bless me. So I pray that I will continue to accept the challenges that he will certainly place before me.
I thank everyone who has taken the time to read my blog, and for all the prayers that have really helped me when the going has been hard. Please continue to pray that I will be able to raise sufficient finance to go back and help Cosmas with the orphans and vulnerable children, help Babrah set up her Home Care Givers project and go and help Vasco and Vincent.
Sorry I couldn't get the photo's to upload so I will try and put them onto Facebook
With many thanks to you for reading my blog and praying for me.
Shalom
Carol
Thursday, 8 October 2009
Last visit to Livingstone
So this is the end, team five are in Livingstone and my time in Zambia is fast coming to an end. My mind is full of images, dreams, hopes and prayers for the many wonderful people I've met over the time Ive been here. Its strange to think that I came out here knowing so little and will be going home having built some wonderful relationships but still knowing little. Its humbling to work alongside the Zambians that we have partnered with. Their faith is inspirational and their lives are lived serving their fellow Zambians.
The lady in red is one f the home care givers - they were all sporting the same uniform which they thought was great.
I'm afraid all of my photos show me squinting into the sun, this is Beauty the home care giver that came out with me and Steve, the lady in the brown is Barbrah, Emmanuel's mum. We have become great friends, she is wanting to set up a scheme of Home Care Givers in Chambia Valley, she has been out with us helping to interpret etc.I've just had a really interesting conversation with one of the guys who works at Limbo Lodge (where we stay when we are in Livingstone). We were talking about the impact of the teams on the lives of Zambians - I really think in the short term its only sticking plaster stuff but its when they go home and talk to their churches, friend and colleagues that hearts will be stirred to offer real long term help and support. He was telling me about a dutch man who brought a farm which included a lake which had a lot of fish in it. The local people fished the lake and were able to sell what they didn't need. Now the place has been turned into a rose farm, the water in the lake is now poisoned and used to irrigate the roses. The people work on the farm in bare feet and without gloves so they have lots of bleeding scratches on their hands and feet from the thorns. It made me wonder if we always buy fairly traded roses! We then got on to talking about the mono-culture on french beans and mange tout peas for the UK market - is this ethical? Don't start me on that one as I guess I've already bored you in the past with my views.
We had the most amazing baptism on Tuesday afternoon, Pastor Benson baptised one of our team in the swimming pool at Chamba Valley - it was so special and a real privledge for us to witness.
Please will you pray for Benson as he has malaria which has affected his liver, he has only just gone to the doc after a lot of nagging!
So I must close now - we will be going out for supper soon, so until I have a chance to update I ask that you continue to hold us all in your prayers.
With every blessing
Love Carol
Saturday, 3 October 2009
I thought you would all like to see me in my new outfit, trad Zambian, it was a bit sunny so I'm squinting a bit but I'm sure you can see the full effect!!
Well here I am in the middle of the last team, the Zambian Campaign ends on 16th October when we have our handing over event, two classrooms will have been completed for the new Kiine School, years six and seven will be moving in when they start their new school year in January. All the teams have worked really hard, in very hot weather and so far each team has finished its allocated tasks so, well done to James who has been leading the build. Its been no easy task as things are done very differently then on a UK build, for instance both the ground floor and roof slab concrete was mixed by hand - very strange to us when a concrete mixer would have done it so much quicker but the blessing here was that it provided employment for the extra builders which not only helped them, it meant their families were housed and fed and of course that helped traders who they purchased from.
It's so easy for us to bring our UK expectations, but we have to be guided by local people.
So this is a sad time, we are having to say goodbye to everyone, I'm finding it so emotional as I've made such brilliant friends. I now know that I will have to come back as there feels so much unfinished business.
