Our First Month Back at New Day

It's hard to believe that we have only been back in Zambia since March 9th. It seems like we have been back much longer, probably because we have been very busy since we've been back--time flies!

We loved our time in the states, seeing friends, sharing the story of New Day and spending time with family, but there's no place like home and sleeping in your own bed! It was wonderful to come back to green grass in our yard and flowers.

The children changed so much in our time away, Axer is not the baby of the group anymore, and she loves to tease Wes that she does not love him, but she is just a girl playing hard to get.

Axer and Gertrude being silly while the other kids watch Curious George at our home.

Sisi has become a beautiful young girl and is not scared of Mama Lala anymore, and even gives me a hug once in a while.

Sisi far right at our home, with Ben and Machila on the left.

It's been fun to get reacquainted with all the kids and to meet the new ones: Mweene, Glory, Precious and Kefbert.

The boys showing off their new t-shirts.

 

The girls received Barbie dolls from a friend in the states and just loved them. Thank you Sheila Parker!

 

During the school holiday (the month of April) Wes and I have been discipling the children at New Day that accepted Christ before we left. This has been a real joy as we watch the children learning and growing. Recently we had a very teachable moment when all the kids got in trouble together for drinking sodas that did not belong to them. We were able to talk about the situation in the lesson, and before class ended several children admitted that they had done wrong.

We've also been introduced to the weekly Kid's Club/feeding program that Blu and Darbi started while we were gone--a ministry that reaches as many as 150 children from the surrounding villages. It's a great opportunity to teach our New Day Kids to reach out to others.

Christina enjoying working behind the table passing out plates.

There's never a dull moment at New Day, but that's okay, we wouldn't have it any other way! I had planned to add a few more pictures while I have better internet in Livingstone, but it is time to go back to New Day. 

God's Surprises

As we travel around sharing what God is doing at New Day, we sometimes wonder, after speaking, “Did we make the right decision in coming to share with this church or with these people?” Or, we wonder, “Did we come at the wrong time?” But, God loves to surprise us in the way He moves in the hearts of people.

One of the churches where we spoke is located in the inner city, in a location where handguns are carried to church for protection. Recently, a kingpin for the Bloods was saved when he came into the church for counseling. He told the pastor later that he was on his way to kill three people when he came into the church. He was sitting in the back when we shared. Most of the people, in this church have little money and very difficult lives, but, in spite of their poverty, they gave generously to New Day and many joined our prayer team. In addition to that, they were a great encouragement to us through their words.

It was Wednesday night. We got lost trying to find the little country church, and when we arrived, the church was dark and no one was there. What good could come out of this?  Great things!  There was a good crowd for a Wednesday night, and they seemed generally interested in what God is doing at New Day, and thanks to the efforts of one young lady in the church, this little country church blessed New Day with a very generous gift for our truck fund.

The next church was a rather large church—a church with three services.  The people were very friendly and warm, but very busy on the Sunday we were speaking with lots of exciting things happening, and we had quite a few problems with our videos. I was standing at our table between services, but most people were passing by to sign up for a special event that was happening the following week. I was not upset by this, because the things that were happening were very important for this church. However, I did feel kind of awkward standing there. Suddenly a little lady came up to me and handed me an envelope and said, “God told me to give this to you!” and walked away. It was time to speak again so I put the envelope away for safe keeping until I could look at it later. Was I surprised when I opened the envelope and found 10 hundred dollar bills and a note that said, “This is a hard time of year to give this, but God told me to do so.” Wow! If we would all be that obedient when God asks us to do something!

These are just a few stories of the way that God has surprised us as we have traveled around sharing the story of New Day Orphanage.  We really do serve a BIG God!

Our Travels Continue

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. After leaving Wichita, we spent a few days in Topeka, Kansas at the home of Jon and Priscilla Sapp. The Sapps so graciously allowed us to stay in their home while they were gone for the weekend, but before they left, we enjoyed an evening with them catching up on and sharing what God is doing in both of our worlds, and eating some amazing barbecue. Thanks Jon and Priscilla!

On Sunday, we spoke at Covenant Baptist Church, and once again enjoyed sharing God’s story. The people of Covenant were so gracious and genuinely interested in what God is doing at New Day. While there, we were presented with a check for $1,100 that the children of Covenant had raised. It all started with the Covenant children raising about $200 during their summer VBS program, which is not a normal program, but one in which the children learn various skills, crafts, etc., but always with a Biblical focus.  However, one little girl, Lily was not satisfied with that amount that the children raised.  A plan began to form in her mind, and she came up with a plan to raise money through a special garage sale where the children made things that they had learned through this special VBS program. There were, if I remember correctly, seven children involved. The children even passed out business cards for the orphanage that they had made themselves. The garage sale brought them to $1,000. In addition, a Topeka newspaper gave the additional $100 when Lily was featured as their Sunflower hero. She asked her mother, “Why do they think I’m a hero?” She was just doing what she thought was right.

