Muli buti,
Not sure how it can almost be July…. it seems so strange because it keeps getting colder (versus in the states it’s getting warmer), July is the coldest month here and then the extreme heat will begin to creep in.
Teams are keeping us hopping, we are in the midst of 26 days straight of different teams arriving from the states. Four teams in the last thirty days…it’s been very busy and we’ve been travelling to a number of villages we’ve never seen. God has put so many wonderful people in our lives, we truly enjoy our work with teams. The graciousness of the Zambian people is wonderful, they are great hosts when we visit. David travelled with a team from South Dakota to a very remote village (5 hours travel time on very bad roads), spent the night in a chicken coop (not previously occupied) and they all came home dirty and covered in dust, tired and so full of the spirit and joy I was jealous!! A Dr. on the team was able to help treat a young man that had a terrible break in his leg, had surgery and then a major infection set in. In order to reduce the swelling, we strapped cold water bottles around his leg and secured them with rags (it worked)!
Two weeks ago a youth team travelled from Kentwood, MI and participated in two Hope Fests at area schools. The team sang, danced and performed for the school and then the school members did the same. From the minute the pick touched the first guitar string, Njase Girls School was alive! To see 600 girls standing on their chairs, singing and praising God was… there doesn’t seem to be a word for it. We were so moved, as my pastor says we had “holy chills” all over. What a wonderful night and a large number of girls rededicated their lives and made a pledge to abstain and save themselves AND their lives! Reach For Life (the WHI program that addresses the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa targeted at middle school and high school students) is really making a difference. The young people are realizing “The choice is theirs”! The youth on the team were great, they demonstrated such servants hearts and touched lives wherever they went. They called David and I Mom and Dad all week and we really had fun with them. I miss being called my other name “mom”. Four members of the youth team were baptized in the Zambezi River the day before they left Zambia. Very humbling to be part of that… It’s so encouraging to see our youth living out their faith.
Socks is a mama! Two weeks ago she had five puppies who look NOTHING like her, they are suspiciously looking exactly like the country directors’ dog, a huge something... The puppies have smashed pug faces and big gray and black bodies (so homely they are cute). They are going to be huge dogs, four males and one female. Socks has really has crossed the line as far as dogs go in Zambia. I am constantly catching the guards, WHIZ staff and guest house staff touching her and speaking to her. Dogs here are not domestic, they are for protection purposes and most people are very frightened of dogs. She is so loving and friendly it’s impossible not to like her, I guess. Wilma is having a fit, she so wants to check the puppies out but Socks isn’t ready yet.
What a treat, we were able to spend a day with a member of our home church, Whiteford Wesleyan in Michigan. Eric is the nephew of Fred and Carol Cromer, GP missionaries that have been in Jembo, Zambia for 18 years. Eric was able to join one of our teams for a day and participated in trust work, home based care visits and a Hope Fest event. He’s at SWU and was here working at the hospital in Zimba and spending time with his aunt and uncle. It made us feel closer to our church family, we miss them so…
Please put my friend Beatrice on your prayer list. For those of you that have been here before, she guards the field along Mochipapa road and spends her days in the small grass hut there. She had cerebral malaria in December and almost died and yesterday while I was walking in the morning she told me she has malaria again. HIV/AIDS is so huge here, but malaria is still the number one cause of death.
Just a reminder, if you have pledged to partner with us financially, we would appreciate your continued faithfulness. We understand the sacrifice you have made, especially in today’s economy. In order for us to remain on the field though, we do need your continued support. If you wish to contribute, please follow the instructions on our website, http://www.thewattersfamily.blogspot.com/ or call World Hope at 1-888-466-4673 and ask for donor services (make sure you ask them to apply your contribution to our account J). They will be happy to help you. Thank you.
Sorry this is short but need to keep moving with our current team. We send them off Tuesday and pick up another team of 14 the same day… We feel so blessed by your continued prayer and all the encouraging emails. During this past month after getting home late each evening, I check emails and it brings such a lift to our spirits to see words of prayer and affection from so many people. David and I are expecting a visit from some of his family in August and are looking forward to sharing Zambia with them.
Leza amuleleke,
Ba David and Mrs. David
Our prayers are with our extended church family at Wesleyan Woods Campground in Vassar, MI right now. Family camp began today and a close friend of ours is to be ordained this evening. Wish we were physically there but we are with you in spirit. May God continue to bless your week!
