A Bumpy start to the 2020 School Year

BUMP - In the beginning of December 2019, one of our Zambian school teachers left our church and school.  Later the next week, our missionary pastor and his family left Zambia.

BUMP -That meant that our school went from having 4 full time teachers, to one.

Just me.

It also meant that we had to find a way to make school still available 

to the students we had invested in.

Months earlier, our pastor had decided to downsize from 4 classes, to 2 classes.

How can this be done with only 1 full time teacher?

I prayed and prayed and pleaded with the Lord to give me wisdom.  

BUMP- I could not see how He would allow me to make

 5 children that we had invested in leave.

4 of which, do not come to  our church, so I have been witnessing to their families for years.

After a week of interceeding about the solution to this problem,

God told me what to do. 

Those children would stay in our school.

I had a plan! (which I will share with you in a future post) 

Now that we knew our direction, it was time to plan for school. 

With only 2 of the 4 classrooms needed, we dismantled ALL of the classrooms,

sorted everything, and put everything into the two rooms we would be using.

Luckson and I did all the necessary paper work.

We wanted to make sure that all of our permits were up to date.

Luckson working on permits.

Day after day, we went in to the school preparing for the day when we could finally open.

Miss Jennipher sorting PACES

It was so exciting going in each day.

Alot was getting done and the people worked together as a team to lighten my load.

BUMP - I had so much work that needed to be done.

There were curriculum orders to place.

(FYI- school in Zambia starts in January.  We were a little behind, 

as we did not get permission to start school till January first.)

Files needed to be organized and updated.

PACEs needed to be sorted.

Tea and work make a nice combo

The church became an army of cleaners, organizers, and encouragers

(I honestly do not know how it would have all got done, if it wasnt for them).

Older students painting the desks

After weeks of work, I can say that I truly learned alot about God being my strength, giving me wisdom from above, and the encouragement of serving together as believers.

Classrooms ready for the first day of school.

Praise the Lord that we get to train these children in academics, 

as well as, the things of God!

BUMP - We started school on the first Monday in February, 

but without our school curriculum. It still hasn't arrived.

UPDATE: the school curriculum arrived 2 weeks later.

A True Story of How God Provided for Needs by Sending Barrels to a Missionary in Africa

Dear Friends,

     As I was busy packing barrels for Zambia, someone put this story in my mailbox.  I had to share it with you. No, we may not be like-minded with every missionary out there, but this story does show how God answers the prayer of faith. 

     If you would like to be encouraged in your faith and have a deeper, more meaningful prayer life, please take time to read this true story - click here.

From Christmas Past

While I was home, one of the families from church approached me.

They said they had to apologize, 

because they never sent me the box of things they had for me from last Christmas.

I understood, because I have done that on numerous occasions.  

There always seems to be some excuse for not sending something and then it gets forgotten.

Well, they brought the box of wrapped gifts to church with them 

for me to take home to South Africa.

As I packed my luggage, I was going to open them 

(TSA says not to bring wrapped presents because 

when they search your luggage they will have to open them.)

I said a little prayer as I packed the wrapped presents.

When I arrived home, they were all still wrapped 

in the beautiful paper that the family had chosen just for me!

Instead of opening them right then or waiting for Christmas this year, 

I decided that I would allow myself to open them one at a time. 

It was kind of an incentive to keep me going when I got back.

I held out for a few days and then university came up.  

I was dreading having to return because I was so behind from being in the States.  

That day, I made myself go and found that I did well.  

I was not as far behind as I had thought.

                                                            When I got home, 

I treated myself to opening the first present. 

 I chose a smaller looking one.

Wouldn't you know it was exactly what I needed!!!! 

 It was a watercolor set!

I wanted to start using watercolors with the kids, 

but I was so busy while I was in the States

 that I didn't have time to shop for them 

(only the bare necessities this trip).

