Merry Christmas from Children of Zion in Namibia

Matthew 1:23-25 “Listen! The virgin shall conceive a child! She shall give birth to a Son, and He shall be called ‘Emmanuel’ meaning God is with us.  When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel commanded, and brought Mary home to be his wife, but she remained a virgin until her Son was born; and Joseph named him Jesus.” 
This is our seventh Christmas Day in Africa.  We will always miss the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ with our family but we are so blessed to continue to celebrate His birth in Namibia.  We have had a tradition that we cook for Christmas for the staff and children and families that are nearby.
                                   
Usually we have cooked a somewhat traditional American dinner (minus the turkey that we can only get by spending too much money).
This year we did a traditional braai outside by the river.  We had game meat, fresh corn from the Zion garden and vegetable pasta salad!  Delicious!  Different from what we have in the USA but delicious here!  We cooked outside on the fire and put the traditional mats on the ground by the beautiful river. 
Travis started with a message from the Bible about the birth of Jesus and how He came to save the world, including us. 
                                      
                                    
God Bless you and Merry Christmas!!!!! 

Christmas Delivery

John 1:1-5 In the beginning the Word already existed.  He was with God, and he was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  He created everything there is.  Nothing exists that he didn't make.  Life itself was in Him, and this life gives light to everyone.  The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

Each year, close to Christmas, we deliver food to villages to help them remember the meaning of Christmas.  We tell the Christmas story, sing a couple songs and pray with whoever is there. 
When we have children remaining in our village, which we always do, we take them with us to also tell them that is better to give than to receive.  We try to get them to participate in the celebration but sometimes they are a bit shy when they are really little.  
 We know they are learning and praise God to supply us what we need and provide for us so that we can give to others!!!!

Come, they told me, pa rumpapapum.
A new born king to see, pa rumpapapum.
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rumpapapum.
To lay before our King, pa rumpapapum, rumpapapum, rumpapapum.

O come let us adore HIM!!!!!!           Christ the LORD!!!!
 

Last Day of Zion Mission School for 2016

All children (about 115) reported for the end of school reports.  They were in uniform and looking smart. 

Every name was called and the teacher helped with awarding and congratulating the child on their report with a small toy prize. 

It was another day of accomplishment and congratulation. 

                    

Even Makazo, the dog wanted a reward!!!! 

Isaiah 55:8-9 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

End of Zion School Day Awards

A day after we returned from America was end of Zion Mission School awards.  Because of your wonderful donations, we were able to pull together awards for all of the top learners at Zion Mission School!!!  It was a wonderful celebration or accomplishment for learners, parents, speeches, song and dance!  Zion is truly blessed by God and we give Him the Glory!!!
         
         
         
Psalm 143:8 Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You, Show me the way I should go , for to you I left up my soul.

Jesus Feeds 5000 Pageant

Every Saturday I do “Bible Study” (kind of like our VBS) in the afternoon.  Our children on property come, the staff children that live nearby come and now, about 30 children from the nearby village come.  It is SO exciting to see them singing praise songs in English (not their language).  A couple times of year we started to do a “pageant” where the staff and families are invited.  It is exciting to see them “perform” and  speak English and Silozi and sing and be excited about Jesus!!!!!  This time was a performance on the Bible Story of Jesus Feeds the 5000 in John. 
John 6:5-14   When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
                                                           
Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”
Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, bot how far will they go among so many?”
                                                                                  
Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there.) Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted.  He did the same with the fish. 
                                           
Then they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over.  Let nothing be wasted.”  So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

GIVE PRAISE!!!!!!

                                                    

Zion Mission School Tour 2016

We had a great adventure going on school tour this May with a bus full of about 60 children and about 10 adults.  We took the ones that were permitted by their parents to go from grade 1-7.  Then we added some of the Zion children that are in grade 8 and 9.  The ones in grade 10 and 12 had to go back for extra classes over this month long holiday. 

God also blessed us with a few extra seats, so we invited a few from the school who could not afford to go, our children that were placed back with family and attending a different school and one girl from the village close to us.  It was certainly a wonderful experience and maybe one of a lifetime so we give God the glory for providing for those children!!!

We started off with a full day of travel on the bus.  We liked that the bus had a scripture Isaiah 54:17 “no weapon forged against you will prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you…”

                 

We had breakfast on the way that we prepared the day before. 2 hard boiled eggs, a brochen, juice. The first stop was Okatjikona.  We arrived late and still had to cook so we quickly put together spaghetti with viennas.   We ate and found our way to our cabin or tent where we spent 2 nights.  Early the next morning we were up cooking breakfast for the 70 people that were there and hungry.  Soon after the clean up the hikes up the big rocky mountain began.  The smaller ones went first while the bigger ones watched the movies about the animals and the place they were staying.  We went up so far we could see a lot of Namibia and it was spectacular!!!!  God’s creation. 

           

              

After a big and hard climb up and down, we cooked lunch and took the children to the pool.  Well, the pool was very nice but the water was VERY COLD!!! The children did not really care.  They still had a great time!!

          

The next day we proceeded to Swakapmound.  Every day starts with Travis delivering a devotion.  We thank God for His provision for these children to take this journey.  We visited many places here including the ocean.  The ocean was also VERY cold but children and adults cannot resist putting their feet in the salty waves.  Also, right next to the ocean was a lovely playground to enjoy.

             

The snake park was a big hit (for most).  Don’t worry, all the snakes were behind glass except for the one big, but friendly python. 

                

The museum was also very nice!

       

The statues, light house….

            

Aquarium…

           

Hike up sand dune 7!!!!!  And SLIDE (or roll) DOWN!!!!!!

        

Sometimes the road was very dusty because, after all, we are driving across the desert.  So, the dust was coming in.  We were all trying to protect ourselves from breathing so much dust!!

                                  

 

The cheetah foundation…

         

And the meteorite….

    

God allowed us to have a wonderful trip full of His beauty and creation. We are so thankful for an opportunity such as this for children and adults!!!  Best friends were made and a joyful time was had by ALL!!!

         

Psalm 121 “I lift my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot slip – He who watches over you will not slumber: indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber or sleep.  The Lord watches over you – the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.  The Lord will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”