Reflections...

On a cloudy day in Seattle, Zoka coffee aromas in the air, tones of chattering consumers and music in the background, I reflect on our journey that concluded Tuesday afternoon. What all unfolded would take much more energy and time than I am willing, but some highlights I would like to pen.

Everyone has a story. The children of Africa just happen to have stories that are often painful to hear. Someone has to pass them on. Before I left I read several books that described some of the statistics and experiences of Africans. Until you put a name and face, statistics don't often mean much. Now they do.

While in Mongu, Zambia we visited a family of 5 young children, with a mother who is dying of Aids, whose husband has already passed. I did not want to put the 5 month old boy down (pictured above). As we heard their story I wondered whether the children had relatives who could take them in or if the oldest siblings (not older than 12) would become the parents. Either way there is a realization that so many children in Africa are losing their childhood. I gave them a red frisbee.

Where there could be much sorrow, hope abounds! In that same area of Zambia (actually called Limulunga) there is a community school for children. Mbuyuiana, who is the sister of the Ambassador to the US, is helping to run a school for over 500 of these children who cannot afford uniforms or shoes in order to attend public school. From among the community, 16 young adults have taken on the responsibility of teaching these children without pay. This is not because they have money, it is because they love Jesus and want to serve. Many of them farm rice or sell goods in order to feed themselves! The spirit found in these individuals is incredible.

I plan to return to this school and community next year with my friend John Messner for 9-12 months. The community there is in so much need. All that Jesus asks of us is obedience, whether it be to fill all of the water pots or to bring some loaves and fishes. Please pray with me.

So much to be excited about...

Tonight our team will fall asleep with smiles on our faces and dreams in our mind. We just returned from the Vice President's house where we were the guests of honor for a dinner with the Cabinet Minister and important department members of the Ministry of Community Development. We entered the house to join in cheering on the Zambian soccer team to an important victory over the Congo. Any formalities of being in the VP's presence were thrown out as we witnessed their sheer excitement for the win! We were then able to be introduced to everyone in the room (the aformentioned) and then Fred and Wes painted a picture of our hopes for the youth of Zambia. We then sat down to a royal feast and conversed around the table until late into the evening.

Our hope with meeting with the nation's leaders is that we would rather the natural leaders lead, and follow the examples in the Scripture of going under the authority of the leadership. God has already put us well on our way! There are several key relationships that were started in that room tonight that we will be praying about how to continue to cultivate. This is a goal of mine as I will be returning next year, to continue dialogue and relationship with the leaders of the country.

Our hearts are very much in Mongu and more specifically at the Limulunga Community School where some 545 children attend weekly, and some 16 volunteer teachers educate. We are very excited for the possibilities and plan to continue to dream big. There were so many stories of hope from children who have had to face so much hardship. One of our first priorities laid before us: to help complete the new school that will be much more adequate than the current one.

I apologize if these blogs seem so vague or confusing. I will enjoy verbalizing my thoughts and stories more personally with you all. Thank you so much. We return Tuesday afternoon.

Prayers: Final day of dreaming and enjoying each other. Safe travels for a long long flight home.