We are so thankful for all your prayers. What had first looked to be a very stressful trip, turned into smooth sailing! Jeff had some good talks with the new country director and various other staff. Jeff enjoyed time with the team and their trip proved to be very impacting for them as individuals, as well as for the people in the villages they visited. Here are some of their stories:
A Wonderful day to Sikwale Trust: The group enjoyed a great day in one of the newer oprhan trusts spending a hot and dusty morning working alongside 45 caregivers in their newly expanded garden project. That afternoon everyone celebrated, enjoying the "fruits of their labor" with each caregiver taking home a benefit package of mealie meal, cooking oil, beans, salt, sugar, and school supplies for their children. Enough supplies to feed their families for over two weeks.
Launch of Reach4Life in Musuku School: A rural Zambia school of more than 400 youth celebrated World Hope's 40-week curriculum of abstinence and discipleship challenging the youth to purity and radical commitment to Christ. The launch was particularly challenging for the group as they were met by an atheist teacher from the Czech Republic, openly challenging the group and their beliefs. This man has been placed as a math teacher for a term. Please pray that he may not disrupt the R4L program and that he may see the light of Christ.
(See the moving story of Loza at the side posts)
Day in Muntu Wabulongo: A great celebration as a village starved by lack of water for years, sees a drilling rig arrive and in less than one day provide a fresh water well. Now caregivers draw fresh water within one mile of their homes. A daily task that before would require more than a four mile walk.
A Moving of the Holy Spirit: The team had the privilege to visit a man named Bornwel. Bornwel is HIV+ and very near death. As the team visits to better understand the role of the World Hope Home Based Care program, they receive an unexpected touch of God. Prompted by a "nudge" of the Holy Spirit the night before, the group had prepared songs to sing for Bornwel. As they arrive, Bornwel is too weak to even sit, and is carried out on a small mat to lay before the team. As the team sings and shares scripture, the peace of God becomes very tangible. By the end of the visit, Bornwel is able to sit up, smile, and interact with the group. The power of God brought healing and comfort in the midst of poverty and disease.
A SUCCESSFUL TRIP THANKS TO YOUR PRAYERS