the last two days has found the team, serving and ministering to the community of Ndola in various forms. Our family was part of two of those opportunities that I would like to share a few highlights from.
Yesterday, we went to visit a surrounding village farm. One of the dorm parents at Grace Academy had prearranged a visit with this farm where we anticipated about 39 - 45 individuals. We were prepared to provide each one with a warm hoodie or blanket and some dried apple chips from the Fraser Valley Gleaners. Well word apparently got out quickly that the "muzungu visitors" were going to arrive and the numbers doubled in size. Little did we know that out of sheer desperation, many people were going to be present and leave empty handed. Deep in side my soul ... I thought... wow, they are desperate for a hoodie? how can that be? You see, this village has never had "visitors" come to serve them. They were some of the poorest of the poor, children dressed in rags, homes no bigger than 12feet by 12 feet housing up to 9 family members, little to no food on a daily basis and no forms of employment to provide even the smallest provisions. So yeah.. I guess they are desperate for a hoodie!
We gathered in their primitive church and called people forward from the "list" of names. They received a hoodie or blanket, bowed with thankfulness and then with incredible hospitality prayed for us and sang a worship song together. As the afternoon progressed some of the villagers followed us around as we toured their homes and were welcomed into their simple means of housing. Those who had not received a hoodie, were clinging on desperately to the hope that if they walked with us and told us their names, we would return one day soon to bring them something... anything...
(okay... wanted to add more pictures and tell you the next story... but it will need to wait) TIA - internet is not so speedy right now.. stay tuned
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