August 5th, 2015

Update from Sheri - "Meanwhile"

Over the past 3 months my life has drastically changed. Meanwhile, at House of Hope there has also been a lot of change. Most obviously, I am no longer there. Lizzy and the rest of the staff has jumped in to pick up the slack. The kids are continuing to excel academically, and little Angela is learning how to read. I am so impressed by how everyone has jumped in to do whatever is needed.

It's winter in Zambia right now. All of the House of Hope kids got some new clothes. It gets cold at night, but warm during the day so they got a mix of winter and summer clothes. Matron is an 11 year old orphaned girl who lives with our neighbors. We were able to bless her with some new clothes too!

The Activity Building where our playground has been wired and now has electricity! We have a lot of aspirations for how this building will be used in the future. For now it gives shade from the sun and shelter from the rain for the playground, and a place to do our literacy program for women.

Everyone is happy and healthy at House of Hope!

June 11th, 2015
Update from Sheri - "Valediction"

I will send a happy update soon about the HOH kids. Unfortunately, today, I do not have a happy update to share. Our sweet Taonicia passed away yesterday, and was buried today in her home village of Siazwela. She got sick, and her poor disease infected body just didn't have enough strength to fight it off.

The news of her death has hit me really hard. When I first heard I wondered if I should have fought the grandmother harder to let Tao live at House of Hope. The truth is it probably wouldn't have mattered. I've had HIV+ babies die under my care before. I've stayed up all night with bottles filled with ORS trying desperately to keep them hydrated. I've held them as they had IV lines forced into their skulls at the clinic since no other veins were viable. Some times you win and they get better, but some times you don't and you lose them. It has been my experience that if a baby can make it to their first birthday there is a good chance they'll make it. Tao was just shy of a year old.

Thank you to all of you who prayed and wished Tao well. We gave her the best food and medical care available in her area, lots of love, and our prayers and wishes. I just wish it had been enough. I hate AIDS so much.

So let me close with some word's about Taonicia. She was never afraid of me like our neighbor's daughter of the same age. She had the softest hair with the perfect amount of curl. I'll never forget the look on her face the first time she tried infant formula milk. She wasn't keen on the bottle, but she loved having food again. She couldn't do many things babied her age could do, but she was a pro at sitting up. She liked to be held so that she could see what was going on. Her life brought all of us at House of Hope so much joy. I'm happy I had the chance to know her during her short life.

April 28th, 2015

Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "An Adventure in Livingstone"

Since House of Hope opened two years ago I have wanted to take the children to Livingstone. The majestic Victoria Falls is there. None of the children had ever been to a city either, so I thought it would be a really fun experience for them. I kept telling them "one day". I decided now was the time, so I recruited my dad to help me, and we were off for the long journey to Livingstone.

When we arrived at Victoria Falls they saw monkeys and baboons! The kids loved them! The enjoyed watching them climb and use their hands. We walked over to the David Livingstone Statue. The kids had never seen a statue before! They were amazed by how big it was, and how real it looked. Tecra later told me the statue was her favorite part, and she started telling people that she saw David Livingstone. I keep correcting her that she saw a statue of David Livingstone.

They loved the falls and knowing that the very same water that was there is coming our way to make Lake Kariba. Jubec said his favorite part was going over the bridge to a small island for a beautiful view of the falls. After seeing the falls we walked down to what is called the boiling point. It is over 300 feet down a steep path to the place where the water swirls after the falls before it runs through the Batoka Gorge. It was beautiful and the kids loved it.

We took them for a drive around one of the local hotels so they could see zebra and impala. The kids liked that a lot! When Faith first saw the impala I didn't see it so I asked her what it looked like. She said "Like a big goat that's brown." We also saw a statue of an eland and the kids thought it was a cow! I hope to one day show them more animals but April is not a good time for that.

I took them to a chicken restaurant here called Hungry Lion. The kids had never been to a proper restaurant before. They were really confused. "Bashedi, how are we going to eat now? Where are we going to cook?" The idea of buying food someone else cooked had not occurred to them! Afterwards they ate ice cream in a cone. I have given them ice cream before, but they wanted the try ice cream in a cone like the books show. They loved it! I showed them Shoprite, our main grocery store chain. We have a book about grocery shopping and the kids didn't really get it. They were amazed by how big the store was, and how they sold everything there!

There were plenty of firsts for the kids. They are all full of stories and want to go back. I am so happy I was able to share this experience with the kids! I love showing them their beautiful country, and helping them experience more of the world.

April 10th, 2015
Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "End of the Trimester"

Today was the last day of school for the first trimester of this school year at House of Hope! At 6am I walked with all 10 of the children to the school to wait for their results. The school had not budgeted their money correctly, and could not afford to get report cards printed so we had to wait until the children were called by name. Tecra scored the highest of any children in the third grade! I am so unbelievably proud of her! She has worked so hard, and come so far! Faith failed all of her exams in grade 5, so we are putting her in grade 3 next trimester. Some times Tecra can be really jealous. It's something we have been working on lately. After showing me her exam book with nearly perfect scores on every page and flashing a huge smile, she asked me again if Faith would be joining her in the third grade next trimester. I told her yes. She thought about it for a minute and then said "Next term if I am number one again I will ask the teacher to make Faith number one instead of me, because I already got to be number one now." It touched my heart so much to see that she was more interested in seeing her friend succeed than in being seen as the best herself!

Nelly was third in her class of nearly 100 students! Jubec was 8th and Linety was 9th! I am so proud of both of them. Both Jubec and Linety have mild learning disabilities so they have worked extra hard to get where they are! All of the children (except Faith) passed and made it into the top 10 of their classes! I know there are too many exclamation points in this update, but I can't help it- I'm SO PROUD OF THEM!

So today we start off our one month break from school. For the first time ever all of the children's relatives have asked to take them for a week or two this school break. I organized for the kinds to go visit their relatives the same time that I will be taking a trip to Congo so I won't miss time with them. I am greatly looking forward to working with orphans in DRC next week. I am also looking forward to hearing all of their stories from visiting relatives when we all get back.

Faith is one of the sweetest kids I have ever met in my life. She is always trying to please us and help out in every way. Some times I have to force her to take a break and let someone else do the chores. She is quick to take responsibility for her actions, and genuinely cares about others. Faith is such a joy to have around!

She has been like a sponge since she joined us last year in June. When I picked her up she did not speak any English, could not read in any language, had no letter recognition, and had very little knowledge of Christianity despite frequently attending church. Despite her lack of knowledge she was in the 4th grade at her school in Maamba. She was failing miserably, but the teachers just kept passing her to the next grade without helping her catch up. Now, less than a year later, she is on par with the other kids in English, is reading both English and Tonga, and is becoming a Bible quiz master! She is currently working on the third grade with Tecra. For the first time in her life she is doing well in school! It's making a huge impact on her self confidence. Tecra is ecstatic to have an orphanage friend in class with her. I am so proud of Faith's progress, and happy that she is in our family.

Some times she is really shy, but she has her moments. We watched Happy Feet, and at the end of the movie she tried her hardest to copy the foot movements of the penguins! Most of the kids love songs that they find funny. Faith loves songs that are meaningful to her. She is not afraid to be different. She loves watching musicals. I'm so happy to have Faith at House of Hope!

March 16th, 2015

Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "Siamyala Basic School"

I met a widow in our community named Mary when I first came here. She told me about her son, Brian Moonga. Brian was at the top of his class. School fees in primary school are pretty affordable for most families, but once a child reaches secondary school the fees increase tremendously. Mary asked me if there was any way I could help Brian. Brian passed with the highest category on his national exams and could have gotten into any school in Zambia. I decided to help Brian, and that was the start of what is now the sponsorship program here.

I check up on Brian with his teachers. He has excellent marks in all of his classes except for English. I started inquiring about it, and discovered that even though Brian was doing poorly by my estimation he was ahead of nearly everyone in his class. The headmaster asked me if I would please teach all of the eight and ninth graders English. He expressed that if the kids could improve in English they would improve in all of their other subjects as well since all of the books and test are in English. I don't have a lot of extra time, but I agreed to teach one day a week.

I have really enjoyed teaching my over 80 students. Several times during the class someone raises their hand to give an answer and then gives the answer in Tonga. They should be fluent in English by grade five. I tried to follow the curriculum, but found that they had such a poor understanding of grammar and sentence structure that I have had to go back to the basics. I always try to teach them the rules that dictate why we structure things the way we do. They are used to just memorizing the information without actually understanding why. I am slowly helping them realize that if they understand why they can figure it out for themselves.

