Long time since last post and so much has happened : )

First off let me apologize for it being so long since our last update. We have been meaning to write for a long time now but since it has been pretty much just the two of us since our return from the states last November (with a few exceptions of teams and other short term helpers) the daily demands of running the ministry have kept us super busy and left us a bit overwhelmed at times. God is giving us the strength that we need for each day but if God leads you to pray for us please pray that He will also provide for us wisdom, strength, provision, encouragement, joy, and extra hands for the work that He has so wonderfully allowed us to be a part of.

 

Because we have so much to update on – I will try to send  out an update a week (or every few days  or so as to spread out the news and allow readers the opportunity to take it all in without being overwhelmed with too much at a time : )

 

For the meantime though – let me say that things are going well here and while we have had some serious ups and downs these past months, that God is good.  The children are growing (and running all over the place with now 8 toddlers between the ages of 2 and 5), we’ve had two new arrivals (unfortunately one passed away a week after we received him), moved Sylvester one into the house in Kalomo for higher education, seen families visiting children that hadn’t before (and the smiles on the children’s face because of it), experienced water and well struggles and then miraculous answers from  God, helped many at risk children in the villages with blankets, one with formula, and two with educational assistance.  The children’s garden is doing well, we had a great harvest of maize, and with the help of a team and local help, cleared much more land for us to plant this year.  We have acquired some larger goats, some sheep, cattle, and a dairy bull and have been “learning the ropes” of raising them in the process.  When we lost 2 part time mothers to relocations God provided 2 wonderful replacements.  The preschool is doing well but we really need someone to help oversee it and the community is continuing to work on the primary school but with the rainy season fast approaching it’s date of completion is far from known.  Jako’s three Bible studies are going well but the displeship with villagers has shown mixed results.  We were blessed with 3 teams this year, and 2 extra individuals to help and encourage us.  One of the more surprising events however was that we were blessed with a large grant to purchase land and build a house for our older children in Kalomo going to school.  Land has been purchased, the plans almost done with the approval process, and we are excited with the possibilities that this holds.  Along the way, despite medical difficulties (for us and our MOL mothers and children), the earthy loss of our first child (heaven’s gain), large vehicle breakdowns, and other difficulties, God has done amazing things and we look forward to filling you in, in more details in the next few updates.

Thank you for the prayers and support from so many and for all of those that partner with us, encourage, and bless us in so. Thank you for your continued prayers and to God be the glory, great things He has done : )