Thursday 11 May 2017

Post-Zambia Musings...

I decided not to write a blog again when I was out in Zambia, and I was quite glad I decided that as our time there was quite busy and I don't know when I would've found time! It was an amazing time and though I don't want to waffle on for too long, I will try and summarise the main things we achieved.

The first thing was that the school was in danger of being closed down by the government because of poor lighting and ventilation. The extension they had been given to get this sorted was actually after the Easter break, and we went during the break, so the timing was perfect! We paid for 8 new openings with louvre windows, plus 6 new strip lights and 3 large fans. The school is an amazing thing to be able to give to as it caters for a large number of vulnerable children, including those from the orphanage (up to grade 7), and the lighting and ventilation will definitely make a huge difference!


First of five openings to provide better lighting in the School
The next thing we set out to do was to give the Internet cafe a boost. Ritesh was taking classes each day, and he also trained Vincent, who is going to take the whole thing forward. We also paid for the next internet installment, and for a sign board advertising the cafe, school and English classes. The English classes are still happening and going well, and Ali was able to give Agnes some training on her new laptop (which we also bought), and this will facilitate communication of easy exchange of teaching resources.

New sign should hopefully bring lots of people in!
My personal highlight was the final thing we gave to, and that was for a bore hole to be dug. The work men drilled over 50 metres underground to reach water, and the Centre will now have fresh, running water 24/7! It was so exciting to watch and wait for the water to come up, knowing that it will make a huge difference to the lives of the children living there, and everyone who works at or visits the Centre 😊

The bore hole being dug
They were the main things that we used the money we raised for, as well as other little things like hair clippers and food. Something we want to put in place now is to help to provide the children with food, clothing and school/college fees, so watch this space as we get it set up. Once again, thank you so much to everyone who donated or helped with fundraising in any way, without you none of this would've been possible!

I really enjoyed spending time with the children every day and teaching them to play some games that we took over, which they loved! The family we stayed with were really lovely too, and very hospitable. It was definitely less of a culture shock going back this time, and it was so lovely to see old friends again, and make new ones also. The hardest bit was definitely saying goodbye to the children, it's so heart breaking to leave them behind, I wanted to pack them all in my suitcase! 😉  

Teaching some of the children to play Twister

A lesson that I learnt/something I felt God speaking to me about was gratitude. I just realised again how much we have and how much there is to take for granted- running water and an ample supply of food & drink being two of the main things, as well as many more luxury items that they just don't have. I just felt that I should be so grateful for all I have, not just materialistic things either, but also my amazing family, friends, church, a job to go to etc. Their love and trust in God convicts me too, because although they have so little materialistically, they have so much in the Kingdom and their love for God, and need for Him and His provision is so genuine. Makes me think of Matthew 5:3 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.'

I'll leave it there as I still haven't fully processed everything, but basically it was an amazing time and I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to go back. God is good.

Wednesday 5 April 2017

The Return to Zambia!

Three years has passed since the last time I went to Zambia, and I'll be heading back again in just under two weeks! It feels quite different to last time as that was the first time of going there, as well as properly abroad! Therefore I felt quite nervous and didn't really know what to expect, but this time I feel excited about being reunited with the children at the orphanage and other good friends I made when I was there in 2014, I can't wait to see them all again! :) 
Ritesh is coming this time, along with Len and Ali, and it will be his first time in Zambia, so I'm excited for him too! 
The team has been busy doing lots of fundraising for the projects we will be involved with when we're there. This time Ali will be continuing to support the Literacy Project and training Agnes (the literacy project tutor) in use of ICT, so that communication can effectively take place on our return.  Ritesh will be helping with the IT Project, and will be setting up an accounting system and developing a business plan with a guy called Davies. Len will be involved in maintenance work around the ophanage and school. And I will be involved with youth work with the girls, and will be taking small groups of children from the school and orphanage into the Internet Cafe for tuition. All rather exciting!!
Finally, Just to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who has donated towards our fundraising or been involved in the fundraising events! All your help has been invaluable, whether you ran a race, helped to organise the fish and chip quiz night, made a donation for the raffle, did a sponsored silence, baked some cakes, knitted some blankets... the list could go on and we are massively grateful for everyones efforts!
Thank you also for the prayer support, please continue to pray for the projects and for protection for the team, and a productive & successful trip! :)




The 10K Running Team!

Thursday 19 January 2017

About time for another blog!

Wow, I've just realised the last blog post I wrote was in 2014 - oops!

I got re-inspired about poetry again this week, and decided I'd give it a go, as it's been a long time since I've written a poem!

Here it is :) ...




Faithful God, my Father
Unchangeable, You are.
You are my hope, my strength
Your light, my leading star.

You direct my path, God
In You I put my trust.
You bring joy in the morning,
And shake off all the dust.

You restore hope when lost,
Assuage my fears, bring peace.
Promise joy - a new day,
Cause the darkest storm to cease.

You love where there is hate,
Release grace upon grace
You wipe away the past,
So we can see Your face.

You are all this and more God,
You restore all that is lost.
Thank you for who You are,
And for paying the great cost.