News from Tom

From Tom Townsend

First opportunity to a computer on day seven.  Where to start?

Everything is so different.  I knew God was with us on the fourth plane trip when the plane emptied at Hrare, Zimbabwe.  Those left on the plane were obviously from all over the world.  Then the plane had a continual line of new faces from all over the world.  I was to find that about 80% were missionaries -> faces from Bhutan, Korea, China, the middle East, etc.  I knew now that we a few of those that the Lord had brought to be with our brothers and sisters of Africa.  Powerful witness!

On the evening of the forth day we arrived at Mansa, Zambia - our home here.  Though road weary, when you have fifty children screaming from joy to meet us, your heart comes alive in a way you will always remember.  Then to find that a year ago they had not guidance, teaching, holding, feeding (it goes on), and now had met the Lord and had smiles and radiated true joy in the simplest and purest form.

One of the boys, Alec, who attended the Children's Center had perished the day before.  Yes - from AIDS.  Immediately it was clear why we were here.  The children lead our team to the home of the grandmother.  She had taken in probably 12 other children and had all in her care.  Have you ever met a Saint?  The children began their beautiful singing before we arrived at the house.  As we arrived, chairs and couches were given to us.

We consoled and prayed with the grandmother and sat to reflect and be with her.

Thereafter, it has been uplifted and a harmonious team.  The children with nothing do have a deep beauty in their smiles, handshakes and hugs.  This is the simple belief of children that inspires us. 

That must conclude for now.

Love,  Thomas Townsend reporting from Mansa, Zambia