Greetings to all... What an amazing trip this has been thus far. We are in Mansa Zambia at the Orpahn Daycare center till nexy Wed. Painting, building, patching holes...new shelves and most importantly, interacting these wonderful children. The shoes we have distributed, the crafts we have worked on with them and so many other interactions have touched each of our souls individually in such a way, it's hard to explain.
We have named this project, unofficially...Extreme Home Makeover - Zambia. Tom T said to me, the makeover is actually happening more to us than we know.
What a onderful group of people with whom to work. Amy is posting many details so pleas read her posts. Pictures will be hard as connection sppeds are very slow.
Never-the less...thank to all of you who have remembered us in your prayers and please also pray for the children and staff at the orphan center.
We will be cooking dinner tonight for Pastor Henry and some of the elders of the church. This will be an adventure no doubt.
Warmly in Him.
John
Friday, August 5, 2011
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Meeting the Orphans of Mansa
The last 24 hours have been a whirlwind of activity and emotion. Upon our arrival we were greeted with the angelic and rhythmic voices of about 30 of the kids singing to us. It brought tears to many of us.
Today we spent time introducing ourselves and getting to know the kids by having them make fun and colorful name tags as well as playing a dancing name game (courtesy of Rob). Both the younger children and teenagers joined in all the activities and were so happy to have our attention. They are a bit shy of using their English, yet their smiles speak volumes to us.
The day was marred with some sadness as one of boys in the orphan program died yesterday from maternal acquired AIDS. We walked processional style with the older children through the streets of Mansa to the home of the boys grandmother where many people were gathered to pay their respects. The children went inside and sang to the family gathered there mourning. We were brought seats of honor to sit outside the house and had the opportunity to pray with his grandmother (who is raising 6 of her grandchildren). All of the team members were deeply moved.
Tomorrow we have more actvities planned with the children and the painting project begins. We are all exhausted but excited to be with the children again tomorrow.
Today we spent time introducing ourselves and getting to know the kids by having them make fun and colorful name tags as well as playing a dancing name game (courtesy of Rob). Both the younger children and teenagers joined in all the activities and were so happy to have our attention. They are a bit shy of using their English, yet their smiles speak volumes to us.
The day was marred with some sadness as one of boys in the orphan program died yesterday from maternal acquired AIDS. We walked processional style with the older children through the streets of Mansa to the home of the boys grandmother where many people were gathered to pay their respects. The children went inside and sang to the family gathered there mourning. We were brought seats of honor to sit outside the house and had the opportunity to pray with his grandmother (who is raising 6 of her grandchildren). All of the team members were deeply moved.
Tomorrow we have more actvities planned with the children and the painting project begins. We are all exhausted but excited to be with the children again tomorrow.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
We Have Arrived
Three planes and two bus rides and over 24 hours later the Zambia Team has made it to our first destination- Lusaka. All team members and luggage are intact! Tomorrow at 6 am we begin our 10 hour journey to Mansa.
More to come.....
More to come.....
Saturday, July 30, 2011
On the way to Addis Ababa
I'm sitting in Dulles Airport, Washington having my last Starbucks Mocha for the next two weeks. Ethiopia is our next destination and then on to Zambia. Most of us were able to get a little shut eye on the flight from San Francisco. Now for the long 13 hour hop to the other side of the world. Final call...all the goats and camels are now loaded..now for us :))
Cous Cous for lunch I think...
Cous Cous for lunch I think...
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Theme Song
I was driving into work this morning with thoughts of Zambia filling my mind and heart and I heard the song Take Me Into The Beautiful by Cloverton on the radio. My eyes immediately filled with tears as I realized in just a few days God will be taking our team into the "beautiful" of the Zambian people - some for the first time and some that are going back again.
I think this could be our theme song. (click link to hear the song)
Take me into the beautiful, won't You take me back again
With a love unexplainable, come fill up this dry land
Let it open our eyes to see a world we've never seen
Let it open our hearts up to see You inside of us
You're here inside of me
Take me into the beautiful where the rivers flow
Where the love that never ends
Oh I wanna go to the beautiful
Take me into the beautiful where the faces glow
Where the lights that never dim
Oh I wanna go to the beautiful
Come on and take me again
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
Contact information while we are in Zambia
Contact information while we are in Zambia
Lisa's cell in SA - from USA dial 011 for international call then 27 83 431 2959 (may have to contact their cell provider to allow it)
Johan's cell 011 27 82 754 2728 (good emergency contact)
Pastor Henry +260 977 255 881 or + 260 965 255 881 (contact number while we are in Zambia)
Physical address in Zambia:
Apostolic Church of Zambia Glory Centre, Pastor Henry Mumba
2 streets behind Amoco Bakery (sorry, it's a dirt road with no name!)
Mansa, Zambia
Mail address: ACZ Glory Centre, PO box 710171, Mansa, Zambia
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