Sunday, July 6, 2008

It's been a very busy and long three days. Friday we spent the day at Avila orphanage. The children had an amazing time. I presented a teaching on Noah’s Ark. It is amazing how quickly they retain the information presented to them every day. They love to color and had a great time making animal puppets. The puppets were made out of paper bags, construction paper, and pipe cleaner. They have such a great imagination and put so much hard work into everything that they do. In just these two days the children have really opened up to us and strong loving relationships have began to develop with each of them. Although we have a heart for each and every one of these children we all have been drawn to a young boy named Robino. Robino has been at the Avila for the past few years but he has recently developed some medical problems with his back over the last three months. It seems that his spine has begun to curve, making walking very, very difficult. While we were outside doing an activity Micah witnessed his legs completely give out from under him and he collapsed straight down. It was very hard to see him helpless on the ground looking up at us with pain and embarrassment in his eyes. He asked us to just leave him there and he would get up shortly. Rabino has touched all of our hearts and are prayers cry out for healing in this young man who is suffering from an enormous amount of pain. Please keep him in your prayers.
Saturday was a very exciting day for the children at Avila. For the first time we took the children on a field trip to the local Zambian Zoo. From the moment we picked the children up they sang songs of worship from the time they got on the bus until we reached the zoo (about 45 minutes). The children were able to see lions, zebras, baboons, and warthogs. They were also able to spend part of their day at the playground. It was a blessing to see the children smiling and laughing and just enjoying their time with us. God has sent us on a mission to bless these children and in return we are blessed by each and every one of them.
Today Micah, Sue and I went out to a church in one of the poorest compounds in Lusaka called Chieeza. I was able to visit this church in 2006 and Micah has had the opportunity to speak here for the past three years. Chieeza is a small church with an amazing presence e of God. The worship is something you have never heard before and usually lasts for about an hour prior to the teaching of the word. Micah was able to share with them the importance of marriage and the importance of placing God in the center of one’s marriage in order for the marriage to be successful. After church we went back to Bishop Peters church where we at lunch with the rest of the team. The Zambian people are so appreciative and treat us with a lot of respect. It has been such an amazing experience and a privilege to be here in Zambia. The next four days will be spent at the teacher’s conference. We had anticipated for 100 teachers but today the Bishop told us to expect more. So we will except more, and see what God will do.