Mother's Day Gift Suggestion

We would like to suggest a way to give a Mother’s Day gift that will give life to a mother and her baby in Zambia. A gift of $10 will purchase two Clean Delivery Kits (CDKs) for Zambia. We plan to give these CDKs out to expectant mothers during our Zambia Medical Mission and throughout the year at the Namwianga Rural Health Center. We will be targeting mothers who will not have access to a hospital or rural clinic for delivery.

Each year about 60 million women in developing countries give birth with only the help of an untrained attendant or family member or with no help at all. Many of these deliveries take place at home and often in a small hut in a remote village. The infection rate is high with some 1600 women per day dying from complications associated with pregnancy or childbirth, and infection is a leading cause. Around 950,000 newborns per year die from infection, according to the World Health Organization. Many of these infections can be avoided when Clean Delivery Kits (CDKs) are used. Our kit includes the following:

Bar of soap and wash cloth
Square yard of plastic sheet
Razor blade (single edge)
String for umbilical cord
Sealed bag for packaging
Baby blanket
Infant sleeper or onesie
Candle
Matches
Two pairs disposable gloves
Tylenol Extra Strength
Prenatal multi-vitamins for 2 months

Last year, we gave out 500 CDKs in three days, so this year our goal is 1,000 kits so that no mom-to-be will go back to her hut without having these essentials for her hut delivery.
We are making a special drive for Mother’s Day by encouraging family and friends to donate to Zambia Mission in honor of a mother, wife, sister, or friend. A personal note will be sent to individuals informing them of this gift. If you are interested in participating, please make checks to Zambia Mission Fund and send it to Zambia Mission, 658 E.N. 21st St., Abilene, TX 79601. Please include the name and address of the person you are honoring. If you have further questions, please contact Star Ferguson (star.ferguson@suddenlink.net or phone: 325-668-0687)

Kanyameza Student Outreach

Roy Merritt sends this report.

Students at George Benson Christian College are encouraged to be involved in outreaches. Two Northreach-sponsored students ride bicycles 23 kilometres to Kanyameza church most Sundays.

Open buildings like this are comfy in hot weather!

Builders often use large tin cans as forms to mould cylindrical bricks.

Kanyameza church has a strong interest in orphans, and organized an orphan day out here at Namwianga last year.

Over the past year attendance has increased from 28 to 54.

Sadness

This afternoon we received some devastating news from Namwianga. Virginia Chuulu, a lovely young woman who served as my translator during Zambia Medical Mission, died in childbirth on Sunday. Her infant daughter survived, but Virginia succumbed after having an emergency C-section at the Zimba hospital (about 30 miles away from Namwianga).

In addition to the new baby, Virginia is survived by three other young daughters and her husband Barry who is a teacher at the secondary school. She will be greatly missed by all of us who were blessed by her vibrant personality and her loving spirit.

Please pray for Barry and the girls as they face the trying days ahead.

Brittell Orphans

Several years ago I posted a story about the Brittell family and the orphans who were raised in their care. Today I received a notice from one of the orphans who would like to get in touch with the Brittell family. So if any of the Brittells read this and would like to communicate with him, you can click on the link above and look in the comments section of the original post to get his contact information.

Largest Meteorite in the World

Last Friday I subbed in a fifth grade science class. As we read the textbook section on meteorites, I saw found this sentence: "The largest meteorite ever found is located in the African country of Namibia." I was able to tell the kids that I have been there and seen it! We visited the Hoba Meteorite in 2009 when we traveled to Tsumeb, Namibia, to visit fellow missionaries John and Martie D'Alton. The fifth graders were impressed. As a matter of fact, we were too. It's a pretty incredible sight.

Gotta Have Shoes

Rajiv, my assistant at Namwianga, sent me this photo today. He has been busy buying new uniforms and shoes for the sponsored high school kids who show up with almost nothing. Students in Zambian high schools must wear uniforms, including black shoes. Many of our students come from families that simply cannot afford that expense. We keep a uniform fund to help them out, and Rajiv makes sure they have what they need.

Rasta's Beadwork

Here is a link to an interesting article about a Livingstone craftsman. Makes me wish I could do a little shopping African style!

Reunion with Oldenburgs

On Monday we spent some wonderful hours with our former coworkers Don and Laura Oldenburg. Don and Laura were with us at Namwianga from 2006 - 2009 and became dear friends as we shared many experiences of mission work together. The Oldenburgs moved to Michigan after their time at Namwianga, and we hadn't seen them since July, 2009. We managed to connect with them in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, where they met us while on a trip to visit relatives in Tennessee.

