Blog 14^th April

Sunday

Tim, Natalie and Jo went to church at Kamfinsa where Jo gave a word of encouragement on trusting God, which amazingly was exactly what Pastor Albert had planned for his sermon. God is Good!

Jim and Jan were still in Kabwe under the hospitality of Kabwe Chapel. They were being treated as honoured guests while they enjoyed seeing how the work started by Jim’s parents had developed and grown.  They visited where Jim’s parents had lived and saw how the plot is still being used as a thriving Christian camp and conference centre.   In the evening they met the leaders of the Church who had known ‘The Fords’ and saw them as spiritual parents and friends. 

Monday

Team day off to catch up and rest.  Jim and Jan visited an orphanage supported by Jim’s mum before returning to Ndola.

Tuesday  

Natalie and Tim went to ‘hut to hut’ and visited with two sick people who they prayed with and gave words of encouragement. Pastor Albert also remains unwell so they stayed behind to pray with him too.

Jan, Jim and Jo visited a school for blind and visually impaired children where the team are going to be helping with the construction of a playground.  Afterwards they went on to St Anthony’s playing with the 2-5 year olds on the playground and then moved into the Cerebral Palsy Unit.  After lunch Lene’s lecture on the Hebrew words for Praise was once again excellent, giving us food for thought.

Wednesday

Jim and Tim went off early to Kamfinsa to help Pastor Albert get sand for some building work on the Teacher’s house.  They had to dig it out of a sandy pit by the side of the road, load it into the Hilux and take it back to Kamfinsa.  They got a slow puncture as a reward, with two nails being the main culprits.  Meanwhile Jan, Jo and Natalie cycled to farm fresh.  It was slightly easier work this week- watering the vegetables and pruning the tomatoes; maybe they took pity on the ladies!  Zenia once again cooked us a lovely lunch of spaghetti and tomato and egg sauce. Delicious!  In the afternoon Jim was left behind to sort out the puncture, while the rest of the team went to Isubilo where they had great fun teaching the children to count by playing giant snakes and ladders. In the evening we were invited for a meal at Emmanuel and Zenia’s house,(our neighbours) to help celebrate Dalitso’s (their son) 6^th birthday. The ladies of the team worked their arm muscles as Zenia showed them how to make tasty Nshima.

Thursday

Jim and Jo went off to Kamfinsa for cell group. Jo once again cleaned and dressed Fidis’ foot which has improved greatly, with far less pain. Praise the Lord! Please continue to pray for quick healing for her. There were about 15 people at the cell group which was once again outside under the trees.  Jim spoke on stretching our faith, and afterwards Pastor Albert invited people to receive prayer if they have been struggling and 5 people came forward.

Jan and Natalie had their one-to-one time followed by the weekly shopping helped by Tim.  We arrived back to find Zesco (electricity company) bringing cable to the guest houses – our excitement was short lived as they didn’t finish the job and have to come back.  We keep on praying for our own supply.

In the afternoon Laurie came and gave us another useful session on LifeKeys, this time focussed on what we value most. Then in the evening we had our last Bible study on Ephesians covering the Armour of God, which was led by Jan and finished with a good time of prayer and worship.

Friday

The team left slightly earlier than normal to get to Lifeline for 8:15am as they were visiting a new rural area. They visited 2 villages where the children and babies were monitored and weighed.  The team kept the children amused while they waited to be seen, by playing football, blowing bubbles and face painting - the children loved their flowers, butterflies and hearts.  In the evening Jo, Natalie and Tim went to Hettie’s for a meal with some other young people.

Saturday

In the morning, Isubilo’s netball team played 2 matches against a visiting team. We cheered them on and Tim did some umpiring. They lost the first but won the second game, to many shouts and cheers.  The Youth Forum afterwards was led by Michael (Lusaka University Student) on the topic of equality.  He challenged the boys and girls to speak out for the voiceless, especially for the girls to be treated properly and with respect as generally domestic abuse is culturally acceptable. It was Hettie’s last weekend session with Isubilo before she leaves for South Africa next Thursday!

The Twins, Esneya and Malesi , (who we have come to know from Farm Fresh and Isubilo) came back for lunch with us as they wanted to visit St Anthony’s.  We had a quick lunch of beans on toast (they were amused by this English posh nosh) before going to St Anthony’s.  Jim and Tim played football with the lads, Jan went to play with children in the Cerebral Palsy unit and the rest went to play with the babies.  In the evening Marcie, Bill and Aden came for a BBQ – in true English style the clouds came in and we had a few spots of rain, but the food was good and the company great.

Prayer Points

·       Fred (our Trustee’s) safe arrival on Tuesday and for a productive visit

·       Pastor Albert’s health

·       Kamfinsa Teacher’s House Project that it will be completed on time

·       Fidis’ foot continues to heal quickly

·       Someone to oversee and guide the playground project for the blind school

·       Hettie’s last few days with Isubilo- although it will be a sad goodbye for her, she knows it is God’s plan to return home at this time- when we next blog she will be in South Africa praying on her next step.