WOW, Look at all they are doing!

Below is another letter from Josh, he does so well with the updates that I am once again posting his letter as is:

Hi Friends,

Thanks so much for your support and prayers. We have really been feeling them. Things are going very well even though they seem to move slow at times. It is just the way it is here, but we are definitely making progress. I can't wait to update you with photos and more detail when I get back!

I am still building stronger relationships with the close knit community I have been a part of. Zach, Caleb, & I have been able to think very clearly about our organization and goals as well. It has been a blessing to be so close in a place like this and to always be learning.

As far as the project of "Friends of Zimbabwe" (FOZ) we continue to press on. We worked out all of the legal issues for the house. We now are renting it and have paid 2 months in advance including utilities. Its a really great place with a good location and it will be nice when I can show you pictures to give you a visual. It has: 3 bedrooms, big kitchen and big living room, a patio, a bathroom, and a great yard with lots of space including veggies and guava trees. Yesterday, we started cleaning the house such as sweeping, mopping, and polishing. Our next steps are to landscape the place on our own and to furnish the place. We have already looked around and got price quotes for beds, blankets, tables couches, etc. This weekend we will be in the process of moving into the house! It will be nice to have some electricity too because we havn't had any where we have been staying, but we will certainly miss living with the lovely family we have been with. Of course we will also try to be housing orphans as well.

Another big thing we did was starting our "Education Empowerment Program." We made a large banner that said "Friends of Zimbabwe" in an arch shape and underneath it said "Education Empowerment Program." It had the Christ's Initiative logo in the bottom right hand corner. We bought a bunch of educational school supplies and went to the rural areas and passed them out to the children. These children and families have a tough time getting simple supplies like books, notebooks, pens, etc. It was so rewarding to visit them and here them sing and have so much joy before and after we gave them supplies. We hope this is a start to change their mindset and really help them become educated. After this wonderful time and being at a church service in a 8x8 yard brick room with only a couple chairs, we checked out some land that we may be able to own in the future to farm and build on so that we don't have to rent. We have already sent the paper work in this last week for something like it, but it could take 6 months to here about it, but it is a future goal, so its okay for now.

We went back into town to a church to hand out a few more educational supplies to kids in the church and also orphans that are being looked after. We hope to continue to do this kind of thing, as well as educate the children at the orphanage house.

Other than those main things, the feeding program as been continued every Tuesday. However, we will be moving it soon to the orphanage house and also be bringing food to people that can't get there. The reason is, this organization FOZ which we created with the locals needs to be legally separated from any church. Yes even here in small churches and organizations there are politics!

Our plan of empowering locals to take care of their community in need seems to be working well. We know great people that are really stepping up and helping in large ways. They put others before themselves. I am glad we are here just to help facilitate this.

Tomorrow, we are taking a day off to visit "Great Zimbabwe" for some "sight seeing". It is apparently one of the great wonders of the world. We are looking forward to this. I will tell you about it in the next update. I can't believe I have been here only two weeks. It feels like so much longer. I only have about two weeks left!

Hope this catches you up even know it doesn't have nearly enough detail and no photos.

P.S. My digital camera has a body malfunction error and won't take anymore photos. I am looking around for ways or places to fix it! I am trying to get a hold of canon as well. Hopefully soon I can find a solution. If not I will just keep shooting with my film camera and hope for the best. Wish me the best and please pray that I still capture this trip to the best of my ability.

Love you all,

Josh

Signed the Lease!

I got a short email from Caleb saying they signed the lease and should be able to start moving in on Thur. They got bogged down by paperwork but are hopeful they can get in this week. Prayers would be appreciated that if it's God's will they will be able to move in this week! They are relying on God's timing. Thanks so much for the prayers!

Look what God's doing! Keep praying!

Below is a letter that Josh sent out to his supporters and family. It has so much information and gives such a feel for the mission there that I felt it was worthwhile to post it in it's entirety:

Hi Friends & Family,

I have been in Zimbabwe for a week now. I don't have too much time for internet use, but I want to give you quick updates when I can to A. let you know I am alive and B. let you briefly know how things are going with the orphanage and feeding program.

