The Community School in Zambia

We just finished our first week teaching in Zambia.  I'm feeling the joy of Friday afternoon much like I do in the States.  It is a HUGE bonus that we get the afternoon to rest,  possibly for  the first time since our exhausted arrival over a week ago.   After spending the morning in the classroom, we got the opportunity to visit a "Community School" in the compound where the children go if they do not have money for private education, government schools or have a sponsorship.  This is where all of the students from the Lifeway Christian Academies would be going without being sponsored by an American.  It was both heart breaking and heart warming to be there today.  The one room "school" houses about 250 students with two teachers.  The students range from around 5 years old to nearly 18.  The teachers and students were so welcoming and happy to have visitors.  Once again, children asked for "a snap" of the camera and gave their most charming poses while they were covered in dirt from head to toe. 

During our time there, Allison read aloud two stories.  The children were enthralled with early childhood picture books.   (Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, and How Do You Make a Rainbow?)  They hung on every word!!!  Even the teenagers were completely engaged the entire time.  Three girls shared a poem titled: Don't Forget About Us.   It describes how their parents have forgotten them.  It was unreal being in a room of hundreds of orphans while listening to their powerful presentation of the poem.  The children sang a song about heaven while I thought to myself how much the Lord loves these little ones, even if they are alone and neglected in this world.  The entire experience will be burned into my memory until I go to the grave.  My desire to send children to the Lifeway Christian Academies has increased 100 fold.  If it is ever on your heart to participate in such a ministry, I will be glad to give you the names of the most beautiful, capable and intelligent children created in the image of God!!  Finally, before we left, we gave them a gift of simple school supplies.  You would think they were shouting for the Super Bowl as they received 3 books, 2 boxes of markers, a bag of crayons and a supply of paper.  (Again, the school  contains hundreds of children.)  I wish my girls could have seen such joy displayed over basic items that are huge luxuries to these children.  It was unbelievable. 

I'm looking forward to a weekend to rest before heading back to the classroom next week.  Tomorrow we will go on a "game drive" and then we have worship and "the market" on Sunday.  What would a trip to Africa be without seeing SOME animals?  I'm thankful for this opportunity!  Thank you for your prayers on our behalf.  The week could not have been more wonderful and we remain safe, healthy and now rested!  There has been a stomach bug in the house where we are staying and so far nobody else has gotten it, so please remember us in your prayers for continued health.  Also, Katie leaves for a mission trip to the border of Mexico tomorrow morning.  I would greatly appreciate your prayer for her health and safety.   I'm uneasy being so far away while she goes off on this mission trip without her parents.  I'm sure Kyle, Caroline and Kelly would appreciate prayers as well while they hold down the homefront as the other girls are serving in different parts of the globe. Happy Friday to all!!