A Local Friend's Thoughts...
This post is written by Jasmine Delic, who lives in Zambia with her family as missionaries serving with Lifesong for Orphans Canada.
“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” Frederick Douglass, abolitionist, and statesman
A local friend came to visit the school and was pleasantly surprised to see how different the younger kids are compared to the older ones. You can really tell the difference between having trained teachers and faithfully feeding the children, compared to how the school was before. The classes were crowded (over 60 kids per class), and of course, they were not eating. So sad. Eunice, a Grade 8 student, recently recalled how supper – if, and when she had it – consisted of some tea and bread. My point, I guess, is just to say that there is so much to be grateful for. We are witnessing, first-hand, the many positive changes taking place right before our very eyes. Now, I’ll insert a prayer request. We have been intentional about meeting the physical needs of the children of Lifesong Harmony School, but it’s time to go deeper. Deeper with the gospel…..deeper with the message found in the living word of God. There are so many emotional and spiritual needs. Please pray that we would be able to reach the hearts of the children with the truth….so that they can truly be set free.
Soooooooo, you know how excited we are to have the Grade 8’s at the school? I guess the reason that touches my heart so much is that it’s a picture of hope and progress. The kids are benefiting from the ministry, and the fact that they’re moving forward is so exciting! It was so fun to go and pick the material for the new uniforms! Dennis wanted to go for a Scottish-style of uniform and I think he succeeded!! Whaddya think? Don’t they look GREAT?!? We are so proud of them!
Brand new uniforms! Yay!
Backing up a bit….when we first arrived from Canada, the first thing that the teachers and staff did for me was gather together as a group to hear the details of my dear father’s passing and about the funeral. Some of you may be aware of the fact that I have the tendency to go on and on (and potentially bore people)…..:) but that’s not the impression I got with my friends here in Zambia. Needless to say, I was so touched. After the meeting, I sat with a few of the teachers and I showed them every single picture of the funeral, and I mean, every picture, and they sat there listening intently and, you know, I just felt like they cared. It was therapeutic.
Lastly, we have had the pleasure of having a Canadian team come to visit….it was Doug Savin, Bob Ritzmann, Gary Tomic, Louie Jahn, and Peter Friesen (a friend of Louie’s). We enjoyed having them here, and showing them all that the Lord has been doing on this side of the globe! We also welcome Adrian Acs out of San Diego (Vista Church). He is working on the Lifesong Harmony Home, and he is determined to finish the home as quickly as possible. Below are some images of the progress…I’m just adding a couple of pictures to whet your appetite for the great unveiling. Stay tuned!