GREAT DAY OF WORSHIP

Today our group split up and went to 2 different churches for services.  What a wonderful time we had.  God is great, the music and the messages were uplifting.  If you like to worship through music, you need to visit a local church in Zambia, they know how to worship.  Although the service was 3 hours long, it sure did not seem long at all.  Lunch was held afterwards and the food was great, fresh fried chicken and the works. We got together afterwards and recounted the beautiful day we all had.   God bless all and I will try to post Monday after we go to the school and see the children for the first time.  Thank you and keep on, keeping on.

Preparing for 2014, Same Goal, with new members and returning faces

Leader in Training,  Jordan

Hannah

Rachel

Tara

Our Fearless Leaders,  Chris and Christina

Colin

Alice

Dave

Keith

Annette              Andrea

Wednesday June 20, 2012
Hello, sorry I took so long in updating the blog for the last day in Zambia.  I had trouble with the internet and then traveling and getting back home left me with little time to write, but I  hope everyone is doing well.  As  you know by now,  Wed. was our last day at the school and it was a very beautiful day.  We started out just like the last 2 weeks , we had breakfast and then headed to the welcoming party that was always there for us.  Those children were  ready and just happy to see us come.  We had a "field day", desks were brought outside for the family members, some had single parents, some had no parents, we just didn't know who was who, some children did not have anyone there.  We prayed and ask the Lord to take  care of the children and  to provide all their needs.  All the classes were prepared to sing and recite bible verses that we had taught them the  last 2 weeks.  I don't know who sang the loudest but they were all great.  Just the smiles and laughter was a joy.  All the children sang and we also sang for them.  The ladies danced to a special song " I have decided" by Selah, it was beautiful.  The morning just went by to fast and everyone was  just taking pictures and savoring the last few hours with the children. We were so happy and thankful for the opportunity to spend time here with them, they will be in our hearts and prayers.  We were able to introduce Veronica.  She just finished her 7th grade at the school and she wanted to continue on to High School but her mother just did not have the money needed.  The members of the vocal group along with the principle interviewed her and her mother to see what they can do to help.  Veronica is smart and very dedicated and it was decided that the group will fund her education.  She is the first one to go on to high school from the academy.   We as a group also took up a collection for her and she will be starting classes real soon.  Thank you Lord for providing.  We will keep in touch with her and we pray that all goes well.  The morning ended and we said our goodbyes, what a blessing it was to spend time here and we will miss them.  May God bless the children and the teachers of Zambian Vocal Group Academy.  We got back to the study center in time for lunch and some relaxation and to pack for our trip back home. Afterwards some went out to shop and others just hung around.  In the evening we had dinner and a very special devotion get together with the sisters of the study center, pastor mumba and his family joined us as well.  We prayed and worshipped together and exchanged gifts.  The sisters sang a traditional song of thanks for us, it was very emotional in the "work room."
I cannot  tell you how happy and thankful we were to stay a Kalundu Study Center , they treated us like royalty.  The food was great, and I thought that I was going to lose weight on this trip.  They will welcome us back anytime in the future.   It was off to the airport and our long journey back home.  Our misssion had come to an end,  I just want to thank all for following us on the blog. I will keep on posting some pictures and updates of our meetings in the future, please check-in when you get a chance. We really enjoyed the trip and we pray that we can be of further service in the future.  God is great and we thank Him for giving us the opportunity to spread His love in Zambia.  

singing children

group at school

ladies sharing

captive audience

happy group

zambian vocal group

Tuesday June 19th, 2012
Hello, hope all are doing well, today Tuesday was a beautiful day, full of sunshine and lots of smiles and love to go around.  We started out our day with a group breakfast and then we loaded up the bus with some tooth brushes and tooth paste for the children and with gift packages for the teachers.  We headed out for the school and after picking up the vocal group members in Kalingalinga, I stayed back with Sylvester to go and exchange some money and to drop off some pictures at the print shop to have them enlarged.  But, Sylvester had the keys to the storage closet at the school, which had all the Coca Colas that someone had donated to give to the children, so we had to hop on a taxi and bring the keys back.  At the school all of us started to give out the toothbrushes and toothpaste plus Coca-Colas to the students.  Talk about being happy, them kids were very happy for the colas, cheers went up when we walk in with them, but they were not so joyful with the dental supplies,,, I wonder why.  All morning long, all you heard was singing and praises, very excited bunch of children, I pray that their joy just keeps on growing and that our mighty God with continue to bless them.  The teachers were so grateful for the gifts we had for them and they too were just so full of joy, they tell us all the time how this has blessed them and the children alike.  We know that they have a hard task and we also pray that God gives them the strength to "keep on, keeping on."  Just before we left for lunch we were just milling around and taking pictures and soaking up the last few hours we have at this school which brings so much hope to a poor community.  I ask all to PLEASE  pray and to support missions like this because they do make a difference.   Thank you and my God bless you all.

