A rare moment of relaxation for a very hard working pastor and ministry leader.
Health screening day
Meals prepared for the children: white corn meal mash, chicken, beans, rice.
Children at Baluba school waiting in line for their noon meal. Baluba is the poorest community that we work with. Most of the children here, regardless of age, have never been in school.
An example of the prayer requests of our wonderful teachers
Another teacher's prayer request
It's not hard to love Pastor John and his heart for the children.
There's no racial divide in Zambia. All hands come together for the welfare of the children, and they are the first to say thank you!
Lifelong friends!
A treat while serving is a day spent on safari!
A student's life story
The hopes and dreams of the precious children
Years ago these children didn't talk about careers, but now they have aspirations of a future!
It is heartbreaking to see these unschooled children watch our children at play.
They may have warn and tattered school uniforms, but they are thrilled to be in school!
So fun to bring our American games to them and see them join in the fun. Wish you could hear their screams of delight.
A little teacher humor!
A poster on display in the school. Teenage pregnancy is very high in Zambia.
Health screenings reveal an increasingly healthier population of orphans, thanks to a productive garden, financial donors, and meticulous care by the cooks and guardians.
One of the reasons we work hard to provide shoes and uniforms.
Each child receives a deworming tablet during their health screenings.
Baluba 4th grade
English is taught in Zambian schools, so we are blessed to hear them share their reading skills.
Much is said about African sunsets!
So easy to fall in love with these kids!
Enjoying an afternoon with the ladies of the church.
Our cooks hard at work preparing the corn meal mash. It takes muscles to stir that stuff!
On every visit to Zambia we take along eyeglasses.
Always ready to pose for the camera and to see themselves on the screen.
Ornery might describe these young men!
Recess break for teacher and students!
Meal preparation takes hours for the nearly 500 children who have a daily meal with the ministry.
Meal preparation by a devoted group of ladies who have been with our ministry for over 5 years.
Recent construction and donations have allowed the classrooms to add additional supplies, including books and charts.
Grade 1
Grade 2
Our school administrator Lorraine
Pastor John receives his physical, but not without a little humor!
Titus and Gift, our two pastors-in-training. They are a huge blessing as they also assist with the school.
Teachers are introduced to computers.
Our Twapia teaching staff. We love these people, especially when they get goofy! We are blessed for their dedicated hearts to work so hard for these children. These people care.
Pastor John briefs the team on the day's plan, under the awning of the new portion of the school.
Teacher training. The average teacher there has 2 years of training, but many join our staff with little to no experience because they believe in the purpose of a Christian school.
5th grade classroom poster
For a child that's never had a health exam, getting them to say 'ah' is an effort!
Leading the teachers in fun games.
Some 5th grade art
Twapia 5th grade
Twapia grade 3
Preparing gift bags for the teachers and staff.
Gifts for the preschool class
Our new dining room
Twapia reception (preschool) class
Twapia grade 1
Twapia grade 2
Twapia grade 3
Twapia grade 4
The abundant garden. 7.5 acres of fertile soil, but due to wet and dry seasons, irrigation is necessary to supply the needs of the feeding program throughout the year.
Stir the Fire Academy
New classroom construction being done by hand!
Working on a sewing project with the ladies.
Introducing the students to computers, knowing that computer knowledge may be their path out of poverty.
Of all of the gifts presented to the children, they prize their blankets most. It may in fact be the first blanket that they have ever owned.
Zambia vs US
Children always ready to pose because photos are rare
Their one new dress for the year
Waiting patiently for gifts of new clothing—a rarity for these children
So happy to receive new clothes; his appreciation is obvious in his smile!
New shoes!
Blondes are exciting!
Leading village representatives in water purification training
Children often walk miles to get water for their family’s basic needs
Part of the health exam involves a weigh-in to check for malnutrition
Happy kids!
Precious!
In their Sunday best!
Youth team members are always appreciated because the children love to bond with them
Part of the team experience is engaging in their activities
Craft day with treadle sewing machines
All team members have a job on health screening day
Many friends of the ministry contribute homemade dresses
Handmade crosses on craft day with the church ladies
Our nurse teaches exercises to women to relieve back strain
Receiving instruction from a teacher
Friends of the ministry present the girls with handmade dolls
Tips on hygiene from nursing team members
Pastor with all of the blanket recipients
Photo break during pastor training
Team members boast their new African attire
One of our college tuition-sponsored students
The ministry’s caregivers/cooks on a day in the garden
Diving under the parachute creates hours of fun!
Part of the health screenings involves a deworming tablet
Finger games are a highlight
Speakers and translators speaking to the young teens
Making homemade sock puppets on ladies craft day
More fun with string games
A toothbrush and a tootsie pop round out the health screen day
Afternoon games
Getting fitted for new shoes from a donation from Samaritan’s Feet
Precious moments of bonding that spans age groups
Team members stay busy but also get to slow down during hectic days
Ministry employees work on the irrigation equipment at the garden
There’s nothing like a hug from the little ones!
Handing out meals
Mind and strength challenges with the youth
Hanging out in the trees is photo-worthy!
Nurse and patients
Craft day with the kids
Praying with a group of students
January marks the beginning of a new school year and these kids are grateful for the school supplies.
God is in this school which exists to serve as an umbrella under which they can hopefully flourish academically but also receive a solid Christian foundation.
7th grade graduating class!
In response to a need to transport our teachers to our more remote Baluba school location, Colorado donors have graciously supplied the funds to purchase this van. Praise God for these generous donors in Colorado!