Well, where do I start. I am so joyful to be here. Zimbabwe is beautiful. The landscape, sky, and people are amazing. The people are so nice, especially the servant hearts dealing directly with us as part of "Friends of Zimbabwe" (The orphanage and feeding program) we started under Christ's Initiative. I am learning alot about the culture and the state of the economy and need that is here. I have taken over 790 photos and haven't even been here for more than 6 days. I am also learning some words in the local language "Shona." There is so much I could describe about the culture, but being sensitive to time, I will have to update you in more detail about that when I get back and even talk with you in person!

Our days have been consisting of meeting alot of people, offices, and departments to start renting a building. Everyday we are out looking for houses, talking with realtors and the social welfare department and so on and so on. We have been writing up legal documents, getting our PVO (Private Volunteer Organization) through all the loops and legalities as well. We found a house, but it is a private residence so we are working out whether or not we are able to change the land usage so we can run an orphanage out of it. We also have another house in mind. One thing we have found is that things here move slowly, but we are persevering!
We have identified a few orphans and are looking into identifying more with different departments and in the rural areas as well. We will probably start off with only a few orphans. Our local friends are amazing and have done som much for us. The Couple with one kid that will be running the orphanage as the "head" of it have such hearts for God and for helping others. I can't explain the amount of time and effort they have put in and will continue to put in. Our goal as an organization is to empower these people to help their own community and for it to be self-sustaining.

The feeding program we initiated a while back started and has been continued by our friends and the community. Its amazing to see how they have helped so many people consistently with feeding each week even if they themselves don't have much, and trust me people here do not have much! I feel so blessed for the life, opportunity, and wealth I have been given. I just hope my heart and efforts can one day be half of theirs. Today we also helped a kid get surgery for his leg. It was brutally mangled from a car accident.I have the photos to prove it. He couldn't afford to get surgery and the community around couldn't afford it together so we felt it was an immediate relief situation and decided to step in and help.

We have alot of work to do, but I thank you so much for your support in prayers, thoughts, and finances. It is going to a great cause! I thank God for his blessings in this endeavor.

With Love & Grace,

Josh

Of Road blocks and food...

I got an email from Caleb this morning! I must say my heart leaped when I saw it was from him! I haven't heard from him in a while. He said that his computer ran out of battery and he had to wait to charge it due to no electricity in their home.

He said they have run into a few road blocks with the house and the paperwork. It seems every office they visit refers them to another one and they have heard two different stories as to how to set up the shelter. So prayers would be greatly appreciated that they find the correct paper work and that the shelter can be opened soon!

Now for food, he said that sadza tastes pretty much how it looks. So I have included a picture for you all! Hmm, how would that taste? Looks sticky to me, I can imagine it sticking to the roof of my mouth! What about you? He said the breads and baked good are very good! So that's nice to hear.

He misses everyone but says he hasn't missed all the electronic stuff. Perhaps we all need a trip to Africa to free us from our obsession! Or maybe it's just my obsession?

They found a house!

They found a house they really like and because of Josh's delay they were able to go and put a deposit down on it. They finished all the paper work yesterday and on Monday they will be able to start preparing it for the children! They think they will be able to bring children in the beginning of next month! Praise God!

Zach said the house is pretty big with an extra two room house in the back yard. He said the yard is big too. It's only $400.00 month to rent which they feel is reasonable for a house that size. They had looked at other houses for the same price that were smaller.

It's so neat to watch God work. They had liked another house but when they went to sign the lease the house had already been rented. Then they found a larger house that was $600.00 a month although they liked it they felt that was just too much money to spend.

If God so puts it on your heart please, go to http://christsinitiative.org/2011/10/02/feeding-program/ and make a donation. They will need continuing donations to complete the work they have started. Thank you so much if you are able. Please, continue to pray for them as they begin the process of preparing the home for the children.

Josh arrived safely!