One funny thing that happened today was I asked if anyone could define the word "positive". Frank raised his hand, and said "Someone who has HIV." Of course I corrected him, and explained why we say someone who tests positive for HIV is "positive". It was interesting to me that that was the only context he had ever heard the word used in. Certainly not positive circumstances.

March 8th, 2015

Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "Handing Out Uniforms"

Global Orphan Relief has decided to sponsor 60 orphans in this area to attend school. I have the great honor of meeting each of these kids, and giving them the good news that they get to go to school. I arrived at Nang'ombe Basic School with lots of uniforms for the orphans. Many of them were not there. I started to track them down at their homes to find out the reason for their absence. Many of the kids had fear in their eyes. They told me that the teachers had warned students not to come whose parents had not paid their school fees. In Zambia parents get about a one month grace period to come up with the fees necessary for their child's enrollment. The orphans knew that no one would be paying their school fees and chose to stay at home rather than face the embarrassment of the teacher calling them out by name and escorting them out of the classroom. It was such a joy to tell each of them that they didn't need to worry about being "chased" from school any more. Their fees were paid in full! The look on the kids' faces was priceless.

There is one girl named Eclass who had a very old uniform that was far too small for her. It was so used that in addition to being so faded it didn't even look blue, it was also so thin it was see-through. Her eyes got big when she saw the brand new uniform in her size! She took it and immediately put it on over her old one. She beamed with delight as she walked around outside so all of her friends could see it! A fourth grader named Pasture also had an old tattered faded uniform. He immediately put on the new one, and started doing a cat walk for all of the other kids! Back and forth in a straight line emphasizing the pockets and stitching on his uniform! It is such an honor to help so many orphans in our area!

February 19th, 2015
Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "Snakes"

"Madam, please, beware of falling snakes." the teacher instructed me. "Actually, the place that they have chosen is very dangerous. Snakes can just fall anyhow." I smiled politely, and thanked him for the warning, all the while wondering why in the world the other teacher had chosen this particular spot for our meeting. When the first teacher came over I asked him about the tree. He said "We are meeting here because this is our best tree. It is too hot madam." With humid weather in the upper 90's it was hard to argue with that. Luckily no snakes fell that day.

I'm no stranger to falling snakes. I ran an agricultural project in Congo that had a tree beside the place where we grew cabbage with falling snakes. It was beyond startling the first time you experienced it. Just hanging out under the tree to get some shade  and a snake falls down out of nowhere! Not just any old snake either, but a deadly green mamba. In my experience in Congo the non aggressive snakes were always so startled from the apparently accidental fall they quickly slithered away in the open land around us.

Last night Nelly said "I kill the snake!" I didn't think much of it, and said "Good job Nelly." I figured she threw some rocks at an actual snake, and happened to hit it. Our rule for the kids is they can only throw stones at snakes from a safe distance. "No Bashedi the snake is not dead. Come to kill it." My snake killing method is find a long stick and whack it on the head until it dies. I easily killed the snake, and then, when I was very sure it was dead, I picked it up by it's tail. That's when the kids and the house mom thought I was insane! They all ran into the house! I called them out, and showed them how if you poke it the muscles start contracting and it looks like it is still alive. They screamed and ran into the house again. I tried to get them to touch it. Only Charles was brave enough!

February 12th, 2015
Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "New Experiences"

Between the books, computers, and movies the kids watch they are exposed to loads of new information. Someone donated some Maisy the Mouse books to us. Faith and Nelly were reading one about bath time. They saw something white all over the mouse, duck, and bath tub. They asked me what it was, and I explained bubble baths to them. "Bashedi, we wanty bubble baths!" So when I was in Choma and saw some bubble bath I bought it for them. Needless to say all of the kids absolutely love bubble baths!

When we are at church the kids are constantly telling me "I see Nemo" "I see Lightning McQueen" "I see Cinderella" on people's shirts. The other kids in the village have no idea the picture on their shirts represents a beloved character from a children's movie.

We have some books where kids go to school. Linety asked me where the kids were. I said at school. She said "No Bashedi! They are not wearing uniforms." I tried to explain to her that although we wear school uniforms in Zambia other countries don't wear uniforms. She couldn't believe I had never worn a school uniform.

Today was our house mother Lizzy's 48th birthday. We also have books about birthdays. The kids informed me that we needed to decorate with balloons, make a cake, and have ice cream. I have made cakes before with the kids, but always a simple cake in a square pan with no icing. After reading the books they insisted that the cake had to be round with colored icing! So we made one with blue icing, had ice cream, and put up balloons on the veranda. After our little party all of the kids couldn't stop talking about how much fun birthdays are and asking what we will do for their birthdays.

It's fun to make their worlds a little bit bigger.

January 17th, 2015

Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "Back to School"

The new school year has just started in Zambia! It has been so fun to watch the kids meet their new teachers, and adjust to the new grades they are in. Particularly for the first graders since it is a big change with a lot more responsibility than preschool. I've also started English reading lessons with the first graders at home. At the beginning I was worried they weren't getting it, but now after just a short time they are reading short sentences!

The kids have such different personalities. Nelly is that kid who always raises her hand whenever the teacher asks a question. Unsurprisingly, she continues to do that now in second grade. Faith on the other hand is shy and almost never raises her hand even when she knows the answer. She was really excited to tell me that the teacher called on her to answer questions about the digestive system and she was afraid at first but able to give the correct answers and in English! She was so proud of herself. When I look back to where Faith was just 6 months ago when we got her I'm amazed by her progress!

I'm excited to see how this school year plays out. I am so proud of each of the kids. I love that they tell me everyday they want to learn. It is so fun to watch the kids grow!

January 1st, 2015
Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "Happy New Year!"

"Good night. See you next year." I said to the children. Their faces changed to show their frustration and confusion. "Where are you going?" Tecra demanded? "No Bashedi noty go!" Linety chimed in. I had to explain it to them, but they eventually understood the joke.

We didn't stay up until midnight, but we've had a good time bringing in the new year today. All of the kids are talking about 2015 and how old they will be this year, and what they hope will happen. It's fun to listen to their hopes and aspirations. They mostly revolve around school and games.

None of the kids had any idea what year it was when they first came to House of Hope. They didn't understand the date or know any of the months of the year. It's fun to have moments like today when I saw the kids fully understanding something that they couldn't even comprehend when we met.

We played lots of games together and ate special treats! We're all hoping for a wonderful year both for us and all of you!

MWBoone and Associates generously donated a playground to the House of Hope! It has taken us a while to get things going on this project, but things are moving now. We already have the slide as I mentioned previously. Now we have a couple of sea saws and swings! All I have heard today is the constant sound of laughter. I wish I had videoed Jubec's reaction. His eyes got huge and he laughed with uncontainable excitement as he ran towards the swing set!

It was amazing timing for Jubec as well. His sister came to visit him not long ago. Last year Virginia was so sick it didn't look like she would make it through the year. She recovered at least to some extent. I think his sister getting better made him think about his mom, because after that he talked about his mom a lot. Then because December is a month without school I asked his sister Nandi who is only 18 if Jubec could stay with her and some of his cousins for a couple of days. They agreed and he went.

Jubec came back yesterday a little sad. He was happy to be back here, but the whole thing made him think about his mom and how much he misses her. The playground somehow has a magical effect on Jubec. It makes his sadness disappear. The heaviness of the questions he bares about why dissipate in the wind he pushes with his feet to go higher and higher on the swing and faster and faster down the slide.

I told the kids we were going to make Christmas cards for people in America. The kids were really excited about it. I put them into groups of 2 or 3 to make it easier to manage and so they would have new ideas instead of just copying each other. To help them get started I suggested they either draw a Christmas tree, a snowman, or a nativity scene. They asked "What's a snowman" I said "Olaf on Frozen". "What's a Christmas Tree?" I explained that it's winter in America and there are special trees that still look green even in winter so we cut them and bring them into our houses to have something beautiful to look at. I drew one for them and they loved it! Now all I hear from the kids is that they want a Christmas tree at their house!

One group decided to color everything like the Zambian flag using only green. red, gold, and black. Some of the children wanted to color as many pictures as they could on the card, others thought one was enough. Some of the kids wanted to write long messages and other just wrote their names. Jubec insisted on writing his message hidden away on the back side of the paper we folded into a card. I pretty much let them do whatever they wanted because each choice they made was an expression of their personalities.

