Busy Days

It has been way too long since I have blogged, but I’m sure most of you have kept up with the happenings at New Day through Darbi’s blog. Doesn't she do a great job!! I’m plugging along and in spite of the fact that this blog is a little past due, Wes tells me that I should still write even if the news is old.


Yesterday we said good-bye to Christy, Sonya, and Mandy from Clanton, Alabama, who came for just a little over a week to visit us here at New Day. We did not call this threesome a team, but friends who came to visit.


Thanks Christy, Sonya and Mandy for dropping by to see us here at New Day!

On the last day of their stay, five-year old Joseph arrived to join our New Day family. When he arrived, he looked like he was in shock with so many people to greet him. I wondered how long it would take him to smile, but when we returned after supper for our Wednesday night praise and prayer, several children came running out of the door to give us their usual hugs. Was I surprised when I looked down to see that Joseph was hugging me with a big smile on his face. He is not a shy boy, and was dancing, singing, laughing and doing a few ornery things as well before the night was over. Hmmm, we may have our hands full with this one! (Of course I did not have my camera with me)

Christy, Wes and Mulenga greet Joseph.

Joseph, (middle), is about to receive his first set of new clothes from Momma Joyce, far right.

In June and July, we have seen many teams come and go. It has been a busy time, but a very fruitful time as well.

Much of my time was spent in the kitchen preparing meals so that the teams could do their work with full bellies!

 In my last blog, I told you about the ministry of Christ Community, Omaha, Nebraska. I wanted to add something really neat that has come out of this ministry. Our children watched the team do the Redeemer Drama only a few times, and then Michelle, who lives and works with the children, taught them the drama from memory. They recently performed it at the local “Agricultural Show.” Although they did not have the music, they did an excellent job. We hope to train them with the music, as we have an older version of the Redeemer Drama from several years back.

Michelle introduced the drama and explained each part before the children performed.

Francis (left) represented God in the drama. Here he creates man, played by Muchoni on the right.

Here Jesus, also played by Francis, takes on the sins of the world.
Satan thinks that he has won the battle.

The Coulter Road Baptist Church team from Amarillo,Texas was involved in a variety of ministries in and around New Day:



Career Day was part of the ministry of this team.
Dr. Luke Thornton checks Christina's reflexes while Phillip and Purity look on.

 


The ladies of Coulter Road met with the ladies of Mapanza Baptist Church for a one-day women's meeting.  



TThey were also involved in a three-day women's meeting held at New Day with over 70 in attendance. Thirteen ladies accepted Christ on the last day of the meeting.

Luke and Bob helped put up fences around the gardens. I think they had the most fun driving the tractor around the property.

The team from our home church, LifeSpring Church, Bellevue, Nebraska, hosted a VBS for the village kids. They had over 100 children on the last day. We know that because of their ministry to the children around New Day, seeds were planted that will someday produce fruit.

Brian came to VBS every day with his beautiful smile.  He also comes to the New Day Church nearly every Sunday and seems very interested in spiritual things.

While VBS was in session, the New Day Staff took some time off to have a spiritual retreat led by our Pastor, Steve Holdaway. Susan Holdaway and Linda Smolen made us feel like we were back in the states, leading us in some great American worship.


Pastor Steve Holdaway encouraged our staff through four days of challenging Bible studies.

We also had some times of fun with the teams with a few trips to Chobe to see the animals and to Victoria Falls. These are just some of the special treats that go along with ministry in Zambia.

There were three lions on one side of our vehicle stalking impala....

...and a group of elephants walking right next to our vehicle on the other side, and I actually remained pretty calm!

We are in Livingstone right now, relaxing for a few days before heading back to New Day. While I was getting my hair cut and a pedicure, Wes was off setting up a surprise birthday dinner for me at Ocean Basket, a local seafood restaurant. What a sweetie. When we arrived, the waiter ushered us to a corner table where a bouquet of red and yellow roses awaited, two coffee mugs with chocolate bars, and some cute little stone hearts that Wes had found in the market. He had already ordered so we didn’t have long to wait for a delicious meal of Calamari steak. The evening ended with ice cream with candles since there was no cake.

Sorry for the blurry picture taken from Wes' phone, but I wanted everyone to see my beautiful flowers given to me by my super wonderful husband. Thanks, Wes, I love you!