October/November Update

Hello family and friends!!!

I began writing this blog update in the middle of October, so a few weeks have gone by since then.

As I am writing this update, a nice rain shower is passing through which is an unexpected blessing as the steady rains don't usually come until November/ December. I love the smell of the rain and the freshness and new life it brings. It has been a few months since we last updated, so we will do our best to share about what had been happening in Zambia.

Children's Home There are currently 10 school- aged children and 5 babies. At the beginning of October, we transferred an 18-month-old boy back to his family. We are thankful to hear that he is adjusting well to his new home and maternal grandmother. Within the last 3- 6 months or so, social welfare has implemented a few changes, and some new programs that have led us to have an increase in family meetings to ensure that all the information is gathered. At this time we also encourage the families to stay involved throughout the child's stay with us, as it is crucial for the bonding and transition process. By God’s grace all of our babies have been able to transfer back to their families. We do currently have couple of family situations that have been more of a challenge, but we are praying that even in these situations a good placement can be found. As always, we really need the Lord's wisdom on how to proceed as each family that comes before us has its own set of challenges. Please be praying for us as we meet and discuss the possibilities together with their families and social welfare, so that all of us can be happy with the outcome of care for each child.

Having a short meeting with CWAC. A new to us committee that volunteer with Social Welfare to help them with all of the programs in their allotted areas/zones. They will be assisting us now in all of our new intakes and baby transfers.

Hannah loves the babies!

Natalie enjoys helping the housemothers with the babies

This sweet boy was transferred back to his family at the beginning of October. It is a blessing to see him thriving so well with his family. It is truly a miracle to us every time.

This sweet boy will also be transferring to his family soon. Please be praying for the family as they are about to receive him into their care, and also for the housemother and children here who have come to love him very much.

Preschool/tutoring - The preschool is doing well. The teachers are learning how to work well together, and they are growing in their understanding of how to reach these little learners. The children are learning basic English/Tonga words, TouchMath, ZooPhonics, science, etc. The children also enjoy the classroom centers (blocks, book nook, dress-up/drama, discovery, etc) It is fun to see the children improve throughout the year and learn new skills that will help them as they grow. This last week we had a very successful Parent's Day at the school. Around 20 parents came to see what their children were learning and enjoyed participating in various balloon activities.

Every weekend Melanie is tutoring the grade 5 up to Grade 7 students that reside at the children's home. She has printed many resources, books, past exam papers and worksheets to help the children where they are struggling. The grade 7 students took their exams at the end of October. Please be in prayer for them as they anticipate their results. If they pass, they will get to move onto secondary education, but if they fail, they will have to repeat.

Independence Day Program in October. Zambia became independent in 1964. The children each got to color the Zambian Flag and learn what the colors represent.

It wouldn't be an Independence Day party without music and dancing, juice and cookies.
"One Zambia., One Nation"

Showing the parents what they are learning.

Term 3 Parent's Day was a success.

Had lots of fun with the balloons!

Church- Depending on different programs we either meet together at the children's home or at Amazing Grace Church about 35-minute drive from our home. Whether we are teaching at the children's home or leading bible study at church we are blessed by God's grace to be a vessel used for His glory. Nate finished teaching in 1 and 2 Peter and is now walking through 1 John. Melanie has been assisting and training 2 other members of the church to help with Children's Bible Study.

Community Bible Study happens on Tuesday afternoons at a neighboring village. They have been discussing Jacob and Esau as they continue their journey through the Old Testament. Each meeting brings new understanding to them and also to us as we see how they currently understand the scriptures. Due to the lack of sound biblical teaching, many have been led astra. They desire to have God's blessing, but do not go about it in the right way.

Thoughts

I was listening to an excerpt from the late Voddie Baucham, he said "The gospel only requires two things: repentance and faith. Immediately, he said many people's thoughts go to well what about obedience? Voddie went on to say that obedience is not what the gospel requires, but what the gospel produces. If the gospel required obedience from us, then that would mean that we could be obedient apart from the person and work of Christ, so Jesus died for nothing.... it is only through the work of Christ, our submission to Him, understanding the grace of the gospel, that will produce joyful obedience. Once we realize and acknowledge the weight of our sin, and what we truly deserve, we can thank God for His grace and forgiveness. He has given us the Holy Spirit. To teach us and to ultimately save us from ourselves. In Psalm 32, David reminds us of the blessing it is that we serve a God who is faithful to forgive.

Blessed Are the Forgiven

A Maskil^[a] of David.

32 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
    whose sin is covered.
²Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,
    and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

³For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
    through my groaning all day long.
⁴For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
    my strength was dried up^[b] as by the heat of summer. Selah

⁵I acknowledged my sin to you,
    and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
    and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

⁶Therefore let everyone who is godly
    offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;
surely in the rush of great waters,
    they shall not reach him.
⁷You are a hiding place for me;
    you preserve me from trouble;
    you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah

⁸I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
⁹Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
    which must be curbed with bit and bridle,
    or it will not stay near you.

¹⁰Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
    but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.
¹¹Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous,
    and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
What freedom can come when we admit our sins unto the Lord as He is faithful to forgive.

Prayer Requests

1. Continued discernment for the children he has placed under our care and for the community around us.

2. It is our desire to see adults and children in our surrounding community to come to know Jesus as their personal Savior and have a desire to make Him known.

3. We are planning a visit back to the States in the Fall of 2026. We are praying the logistics of this trip will come together as we are looking forward to seeing all of you again.

4. Our work visa renewal is in early September 2026. Please pray our family will be accepted so we can continue serving here in Zambia.

5. Please consider and pray about being a financial partner so that we can continue to fulfill and maintain the ministerial responsibilities we have been given here.

6. Maintenance to the Pre-School Building as well as needed updates to the Pre-School Playground.

Snap-Shots

The dirt road we travel out into the bush is being fixed. It has been promised for a while now so we will see how the work will continue with rainy season beginning. If they do it well it will really help lessen the travel time and wear and tear on the vehicles.