Then we finally got our first rain of the season! We spotted a rainbow between the houses and the kids photo bombed my picture. Our joke with rainbows is "Keep quiet it's a rainbow!" because the Tonga word for rainbow sounds like the word for "be quiet". The kids always laugh hysterically and say "remember the time Bashedi misunderstood what we were saying in Tonga?" If only that rarely happened...

November 21st, 2014

Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "Danielle, Diarrhea, and Ducklings"

It's been a funny week. A South African missionary family came for a short visit. They have 4 children one named Danielle. It was the first time any of my kids had ever seen white kids. The kids loved playing with their new friends! The family also donated books and games that have been so helpful!

They left on Sunday, and we walked to church. On the way home Tecra held her stomach and said "Bashedi I have to poop." I thought she was joking at first. Then Edward had tears in his eyes "Ndiyanda kunya!" Then Asco started "Now now Bashedi!" Pasco "Andy me Bashedi!" This has never happened before. No idea what happened to my kids or what they ate, but they all had diarrhea half way between church and home. We were 20 to 30 minutes from home. After a few minutes we finally reached a house that had a toilet. I had to go up to the owner and ask in my broken Tonga if my kids could use her toilet. Thankfully she agreed.

We rushed up to the toilet which was just a hole in the ground, and Asco pushed his way in first. The other kids were complaining that they needed him to hurry and then Asco yelled out "Bashedi give me tissue" That's when it occurred to all of us that there was no toilet paper! That's also when I realized Edward had had an accident in his pants. With almost no experience using a long drop he had bad aim. I did my best to find some trash laying around to clean up his mess. It was a crazy, messy, nasty experience, but also pretty funny. I made a joke about it and Nelly laughed hysterically, but Tecra rolled her eyes and told me it wasn't funny. Too soon for her I guess.

The next day Edward was playing and jumped down from a tree not paying attention and squash went one of our neighbor's ducklings! I found the duckling with a mangled leg and some other trauma. So I took the duckling in and made it a home in my house. I talked to the kids about being aware of our environments and not being careless in our actions. I also spoke to them about the necessity of fixing our mistakes. Finally, we talked about our responsibility to be good stewards of the earth and take care of everything. I named the little guy Darkwing and it's a great duck! It loves to be fed and held. The leg is in pretty bad shape, but the duck should survive to be happy and healthy.

I hope that the lesson of stewardship gets communicated to the kids. I hope they learn to be empathetic to all creatures.

November 13th, 2014

Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "Asco Got Stitches"

While I was in Congo I got a text message that Asco fell at school and was being taken to the clinic. It's hard to not be there hen these things happen. I got another text that he had to have 3 stitches, but was doing well and being brave. The clinic didn't have any injectable penicillin so I needed to buy it in town on my way home. I got home and took Asco to the clinic. The nurse told me he didn't have any more needles so I rushed off to Sinazeze to buy some. Asco tried so hard to be brave, but he hated those injections :( Later when he had his stitches removed the nurse had nothing to remove them with so I had to go and buy a razor blade. It isn't a problem for me to buy these things, but it breaks my heart for others in the village who cannot just jump on a motorbike to rush to town and back to get these things.

It turns out his teacher had the kids playing a game involving pulling and pushing. Instead of playing in an open area he had them playing by some traditional log benches. Asco was pushed and hit just under his eye on the corner of the log bench. I am very disappointed in his teacher for not having more forethought. I also had to get a letter from the school explaining that the accident happened at school to prove the orphanage didn't act with negligence.

On the last day we went to the clinic Asco got jabbed twice because the nurse made a mistake the first time. He was bawling his eyes out! He was physically in pain, but he was hurt emotionally because he trusted us to only stick him once and felt betrayed. Since there was a long line of other people waiting to see the nurse I took him outside and just held him as he cried. The other moms came over to try to teach me how to console a Zambian child. Asco was annoyed by their interventions and just cried louder. I thought Asco had every right to cry and be upset so I allowed him to express it. He eventually stopped and we went home. I let him watch TV when we got home and that made him happy.

I also gave him special treats. He ate one at my house and then closed the bag to save the rest for later. Asco is a hoarder. He understands delayed gratification. He is can be stingy about what is "his". But that day he took all of his treats outside and started giving them away to all the other kids! On Sunday we were walking to church and Faith's flip flop broke. I gave her mine and walked barefoot. Asco saw me and offered me his little flip flops about half the size of my foot. I thanked him, but declined. I fixed Faith's shoe at church and we all walked home with shoes on, luckily, since the sand is super hot in the middle of the day.

I've seen such a change in Asco. When he first came here he had such a hard shell. His relatives told me he never smiles, and it took him a while to start after he got here. He was harsh, rude, disrespectful, disobedient, selfish, and got into fights. He's not like that now. Sure he has his moments, but he is nothing like he used to be. I think the difference has been showing him unconditional love. Holding him and just letting him cry it out. Not being angry with him when he makes mistakes. Modeling what it looks like to love him and others, to be respectful, kind, gentle, and selfless. Of course discipline and other things have been involved and made a difference too, but I think the heart of it is how experiencing love changes us and makes us more loving.

I have been working really hard to teach the kids at House of Hope how to read. I'm learning that with most things involving education there is a learning curve. Zambia changed their curriculum last year so kids learn reading in their local languages first and don't tackle English reading until 5th grade. I decided to give that a try with my first graders, so I taught them Tonga reading. In hind's sight I think this was a mistake, and in fact the changes in the curriculum will only hurt Zambian children. For one thing if you can read English you can read Tonga, but knowing how to read Tonga doesn't mean you could read English. Also vowel sounds make sense in English- A says A, E says E etc. In Tonga E says A and I says E. This is really confusing for the kids. Finally Tonga words are extremely long, some times 7 syllables. English words are often short and, with it's Germanic roots, coarse and choppy, making it easier to recognize the sounds and breaks between words than Tonga.

Linety has trouble learning. I'm not sure exactly what her problem is, but she has to work a lot harder than the other kids to learn. She has particularly struggled to learn how to read Tonga. Since I started teaching her English reading she has been breezing though it! When it comes to rhyming and writing down the words that rhyme she is better than all the other kids. I've decided that if Linety fails Tonga at school it doesn't bother me so long as she can read English. English will take her anywhere she wants to go in Zambia whereas, after grade 5, no one will care if she can read Tonga or not. I am confident that she will be able to read Tonga eventually, but for now I only want her to focus on reading English.

English reading is a fantastic way to build the kids English vocabulary. It is so much more challenging for the House of Hope kids to read than it was for me as a child, because I spoke fluent English. There are so many exceptions to the rules in English. When I was learning how to read I could sound out a word, and then recognize it didn't sound right, and figure out which word it was. The House of Hope kids are sounding out words they have never heard before so they can't just figure out what word it is. All that being said they are learning how to read English and I am extremely proud of them.

So many of the books we have talk about ice cream. The kids kept asking me what it was, so I finally bought some and let the kids try it. Needless to say it was a huge hit with the kids! We also learn some really fun words like "wink". I have included a video of Tecra and Faith trying their hardest to wink. I hope it makes you laugh!

The kids were so afraid to try it for the first time! I should say all the kids except Charles. I've never met a more fearless child than Charles! I had to hold onto them the whole time they were sliding at first. Then the kids would hold onto the sides so they went very slowly. Asco would call out to me "Bashedi, I'm scared! Will you catch me?" So I would squat at the end of the slide and catch him. After a few times they became far more adventurous! Now they are sliding backwards and forwards, head first, and feet first, making trains, and of course climbing up the slide too.

I am so happy we now have a swing and a slide for the kids to play on and experience! I look forward to the day when the full playground is built and functional. I know the kids will enjoy it so much. You learn a lot by playing on playgrounds. They may not learn the vocabulary for it, but they gain an experiential understanding of the basics of physics including gravity, inertia, force, resistance, acceleration, momentum, friction, kinetic energy, levers, fulcrums, etc. Additionally, studies shows that in order for kids to be able to learn and pay attention they need to experience rapid vestibular input daily. Moving in all different directions stimulates hair cells in the vestibular complex. This stimulation over time helps children develop an effective balance system which leads to better attention skills in the classroom. Playgrounds provide this for kids. All this to say the playground will do so much more for the kids than just providing fun!

