Thursday, July 3, 2008

Today we began our Vacation Bible School at the Avila Orphanage where our church sponsors all 36 children. We have been preparing for the VBS for weeks so last night when a someone spoke of the possiblity of having communication problems due to langugae barriers came up the team as a whole began to worry. Previous team members shared with us that had experienced some difficuly last year. Once that was discussed we all felt a little discouraged, but planned for a variety of changes that we could make if needed. When arriving at the orphanage we became engulfed by greetings of hugs and hello's. They were all very excited to see us as were we excited to see each of them. Some of the team members sponsored these children every month, so seeing them was amazing. Micah and I sponsor two brothers, Joseph and Osward, so we had been eagerly waiting our visit to Avila. When getting out of the bus I was greeted by Osward. I gave him a big hug and told him that I was the person whom he had sent a letter to thanking me for my sponsorship. I told him how excited I was to see him and that I pray for him all the time. As we hugged, tear drops feel from his eyes. It was throught these tears that confirmed why I do what this team does. We are their answered prayers. God has sent us to help care for these children and for that I am forever blessed. We then went into the orphanage and began our teachings. Although we had all worried throughout the night about being unsure about was was to happen during the VBS, it was a huge success. There were no language barriers at all. Judy began teaching on forming a relationship with God and Kareen spoke and led worship about Praise. Once we had shared with them the songs that we sing, we asked if they would share with us. At first there was a moment of silence and then out of nowhere Josephia began to sing. The moment she began singing I completely lost it, and began to cry. Her voice was something I had never heard before and she was singing not just to sing but was singing her heart out to God. It was truly amazing. After worship Sue did a teaching on "Our Village" which is an ongoing project that the children will but together as a group about their own village in Zambia. This project will then be able to be published into a book. That would be a great accomplishment for these children. The VBS was followed by dinner at Bishop Peter's house. An authentic Zambian dinner was prepared for us; rice, potatoes, green beans/carrots, shima, beef, potato salad, eggplant and chicken. It was delicious!!! Tomorrow we will continue teaching at the VBS. I am starting off the day teaching the story of Noah. I am excited to see what tomorrow brings.