This is me with mu friend Stan, he's living at the Fountain of Hope, but next week he's moving with 20 others to their next stage place where they hope to reintegrate them with their extended families. Stan is 17 and came from Chisamba in Central Province, at the moment he is in grade 7 at school - I don't know his full story - how long he lived on the streets before coming to FOH but as you can see he is holding my bag and calls me mother Carol. In fact they all call me mama Carol which is a huge compliment - Stan wants to be a pilot but whether he is ever able to complete his education i don't know. There is huge costs involved. But I want to keep in touch if I can.
These are some of the younger boys, Stan took this photo, they all love hugs and we have lots of them, I hopeless with languages and they mostly speak Bemba (not sure if that's how its spelt) but hugs speak wonders. Its amazing to think that they have only been at FOH for between 3-6 months. They don't always tell us their stories, so we don't know for how long they may have lived on the street.
On Monday we are taking a load of them to Adventure City the water park, we took half with the last team so this time we take the rest plus any new arrivals. So that will be a very sad day, I've already cried all over Stan so am likely to do the same on Monday - I'm becoming a real cry baby. its now two weeks since Isaac died, they are so upset. Isaac was going to sort out some boarding school places for the older guys who only have one or more years schooling to complete. There is one lad Jackson, who should be in grade 11, he is desperate to go back to school so that he can go to college - now he doesn't know what will happen, please will you pray for him - every time I see him he thanks me for my prayers.
Here I am talking about FOH in a very nice Internet cafe in Arcades, the most upmarket shopping mall - it feels like a million miles away from FOH and city market where the boys who live on the street stay. I've just been and had my hair done and had a whole load of photo's developed so that I can give them out to the guys on Monday. Stan had my camera and took loads of shots of the guys eating dinner, Nshima everywhere! Very tasty too. I'm going to miss going there for dinner with the teams. This time I also took Stan a pair of shoes and Lemi a bible so I bless all the folk that gave me money to bring out. Its all gone now as is all of mine - I've just changed my last £ so it will be hole in the wall from now on. I was also able to give Vasco some money to by some meat for dinner as most of the time they only have beans - these lads eat like horses and Vasco has been hard pushed to get food for them. Amazingly we are receiving the most generous donations from past teams, God is so good.
Another project that I'm helping with is documenting all the children that need sponsorship to go to Kiine School. So far Benson and Barbrah have identified 120+ vulnerable children and orphans who need help. I'm hoping that when I get back we can encourage some folk to help send them to school. I'm also going to be rising money to provide books for Dorothy's school - I visited them this week with Sarah one of the team members - we had a fab morning and taught them some songs, she did the singing and played the accordion and I did the actions. Great fun and mostly I managed to keep up with the actions. The children do laugh to see this white haired, white lady jumping around. its very hard trying to explain Our God is a Great Big God without!! I can hear you laughing. I'm afraid my voice hasn't improved but folk here are so gracious - Benson our Pastor told me that I'm a Soprano!!
I'd better finish now as I must be running out of Internet Time...
Love to you all and I pray that you will be blessed for all the support you give me.
Shalom
Carol
Wednesday, 16 September 2009
Team 4
We are now half way through Team 4, this is our smallest team, just 6 people so the dynamics are certainly very different. Its also now becoming much hotter so I'm starting to find it much more difficult to be out in the sunshine, luckily there is now painting of window frames to do, so I'm able to do that indoors which is a real blessing for me. The building work has gone on steadily, the first floor slab is nearly completed over the two classrooms which we are aiming to finish. Next week the outside of the school will start to be plastered, ready for team 5 to paint.
I checked my emails just before lunch time today and was thrilled to hear from Max (he took over as a steward from me) at church, that they will be having a retiring collection next Sunday to go towards the cost of the school building. I really praise God that they will be doing this for us.
I think it must be at least a fortnight since I last updated my blog, and of course I writing this not quite knowing when I will be able to post what I'm writing now onto blog spot.