I was overjoyed at knowing that 

our Great Father in Heaven, 

who knows our needs before we ask

 had layed it upon this family's heart last Christmas to get me not one, but two watercolor sets for the children.  It is an extra blessing when you see God do 

something almost a year earlier to bless you with now.

~~~

     I was reminded of a few years ago when I was in Senegal on a medical mission trip.  We were doing clinical work our in the villages.  Along with our group of 14 came the doctor's father.  He was an older gentleman and wore glasses for reading.  He had no medical experience, but wanted to come along to help his son invest in the eternal lives of the people. 
     One afternoon, while roaming from place to place, he stopped to watch his son consulting with a patient.  This man had walked for miles.  He was one of a few who could read, but was having trouble seeing.  The doctor looked at the man's eyes and saw the problem, but sadly told the man that we did not bring any glasses with us.  How hard it is to look into someone's eyes who have come so far with a hope to be helped, to tell them that you cannot give them the help they need.  
     This made the doctor's father sad too.  He sadly hung his head and then his eyes grew widder.  He realized that tucked away in his shirt pocket were his own glasses.  He was not sure if they would work, but he could try.  After handing his son the glasses, the doctor did some eye exams to see if they were right for this man- and they were!!!   

     We were so excited to know how God had allowed that man to be on THAT trip, standing in THAT room, with glasses in his pocket, for THAT man!  What are the coinsidences?  There are none, it is ONLY GOD!!!!  

~~~

Let us not underestimate what God can do.

The Bible says "He goes before us" 

and "knows our needs before we ask".

What truth!!!  Just think, God is already at work on something in your life that has not even happened yet, or that you even know to ask about yet!

He is so faithful to us!

Deuteronomy 31:8 

"And the LORD, He it is that doth go before thee; 

He will be with thee, He will not fail thee, 

neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed."

Matthew 6:8b

..."for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him."

Prayers for Protection and Saftey

To all of you who pray for your missionaries, thier protection, and the protection of the people in thier ministry - THANK YOU!!!

Today, as I took some of the children home in the car God protected us. It was a beautiful day, so the windows were rolled down and we were chatting in Zulu and English. A slight breeze came through the car as I turned a corner and out the window went one of the work sheets that one of the kids had colored in church.
Yes, I felt sorry for him and saw where it landed, so I turned around to go back for it. I said a few times in English and in Zulu for him to wait until the car stops, to be careful, and when I am stopped he can get out and get his paper in the middle of the street.
What you need to know, is that the Zulu kids are not used to riding in cars, except to church. Many times they get out and never close the door because they are just not used to a car.
My car has automatic locks, so the doors were locked. BUT, children are children. As we got close to the paper, he unlocked his door and started to jump out. I slammed my brakes on because my little brother did something like that before and was badly injured. Thankfully the boy did not get out because he heard the panic in my voice. Meanwhile, a car zoomed up behind us and blarred his horn. Drivers in South Africa are very rude and impatient (and that is all I had better say right now). Praise the Lord he did not decide to ram into my car.
I was able to park like I wanted to and the little boy got out of the car and picked his paper off of the middle of the street. We praise the Lord for His protection for that little boy and all of us. The rest of the way to thier homes I tried to explain why it was dangerous. the Zulu lady with me said, it was good it happened, because the children will learn a lesson from it. I never want anything to happen to our kids, but sometimes things do happen. I praise the Lord for giving me wisdom and for His safety today. Thanks again for everything you pray for!

Finding "THE CAR" & Car Quiz

Well, there were a few things I had to learn before purchasing a car.

First thing I had to learn was

 how to drive a manual (what we call "stick shift") car.

So, my friends, the Kilmers, gave me a few lessons.

Notice, which side of the car the steering wheel is on.

Very different compared to what we know in the States.

See the concentration on my face!

My "teachers" said I did a great job shifting, 

but working the clutch was a whole other story 

(actually quite the opposite of my gear shifting ability).

There are alot of things that are different here in South Africa.

Besides, my steering wheel being on a different side of the car, 

I also drive on the opposite side of the road.  

The traffic patterns are different too!

Most of the traffic signs just look like giant lollipops to me,

because they don't have words like "STOP" or "YIELD" 

on them, like they do in the States.

*Don't worry, I have studied their drivers' safety book 

and I do know what they mean (at least most of them).

driving in Embo

Another thing that will be different to me is the

type of areas I will be driving in.

The above area is the tribal area.

driving in Hillcrest

This area is in town.

So I go from a place where cows, chickens and people are crossing the road

to a busy road with lots of other cars and people.

Getting gas (or as they call it "petrol") will also be differant.

If you notice, the price is R11.32 per liter.

I know, I am no math wiz, but how do you figure that out?

I am so used to how many US Dollars per gallon.

