Home Sweet Home

After being lost in the Twilight Zone of air travel for about 24 hours, the Zambia team has returned home.We are so grateful to you for following our adventures and for your prayers.

Stay tuned for some recaps of how our experience and ministry in Lusaka impacted us and the women and children we served.

The Least of These

In Matthew 25:40 Jesus says that whatever we do for those that are considered the "least" in the eyes of the world, it will be as if we did it to Him. Today we met a group of children that many would put into this category. Who really cares about 60 or so HIV positive kids in one poverty stricken area of an African city of 2.5 million people that most Westerners have never heard of?

Jesus cares and so do we.

Children lined up in the background waiting for lunch

The feeding program is run by Easter and Wozifera Ngoma, pastors at a large church in one of the compounds in the city. Compounds are what most of us would consider a slum, and there are many different compounds throughout Lusaka. Three times a week the program feeds children that are HIV positive in order that they are able to take their anti-retrovirals effectively and safely. Usually they have nshima and a vegetable. Sometimes they are able to provide some chicken also. The children are taught about God's love and promises, as well as given instruction on good health practices.

Many of the children live with grandmas or aunties that can be too busy to remind the children to take their medicines. Some churches in the area preach that they do not need to take their medicines if they have enough faith. The Ngoma's program exists to remove any barriers to growth and health.

Waiting for their lunch

Today when we visited the program, each child was able to take home a large bag of mealy meal (their staple corn product from which they make nshima) and a bottle of oil. This bag will feed a family of four for about two weeks.

While it was overwhelming to see the need surrounding us in the feeding program, it was also incredibly uplifting to see what a few Christ followers with little resources have been able to do. Through the Ngoma's vision, support of a few generous U.S. donors (including TLC) and community volunteers, there are over 60 HIV positive kids in Lusaka that now have a significantly better chance of growing into adulthood. Additionally the program will soon be expanding to include education and support for young adults ages 17-24 that are HIV positive.

I think that makes Jesus smile.

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We Survived Bible Club!

Here are just a few photos from our fun afternoon. About 65 kids attend Bible Club here at Camp Ciyangano each Friday. We were honored to be their special guests and they seemed pretty thrilled that we were there. The children come from the rural area around the camp. Many of their families do not attend church and all are quite poor. The children get a snack when they arrive and dinner before they leave. In between there is lots of fun - and even more fun when the mzungus (white people) come to visit.

Learning a new song - "there was a bunny, a mongoose and a crazy elephant"

Just having fun being a kid

Decorating bags with paint and stencils was a big hit

Bible story - parable of the mustard seed

Blindfolded game of Fill the Bin was crazy fun!

 

Blindfolded game of Fill the Bin was crazy fun!

On their way home with a blanket, a book and goodie bag supplied by TLC MOPS

 

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Meeting the Alumni

The APC Women's Conference Alumni Tea was held at the Action Pastors College. The air was crisp and cool, but the sun warmed us up quickly. The "tea" was an orange, jungle bar, chocolate Easter egg, cupcake and a bag of chips. The women loved their snack along with the requisite cup of black tea.

After a silly song and fun ice-breaker game, we spent the morning talking about cultivating peace when leading in ministry. For Kim and Rhonda, this was an uplifting reunion as they saw the continued joy and growth in the woman that they ministered too over three summers. Some were struggling with recent losses and others were facing challenges in their congregations, yet all had broad smiles, sang loudly, and gave heartfelt hugs..... and left encouraged.

APC Alumni Tea 2014

p.s. Rhonda is really in this picture.... somehow just didn't make it in the frame.

Rhonda shares a special bond with her Zambian friend, Patricia.

 

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Preparing for Phase 2

After a few days of fun and relaxation at Victoria Falls and Chobe Game Reserve, the team is back in Lusaka refreshed and ready to continue.

Double rainbow from Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls

Lots and lots of swimming elephants

Tomorrow we will be having tea with the alumni of the women's conference whose husbands graduated from the APC program three years ago. With songs, games and prayer time, we hope to encourage these pastors' wives and learn about their ministries and how they have been able to apply principles that they learned at past conferences.

 

 

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Bittersweet Goodbye

The women's conference ended today with lots of encouragement, fun, and a discussion of leadership principles to help prepare them for success in ministry alongside their husbands.

We started the day with an encouraging devotion on how to cultivate God's peace in our lives and a wonderful worship time. We finished up the blankets and cooking project - both having very practical applications for their lives. Lastly we ended the day with a discussion, led by Kim, that gave the women some practical and valuable information to guide them to success as pastors' wives in their church communities.

Amy and Mary making blankets with Alice

 

Betty and Alice cooking chipatti with Rhonda and Trisha

Betty and Alice making chipatti with Trisha and Rhonda

Making lunch from Amy on Vimeo.

After a lunch of nshima (see above video) we gave the women certificates of completion as their husbands graduate APC this year. There were many smiles and long hugs - and of course singing - as they headed home.

Goodbye from Amy on Vimeo.

And then we began our preparations for the kids Bible Club later this week after a little rest and relaxation.

 

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Better Life Through Love and Vegetables

The program for day two of the conference was full - we had a devotion, three workshops, cooking and blanket making. After dinner we had movie and popcorn.

Mary spoke gently, yet truthfully on domestic abuse issues. Heidi gave a transparent and practical talk on alcoholism and how the women can deal with the alcoholics in their lives. The women were very receptive and there was great discussion and interaction. The women really appreciated their perspectives.

Karen, one of the Action Zambia missionaries spoke on "What is a Better Life?" based on Proverbs. Aspects that make a better life include: fear of The Lord, wisdom, integrity, a good name, and......vegetables? A bowl of chocolates and a bowl of cucumbers were passed around and each woman was asked to choose which one they wanted. Not surprisingly all chose a chocolate. Then we read Proverbs 15:17 "Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred." It was a very encouraging message to these women who have an abundance of love and other valuable characteristics, but few material possessions or resources.

And they loved the chocolate.

All of the lovely ladies at the conference

 

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