I’ve realized that I begin nearly every one of our blog posts with an apology for how long it has been since the previous update, and this may be the biggest gap yet, but I will refrain from carrying on about that….next time. We do apologize to those of you who truly attempt to keep up with our lives and work here. We know this blog is supposed to be one of the few but reliable ways to remain connected. Please know that in no way does our failure to post updates reflect a lack of appreciation for all that so many of you do to support us through prayer, giving and encouragement.
We have been both blessed and challenged lately in our work here, and we hope to continue growing in our faith and expanding this project through both. We just finished the first half of the school year for 2013-2014 and it ended on a beautiful note (literally) with our second annual Christmas Program. (Click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnZu1rzNPbE to watch an amazing video, prepared by our niece Lindsey, highlighting our Christmas Program this year.)
Our students, teachers and interns worked so hard for the past few weeks: preparing costumes, memorizing lines, practicing songs and building props. Friday morning showers moved us from our outside venue (along the retaining wall of the Kindergarten building) into a much more cramped space in the library. We thanked God, however, for the blessing of so many students and so many families coming to watch and for the rains which have been eagerly anticipated by so many who rely on growing their own food to survive.
While the school is our primary focus, we’ve had so many other opportunities to serve as well. In just the past couple of months we have coordinated a mobile medical and dental team, hosted a small work team from the States, begun construction on a new entrance to campus, and are nearing completion of the new Married Housing Duplex – all while continuing to operate at full steam. We were also blessed to have Kevin’s mother spend over three weeks with us. We enjoyed her company and help and the boys were able to stock up on some “grandma time” that they had been missing.
Grandma even got to experience some of our daily life first hand!!!
Kevin painting the ceiling tiles for the new duplex
Brian Miedema building kitchen cabinets for the new duplex
Quite a team! Brian, Jake Visser, Drew & Lauren!
Dave, and his brother Nate Draayer, painting in the new duplex
We are all looking forward to a well-deserved break now. We are enjoying the slower pace on campus and most of us will be traveling at some point. Thanks to a generous donation from some very special friends, our family will have the opportunity to travel out of Zambia for an extended vacation. We are so much looking forward to the ability to fully disconnect and be restored. After 1 ½ years of living with and around others and having very little, if any, separation between work and home, we are so grateful for the opportunity this will afford our family to spend together alone.
Please enjoy some additional photos from over the past few weeks. May Jesus fill your hearts and homes this Christmas season.
Sweet little Doreen, from the local orphanage, during prayer time at an outdoor chapel service
An attempt at a “Staff Picture” (Roelofs happened to be in the States at the time) Pictured L-R (back row) Kevin, Lindsey, Caitlyn, Dave (PE teacher), Philippa (grade 1 teacher) (front row) Tina DeKam, Therisah & Rachel (Kindergarten teachers), Gertrude & Jean (Preschool teachers, Jillian (Grade 1 ta
Our neighbor, Godfrey, helping Hudson. Godfrey’s mom just had a baby boy…and named him Kevin. :o)
One our our students older siblings helping during snack time
Two neighbor girls out gathering firewood
Clayton’s chameleon friend…I think this one’s name was Pascal. (There have been quite a few!) We always let them go…
Hudson’s good friend “Robot”. Actually his name is Robert…but the kids, with their adorable accents, pronounce it “Robot” and so of course that is what Hudson calls him. Loves his friend Robby Robot. :o)
One of our newer preschool students, Esther. She joined school, after one of our students suddenly moved out of our village. She has such a sweet spirit, and brings so much to the classroom…
The DeKam Family in Zambia 