I realized as we talked about people and situations and memories of our time at Namwianga that no one but Don and Laura can relate to some of the things we did, and they can laugh with us at the absurdities of bush life. It's certainly true that in some cases, you really have to be there. What a joy it was to reconnect with them and to share that special bond in the Lord.

Sponsored Student

I'm still very involved in the US Sponsorship Program at Namwianga. This week I've been writing up bios of the new grade 10 sponsored students. I haven't met many of them, but I do know a few from interviews I conducted last October. Gift Kabali is one that I remember well because he was so impressive.

I interviewed Gift Kabali at Sinde Basic School last October. I knew immediately he was the kind of person that the sponsorship program is designed to help. Both of his parents died in 2006, and since then he has lived with his grandmother at Sinde. She is also raising his brother and sister and some other orphans.

Gift had one of the highest qualifying scores I've ever seen -- he scored more than 100 points above the minimum cutoff point on the high school entrance exam. He is also a leader and last year was the Headboy at his school, the highest leadership position available.

Helping students like Gift is what the sponsorship program is all about. I'm glad I can be a part of it.

Grandmommy Longlegs

This is a guest blog from Roy Merritt at Namwianga (with my comments at the end).

As our rainy season drips to its end, insects are preparing for the long dry.

We have had our wettest season in years. After the last storm, our dam’s main spillway flooded and water flowed over our emergency spillway for the first time. Even that wasn’t enough relief, and water eventually lapped over the top of the main dam wall. It’s an earth dam, so we are grateful it wasn’t damaged.

These two ladies are hatching little ones who will protect us from assorted bugs till rains come back.
Gibson (one of the boys at Eric's House) found this one for me, a granny wearing black with yellow polka dots. I have shown her life-size here, her abdomen about the size of an egg yolk.
I’ve never seen one like this before. If anyone out there knows what kind this is, please tell me.

This is a female grandaddy longlegs hauling an egg basket, busy hatching scrawny little newcomers.

Linda here: Seeing these pictures brings back lots of memories for me. When we took down the things off our walls last March as we got ready to move, we found the remnants of spider nests on almost every single item! No wonder we had eight-legged critters everywhere!

We had been told that the wall spiders were harmless and actually helpful--supposedly they eat the mosquitoes. However, after five years of co-existing with the wall spiders, I had to admit I had never seen a spider eat a mosquito and it seemed that we had plenty of mosquitoes to go around anyway. We still advised our guests to leave the spiders alone as long as they were on the walls, but any critters who dared hit the floor were fair game for a smashing.

I personally think live and let live has its limits when it comes to spiders (but don't tell Roy!).

Gregersenblog: Zamgenuity

A re-post from the 2006 archives.

Gregersenblog: Zamgenuity: "A post from David this time. Zamgenuity-- A term describing the creative ways Zambians accomplish their everyday tasks without the resourc..."

George!

George and Jason are like brothers, and it's rare to see one without the other. What one doesn't think of, the other will, and they are the source of much mischief and laughter wherever they go. George can melt the hardest heart with his smile--if you don't believe me, take a look at this clip.

And here are a couple more pictures of Mr. Personality.

Jason!

I've been in love with Jason since Sara first brought him to our house in 2007. He and George became my "grandsons" and gave me lots of practice being "Nana." And I miss them! So I begged Roy Merritt who runs the Eric's House orphanage and he was kind enough to send me this video of Jason (I'll post one of George later).

Jason is now five years old, but here are some pictures of him in earlier days.

Easter 2008 - a little intimidated by all the excitement!

Christmas 2008

Sara with George and Jason - 2009

Jason, George, and Kevin - 2010

Rajiv Siamweela

When David and I neared the end of our five-year commitment in Zambia, my greatest concern was the sponsorship program. Who would take care of all the students? Who would take pictures of the new high school pupils? Who would collect letters for sponsors and write articles for the sponsorship newsletter? I prayed about it, and others joined me in praying that God would send just the right person. God answered those prayers richly by providing Rajiv Siamweela to serve as the on-site assistant coordinator of the sponsorship program.

Rajiv was sponsored through Namwianga Christian Secondary School, the Business and Computer Studies program, and George Benson Christian College. In December he completed his three-year teacher training program at GBCC. In high school and college, he distinguished himself in academic performance and spiritual leadership. Rajiv assumed his new role as assistant sponsorship coordinator last February. Since then he has shown great competence and energy as he has handled the communication and record-keeping duties for the sponsorship program at Namwianga. Rajiv also has a heart for ministry. He knows the sponsored students and cares deeply about them.

I am very proud that one of our own sponsored students is now taking a leadership role in helping the program grow and bless others.