Not sure how it can almost be July…. it seems so strange because it keeps getting colder (versus in the states it’s getting warmer), July is the coldest month here and then the extreme heat will begin to creep in.
Teams are keeping us hopping, we are in the midst of 26 days straight of different teams arriving from the states. Four teams in the last thirty days…it’s been very busy and we’ve been travelling to a number of villages we’ve never seen. God has put so many wonderful people in our lives, we truly enjoy our work with teams. The graciousness of the Zambian people is wonderful, they are great hosts when we visit. David travelled with a team from South Dakota to a very remote village (5 hours travel time on very bad roads), spent the night in a chicken coop (not previously occupied) and they all came home dirty and covered in dust, tired and so full of the spirit and joy I was jealous!! A Dr. on the team was able to help treat a young man that had a terrible break in his leg, had surgery and then a major infection set in. In order to reduce the swelling, we strapped cold water bottles around his leg and secured them with rags (it worked)!
Two weeks ago a youth team travelled from Kentwood, MI and participated in two Hope Fests at area schools. The team sang, danced and performed for the school and then the school members did the same. From the minute the pick touched the first guitar string, Njase Girls School was alive! To see 600 girls standing on their chairs, singing and praising God was… there doesn’t seem to be a word for it. We were so moved, as my pastor says we had “holy chills” all over. What a wonderful night and a large number of girls rededicated their lives and made a pledge to abstain and save themselves AND their lives! Reach For Life (the WHI program that addresses the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa targeted at middle school and high school students) is really making a difference. The young people are realizing “The choice is theirs”! The youth on the team were great, they demonstrated such servants hearts and touched lives wherever they went. They called David and I Mom and Dad all week and we really had fun with them. I miss being called my other name “mom”. Four members of the youth team were baptized in the Zambezi River the day before they left Zambia. Very humbling to be part of that… It’s so encouraging to see our youth living out their faith.
Socks is a mama! Two weeks ago she had five puppies who look NOTHING like her, they are suspiciously looking exactly like the country directors’ dog, a huge something... The puppies have smashed pug faces and big gray and black bodies (so homely they are cute). They are going to be huge dogs, four males and one female. Socks has really has crossed the line as far as dogs go in Zambia. I am constantly catching the guards, WHIZ staff and guest house staff touching her and speaking to her. Dogs here are not domestic, they are for protection purposes and most people are very frightened of dogs. She is so loving and friendly it’s impossible not to like her, I guess. Wilma is having a fit, she so wants to check the puppies out but Socks isn’t ready yet.
What a treat, we were able to spend a day with a member of our home church, Whiteford Wesleyan in Michigan. Eric is the nephew of Fred and Carol Cromer, GP missionaries that have been in Jembo, Zambia for 18 years. Eric was able to join one of our teams for a day and participated in trust work, home based care visits and a Hope Fest event. He’s at SWU and was here working at the hospital in Zimba and spending time with his aunt and uncle. It made us feel closer to our church family, we miss them so…
Please put my friend Beatrice on your prayer list. For those of you that have been here before, she guards the field along Mochipapa road and spends her days in the small grass hut there. She had cerebral malaria in December and almost died and yesterday while I was walking in the morning she told me she has malaria again. HIV/AIDS is so huge here, but malaria is still the number one cause of death.
Just a reminder, if you have pledged to partner with us financially, we would appreciate your continued faithfulness. We understand the sacrifice you have made, especially in today’s economy. In order for us to remain on the field though, we do need your continued support. If you wish to contribute, please follow the instructions on our website, http://www.thewattersfamily.blogspot.com/ or call World Hope at 1-888-466-4673 and ask for donor services (make sure you ask them to apply your contribution to our account J). They will be happy to help you. Thank you.
Sorry this is short but need to keep moving with our current team. We send them off Tuesday and pick up another team of 14 the same day… We feel so blessed by your continued prayer and all the encouraging emails. During this past month after getting home late each evening, I check emails and it brings such a lift to our spirits to see words of prayer and affection from so many people. David and I are expecting a visit from some of his family in August and are looking forward to sharing Zambia with them.
Leza amuleleke,
Ba David and Mrs. David
Our prayers are with our extended church family at Wesleyan Woods Campground in Vassar, MI right now. Family camp began today and a close friend of ours is to be ordained this evening. Wish we were physically there but we are with you in spirit. May God continue to bless your week!
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