This week has been a time of very mixed emotions, we have one lady who also came to Zambia last year. I was really blessed to be able to go with her to visit Elizabeth who has just returned from Johannesburg where she has been hospitalised for kidney failure. I first met Elizabeth when Geoff and I went to EFZ to make the arrangements for the teams to work in different compounds going out with Home Care Givers. Elizabeth was one of the project leaders that we met, at that time I was so struck my her graciousness. I will always remember her saying 'that we have to forgive everyone who has been naughty (meaning that they are now HIV+) because they live under such a load of guilt that its really difficult for them to feel that they can be forgiven my our Father. This guilt is somehow even harder for the ladies to deal with as not only have they infected their partner they have probably also infected some of their children. Elizabeth is now staying with her parents as she can't yet manage to look after herself, she has lost so much weight and could barely stand. She now has to go to the main hospital in Lusaka for kidney dialysis three times a week, this is an incredible burden for her family as the weekly bill is just over K1million a week, about £140-£150. it looks as though she and husband will have to sell their house to pay the bills. Her husband doesn't have a job and although her children are grown up I got the impression that they don't have well paid jobs themselves. Yet, despite being so ill, Elizabeth was continuing praising God the whole time that we were there. We were taken there by Hope and Annie, the visit was such a joyful occasion, lots of tears when she first saw Gaynor, they have been in regular communication since Gaynor was here last year. But in the depth of such despair there was such hope and peace.
Yesterday we visited the compound with Annie's homecare givers operate, we again met such wonderful people, we met two Granny's who are now looking after all the grandchildren, both the ladies we met had disabled children, a little boy of 12 who looked as though he might have CP, he looked about 6 yrs old, wasn't able to walk, talk or fed himself and the other granny had a little girl of 7 who looked about 3yrs old, she also couldn't walk or talk. She was also learning disabled. To see these grey haired ladies carrying these children was so hard, the little boy does have a wheelchair but its broken so not much use. We then went to visit a lady who had a little baby, she lives with her two grown up sisters and a number of children in one room. It was a real privilege to be able to pray with these ladies. They have such joy in their hearts, the first lady we visited gave Penny and I a verse Jer 1:4,5 – we came to bless them and instead we came away blessed – I'm kinda getting used to this but this was the first time for the rest of the team.
I didn't manage to finish this – life certainly speeded up since I wrote the first part of this blog. We started Saturday with Chris and I painting window frames in the morning then we both had a quiet afternoon as the rest of the team went shopping at the local market then onto Manda Hill where the big supermarkets are. Its quite a contrast for the team seeing the other side of life in Zambia.
Then on Sunday we went back to the Fountain of Life church, amazing worship – we were thrilled to see that the roof is now on the new church, they hope to build up the walls a little more, so at least when we go next time we will worship in their new church.
Its now Wednesday, so I really ought to get a move on and get this posted, but I can't do that until I tell you about just how amazing God is and how he is really blessing our team out here.
On Monday morning we visited the area behind the market where the street children and youths live, I suppose some of them could be 9 or 10 but a some are older. Visiting in the morning is so different to the afternoon visits that we have previously made, the youngsters are not as high on sticker and you can hold coherent conversations with them. This time we had the opportunity to really pray with them individually – it was amazing that they were so open to hearing that God loved them and that he thought they were really special. We came away really uplifted by the responses that we had as they promised to come to the Fountain of Hope (FOH) in the morning. We then went of to Adventure City a big water park where we spent a lovely afternoon with ½ the kids from FOH (we will take the rest with team 5). So last night we had a call from Vasco who helps to run the centre to tell us that 13 young people turned up on Tuesday morning. They have never had such a response before. So do please pray for these youngsters – it will be really hard for them to go cold turkey to come of sticker which they sniff. This team also brought a number of bibles which they gave out to the boys at FOH, they need 6 more bibles then everyone there will have their own copy. Every time we go they ask for a bible, they really want to read God's word which is no easy task for most of them as they are really behind with their schooling. They have a talking circle and when we visit they always have to introduce themselves, say how old they are and in which grade at school. I always feel so sorry for the great big lads who are in Grade 7 with 12-13 yr olds.
