Twists & Turns Of The Faith Journey

March 30, 2010

Dear Grassroots Heroes,

The land ownership conversations continue for the people of Grippis Farm. Please pray for the meeting, Wednesday March 31, at the Ministry of Lands. The community is appealing to the Ministry not only for their own land plots, but also is petitioning to retain ownership of the plot of land where the current school and well are located. The Lands Official is a new person in the job, and this will be his/her first introduction to the plight of the people of Grippis. In addition, due to what was quite a shock to all of us, the Grippis community needs a new location for their chicken house because the chicken house at Heroes Farm has collapsed. The roof fell in first, causing the walls to then collapse as well. Thank goodness we had shut the project down awaiting Vincent’s arrival and guidance.

When I first heard about the collapse, and saw the pictures of the house completely flattened to the ground, I felt a very unusual peace and said, “Thank you Lord, you are sovereign. Please lead us.” There is an estimate being made by the landlord to reconstruct the chicken house at Heroes Farm, which is a leased property. However, it seems that it might be better for us to build a chicken house on land that the Grippis community actually owns, so that the whole thing would belong to them. There are two plots in Grippis that the designated owners will not be utilizing. Mr. Sachika is going to appeal to the Ministry of Lands to allow the community to buy those two plots so they can build the chicken house there.

As we follow God on the path of faith that twists and turns in ways we can’t imagine, it is always helpful to remember the verse from Isaiah 55:8-11, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. …my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

Let us pray and wait to see God reveal his higher ways and what his word will achieve in Grippis.

Tanya

Vincent's New Home

March 13, 2010

Dear Heroes,
Below is a note from Vincent, who arrived last Thursday in Zambia - looks like things are going VERY well for them in their fist week.

Dear Tanya
How are you doing? My family have just moved today to a new home from the farm house. We have found a two bedroom cottage at Justo Theological college just near the farm. the cottage is an ideal for our family at the moment, it has running water, electricity, security and wireless internet renting We are beginging to settle and the kids love it here. We are located near the Grippes community and Mr Sachika has already visited us at our new home.

Anyway I wanted you to know how are doing. Ministry note, on Wednesday this week I called a meeting for the Grippies community leaders and 20 representatives attended the introduction meeting. The purpose of the meeting was for us to meet the community leaders and them meeting us as well. the meeting took place at farm house in the living room. I, Vincent Luwizhi chairerd the meeitng and Ron hosted the community. The introduction meeting went well I was pleased.

I am scheduled to visit the community on tuesday morning for more meetings. I will give you more updates after the first visit on tuesday.

Today the School Board members met at Mr and Mrs Moyo's house for their monthly business meeting and I Vincent Luwizhi was invited to attend the meeting and it was very informative meeting. I just observed the meeting and at the end of the meeting Ron Chideme introduced me to the intire Board.

Blessings,

Vicent Luwizhi

Hero Teachers

March 8, 2010

Dear Grassroots Heroes,

One of the most inspiring things about being at the Mango Grove Community School is watching the teachers in action. They start their days very early in order to arrive at school by 7:30. They walk together in a group up the dirt road for about 4 kilometers. This time of year is the rainy season which lasts from November through April. Daily rains are common. Some rains are torrential downpours, and happen day after day after day which flood the dirt road to the school. The teachers have to wade through the mud and knee deep water to get to the school. I am astounded at how they make it.

When they arrive, they start their day with a prayer meeting in the teachers’ office. They close the door, sit on the little animal-skin-covered stools and begin a passionate appeal to God for his help and strength to face the challenges of their day. They pray for the children, for the community, and then simply bless God with praises and honor. They pray out loud all at once- creating a sense of being in a thick cloud of prayer – surrounded by it on all sides. Some stand up and raise their hands high in the air, some keep their heads bowed in reverence. But all seek, and cry out and praise.

At 8:00 the official school day begins – the children gather outside under the mango tree. They line up according to classes, and then the teachers begin the school assembly. They lead the Zambian national anthem, read a Bible passage, say the Lord’s prayer all together, and then sing lively praise and worship songs in their tribal language and finish with the children all praying intensely – all at the same time – lifting their voices to heaven for help and rescue from the daily indignities and suffering that they endure.

Then the teachers go to their classes to teach the lessons they have planned and written out by hand the night before. They have no computers, they struggle to even have file folders or other materials to help them keep their lessons organized. In addition to teaching the children, they also have to deal with the parents – with their emotional problems, their drunken tirades, their fearfulness over witches who are casting curses on the school, their bickering with each other over who is supposed to cook breakfast for the students, their needs for help with issues at home, etc. The teachers become the role models and arbitrators of all kinds of issues. They are well respected and loved by the community.

They are on the front lines every day. Please pray for them! They need our support.

Blessings,

Tanya