Race Around the World

Each year churches in the states organize a Fun Run/Walk to raise money for Children of Zion Village.  The organizing church is Mt Zion UMC in Bel Air Maryland.  They let us and others know when their race is and then we hold the event either when a Mt Zion team is there or close to the date they are organizing in the states.  So, the children from Zion run/walk/be carried, around a track.  At each lap, they receive a small piece of candy to keep them motivated and also so we can count their laps.  At the end, the ones with the most laps get a lunch out in town at the fast food place called the Hungry Lion.  Then we send the lap numbers back to the states and people pledge toward a child a certain amount of money per lap before they know how many laps were completed.  It is really fun on both side of the water!

Ready.  Get set.  GO!!!!

                         

                                           

            And the winners are: 

                            

Just a piece of our wonderful God made family who we love very much:   PS: This candy was very good!!!

                                                

Thank you to all who donate to us, to the Children of Zion Village and who sponsor a child or who pledged to a child in this race!  God Bless you for your faithfulness!!                

Zion Sports

We are always proud of our children as they skillfully play sports.  They love to play almost any sport, although most have a favorite, and are also very athletic.  They play soccer and basketball and run quite frequently.  They are newer at net ball and volley ball and very new at rugby.

              

          

                

        

                       

Life is like a sport.  Always do your best.  Be kind to others.  Do not get angry.  Push on even when you are tired.  Be honest and do not cheat.  Encourage others and if one falls, help him to get up.  Have fun.  There will be challenges and God will not always take you out of the challenge but He will get you through the challenge if you only trust and obey. 

Termites and water

Sometimes we just have to laugh.  We have many critters from snakes to ants to lizards to spiders to flying bugs and stink bugs and on and on.  Some times of the year we have begun to expect what will come based on the temperature and if it is raining or dry.  But sometimes we are shocked at what we find.  So, we just have to laugh and figure out what to do. 

This time we came home and there were termites building mansions everywhere.  They were around the door, in between the door and under our bath tub coming out the bottom and under the sink eating the entire under part of the counter top. 

       

                  

                                Then we run the water in the sink and this is what we get. 

                                            

So, it reminds me of how much I used to not appreciate.  So much that was just another day.  So much that I did not talk to God about because it was just there.  Now, I am thankful for every day I take the car and return safely without the car breaking down.  Thankful every time we are not having the house fall apart because of termites.  Thankful every time we can filer and drink water and not get sick.  Thankful for safety and protection from theft and snakes.  Thankful for each day of health and for all that pray for us and support us financially. 

We are so blessed in spite of bugs, dirty water, power cutting off, car problems…  Thankful that we serve a God that is always faithful and keeps all His promises and He never fails and always loves us in spite of the days that we forget to thank Him. 

Hebrews 13:16-17  If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.  Focus on what matters and what is eternal, and you will complete your mission with success. 

Chores and garden

Every day the children have chores and responsibilities.  They must make their bed and straighten their room every morning and evening.  They share cleaning dishes, the kitchen and the floors after dinner.  On Tues, Thurs and Saturday they hand wash their clothes after school in the afternoon.  The little ones like to try and help.

         

On Tues and Thus after school and Sat morning the children have prepared a garden plot that they must water.  They each have their own plot so they can each harvest their special kind of vegetable. 

                       

          

Like any other parent all over the world, we really want our children to know how to function in the world and at their home once they leave Zion.  So the local nationals play an important role in determining what these chores are so we are not teaching them to be like Westerners.  That training will not really help them much here in Namibia. 

Perseverance must finish it’s work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.            James 1:4

Camp at Zion

For the last two years, we are ask by the SDA church if we can host their youth camp. We have continued to say yes because it helps the community by having a free place to bring their youth, it is God’s beautiful property to be shared and we have also been blessed by their praise songs and worship.  So, between 500-900 youth and counselors come.  Girls on one side, boys on the other and the camp meetings and meals in the middle.  Our staff and children have also enjoyed the blessing.  The only challenge is the last night when they kept the loud speaker on all night and were very noisy.  It is a little like our Scouts in the States. 

The cars streamed in loaded with children and stuff for camping.  The camp was set up.  The marching drills started early in the morning before breakfast. 

      

     The ladies were cooking constantly.  And by day three, there was laundry hanging everywhere!

         

Preaching morning, afternoon and evening.  People were everywhere and walked to the camp for the message. 

          

The children performed well and had a great time.

      

God blessed all that attended and some gave their life to Jesus for the first time.  Thank God for His blessings!

Sunday Family Walks

We never get tired of going on walks with the children.  Each Sunday it is routine to go on a family walk after church and before lunch. We enjoy the conversation and God’s beautiful creation.  Sometimes we see hippos or wade through the water because the flood is coming onto the road.  The children love climbing trees and jumping off sand piles.  We just laugh and enjoy each other and everyone is having fun!  Feeling BLESSED!!!!