Duane Dale, Covenant Baptist Church tells us the story of how the children raised money for New Day. 

Lily, on the far left, and the children from Covenant Baptist Church presented us with this check. What a blessing!

Wes sister and husband, Karole and Tuffy Dodd, and Wes’ niece, Michelle, husband Ryan and their children Makayla and Gabe came to hear us speak. It is always nice to have the support and interest of family.  Thanks for driving down to see us!

Wes' niece, Michelle, and her son, Gabe, came with other family members to hear us speak.

After leaving Covenant we made an unplanned trip back to NE so Wes could go to the dentist. He had been suffering for weeks with what he thought was an earache, but finally we decided that perhaps it was a problem with his tooth. I think it was actually my dad’s fault because he had prayed we would be able to come home for a few days since we were so close. Thanks Dad! 

Wes ended up having a root canal, but at the same time, made a new contact with his dentist. God uses all sorts of situations to bring us into contact with people who are interested in what is happening at New Day.

As I write this, we are on our way to Bolivar, Mo to meet with a group of students at Southwest Baptist University. We will then go to Carthage, MO, where we will stay with Wes’ mom until Thanksgiving. Sorry I don't have more pictures. I keep forgetting to carry my camera.

Okay, let me figure it out. We have now slept in 15 beds, been in 5 states and eaten out 32 times that we can remember. Oh, and I can’t count the number of times we’ve stopped for coffee at all the Casey-type gas stations.

One Month Down

We have finished the first month of our time in the states. It is going too fast, and yet not fast enough as we really miss our New Day family. However, we are also enjoying seeing friends and family and meeting lots of new people. It is always a joy to share the story of what God is doing at New Day. Every time we talk about the kids at New Day, we can't help but miss them.

We are now in our 5th state (Kansas) and have slept in 13 beds. We have shared in 5 churches but with lots of others in between. God is giving us great opportunities all along the way to tell the story of New Day. We even stopped for a restroom break at a little craft shop and left some information when we found out that the owner's son is a pastor and recently took a mission's trip to Zimbabwe. We don't have pictures of everyone (we often forget the camera), but below are a few pictures of the people we have met and the places we have been. 

We returned to Cleveland, TX a second time to speak at First Baptist Church. Once again, Mark and Beth Cameron so graciously hosted us. A few friends from the past dropped over to say hello while we were there.

Left to right: Brenda Cherry, Beth Cameron, Laurie and Martha Bounds

Left to right: Wes, Andy Cherry, Craig Bounds, and Mark Cameron. Always fun to see old friends--no pun intended!

Wes preached at First Baptist in the a.m. service, and we shared about New Day in the evening. We had a great response, and we look forward to a team coming to work with us in 2014. Laurie's aunt and uncle from Willis even came up to hear about New Day.

Thanks Uncle Norman and Aunt Elna for coming to hear us speak!

After leaving Cleveland, we headed to Temple, TX where we spent a few days with Darbi's parents, Ron and Dee Winsman. We had a very nice time in Temple and heard lots of fun stories about Darbi's growing up years. While we were there, we were able to visit with several of our ministry partners who have recently been to Zambia. We also met Carolyn's parents (one of our volunteer teacher's at New Day.) Sorry, this was one of those times I forgot to take pictures. 

Our next stop was Amarillo, TX where we shared with the Coulter Road Baptist Church family. We have been partnering with this church for years and look forward to continued ministry together. Once again the church family made us feel so welcome and loved!

 Bob and Debra Perry, as usual, spoiled us rotten while we were in Amarillo.

Mike and his little boy Avery, have been praying for us for years. 

Had a great meal at a Japanese restaurant in Amarillo.

While in Amarillo, we were able to visit with Steve and Shirley Taylor who now live in Borger, TX. We first met the Taylors when we were missionaries in Zimbabwe back in 1991. They helped us get settled in Zimbabwe and we also ministered together with them later in Zambia. 

Also had a nice visit with the Taylor's daughter, McKelvey, and husband Trent. We first met McKelvey when she was just a baby. 

I'm writing this blog from Wichita, KS where we are staying at the Holiday Inn. Although we are thoroughly enjoying our travels, some rest is needed as I'm noticing some dark circles under my eyes. I actually slept in this morning, which is something I rarely do.