Showered with Love

This week I celebrated my 55th . I thought we might have to get a fire extinguisher to blow out all those candles, but thankfully I had some sweet little children to help blow them out.

Birthdays here at New Day are an adventure--that is for sure. As many of you well know, we have a tradition of throwing water on the birthday person. Many have asked where this tradition came from, I really don’t know, although supposedly it is a tradition in some places in Zambia. Needless to say, it is the part of my birthday party that I was dreading so I thought I would prepare for the day by bringing my backpack with my raincoat inside. Of course, Blu, somehow got a hold of it and tied it to the rafters in the dining room, thinking I was too short to get it down (or too old)! But when he went out of the dining room for a few minutes, I retrieved my raincoat, “thinking” it would help!


The kids showered me first with balloons when I came in the door, and although they were only supposed to throw them at me, they thought they were supposed to beat me with them—such love!


After some dancing and singing, it was time for the cards, presents, and cake. Each of the children made me birthday cards—how very special!

While Blu was busy having the kids sit on their balloons, I snuck out and put on my raincoat and then peaked through the back window of the dining room. My mistake was that I said, “You can’t get me.” That was all it took and the water party began. I did not think about the fact that the kids would just lift up my raincoat instead of pouring water on my head. In a matter of seconds my jeans were soaked and so I decided to take off the raincoat. That too was a BIG mistake. It was all over but the crying for me and laughing for others. I must say that Darbi felt bad for me as she is yet to experience the water tradition. I won’t be here in November to sympathize with her on her birthday, so Darbi, I’m sorry ahead of time for what you will experience.


All in all, it was a great birthday mostly because I was surrounded by such special people. Thanks to my New Day Family for “showering me with love.”

I cannot forget to add that Wes made me chocolate chip waffles for breakfast, gave me some beautiful earrings, somehow rigged it that I win one game of Farkle, and spoiled me throughout the day! Thanks Wes.

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!

This week we have a team of 15 from Christ Community, Omaha, NE, ministering with us here at New Day. Because of the size of this team, we are using ACTS to help us. They transport the team to and from the airport, cook for the team, and take care of all the logistics. What a blessing.

The team arrived in this big blue and white overland truck which also becomes the kitchen when the sides are opened up.

This team is doing a BIG variety of ministries here and in the community. Some are helping with construction projects.

Some are working in the school with the children, doing afternoon children’s activities, a mini VBS, and just hanging out with the children.




Michelle and Axer bonding together. Axer is proud of her new headband and necklace given to her by the team.



Some are performing the REDEEMER drama in several schools and villages around New Day.

Some are giving sewing lessons to several of our staff so they can mend the children's clothes and makes school uniforms. They are also making discipline charts for the children, hemming curtains, mending clothes for the staff, and more.



Dee Kohler shows Michelle how to use the sewing machine. Joyce, mother of the Joy House has picked up sewing very quickly.



Others are doing a variety of health ministries to for our staff and community.

And still others are reaching out to the widows of our area.

We are so thankful for the work that this team is doing. They are helping us to minister to the community as well as to the children and staff.

The team was here for Kalenga's birthday party, which I think they thoroughly enjoyed. Instead of the usual water pouring, we did spoonfuls of love as we told Kalenga why we loved him and poured water on him one spoonful at a time. It was too cold outside for buckets of love.

Wes tells Kalenga why he loves him as he pours a spoonful of water on his head.



One of the special things about this team is that each night they sit around the campfire and share what God is doing in their lives. It is pretty awesome. Yes, a campfire. It is cold here right now during the mornings and at night so a campfire is a wonderful thing!





Teaming Together

Team season is in full swing, and for the last few weeks, we have had the joy of hosting several teams. One of those teams was fromUnion Hill Baptist Church in Purcell, Oklahoma. Lance and Staci Norton, and Madison and MacKenzie Gilham made up the team. We are so thankful for their willingness to come half way around the world to minister to our children, our staff, and help with outreach to a new area where we are hoping to plant a church.

MacKenzie, Madison, Lance and Staci arrived at New Day on May 23.

Below are some pictures of the ministry that the team was involved in during their time at New Day. Thanks Lance, Staci, Madison, and MacKenzie for coming to work with us at New Day.


The children taught Staci, MacKenzie, and Madison how to play "Sheep, Sheep, Please Come Home." I think Staci (in the back) is one of the lions who is catching Muchoni, one of the sheep.



MacKenzie holding Christina on the left, and Madison holding Axer on the right, were loved by all the children! They spent several days helping out in the school with P.E., Art, Music, Skills, and Tutorials.

Each afternoon, the team went out with staff from New Day to do survey-evangelism in a new area known as Nabukowa. Mulenga, Elizabeth, MacKenzie and Lance were one of the teams that went village to village talking to the people about Jesus.

Staci Norton enjoying a moment with Christina, our newest girl at New Day. Christina loves to be held and is almost always smiling.

 

The team lead the staff in some team building activities. Here we had to follow the leader blindfolded. I felt safe holding onto Wes.

After a wonderful week of ministry, we headed for Livingstone to show the team the wonderful sights of Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. A day trip to Chobe, Botswana was one of the fun things we did together.