happy children

more happy children

one happy teacher

christina sharing some love

Monday June 18th,2012
Hello, just so happy to be back at the school with the children, we got their early and of course they were waiting for us, just like all the other days we have gone to the school. I believe that the welcoming  we get, we will surely miss.  Today the men got down to some serious painting.  We had 3 rooms to paint and to clean up and put up chalk boards.  The ladies were with the children handing out little crosses and sharing bible verses with them.  I tell you these rooms were just in need of a new coat of paint.  Angel, the bus driver, was once again involved in the painting as well as one of the teachers.  The teacher was so happy that his room was getting a make over, his chalk board was sitting on blocks of concrete sitting on top of an old truck tire rim, imagine had to hold the chalk board while writing on it.  His room, I promised that it was going to be first and thank God we were able to finish it, got him a chalk board on the wall.  The other rooms were just in need.  We were able to finish them also, when you have 10 guys painting, things get done.  God is great, I cannot begin to tell you all, the feeling we got when we saw those rooms finished.  The work around the school continues, you have masons building another 2 rooms and with the members of the vocal group staying longer than us, we join them in prayers that they get the roof on the rooms and get alot done.  Our time at the school is getting short and were are all not looking forward to the last day, but we still have Tuesday and Wednesday to pour out more love to the children.  We pray that the Lord guide us and protect us and that we can be of further service to Him wherever we go.  Thank you for your prayers and please continue praying for these needy children and for all of those in need.  God bless all.

old look

new look; happy teacher

2nd classroom redone

3rd classroom redone

Sat. and Sun. June 16&17, 2012
Hello, just updating what went on Sat.  We were up early to go on a safari.  The animals in their natural habitat is something amazing.  Just being so close to them was worth the trip.  After the safari we returned to the lodge and had breakfast and then it was off to see Victoria Falls.  I could only say that God is awesome and only He could make something so wonderful.  Pictures can not describe the power that the water creates and we owe it all to God.  We got back just in time for the sunset cruise which included a BBQ dinner. Once again seeing some of the animals in their habitat was nice to see and the sunset was beautiful.  The colors were nice, lots of reds and oranges. We have alot to be thankful for, Our God has made it all and it is for our enjoyment.  I pray that we all can enjoy the outdoors more often.  On Sunday, it was a long ride back to Lusaka.  The trip was highlighted by Pastor Mumba holding the service in the bus going 65mph.  The first time that I have been in a rolling sunday service.  The message was powerful and we were all touched.  I thank our Heavenly Father for a wonderful weekend and for getting us back safely.

Friday June 15, 2012
Good morning, finally got around to write Fridays blog today Monday, had a little technical difficulties, the wi-fi was slow and it cut off at times, but all is well early in the morning.  Friday was a short day at the  school.  We were only able to spend 2 hours with the children because everybody thought it was a good idea to get away from the school and recharge our batteries.  Working with the children is both emotionally and physically demanding and we all voted on taking the weekend off and having a little time for ourselves and bonding with each other.  We decided to go to Livingston which was about a 7hr drive south and where Victoria Falls is located.  The ride was nice and uneventful, the scenery was beautiful and we were able to see the little towns and villages along the way.  Thank you Lord for traveling mercies.  Two lane highway all the way and it was paved, yes the road was paved unlike some would think.  The bus held 21 people, Richard and Sylvester joined us, along with Pastor Mumba and his wife Bertha and  their 4 children plus 12 of us and the bus driver, this time we got Silas as our bus driver, because he is more experienced than Angel. When we got to Livingston, we were able to locate our lodge and check-in for the weekend and then we went out for burgers and pizza.  The night was short and we got back to the lodge for some well needed rest.  My luck, I had Ben as my roommate, joke, Ben, what can I say.  He is a full deck stacked a little different but he has been great.  Well I will try to get Sat. and Sun. blogs together later on if the inter-net allows me.  Lets all be thankful for all the blessings our Heavenly Father has bestowed upon us.  Love you all and keep on reading.  Thanks