October 3rd, 2014

Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "Computer Lab"

After months of being away I am finally back at the House of Hope! It is so nice to be home and see the kids again. Everyone is happy and healthy.

While I was in the States Mill Creek Four Square Church in the Seattle area donated 3 laptop computers to House of Hope! I really want to invest in the kids here and give them every advantage in life. Being able to use a computer will help them so much in the future. The new government curriculum has started requiring computer classes from Grade 8, but very few schools in rural areas have computer access, so the village kids fall behind. I have been so impressed with how quickly the kids are picking things up on the computer after just a few days.

Their favorite part about the computers is the web cam. We don't have mirrors at House of Hope simply because most Zambian don't have them. The kids, like all kids, love to look at themselves! But more excitingly they discovered the image distortion settings for the web cam. They were a little bit freaked out by some of them, but then just thought it was hilarious!

I am excited about all the potential I see in the kids! It's so nice to be home again!

July 15th, 2014
Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "Volunteers"

I am currently in the US traveling around raising money. It was so difficult to say good bye to everyone at House of Hope, but I know September will come quickly. I am so pleased that we currently have 2 volunteers at House of Hope. Olivia Kamm, a kindergarten teacher from Florida and her colleague Katie Webber, a fourth grade teacher. Olivia and Katie are working with the House of Hope kids one on one helping them with their academics. We are so lucky to have such amazing people generously giving of their time to help out.

Having American teachers at the orphanage to work with the kids one on one is helping the kids improve academically by leaps and bounds! The kids are also enjoying the special love and attention they are being given by these visitors. The kids can be so shy around new people. I am happy they have taken to Olivia and Katie. I know th emore exposure they get to visitors the more they will naturally come out of their shells. I am thankful that Faith is able to interact with foreigners since I didn't really get to know her well before I left. I am happy they are being encouraged to speak English and to speak it with an American accent even while I am away :)

July 1st, 2014

Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "Faith Mudenda"

Social Welfare came to House of Hope for an inspection this week. I'm pleased they were happy with everything they found! They kept thanking us for the work we are doing to help the kids in this area. These visits are often more about government officials trying to lord their power over organizations. I thank God for the good visit!

They brought a girl named Faith Mudenda to my attention. Her mother recently passed away, and her father is in prison for stealing equipment from a construction company. I traveled to Maamba where she was living with her grandparents to do a home study. Long story short I invited her to come and live at House of Hope and she accepted! We are now a family with 10 kids. The girls have been telling me for months that we need another girl so they'll be even with the boys :)

She is 9 turning 10 and the youngest of 5 children. She is in the 4th grade, but is still lacking the basics. She can only recognize 3 of the capital letters of alphabet and none of the lower case. In Zambia the pass rate is 40% and even when children get below that they are still accepted into the next grade. It'll be a lot of work, but we're confident we'll get her up to grade level in due time!

Usually girls like Faith are not the kids we're asked to take in at House of Hope. There is usually a relative who wants to use girls around 10 to do chores around the house. They will feed and house her in exchange for her doing the chores. It got my attention that the grandparents asked us to take her. Then the grandfather told me that the reason he wants me to take her is because he doesn't want her to grow up to be like her father. He said she hasn't had good influences in her life, and he wants her to know Christ.

Faith is fitting into our family so well! Faith's first night I caught all the girls in their room showing off all of their clothes and discussing which ones were the coolest! She is not afraid of me at all which has been nice. The other kids are also encouraging her to learn English and each day I see her learning new words. We all love having Faith in our family!

May 21st, 2014

Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "Congo: Agriculture"

My friend Sherrill Auker has studied sustainable agriculture in developing countries extensively. She is currently working on her masters is sustainable agriculture from Texas A&M. It has been my great privilege to take trips to Congo with her. It all started when I was in Mpande village sitting around with people talking about life. Everyone in the village is a farmer, so naturally the conversation turned to the topic of agriculture. They explained to me that some of their farms are 27 miles away from their homes because as the land becomes barren they are forced to move their farms farther and farther away. I asked the farmers if they had ever done composting. Their eyes lit up in amazement. "Is it true that we can make our own fertilizer? Please teach us!" And after that trip I harassed Sherrill, who knows a million times more than I do about the subject, to come with me to Congo until she finally did.

Farmers in Mpande grow mostly vegetables, beans, and maize. They keep their own seeds for the next season. If a farmer wants to try something new he or she will purchase the saved seeds from a neighbor. A bag of chemical fertilizer costs as much as a month's salary so it's not even an option for them. Chemical pesticides are also expensive, can be hazardous, and are somewhat ineffective since you mustn't harvest for at least 2 weeks after spraying and by that time the insects have returned anyway. Regardless of your own thoughts on sustainable agriculture for Mpande it's pretty much their only option.

The teachings we do for the farmers in Mpande are simple- use what you have. Sherrill teaches composting as a way of replenishing nutrients to our soils rather than merely taking. Composting is easier said than done. During rainy season it's easy to find green material but extremely difficult to find brown. In dry season it's obviously the opposite. People keep chickens and goats, but not cattle causing there to be only a small amount of manure. Despite the challenges with patience and planning it's an incredible free and healthy option for the people in Mpande. Sherrill gave out recipes for natural pesticides using local ingredients everyone has that are safe for humans and animals with minimal costs. She teaches clearing the land rather than burning it so that we can make use of the materials for mulching which we also teach. Mulching helps a lot under the extreme heat of the equatorial sun deviously evaporating the water far too quickly. It also prevents weeds from growing. She teaches planting stations as opposed to ridges so people can concentrate their resources. In this way instead of pillaging the soils of their nutrients we are in fact making the soil richer for the next generation.

Sherrill teaches agricultural theory as well as practice. So often people know what they do, but if you ask them why they say because it works. There is something so valuable about understanding the why behind the what. The teachings have been met with great appreciation. Even the Bible says people were destroyed for lack of knowledge. The people in Mpande have no access to books or what people in other places are doing agriculturally. Without giving any handouts to people we are giving them the information they need to better their agricultural yields. I am so thankful that Sherrill makes those trips to Congo with me!

May 14th, 2014

Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "Congo: Part Two - Ministry"

There is a village called Mpande that lies 25 kilometers off the dirt road of Route Bunkeya. It's a large village with tens of thousands of people, all farmers, living mostly in huts. It's the village of the Paramount Chief of the Basanga people, and was named for the spirit of the family that is said to dwell within the village. The village is located between rivers and natural springs which are used for irrigating gardens. People are able to dig down 20 or 30 feet and find water so many people have their own well, which is something people only dream of in Zambia. Our well at House of Hope is 120 feet deep and had to be dug with a machine and water must be pumped out. In Mpande a bucket with a weight on the side is lowered via a rope and then pulled back up.

In 2011 a friend of mine with Overland Missions made a trip to Mpande to work with pastors. Overland Missions has continued to send people for short term trips and I've often joined them. On this past trip due to an illness of an Overland Missions representative, the job of leading the pastors' conference fell to me. I taught basic theology from the MOTMOT curriculum. Things that western Christians have heard a thousand times, like the egg analogy for the trinity, was eye opening and helpful for the pastors. I was unsure of how open the pastors would be to me, a woman, teaching them about theology especially considering we had a myriad of pastors from all sorts of denominations and catholics present. They accepted me completely and insisted God had sent me to teach them and the Holy Spirit had gifted me to do so.

I also did a women's meeting for the village. Wanting to give a relatable picture of God, I chose the passage from Isaiah 49:15 about how God could never forget his people any more than a nursing mother could forget her baby. Since every woman in the meeting had biological children, the example was poignant. We went through the Bible from Genesis to the Gospels taking turns having different women recount the stories of God's faithfulness in the midst of terrible circumstances. Although we have no promise of avoiding suffering, we can know that we will never be forgotten.

Every time I have visited Mpande since my first visit in 2005, children have flocked to see me. Being the only white people they've encountered, I am viewed with extreme curiosity and somehow everything I do is hilarious. We took advantage of all the kids hanging around hoping to get a look at us, and for the brave ones to touch us. I started singing some songs with the kids. We played games like "duck duck goose" which became "chicken chicken duck" since there are no geese in Congo. We did relay races, which got a little out of control ending in a massive and crazy dog pile some how. Congolese kids are serious competitors! I taught the kids some Bible stories and general principles about God. One of my favorite things about Swahili is how people will ask a question to emphasize a point. For example "And what did he do? He fell asleep." It's interesting to me that when people Congolese people speak French they are far less likely to use this method. It's a technique that works great for emphasizing key points to children and encourages participation. Needless to say, the children in Mpande love it when we visit!