One of the lads Lemi, he had only just come of the street when we first visited is an artist, he is recording a CD he writes his own lyrics and sings rap – I've really taken to him, he's about 17 and in grade 7 and sometimes looks so sad – he calls me mama and always comes for a big hug when we visit. He walks with a real swagger, trousers hanging down half mast, and always with a big shirt, I've given him my wooden pocket cross that Lee gave me, he really wants to know the Lord so do prayer for him as he finds life very restrictive after being on the street for so long, able to come and go as he pleases.
So I'd better finish here, will try and write again before too long.
I checked my emails just before lunch time today and was thrilled to hear from Max (he took over as a steward from me) at church, that they will be having a retiring collection next Sunday to go towards the cost of the school building. I really praise God that they will be doing this for us.
I think it must be at least a fortnight since I last updated my blog, and of course I writing this not quite knowing when I will be able to post what I'm writing now onto blog spot.
This week has been a time of very mixed emotions, we have one lady who also came to Zambia last year. I was really blessed to be able to go with her to visit Elizabeth who has just returned from Johannesburg where she has been hospitalised for kidney failure. I first met Elizabeth when Geoff and I went to EFZ to make the arrangements for the teams to work in different compounds going out with Home Care Givers. Elizabeth was one of the project leaders that we met, at that time I was so struck my her graciousness. I will always remember her saying 'that we have to forgive everyone who has been naughty (meaning that they are now HIV+) because they live under such a load of guilt that its really difficult for them to feel that they can be forgiven my our Father. This guilt is somehow even harder for the ladies to deal with as not only have they infected their partner they have probably also infected some of their children. Elizabeth is now staying with her parents as she can't yet manage to look after herself, she has lost so much weight and could barely stand. She now has to go to the main hospital in Lusaka for kidney dialysis three times a week, this is an incredible burden for her family as the weekly bill is just over K1million a week, about £140-£150. it looks as though she and husband will have to sell their house to pay the bills. Her husband doesn't have a job and although her children are grown up I got the impression that they don't have well paid jobs themselves. Yet, despite being so ill, Elizabeth was continuing praising God the whole time that we were there. We were taken there by Hope and Annie, the visit was such a joyful occasion, lots of tears when she first saw Gaynor, they have been in regular communication since Gaynor was here last year. But in the depth of such despair there was such hope and peace.
Yesterday we visited the compound with Annie's homecare givers operate, we again met such wonderful people, we met two Granny's who are now looking after all the grandchildren, both the ladies we met had disabled children, a little boy of 12 who looked as though he might have CP, he looked about 6 yrs old, wasn't able to walk, talk or fed himself and the other granny had a little girl of 7 who looked about 3yrs old, she also couldn't walk or talk. She was also learning disabled. To see these grey haired ladies carrying these children was so hard, the little boy does have a wheelchair but its broken so not much use. We then went to visit a lady who had a little baby, she lives with her two grown up sisters and a number of children in one room. It was a real privilege to be able to pray with these ladies. They have such joy in their hearts, the first lady we visited gave Penny and I a verse Jer 1:4,5 – we came to bless them and instead we came away blessed – I'm kinda getting used to this but this was the first time for the rest of the team.
I didn't manage to finish this – life certainly speeded up since I wrote the first part of this blog. We started Saturday with Chris and I painting window frames in the morning then we both had a quiet afternoon as the rest of the team went shopping at the local market then onto Manda Hill where the big supermarkets are. Its quite a contrast for the team seeing the other side of life in Zambia.
Then on Sunday we went back to the Fountain of Life church, amazing worship – we were thrilled to see that the roof is now on the new church, they hope to build up the walls a little more, so at least when we go next time we will worship in their new church.
Its now Wednesday, so I really ought to get a move on and get this posted, but I can't do that until I tell you about just how amazing God is and how he is really blessing our team out here.
