It's been a while since I last posted a story on this blog. I need to update you on all that has been going on....
At Christmas, Richard held a Christmas dinner for about 50 orphans. They ate rice and sausage, samosas and juice, and had a good time together singing and performing a skit. It was the first time Richard was able to use his house for ministry. Just previous to Christmas, he was able to receive enough funding to put a roof on the house! Praise the Lord! It was roofed just before the rains began. Now he can have the orphans come to his house for times of coloring, painting, Bible lessons, and singing. At the time of the Christmas dinner, the floors were still dirt and they covered them with carpets for the kids to sit on. A pastor's wife and a few other women from the church helped to prepare the foods for the Christmas dinner and the children were blessed.
The next projects Richard has been able to finish are the cement floor for the house, and the installation of the outside doors and windows. Now he is working on the inside doors and electrical wiring and connection. He is happy that it is now secure and they can begin to sleep in it and move their things into the rooms before the cold weather begins. There is still much more to do--installing a septic tank, and pump for water from the well, plumbing for a toilet and the kitchen sink, and plastering of walls. My dad and brother are planning to travel to Zambia (hopefully with a few more people) to help Richard finish the house so that it can be used for ministry.
Jodi and 4 of her friends are also going to Zambia this summer to teach the orphans music. They will be the first mission team to go and help Richard with his ministry, and will stay at his house (which will then be ready to accept visitors). Richard has gathered together a group of older kids to form a choir, and they will perform in some outreaches to the community with Jodi and her friends. Richard will also take Jodi and her friends into the bush to sing and to visit with orphans and bring them shoes.
In January, with the beginning of the school year, Richard asked for help to send about 30 orphans to school, and we were able to find many people here in Seattle to help support them. Praise the Lord that these kids who had no one to stand with them, now are able to attend school! One girl was 17 years old and had never been to school, and Richard had to find her a tutor to catch her up to speed with others closer to her age. She is so thankful to be learning to read now, and making friends. Previously, this girl had been raised by her older sister since her parents were dead, and the sister was making beer to support herself. There were many drunkards and worthless men around all the time, and it was a difficult situation for the poor girl. Now she has a hope for her future. Please pray for her.
