May 2010 News:

• Latest shipment arrived in Namibia of the 15th of May. It will take another 10 days before the load reaches Lusaka. The shipment contains paint, new clothes, building material, Bibles, and many other items.
  
  
• Another shipment of building materials is currently being organized and should be ready to leave at the beginning of June.
  
  
• A new software suit has been developed for the orphan program. This will help manage the record keeping and allow on-line registration and feedback. The system is currently being tested and should ready to go live in June.
  
  
• The building work at Lusitu and Chawama continues to progress.
  
  
• David Raggett returned early in May and reported good progress in the distribution of Bibles. Our stock of language Bibles now has now been used up.
  
  
• Proposals for two new wells have been drawn up and submitted for funding.
  
  

October 2009 News:

• David Raggett visited Zambia during the month of August delivering Bemba Bibles in the region around lake Bangweulu in the Luapula Province. Please see the October 2009 Newsletter for David’s report.
• Jim McPhail was in Zambia during Sept/Oct. Most of his time was spent in the office at Lusaka working on various financial and project matters. Our continued aim is to try and promote sustainable growth that will help reduce poverty and to this end we have several ongoing initiatives; some of which are more are challenging than others. But we never expected it to be easy in a country with such widespread poverty and such poor infrastructure. We have nevertheless been greatly encouraged by the potential among the younger people who have shown great will and determination to succeed. This is also true in regard to their Christian testimony - and it gives great promise for the future of Zambia.
• During October several youth meetings were held for Bible teaching. Ten sessions were conducted on the Acts of the Apostles with challenging considerations in regard to the relevance of early church teaching within the context of Christianity today.
• Progress continues with the building of church halls, schools, water projects as well as other commercial activities aimed at creating employment and generating income to help fund the other non productive overheads.
• The Orphan Program continues to expand. We have however recognized the need to engage people who are skilled in children’s welfare. There is a great need for regular visitation to ensure that children are properly protected and cared for, and that guardians are made aware of their responsibilities. Children’s welfare systems are poor in Zambia and in many places are non existent. This leaves children exposed to ‘village’ customs, some of which are not in their best interests.
• We can make good use of workshop and building tools such a pipe benders, drilling machines, welding machines, grinders, scaffold couplings, farm equipment, etc. If anyone has anything they think would be useful please get in touch.

July 2009 News:

• The Orphan Program continues to expand. All children have been visited and the school fees for the term have been paid. One girl from Kafue has gone missing and we are still trying to locate her. It is believed she has moved to another districted without notice. We trust and pray that she will turn up safe and well.
  
  
• Recent shipments have arrived safely and are now with Zambia Customs waiting clearance. This includes one large container and two vehicles.
  
  
• We are finalizing the distribution of 3000 Bemba Bibles to areas surrounding Lake Bangweulu. The people are very poor and there are very few Bibles in the region. Since access to the villages is mainly by small boat, the distribution will pose some challenges. Please pray for the safety of those who have volunteered to undertake this mission.
  
  
• A paper proposing the development of Community School in a poor area of Lusaka has just been finalized. We believe this is a worthwhile project for which we are now appealing for sponsorship. If anyone is interested in contributing to the project then please get in touch and we will send full details. - Remember that tax relief is available for anyone, or any business, contributing to this project. If necessary we can advise.
  
  
• The farms are still struggling to be profitable. The produce from small farms is normally harvested around the same time which means the market prices fall rapidly as supply increases. There is therefore little or no reward for a lot of hard work. We are continually looking at ways to change the crop cycle and develop new markets.
  
  
• Unemployment is increasing due to the global slump. In Zambia where only a small proportion of the population is in fulltime employment, the impact of layoffs greatly affects households with many dependants. One of our aims is to create employment through the creation of small ventures - selecting those that have a chance of success can be a real challenge.
  
  
• Final touches are being made to the hall at Chawama. This should be finished this month.