On Monday morning we visited the area behind the market where the street children and youths live, I suppose some of them could be 9 or 10 but a some are older. Visiting in the morning is so different to the afternoon visits that we have previously made, the youngsters are not as high on sticker and you can hold coherent conversations with them. This time we had the opportunity to really pray with them individually – it was amazing that they were so open to hearing that God loved them and that he thought they were really special. We came away really uplifted by the responses that we had as they promised to come to the Fountain of Hope (FOH) in the morning. We then went of to Adventure City a big water park where we spent a lovely afternoon with ½ the kids from FOH (we will take the rest with team 5). So last night we had a call from Vasco who helps to run the centre to tell us that 13 young people turned up on Tuesday morning. They have never had such a response before. So do please pray for these youngsters – it will be really hard for them to go cold turkey to come of sticker which they sniff. This team also brought a number of bibles which they gave out to the boys at FOH, they need 6 more bibles then everyone there will have their own copy. Every time we go they ask for a bible, they really want to read God's word which is no easy task for most of them as they are really behind with their schooling. They have a talking circle and when we visit they always have to introduce themselves, say how old they are and in which grade at school. I always feel so sorry for the great big lads who are in Grade 7 with 12-13 yr olds.
One of the lads Lemi, he had only just come of the street when we first visited is an artist, he is recording a CD he writes his own lyrics and sings rap – I've really taken to him, he's about 17 and in grade 7 and sometimes looks so sad – he calls me mama and always comes for a big hug when we visit. He walks with a real swagger, trousers hanging down half mast, and always with a big shirt, I've given him my wooden pocket cross that Lee gave me, he really wants to know the Lord so do prayer for him as he finds life very restrictive after being on the street for so long, able to come and go as he pleases.
So I'd better finish here, will try and write again before too long.
Thursday, 3 September 2009
After the 3rd team
Its now a week since team 3 finished working at Chamba Valley - its been a hard two weeks. Beside the building site work we have also been running in parallel a holiday club in the local church on 3 mornings and painting at Kumbayah School. The team were amazingly hard working and achieved a lot - they worked so hard that it was challenging to keep up with them. This was besides all of our usual visits to our partners.
Interestingly we had two Anglican clergy, husband and wife Bob and Sue I'm sure they wont mind me mentioning their names. Bob is profoundly deaf and communicates mainly by BSL sign language. He worked as a teacher in the early 70's in Zambia so for him it was a return visit, we were able to organise some visits to meet folk from the deaf community hear and a visit to the school he used to teach at. The highlight for me was that they gave us communion on the last morning before they flew home. Bob celebrated using sign language with Sue translating. It was such a special service, outside in the grounds of Limbo lodge where we were staying down in Livingstone.
So this week its been busy relaxing and catching up before the next team arrive on Sunday. This will be our smallest team just 6 people, I'm sure it will be a case of quality not quantity.
I will catch up with some more of this another day as I need to close now.
I just wanted you all to know that Zambia is where its happening!
Love to you all
Carol
Interestingly we had two Anglican clergy, husband and wife Bob and Sue I'm sure they wont mind me mentioning their names. Bob is profoundly deaf and communicates mainly by BSL sign language. He worked as a teacher in the early 70's in Zambia so for him it was a return visit, we were able to organise some visits to meet folk from the deaf community hear and a visit to the school he used to teach at. The highlight for me was that they gave us communion on the last morning before they flew home. Bob celebrated using sign language with Sue translating. It was such a special service, outside in the grounds of Limbo lodge where we were staying down in Livingstone.
So this week its been busy relaxing and catching up before the next team arrive on Sunday. This will be our smallest team just 6 people, I'm sure it will be a case of quality not quantity.
I will catch up with some more of this another day as I need to close now.
I just wanted you all to know that Zambia is where its happening!
Love to you all
Carol
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