This is very new to me.

Also, for all of my New Jersey friends reading this, 

I think of you every time I get gas/petrol.

Here in South Africa they pump the gas for you

(in case you didn't know, they do that in New Jersey too).

Do you know this car? - QUIZ

Now its time for a quiz.  

Every week we searched for a day or two to find a car for me. 

During the search I saw so many different cars that I have never seen 

or heard of before. 

I thought you might enjoy a little quiz

 to see if you know what some of them are.

So get out a piece of paper and number it 1- 20.

Now its time to take the quiz.  Are you ready?

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

#11

#12

#13

#14

#15

#16

#17

#18

#19

#20

How did you do on the quiz?

Check your answers below:

  1. DODGE          2. RENAULT       3. AUDI                      4. VOLKSWAGEN
  5. MERCEDES-BENZ                    6. MINI COOPER          7. SUZUKI          
  8. LEXUS           9. PEUGEOT     10. HYUNDAI               11. KIA RIO         
12. OPEL            13. MAZADA      14. CHEVY!!(I did the Frey family proud by getting a Chevy!)        
15. (I don't know this one.  If you know, please tell me)           
16. FORD (I hope you got this one right)                       17. DIAHATSU          
18. MITSUBISHI                          19. PROTON               20. CITROEN

Well, how did you do?

I didn't do too well and don't go saying, "that's because you are a woman".  

I grew up as "daddy's girl" and know a lot about cars, 

but most of these were "foreign" to me.

Shopping for a car also took me out of my comfort zone in a number of ways.

Here are just 2 things that were different for me:

1) Since I did not know much about these "foreign" cars, 

I asked the salesman, "How many miles to the gallon does this car get?"

He looked at me funny.

Then, he realized what I wanted to know.

He said, "This car will get ___ kilmometers per liter".

Did you get that? - kilometers and liters!!!

I was totally lost!

2) The other thing that took me out of my comfort zone,

were the cars I had to choose from.

Most (in my price range and good on gas) 

were little cars like the one pictured above.

I grew up in the country, so my idea of a good vehicle (to feel safe in)

 is a 4x4 truck or SUV, like pictured below.

Again- 

my idea of a car...

...the type of car that is affordable and economical.

I tell you, during this whole process I had to keep telling myself that I cannot have what I want and that I had to just be thankful with whatever the Lord provided.

Some days, I really did not feel like looking, 

because I didn't really have a peace about any that we saw.

Still, I continued in the search.

Afterall, I could not have my ministry without a vehicle to get me there.

You see, even us missionaries need to give our own will 

over to God, from time to time.

We may be committed to raise support and go to the field, but there are many struggles along the way that test us.

I know lately, I have been asking the Lord to direct me, to have a peace, and to be able to accept His will and direction in my life as it comes to where I will live and what ministries He will lead me to serve Him in.

We all have to continue to die to self.


Here are a few verses that the Lord has been reminding me of-

Philippians 4:6,7

 “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, 

shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct thee and teach thee

 in the way which thou shalt go: 

 I will guide thee with Mine eye”.

How did I finally find - "the car"?

Well, I had a set amount that I could spend,

lots and lots of prayer

and

finally, a few weeks into looking, we found a car

that would suit my needs at a reasonable price.

This nice man, named Ozayr,

helped us get it all sorted out.

Of course, there were a few difficulties-

- there were dents and scratches all over it

(which one of the salesmen told us to fix 

by coloring them in with a black Sharpie marker.  

I know, "brilliant"!)

- it took 2 weeks for them to get the car ready to sell

- when it was finally ready, we checked it out and drove it home,

only to find that the passenger side door did not lock.  

So, I returned it on the same day I got it.

- two days later, I got it back

Its a 2008 Chevy Aveo and thankfully an AUTOMATIC!!!!
(which is a rare find here- nothing is impossible with God!)

Praise the Lord I have a vehicle that I feel safe driving,

was within my budget and

has room for the many Zulu passengers I plan to transport.

This car will enable me to go into the village of Embo,

go out on visitation, 

and take people to/from church, 

to my house for discipleship, 

to the hospital,.....

Since my car is black, one of my friends calls it the "miniature African Queen".

Thank you for praying with me about this special need.

South Africa has a lot of injuries and fatalities on its roadways.

Please continue to pray for safety while on the roads.