May 5th, 2014

Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "Congo: The Orphans"

Each of the trips I've taken to Congo have been mainly in 2 locations, the city of Likasi and the village of Mpande. This post is about Likasi.

Likasi is one of the largest cities in Katanga Province of Congo with over 400,000 people. It's the largest city I've ever lived in. One night when I was in a bar we were using as a church a drunk lady came in. She started rambling on and on in a slurred voice about all the orphans in a section of the city called Shituru. There was just something about her words and the timing that made me realize I had to do something to help the orphans there. I got to know hundreds of orphans living in Shituru by name. I didn't have much to offer them, but I did what I could. When I asked their caregivers what the greatest need was they all said the same thing- school fees.

Through a long series of events I was able to sponsor the kids to go to school. I worked with the school's principle and the teachers getting to know them all personally. They also wanted to help the orphans in the area. Now 5 years later the program is continuing in my absence with 160 of my little orphan friends going to the school.

So a couple of times a year I visit the school and the orphaned children. I do fun chapel services for them. I meet with the kids and encourage them. I visit their guardians and check up on how everyone is doing. I encourage everyone that they should send their girls to school since many times they'd rather keep them at home doing chores. I meet with the teachers, catch up on their lives, and listen to the challenges they're facing at school and home. It's a wonderful time of catching up, encouragement, and joy. It also keeps me connected and provides accountability to everyone involved.

When I look back to 2009 when that drunk lady came into the bar we were using as a church yelling about all the orphans in need I had no idea how I could help them. My resources were incredibly small. I just started doing what I could and over time others joined in and what happened was more than I ever thought would happen. I think so many times people see problems and areas of need, but feel their tiny contribution is too small to make a difference so they do nothing. Some times the tiny contribution you have is enough to spark a flame of change.

April 17th, 2014

Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "Lake Kariba"

As I mentioned before Lake Kariba was made by humans. It's the largest human made lake by volume at over 2,000 square miles. Zambia got it's name from the mighty river that flows through it called the Zambezi River. It begins from a hole in the ground and flows for 1,599 miles. At one point it plunges over a 350 foot drop that is over a mile wide creating Victoria Falls, the most volumeful falls in the world and one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. After taking the plunge the river turns north and in a place called Chirundu a dam was built in 1958. The river ultimately empties into the Indian Ocean.

At that time under British rule, Zambia was called Northern Rhodesia and Zimbabwe was Southern Rhodesia. The idea was proposed to put a dam on the Zambezi River and create a Lake. It took a lot of preparation.  Huge bulldozers came through with massive iron balls to level trees. You can still see them at the Tonga Museum in Choma. The efforts created a more fertile bottom soil resulting in a thriving fish population .Operation Noah was started to save the animals in the flood zone. Over 6,000 animals were rescued. Some of the animals now live on the islands or what used to be hills. But the most difficult task was relocating the 30,000 people who lived there.

The Batonga people have lived in the Gwembe Valley by the Zambezi River since long before Europeans entered the area. When they were informed about the Lake being created and told to relocate, they were convinced it was a ruse. They could not imagine leaving their ancestral land. Most eventually conceded and relocated to villages like the one we live in here. Some sadly lost their lives. The worst part of the relocation is that the people gave up their extremely fertile river soil for the sandy soils of their new locations.

Lake Kariba is an impressive feat of engineering especially at it's time of creation. The Lake has proven to be greatly beneficial to both Zambia and Zimbabwe is countless ways especially through it's creation of hydroelectric power. We enjoy living by Lake Kariba at House of Hope!

April 4th, 2014

Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "Nelly Malambo"

Nelly Malambo just turned 8 years old this month. Her mother was from this area, but her father is from Chipepo, a different chiefdom than we are in. Although it is also on Lake Kariba it takes about 5 hours to get there by vehicle. Nelly along with her brother Charles are the youngest of 8 children. Their father remarried in 2013, and the stepmom was badly mistreating the children. The father feared for their safety, and took the long journey to our village where their grandmother lives. Their grandmother had never met them before, but took them in. She loved them dearly, but being elderly and in poor health couldn't care for them. When she brought Nelly here she was skin and bones with rags for clothes and no shoes at all. We gladly welcomed her into our family.

Nelly has gained 12 pounds since coming here, and as you can see is still thin. She is very hard working. Any job that needs to be done whether it's washing dishes, hauling water, or sweeping she is the first to volunteer. She has unbelievable balance and can carry water with no hands, something I've never mastered despite years of trying. She is fiercely independent and loves doing things herself. A skill that probably helps her do so well in school. She is by far our best student, and can pick things up quickly and easily. She never had the chance to go to school before coming here, and never had anyone to teach her the basics.

She doesn't like to cuddle at all. She is interested in doing things and being praised for what she does which I am happy to find in a little girl. But when it comes time to pick a movie she always wants a princess story. She's a happy kid, and very outgoing. If you were to visit here she would be the first one to warm up to you. She's our easiest kid here at the House of Hope, because she's laid back and enjoys life. I am so happy to have Nelly at the House of Hope!

March 31st, 2014

Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "Crocodiles"

On Lake Kariba there are a handful of crocodile farms. When they started they captured crocodiles from the lake. It is a huge help to the residents who are often harassed by these beastly animals. If there is a crocodile causing problems the crocodile farm can capture it, leaving the residents free from harm. Not only does it help the residents, it's also conservation. Wildlife is steadily disappearing from Zambia with some animals even becoming endangered. The crocodile farms capture the crocs and use them for breeding.

One crocodile can lay up to 80 eggs a year. In the wild only about one percent survive. The croc farms remove the eggs and hatch them in incubators. They raise the crocodiles and when they reach the correct size cull them and sell the skins mostly to Asia. The crocodile farms in this area have tens of thousands of crocodiles at any given time. The industry provides jobs, keeps people safe, helps with conservation, and provides cheap protein as the meat is sold cheaply.

We were invited to visit one of these crocodile farms. The kids had been hearing about crocodiles for their whole lives, but had never seen one. We had been hoping to take a field trip to see them for some time, but as crowds can some times disrupt the crocodiles, we had to wait for the right opportunity. Finally, last Saturday we were able to go at feeding time. The crocodiles are only fed once or twice a month. The kids were mesmerized! Some of the crocodiles were 20 feet long! There was even a rare albino crocodile there. Then they brought out some babies for the children to hold. Only Linety was brave enough to hold one! The others all touched it though. Since we visited all the kids drawing and clay creations are of crocodiles!

I am so thankful to our neighbors at the crocodile farm for giving us such a fun field trip!

March 20, 2014

Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "Youth Day"

Youth Day is a holiday celebrated in countries around the world. It celebrates the future and those who will one day lead us into it. In Zambia youth represents over half the population. I look at how much Zambia has changed in the 20 years I've lived here, and I can only imagine how it will evolve in the next 20 years.

Youth Day is celebrated by special programs at schools. The kids do traditional dances, skits, and play soccer and netball. All the kids at House of Hope love Youth Day! They especially love the dancing. Nelly and Asco have some really good moves.

Youth Day resonates with me. The celebration of Zambia's youth and recognition of their value is one of the reasons why the House of Hope exists. We believe we can make an impact not only in each of the children's lives who reside with us, but also to some extent in the larger culture and future of Zambia. As Johann Wolfgang von Goethe famously said "The destiny of any nation, at any given time, depends on the opinions of its young (people) under five-and-twenty." I look forward to a bright and hopeful destiny for Zambia. I hope the kids at the House of Hope and all the youth in Zambia will have the confidence and creativity to dream of a better future, and invent and execute new projects to bring those dreams into existence.

Happy Youth Day!

