March 2010 Update

Greetings Everyone!

The rains are almost over now and the wet and muddy patches on the ground are beginning to dry up! During the rains, the road leading to the School of Hope became difficult to navigate and only Ben and Kathleen’s vehicles ventured in the school area. After the rains, the focus will swing to revamping the rut covered road to avoid further damage to our vehicles.

The school break will commence next week on Wednesday; the kids will be out for a month and classes will resume in May. Some of the children will visit with their relatives and some relatives may opt to visit them here at the Village.

Thanks to some containers which arrived from Michigan and Colorado last year, there were quite a few bikes and the kids have been having a high time cycling around the village. Of course, there have been a few falls, scrapes and scratches but the determination to learn to ride far outweighs the fear of riding yet again. It is always a thrill to watch them help each other learn to ride. Day by day we watch as one struggles to learn to balance on the bike while their friend labors at holding them up. Then one day, when they have finally learned how to ride, they come zooming by with huge smiles on their faces and eagerly looking to see if we are watching them go by! Eventually they become show offs and begin to compete with each other. We have been greatly enjoying our weekly bike rides with a few children at a time as we trek to the restaurant for soft drinks. It is a joy to see such a simple activity bring such excitement and joy to our children.

As a result of the rains, there are tall and dense grasses everywhere, consequently, the fear of the crawly things is real, but thanks to a bush hog and a small riding mower which also came in the containers, this has not only helped control the grass but keep the place looking neat! We are very grateful for these thoughtful and practical donations!

The three missionary families are looking towards April with a lot of excitement and expectation! Kathleen Schwartz, who has been away visiting the US for over a month returns this week while Kimberly’s Mum arrives on March the 31^st for a three month visit in Zambia. This is the first time she has traveled to Africa and it will be wonderful to see how she takes it in. Paul Hamelryck will also be returning on April 1^st after three weeks in the US. Kamau is also excited about hosting a friend and his family whom he met in YWAM a little over twenty years ago. Dick and Anita are still missionaries with YWAM in the Eastern Province of Zambia, they have five kids.

In collaboration with Partners Worldwide Jobs to Hope Program and a local Zambian business woman, Villages of Hope has realized our goal to open our clothing factory!

The Chimwemwe Women’s Group is actively participating in training and there are about 48 women who have been training; only about 20 will eventually be hired once the screening process is completed. Right next to the clothing factory is a used clothing boutique which just opened a few weeks ago! Clothes sold there also came in the containers and the funds generated from the sales will provide income to help sustain the children’s home. It is great to see this new phase of growth in our ministry, just in December last year, we opened our Takeaway restaurant and it is making good progress! Please pray that these businesses ventures will flourish and that the Lord will be glorified in the way we do business.

Blessings to you all!