Thank you so much for all your prayers!! We are now back in the US and getting settled back in as we adapt to life here in the States.
As we start to share today about the trip and some of the things God did while we were there, I'd like to first introduce you to the very special folks that we worked in at the Village of Hope and share a few prayer requests that they have followed by some personal observations of changes that I've seen from last years visit to this year.
There are three families living at the Village of Hope below are some prayer requests from each:
- Ben and Kathleen Schwartz, Ben, modern day Heorge Mueller, is the founder & director of the ministry here. At 61 stood in the corner of this property and claimed it for God; Dream big dreams folks, our God is big enough to do it! Kathleen is in charge of hospitality, worship at the church, of course the school & so much more. Ben has asked for prayer for folks to help support the children. They currently have 42 children living at the Village with 16 more looking to join them in September. At this point 21 of the children are being sponsored and the rest of the support is being taken from other sources to provide for them. It costs them roughly $108 a month to feed, clothe and educate each child. Great family, small group, Sunday School & etc cup of cold water project.They have also asked for prayer as they interview and hire more teachers for Hope School.
Special Note: Ben, Kathleen, daughter Sena & honorary daughter, Isha (from Zimbabwe) will be in the States in Nov/Dec. Ben does have a few Sundays open if you would want him to come and share at your church/fellowship & etc. let me know and I'll put you in contact with them.
Also, on Nov.7, National Orphan Care Sunday, they will be at my home church, Bible Fellowship Church Newark, sharing and Kathleen & the girls will be sharing at my Kidz Klubs that morning.
- Francis and Kimberly Kamau, in charge of the ministry at the Village, outreach & so much more. Kamau has asked for prayer for wisdom as they look to hire 2 more house mothers. Last year they had to let two go and that can really be traumatic for the children. Kimberly has asked for prayer that the Lord would make it clear to her, the older children that He would have her set aside and start more intensely disciplining & training to teach. Kamau (Francis) plans to start taking the children to near by villages & giving them the opportunity to share what Jesus has done in their lives.
- Paul and Ann Rachel Hamelryck, Paul is in charge of construction at the Village, Ann Rachel runs the outreach to our children at Green Farm, some basic medical outreach and also makes sure all the children have clothes and shoes, they also lead an adult Bible Study with the Zim Farmers & are involved in a local outreach program to handicapped children. One big thing they have asked for prayer for is that the Lord would provide sets of laminated posters/cards with pictures showing basic methods to treat burns. Folks there tend to put manure in the wounds causing major infections and etc. Also have great need for gauze pads, tape & ointment to treat the burns. Great project for small groups families and etc. They also ask for prayer for their daughter, Gabrielle, who will be returning to the States in a few weeks to begin her sophomore year at Messiah College & for their daughter, Page, who will be coming back in Feb, for another heart check-up.
One prayer request all the missionaries shared was a request for wisdom as they children start to get older; how to separate the boys and girls without causing too much trauma. Today the set-up is three bedroom cottages, boys in one, girls in one with the house mother in the third room. They have a plan but are really seeking God's direction on the way He would have them to do this.
Some observed changes since last year:
- Last year we were burning off the land to build the school, this year the school is open!
- Last year Hope Church started, just children from Village; today average attendance of children around 100 as children from the Village at Green Farm walk almost 2 miles to come to church, many carrying baby brothers and sisters on their backs.
- Today there is another cottage finished, another started and the infirmary being finished, not to mention the restaurant opened and children house.
- Last year 25 children lived in the Village, this year 42 with as many as 16 more due to arrive in September.
- Last year Matilda was barely able to get around, today she goes everywhere with her walker and now has a new wheelchair and walker! Thank you Jesus! (Video of both on my Facebook page, along with Matilda praying for us)
- Last year children being discipled, this year looking at children going out to disciple, " to whom much is given, much is expected" if only we would catch the vision here in the States of allowing and encouraging our children to share His love. (Our oldest in the Village is Paul 13, told me that some day he would be teaching and I would be helping him. Can't wait!)
- Last year Green Farm outreach started, now every Wednesday the children walk to the community center/church where we do Hope Club, last week had 120+ children walk to join us and hear the good news of Jesus. As we talked about the Fruit of the Spirit, a few of the children from our Village of Hope taught them to sing the verse, a song that they had just themselves learned that Kimberly had written.
- Last year children led worship, this year there are three worship teams that take turns leading and picking the songs.
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Have a great day with Jesus all; use everything that comes your way as an opportunity to shine brightly for Him.
Until Every Child Knows,
Big Jim
Matt. 19:14
James 1:27
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