February 25th, 2014
Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "Creativity"

Someone donated the Planet Earth and Human Planet DVD collection. I started out by showing the kids ice worlds. With the sight of each new animal 3 questions always followed. What is it called? Is it our friend? Can we eat it? Obviously my vegetarianism is not rubbing off on them ;-) The friend question started after I tried to calm the fears of the kids over millipedes, lizards, and frogs. They were more afraid of them than of centipedes and scorpions! So I started picking them up and telling them in my broken Tonga "Don't be afraid. It is our friend. It can't hurt you." The kids felt a little bit betrayed when I told them our neighbors kittens were our friends, and they got scratched ;-)

But back to the DVD's - the kids learn so much from them! These children will probably never see the ocean, snow, bears, or so many other things. These videos have opened up their world. I love explaining to them that people in the arctic have dog sleds because they don't have ox carts. Then I had them think about why that was and what the advantages were for their dog sleds over ox carts. They said because cows need grass and their isn't any there and dogs can eat nsima and fish.

Then we watched one on jungles and people used bows and arrows and blow guns. It is currently the kids' favorite! All the kids immediately got to work trying to make bows and arrows and blow guns. We don't have bamboo or anything that is hollow so they tried to hollow out sticks unsuccessfully. They switched to just putting a thick piece of straw between their hands and blowing it out. The bows and arrows worked out a lot better. The kids use them to hit beetles, but haven't actually managed to kill any with just the arrow yet. After seeing people in Asia ride elephants and use them to haul trees they started making elephants, people, and logs out of clay doing the same thing. I love that the kids see something and then try to reproduce it using whatever they can find lying around. That kind of creativity and resourcefulness will likely come in handy later in their lives.

February 5th, 2014
Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "Tecra Mazuba"

Tecra is the oldest and in fact the only oldest child that we have here. So she's bossy and clever. She finds creative ways to get the other kids to do jobs she doesn't want to do. She's very loud and extroverted.

Tecra is a natural teacher. If I teach her something she'll be doing her best to teach it to the other kids. She has a great way of explaining things to the little kids. She was teaching Asco about writing numbers and told him how to make a 2 and then said making a 3 is almost the same but you make it twice.

She is a cuddler. She will come up to me and sit on my lap as often as little Edward and Angela do. She always wants to be around me and gets jealous when other kids seem to be getting more attention than she is. The kids built "a house" out of broken bricks. Tecra played the role of mother and was busy cooking the nsima (corm meal) which was actually just dirt and water in an old paint can.

I'm amazed at how quickly she can pick things up. She is always surprising me by saying words in English I never even taught her, but she just figured out the meaning from listening to me. If I tell her I'll be gone for 2 days and don't come back for 3 days she is quick to let me know I told her wrong. She picks up songs and memory verses quickly and really enjoys them. She loves to sing. She is just starting to read both Tonga and English.

One of her favorite games is like our game of jacks except its played outside with smooth stones. I tried to play with her and lost miserably! She likes to play just about any type of game. She likes playing outside and running and jumping. She especially likes being spun around until she and I are both so dizzy we can hardly stand. I'm so happy to have Tecra Mazuba at the House of Hope!

February 2nd, 2014
Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "How I Met Lizzy Wachitanga"

We officially have a new housemother at the House of Hope! I want to get to know her better before I write about her specifically. For now I just want to tell you the story about how we met.

A student in my literacy class, Tabitha, told me her son, Joseph, was sick. I was going to a place near Maamba, where the only hospital in the district is located, the next day so I offered to give them a ride to the hospital. When my neighbors heard I was going to Maamba they gave me shopping lists.

It was my first time in the Maamba market so I had no idea where to find things. I stopped to buy cabbages and started talking to the woman selling. Her name was Lizzy. I asked her if she could point me in the right direction and she offered to accompany me. We walked all around the market and found everything on the list. One of the items cost more than what my neighbor wanted to pay so I wasn't going to buy it. Lizzy pulled out the money and offered to buy it for me! This almost NEVER happens in Zambia.

I asked Lizzy to tell me about herself and it turned out her husband had passed away a few months before. She is an elder in her church. The more I learned about her the more impressed I was. I got her phone number and now she is at the House of Hope. Within 30 minutes of meeting her all of the children were saying They love Mama Lizzy! I am so thankful for the job that Exildah did during this transitional time, but it is amazing to have someone who speaks fluent English again!

January 30th, 2014
Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "Trip to America"

I am going to America for fund raising purposes this summer. I just bought my plane tickets and will be in the States July 9 - September 22. First of all if you or anyone you know is interested in volunteering at the House of Hope for any length of time this year please contact me. I would love to have someone come while I am away to be my eyes and ears, but I am confident in the staff to keep things running in my absence. Even while I am here I would love to have help specifically from anyone with a background in education. Whether you are interested in a short or long term visit please contact me.

I am also looking for opportunities to share about the House of Hope and other projects I am doing both in Zambia and Congo. Please contact me if you would like for me to visit your church, small group, etc while I am in America.

As my schedule takes shape I will send an updated list of cities I will be visiting when. I'm hoping to see as many friends as possible.

January 27th, 2014

Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "Sick"

We had our first bad virus come through the House of Hope. Sneezing, runny noses, coughing, headaches, and fever. It started with Angela spread to Asco and so on until only Nelly and Charles managed to avoid getting sick. I did my best to explain to the kids about germs, washing our hands, covering our mouths, and not touching others when we are sick. It's tough though living in such close quarters. I'm happy to report all the kids are better now.

I also had strep throat. I must have picked it up while I was in Kalomo. Thankfully none of the kids got it from me. I foolishly ran out of antibiotics here at the orphanage so I decided to go with Angela and Asco to the clinic thinking they also had strep. It had been pouring down rain so we needed 4 wheel drive and had to cross a river, but made it.

Now the kids are back to normal. I received a donation of posters used at primary school sin Zambia, and we are using them to learn English. I am amazed by how much faster they are learning the words with the help of the pictures. I put them on the veranda so they see them all the time and quiz themselves and each other. The kids are enjoying being back in school and seeing all of their friends.

January 6th, 2014

Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "Happy New Year"

Happy New Year from the House of Hope! We started out the New Year with some visitors from South Africa. Seven white people including myself was more than the kids had ever seen before. They were all really shy and a couple of them hid behind me and held onto my leg not sure of what might happen. They taught the kids to throw a cricket ball, and little 5 year old Charles emerged as the best! I'm looking forward to the day when we can accommodate teams of people here at the House of Hope. I know the kids can learn so much from interacting with people from other cultures.

Someone donated a memory game to us, and I introduced it to the kids at Christmas. It has become their very favorite thing to do. They sit around on a mat and flip over the little cardboard tiles and yell "a skate board!" and the other kids chant "skatey bode skatey bode skatey bode!" until the next tile is flipped and if it's the other skate board they erupt into cheers. They have learned so many new words from playing the game. They will probably never see an actual skate board, but other cards include useful vocabulary like airplane, frog, and butterfly.

I had hoped to plant a small field of maize this rainy season, but with not having a full time house mother it hasn't worked out. We did plant a bit of maize in our garden though and the kids get so excited watching it grow! We also transplanted 8 fruit trees. One of the trees is an avocado tree and although they grow in this climate none of the kids have ever seen it before. They keep asking me to show them pictures of it and describe how it tastes. I'll have to buy one the next time I'm in town so they know what is growing.

School starts next week and the kids are super excited about it. Edward is so happy that he will be going to school with the other kids this year. We hope you're all enjoying 2014 as much as we are!

December 30th, 2013

Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "Christmas"

We've been going through the stories in the Bible about Jesus being born. I have an illustrated Children's Bible and the kids love the pictures! I also have the Jesus Film in Tonga and showed that to the kids. The really enjoyed watching a movie in their own language. They have been asking me everyday "Is today Christmas?"

So on Sunday we had a special program at church. The kids did a short skit about the Christmas story. They were so excited to share with the adults what they learned. It's fun to work with the kids in the community at Children's church.

After church we had a little party with the kids. We gave out treat bags, bibles, new shoes, and stuffed animals that were donated. Asco's teddy bear makes a noise when you touch it's belly. At first it scared the kids! I had to show them the batteries and explain it. Then they were all asking me to put batteries in their stuffed animals too, and I had to explain that only Asco's could make noises.

We read the Christmas story again together, and talked about what it means that Jesus came. I left them with a chicken, juice, and supplies to make fritters for Christmas day. I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and will enjoy a Happy New Year!

December 16th, 2013

Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "Evening Devotions"

There have been some changes at the House of Hope lately. Loveness is no longer working with us. For months now she has been battling some spiritual issues. I think it was easier for her to run away than to face them.  In the end she realized it was time for her to leave so she did. My prayer is that in being back in her home village she will be able to get her life back on track.

