Happy 24 years of Independence Namibia!

On 21 March Namibia celebrated 24 years on Independence.  On the 19th we celebrated at Children of Zion Mission School since there would not be school on the actual holiday. The teachers helped the children prepare for dancing and singing.  They also prepared a quiz to help make the day educational.  Children that answered the questions got a piece of candy (a sweet as they say here).  We started the event with the pledges and the National Anthem and a welcome and Prayer by Lorna. A couple of the learners also prepared speeches and presented. 

         

          

          

All of our staff joined in the school celebration.  From the big to the small, we all had fun.  There was a special lunch prepared for all the children.  Typically the children that come just for school bring their own lunch so this was a special treat.  Even Liseli needed some sugar from her Papa Travis! 

             

We are thankful for all the teachers that come each day to help these learners with their education and also teach prayer and the Bible and the Character Traits of Christ.  We are trying to raise up children for Jesus one at a time. 

                                                   

Then the next day we went to all 4 of the schools were our older ones are attending to bring them in for the long holiday weekend. So, Friday, 21 March, all of the ladies worked hard in the kitchen to prepare salads and put chicken and sausage on the braai.  We love eating outside by the beautiful Zambezi River.

              

              

The children enjoyed soccer, basketball, badminton and flying kites. 

             

Even the dog and the small kittens were in celebration!

                                          

We are thankful for this freedom in the  country.  We are still learning every day about being an African and living in a different culture.  We are thankful for the ones that help us to learn.  We are thankful for our staff, the children and the community! 

                   

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  Colossians 3:16

                                                   

National Day of Prayer called by the President of Namibia

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.  Matthew 5:44

On March 6th the President of Namibia called the first National Day of Prayer for the country of Namibia.  The focus was on battered women and children.  The shops in town were still open but the bars were all closed and if someone was caught drinking they would be fined N$5000 (or about $500 US). 

Schools were still open so we decided to pull everyone, including the school children, together.  So the adults formed a circle of benches to sit on around the children, who sat on the floor in the children’s home.  We opened with the National Anthem and some songs and the pledges and prayer. 

       

Then there was a program talking about the matters at hand – abused women and children.  Scripture was read and talking and praying points were spoken.  Then, adults were either appointed or volunteers to pray on certain specific topics that were discussed.  Then children could also volunteer.  We have to say that these were some of the most sincere prayers we have heard from the children.  They were really listening and knew what was going on and the prayers were so on topic.  We really know that at such a young age we could have prayed such a prayer. 

The day was Glorifying to God and it was so peaceful and refreshing and we were thanking God that there is a president that would call a day of prayer for the country.  We are also thankful that we have a Christian school and can freely pray and worship!!!  What a Blessing!!!

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.  Mark 11:24

Through Christ I have authority over the devil.  What a mighty God we serve!

 

Back home to Zion Village

On February 18, 2014 we arrived from our quick stateside visit back home to Zion Village.  It was a wonderful reunion with our children and our staff and the Ebners and our volunteer.  There can NEVER be too many hugs!!! And, it was NOT snowing!!!  There was NO ICE!!!!  It was warm!!! 

School has started and the new enrollment went from 80 to 105!!!  Even with several children graduating to grade 8 and  going on to another school, the families are coming to enroll their child in a Christian school!  We are thankful that this is another way to reach children for Christ!  To learn to pray, to memorize scripture, to work on the character traits of Christ and to hopefully accept Him and know what it means to be their personal Lord and Savior. 

        

The small ones have really grown in just a short month!  And the twins are saying everything!!! Then there was this small dog given to us from Mafuta feeding center as a gift.  Well, not really the time and attention we were looking for but we are thankful.  He likes to guard the clean laundry after we bring it in off of the line. 

          

The girls baked a cake for the February birthdays.  Everyone always enjoys eating cake!

      

The children came up with teams of 4 per team to alternate one time a month cooking.  So, the job for the team is to choose the menu, shop for the things needed while comparing prices, cook, serve and clean.  Saturday was the day for Elisa, Mwinda, Josiah and Micah.  They chose chicken burgers, pasta, baked beans and ice cream.  The did a great job from shopping in town to cooking and serving.  Cheers for the “Zion Kids cook”!!!!

       

Everyone was ready for church on Sunday to hear and learn about resisting temptation.

                                      

Then after worship, we went on our Sunday walk to enjoy God’s creation. 

         

It has been raining almost every day and the river is rising.  But it is still some time before we would have flooding here.  The road is becoming more challenging however.  We also have had only one car working for the past month, so transport is concerning for many reasons but God always provides a way.  The first picture of the river was taken in January and the second picture was taken in the same direction in the beginning of March.  As you can see even in the pictures, the river is “filling up”.  Even the hippos are lurking but they are not really too close.  No worries!

         

And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a well-watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.  Isaiah 58:11

See you next time.  Love from Children of Zion Village!           God Bless You!!!