Off to Change the World

Last month a new crop of GBCC graduates set off to change the world. Or to at least change a few communities in rural Zambia. The recent graduates headed off to areas of western and northern Zambia where they will serve as teachers and work to either plant a church or encourage an existing one.

The passengers--the graduates and their families-- rode on the yellow bus. A truck in front of them held their household goods.
The graduates are headed for new homes and new challenges. They'll be dropped off hundreds of miles from home, left among strangers to brighten the community with the light of Christ.

The small vehicle shuttles families from the large bus to the small, outlying communities.

The man in the middle is Bornwell Kayanda, with his wife and four kids, outside the house that will become their home. He’s a soft-hearted, gentle fellow who looks frightened right now, but the sturdy Spirit in him will calm him. Soon he will settle in this bare house and adjust to his new life. And do his part to change the world.

Photos and information provided by Roy Merritt.

Match Made

I heard some great news this week!

This is Namatama Hamusankwa. (Try saying that three times fast!) She graduated from George Benson Christian College in December of 2010. Namatama trained to teach secondary math. She's smart, articulate, and a very dedicated Christian.
This is Brian Siakuba. He graduated in 2008. Brian trained to be a secondary math teacher. He's smart, articulate, and a very dedicated Christian.

The good news is that Brian and Namatama just got married! It's the first marriage of two of our sponsored students, and I couldn't be happier!

Brian and Namatama will make a great team! Brian moved to northern Zambia after graduation and is working with a church and supporting himself as a teacher. Namatama has now joined him. I know they'll be a blessing to the church, school, and community.

Sigh. I love a happy ending.

Look Who's Going to School!

These adorable scholars from the Eric's House orphanage just started going to preschool last week. Jason is the tall one in the back, and George is peeking out from the back as well. The others are Benja, Luke, Bright, and Shane. George and Jason are five years old, and the other guys are in the three and four-year-old range.

When I was at Namwianga in October, I could tell that Jason is very ready for school. He is fascinated with letters and words, and he couldn't get enough of writing and "reading" words. George could care less about that stuff, but he'll love the socialization!

I'm so happy for these little guys to have this opportunity. I'll bet their teacher will have some interesting stories to tell!

Mumena Mission Report

Brian Davis from Mumena in Northwestern Province sent out this report today. It touched my heart, and I wanted to share it with you.

We were able to experience a rare and wonderful missionary moment Sunday. In 2000, we were privileged to help plant the Road 68 church of Christ among the Congolese refugees of the Mumena Refugee Camp here in Northwest Province, Zambia. Yesterday as we worshiped together, I noticed that the young man directing the service was Bro. Toomba. As I reflected, I realized that in 2000 Toomba was a little boy on the front row with the other children. I remembered when he was baptized by my nephews Jeremy and Jason Davis during their visit on a campaign in 2006. (By the way, Jeremy and Jason along with their brides – Whitney & Erin - have just arrived to work for 2 years with our team along with Sam & Ellie Rodriguez who have signed on for 5 years!)

As I thought of Bro. Toomba’s history, I felt a tug at my trousers. Looking down, I saw his little girl, Grace. She was making her way forward to sit with the other children… where Toomba used to sit. As I watched her make her way to her seat, I noticed Toomba’s wife sitting in front of Sondra comforting their baby boy, Caleb. The church had asked me to teach on the attitudes of Christ-like leaders from 1 Timothy 3. As I remembered Toomba’s father - one of the church leaders – and as I looked at Toomba and his son Caleb, my heart was filled with hope for this little congregation of 45.

Missionaries often just get to see the bare fields and plant the seed of the Word. Every once in a while, God lets us see a little fruit too! What a blessing!

“For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.

And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong.” Zechariah 8:12&13 KJV

In Him,

Brian, Sondra, Noah, & Bryson

Pictured above: Bro. Toomba and Bro. Jean, two faithful teachers of the Road 68 church of Christ.

For more information about Brian and Sondra and Mumena, visit their website at www.mumenamissions.org.

The Dung Beetle

Here is a fascinating article on the dung beetle, a common critter in the area of Africa where we lived. It's amazing how God's creation works!

Flexibility!

This morning I was reading a blog by Jon Gordon on Nine Ways to Beat Negativity. In the first comment after the article I found this gem: He with the greatest flexibility wins!

I learned many wonderful things from my years in Zambia, from deep spiritual truths about God to disturbing deficiencies in myself. But one of the life skills I learned and treasure most is flexibility. Since I never knew what disaster was going to happen to my careful plans on any given day, I got pretty good at just going with the flow and using Plan B and Plan C . . . Plan Z when necessary.

So here's to flexibility. I hope I never become so set in my ways that I can't roll with the twists and turns life throws my way.