In the mean-time Exildah has moved into the House of Hope full time with her 2 year old daughter, Mulumbe. Mulumbe has become an instant favorite with all the other kids! The transition has gone better than I expected. Since the kids are used to seeing me and Exildah everyday not too much has changed for them. It has actually felt like a burden has been lifted off of the children and they seem much happier and better in general.

Please keep us in your prayers as we go through this transitional period. Please pray we will be able to find the right housemother quickly.

December 10th, 2013
Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "Evening Devotions"

Every night at 7pm after dinner the children gather together for devotions. We sing the children's favorite songs. They love Read Your Bible Pray Everyday, I'm in the Lord's Army, Higher Higher, He's Got the Whole World in His Hands, Zacchaeus, and most of the English Sunday School songs I've taught them. We also have lots of Zambian songs that we sing together. Some nights we appoint choir masters. All the kids will stand together like a choir and we'll select one child to lead the others in a song with a step. They do a fantastic job, and truly love it!

Every Monday we do story time with the Beginner's Bible. The kids love the pictures! Their all time favorite story is Jonah. The day after I taught the Jonah story I saw all the kids busy drawing. Then I heard them saying "This is the boat Jonah was sleeping on and then they threw him overboard and this is the fish that ate him, but don't worry he prayed and that fish vomited him onto the shore and then he went to Nineveh and everyone herd the gospel! Then Jubec made up a game where one of the kids would be Jonah and all the other kids would chase him down, pick him up, and pretend to throw him overboard saying "Jonah you need to obey God! Go to Ninevah!" Even now weeks later they're still talking about Jonah and the Fish.

We only do one story in a week. The other nights we review the story, the memory verse, and talk about the theme. I'm always there on Mondays, but I step away some of the other nights to give the housemom the chance to really lead the devotions.

We give some memory verses in English and others in Tonga. Even little 3 year old Edward can say the one's in Tonga. We also worked on the Lord's Prayer in Tonga a while back so the kids know that now. At the end of the devotion time we have prayer time. At first the kids would say "I don't know how to pray." By now they've learned that prayer is simply talking to God, and do it happily. It makes my heart happy that evening devotions is one of the kids favorite things.

November 11th, 2013

Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "Motorcycle"

Money was donated by an Awana group and I was able to buy a small 125cc Honda motorcycle. Gas here is about $7.50 per gallon. To add to the costs is the fact that I drive mainly on bad dirt roads and paths, meaning plenty of money being spent on maintenance and repairs. Because the roads are in such poor condition, it can take me 30 minutes to go 4 miles. With the rainy season coming up, some roads turn to muck and are impassible. There is always the risk of getting stuck. Getting stuck leaves you in a difficult position because you can't leave your vehicle to get help. If you leave your vehicle in Africa people may steal your tires, roll bar, tail gate, and anything else they can take off. Additionally, getting stuck nearly always does damage to your vehicle (costing even more money). For all of those reasons - and also because they are lots of fun a motorcycle - will be a huge help to me!

So far it has come in handy for motivating the kids at House of Hope to be on their best behavior. Kids who are good get a little ride in the driveway on the motorbike! So far it's been very effective. I've been able to use it get supplies from town (it's amazing how much you can tie onto a motorbike).

I also used the bike to take Phrases to the clinic. Phrases lost his mother father to illness a few years ago. He lives with his grandmother now. He is 7 years old and a great kid, but he has asthma. His grandmother is unable to get him to the clinic, and when she has tried the clinic has been out of his medicine. I take Phrases to the clinic every month for more medicine, and when the nearest clinic runs out I take him to the next clinic until we find one that has his medicine. Phrases had never seen a white person up close, so he didn't really like me at first. This time when I showed up at his hut on my motorcycle he was my best friend! He LOVES motorcycles! He sat on the back busily waving to his friends with a huge grin on his face. And now because I have a motorcycle and let him ride we're best friends!

Trying to explain seasons in tropical areas is always challenging. Zambia is far enough from the equator that we arguably have 4 seasons. So it is spring time in Zambia. But we actually have 3 seasons in Zambia the rainy season, dry cold season, and dry hot season. This is our dry hot season. It was always my favorite time of year as a child! After maybe 6 months of receiving no rain trees begin to blossom and green grass and wild flowers push through the scorched earth in an act of faith that the rains will come again. It's beautiful and it's hot, I love hot weather! Being in the Gwembe Valley though is hotter than I am used to.

I just got a freezer here so I introduced the children to ice. The children had never seen ice before and their reactions were hilarious. Jubec dropped his ice cube and said "it's hot" he laughed at himself when he realized it was actually cold! The kids were calling them stones. I explained to them that ice is just water that is frozen. I think ice has become their new favorite thing! I discovered how to get the kids to drink more water- give them cold water! Somehow they can only manage to drink a few sips of water, but if it's cold they can drink it by the bottle!

It's been a good week at the House of Hope. Housemom Loveness and Pasco came down with malaria, but we are treating them and they are recovering very well. We have lots of mosquitoes here. The kids sleep under nets but some times they sleep with their arm or leg right up against the net and still get bitten. Please keep us in prayer!

All of the kids who are at the House of Hope came with almost no education at all. They couldn't speak a word of English. Not one of the children could write his or her name. They couldn't write numbers or any letters. None of them knew colors. So we've been working on it. It's difficult to find time to work with each of the children individually. There is always so much to be done. But we are working on it.

Nelly is 7 and had never been to school. She didn't know colors or numbers or letters at all before she came here. We've been working with her and she has been picking things up really quickly. Today I found out that the school tested her and she is going to skip first grade and start second grade in January! I am so proud of her!

When Tecra (8) came she was in second grade, but didn't know anything. Her grandmother told me Tecra didn't like school and would cry so she wouldn't make her go. She cried a couple of times after moving here, but we forced her to go to school and encouraged her that it would be fun. Now after 4 months she LOVES school! We've been working with her and she now knows all of her colors, how to read Tonga, and her numbers up to 100! Probably most impressive is how much English she has learned!

Jubec is 9 and had never been to school. He used to cry and say he didn't want to go. We encouraged him and he decided to give it a try and now he loves it! He is really smart but also really hyper with a short attention span so we're working with him bit by bit. I'm also hoping he will be able to skip a grade or more during primary school to catch up.

It has only been 4 months, but it is amazing to see how much each child has grown already! I could tell stories about how Charles who is only 5 can do puzzles faster than any of the other kids, or how Edward (3) learned how to write A and E and draw a circle so he writes them over and over and over again with such pride, or plenty of other stories about Angela, Linety, Asco, and Pasco but the point is everyone loves learning and is learning more and more every day.

Exildah works at the House of Hope. She is 31 years old, has 4 kids, and was recently widowed. She works as an assistant to Loveness, the house mother. She helps with washing clothes, hauling water, and fills in when Loveness has her day off. She is an excellent worker and very kid friendly. All of the children love her, but especially the girls. One thing is certain, if Exildah is around there will be laughter.

Exildah got pregnant when she was 15 and the guy took off, leaving her alone to raise the baby. In the Valley, especially back then, 15 was an acceptable age for marrying. Exildah honestly believed the man would marry her. This is a common story in Africa. She struggled to get by. She found a job working in someone's home for a few hours a week. It was there that she met her husband. He was 12 years older than she and already married. Polygamy is normal in the Valley, so they got married and Exildah became the second wife.

I asked her why she would chose to become a second wife. She gave a list of reasons. One being that she fell in love. Another being she needed the financial security of marriage in order to survive. Another reason she gave was that she knew that he took care of the wife and kids he already had so she knew he would do the same for her. She had been burned by a man who had promised her the world, and at least this guy had proof to show he would fulfill his promises to her.

They had 3 children together as the years went by. Her husband loved her more than his first wife, which created all kinds of conflicts between the 2 women. The first wife hated her. Then their husband died, and now the 2 women are the best of friends. They still live next door to each other and help out with each other's kids and chores.

Exildah asked me to teach her how to read and write and that's how the literacy program was born. I'm also teaching her English. She is eager to learn. She is a dedicated church member, and also eager to learn about the things of God. I would like to start some kind of a Bible study for her and possible other women in the community. I would rather the idea come from the community than from me. I'm so thankful to be working with Exildah!

September 18th, 2013

Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "More on the Garden"

I am pleased to say we now have a chicken proof fence! We used a combination of thick thorn bushes on 2 sides and on the other 2 sides we just put tree branches right next to each other so the chicken can't get in. I know we could have used chicken wire, but I want everything about this garden project to be something even the poorest person in Zambia could do.

Our garden is also organic for that reason. I believe God has given us everything that we need for gardening and feel that natural is better than chemicals. I believe we will get better long lasting and safer results from being organic, but my main reason for choosing to stay away from chemicals is to show the children and the community that anyone can do a garden for free. I bought 3 hoes and a few seed packets, but that's it.

We needed manure to get started, but we don't have any animals. Since this is Africa animals wander and graze all over the place leaving behind their excrement piles. About once a week the children and I walk around our property picking up manure patties (they're dry it's really not gross). Over time we accumulated a lot. I could have gone to a friend's house with my pick up truck and gotten loads of manure, but I wanted to teach the kids and the community how to do it when you don't have animals.

This is Africa meaning there are bugs everywhere. Young children and pesticides is never a good combination. We're using household products to keep the bugs away. No it's not perfect, we still have some bugs, but it's 100% safe for the kids, the birds, and the land. Again the major advantage is it's using supplies we always have handy and costs almost nothing.

We've been eating green beans and Chinese cabbage from our garden already. This garden is such a blessing to the children. Not only will it save some money and give the kids a highly nutritious variety of vegetable options, but it is teaching them a life skill that may some day feed their families. It's also a good lesson in patience and that hard work pays off.  Additionally, the children absolutely love gardening!

August 20th, 2013

Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "Edward"

August 12, 2013

Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "Literacy Class"

So, Exildah, an incredible widow who works at the House of Hope asked me if I would teach her how to read so she could read the Bible.  Her request surprised me.  I started asking around and it turned out most of the women in the area were illiterate.  I've never taught literacy, and since they don't speak English I would have to teach them how to read Tonga which I don't even really know.  It didn't seem like something I could do, but her request pulled at my heart and I figured I might as well try.

So now I have 2 classes and over 40 students.  The first class is for people who have never held a pen in their lives and don't know the ABC's.  The second class is for people who can recognize and write the ABC's, but can't read.  My students are all women mostly because the men are too prideful to come, but lately men have been asking me to start a men's class.  They range in age from late teens to early 60's.

The first class is perhaps the most exciting.  I love watching people struggle to write a letter for the first time!  I love the determination of these women who thought they had missed their chance to learn how to read.  I hear them when I go to their vilages practicing, "A ansi ah, B boola bo, C chabota cha, D doti do..."  I think their favorite sound is F.  They can't help but laugh when they hear it.

The second class is great because they are already reading full sentences just a month into classes.  What I love the most about the class is the ladies who are struggling and really don't think they're getting it, then I encourage them to just try to read something or write something and they can do it perfectly!  There is one lady named Whyness who, when trying to write a word - say "kubaseleka" - says under her breath "ka ke ki ko ku KU!" excitedly, then writes "Ku ba be bi bo bu BA!"...she is slow, but so confident she can do it!

We don't have much.  We site on the ground outside under the veranda with the notebooks and pens I gave them.  I'm slowly finding some materials to help me teach, and have some incredible friends both in Zambia and America who have helped me so much.  It's easy to see needs around us and wait for someone else to fill them; after all, it isn't our area of expertise.  But if we're willing to try, God can take the little that we have and turn it into something that will bless those around us.

July 31, 2013

Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "Jubec"

In our village there was a widow named Reginah who got no help from her relatives and was failing to support her children and survive after her husband's passing. Our unbelievable construction manager, Golden Kazembe (There will definitely be an update dedicated entirely to him in the not so distant future), decided to give her some part time work hauling water and collecting stones for construction. A few months ago she got really sick and last week she finally passed away leaving behind Jubec, her last born.

So the biggest city anyone in Zambia realistically hopes to visit is Joburg, South Africa. Zambian English morphed Joburg into Jubec and that's how he got his name. Jubec's father died when he was 6 years old. He is now 9 years old, but you'd never know it by looking at him. He weighs less than the 7 year olds we are keeping here. He's been sickly his whole life. He has never been to school because his mother couldn't afford it. So when his relatives came to me during the funeral process and asked if Jubec could live at the House of Hope I agreed.

They insisted that I pick him up from the funeral which in Zambia is maybe a 3 day process. I picked him up on the last day of the funeral processions. I found hundreds of people there comforting the family. I saw Jubec's older sisters in tears of grief just teenagers. Then we all sat together and I asked Jubec if he wanted to come and live with me at the House of Hope. He shyly put his head down and a high pitched "mumhum" came out. When I said "Amunjile" (Everyone get in the truck) I saw Jubec's eyes light up and a smile creep across his face. Riding in a vehicle is a really big deal in rural areas like this.

When he got here he was so shy about everything. He was happy with getting shoes and new clothes. I would catch him just sitting by himself. I stated spending a lot of one on one time with him. I taught him how to build with legos, do puzzles, and discovered how much he loves to draw. All the kids love to draw actually, but there was something special about Jubec's drawings. He wasn't really as good at accuracy at the other kids, but Jubec's pictures were usually stories. He rarely draws just one thing. For example Charles drew a sleigh that oxen pull. Here in the hills it's the only way to haul supplies. Jubec drew an ox pulling the sleigh and then a boy leading the ox and then the mountain they were climbing and then stones falling down as they walked. Then for fun after he called me to look he touched one of the stones he had drawn made sound effects as he moved his hand down and then said "boom" when he reached the ox and laughed hysterically! He's a special kid.

Jubec is a great kid, but he's been the most difficult case so far. Some times he just starts crying and saying he wants his mom. It's like he thinks we are all lying to him and his mother is still out there somewhere. Some times he gets so worked up he won't eat. Most of the time we are playing and he is laughing and having fun, but at least a couple of times a day something reminds him of his mom and he just starts crying. Zambian culture and coping mechanisms with grief are very different than our western ways. I'm really struggling to help him. Please be keeping him in your prayers.  -Sheri

July 13, 2013

Update from Sheri at the House of Hope - "Mama Loveness"

So I get to work with the dream team out here in Mwaleede village! One of those incredible people is Loveness Muyaba. Loveness was born the same year that Zambia received it's independence from Great Britain (1964). She grew up in Jembo a small rural area near Pemba is Southern Province to a Tonga mother and father.

She went to school until grade 9. For a woman in the 80's in Zambia that was very impressive. She met her husband who was a general worker at the local hospital and fell in love. They had 2 daughters and a then a son. When her son was 3 years old her husband was beaten to death. The culprits were never caught and the whole thing just leaves so many unanswered questions. Loveness suggests that people in the community were jealous of her husband and killed him for it, but no one knows.

Times were terrible after his death.  The life of a widow is never easy.  She and her first born daughter came down with a terrible illness.  Her daughter died, but somehow Loveness survived.  After her recovery she believed God had spared her for a reason and dedicded to go to Bible College.  Something nearly unheard of for a woman.  After completing Bible college she became involved with her local church and continued to seek direction from God.

Then one day she heard about us and applied to be a house mother.  Her application blew us all away.  From the moment Loveness arrived she knew this was what she had been looking for.  She told me she had wanted 10 children, but her husband was taken from her too quickly.  "God knows" she told me as she pointed to the orphan children she has become a mother to!

Loveness was working at our other orphanage site, so I didn't think much about her as I was going through applications, doing interviews, and putting out the word for employees.  Just when I had gotten to the point where I was ready to lower my standards God gave me someone even better than I'd ever hoped for!

Loveness asked to transfer to the House of Hope very unexpectedly claiming she felt God calling her there.  It's unfair to say she is the best, but she is the best educated and the only one who has been to Bible college.  She is also in general a woman of excellence and someone whom I feel I connect with.  Probably the most exciting part about getting Loveness on my team is that I can trust her.  Also she has already been trained so I don't have to worry that if I leave for a day everything may fall apart.

Her 13 year old son, Mutinta, lives at the House of Hope as well.  He is perhaps the most well-behaved child I've ever met.  Living proof that Loveness is an incredible mom!  He helps out with some of the tasks the little ones can't yet do.  He is also a model for all of the kids.

Loveness has lived through so much tragedy and yet she hasn't allowed it to defeat her.  She is a wise and considerate woman who is well equipped to raise the kids at House of Hope.  I'm blown away by how God brought the team together.  It's my great privilege to work with the wonderful Loveness Muyaba!  -Sheri