Josh made it safely to Zimbabwe on February 16th a day behind schedule. He was stuck in D.C. overnight as the plane had a cracked windshield and needed repair. It appears it was quite an adventure to go get him. The first person that was going to bring Zach and Phillip to the airport had to cancel as his mother-in-law died and he had to help with arrangements. The second person they asked to help went to Harare a day before them. Phillip and Zach took a bus to meet him there. On his way he got in a car accident and wasn't able to drive his car anymore. So when they got to Harare they had to find another car. (My van is looking better all the time!)

They arrived at the airport to pick Josh up on the 15th. They waited a long time at the airport and when Josh didn't show up they asked around and found out that his flight had been delayed. They also heard from Caleb at that point as Josh had sent them an email and left them a phone message. They ended up having to stay in a hostel type place as it was all they could afford, apparently it was a bit scary!

Finally, the next day they met up with Josh and the rest of the trip back to Gweru went smoothly!

Reason why I haven't heard from them.

I got an email from Zach late yesterday afternoon. The reason I haven't been hearing as often is because their electricity was turned off. The people that have been staying in the house where they are hadn't payed the electric bill in over a year as they had no money. The bill is over $1,000.00 and they don't want to use their funds to turn it back on so it looks like we will only hear from them when they are able to go where there is electricity.

He said they are fine, he has a headlamp he is using. He said they are using a paraffin stove for cooking and they also build fires outside to cook on. He told me not to worry that they are getting along fine without it.

My thoughts

I was reading 1 Chronicles this morning as Noah (17) recommended it. I was struck by King David's words to God in 1 Chronicles 17:16 & 17, "Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said: "Who am I O Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, O God, you have spoken about the future of the house of your servant. You have looked on me as though I were the most exalted of men, O Lord God."

It jumped out at me that David realized he was just a man and it was amazing that God had taken notice of him. I just realized the same thing. Who am I that God has chosen two of my sons to go and serve Him in Africa? I was just left in awe to think that God of the Universe chose Zach and Caleb to go and share His love with the people of Gweru. What an honor to be chosen to go. We serve a living God! I am humbled when I think about it.

God could have chosen anyone to go, for some reason He chose Zach and Caleb, and not because we are somehow special, we are an ordinary family! When I think of it how King David did, I am in total awe. What an awesome God we serve! He is indeed worthy to be praised!

Prayer Request

I chatted with Zach today via skype chat. The house they had wanted to rent is gone, someone else beat them to it. They found another larger house but it more expensive to rent. They would like prayer whether or not to move on this particular house. They would also like prayer for direction and guidance. Thanks so much!

Got to talk to them!

Caleb called today! It was so good to hear his voice. He sounds good. He said that everyone in the airport was very nice. Many asked them if they could help them by calling a cab. He said they were concerned for them. He has not yet tried the main food staples! He said they have been eating beans and rice!

He said his bug bites weren't too bad. (Was this said only to make his mommy feel better?) He said they have been very busy going around and checking things out. Today was the first day they kind of relaxed. They have already found a house they are going to check into renting. They have also found a piece of land that they are seeing about purchasing. The plan would be to start the shelter in the rented house and continue there until they have built something on the property. So let the fund raising begin! Time to do the ole barn raising!

I was able to say a quick hello to Zach too! They are trying not to use up all their minutes too fast. It was great talking to them and hearing their voices but it did make me a bit sad but only because I miss them! God has them on a great mission that even though I miss them I would not want to stop them!

Got an email!

I finally got an email from Zach! I am going to copy part of his email below so that you can all pray for his request. It was so hard reading that Caleb is covered in bug bites and sores! The poor guy, first he gets the stomach bug before leaving and now bites! Sounds like the bugs are keeping them up too!

This have been going ok here.  We didn't get here till almost 5am this side time on sunday night, then we slept in till 5pm that day haha.  But then I wasn't able to get any sleep that next night.  The bugs are pretty bad, Caleb is covered in sores and bites from them. We have been planning on what to do first, please pray for wisdom for us.

Communication

Zach and Caleb arrived safely in Zimbabwe on Sunday. They purchased a track phone when they got there. Zach called briefly to let us know they arrived safely. He didn't want to use all his minutes so it was a very quick call. So hard not being able to talk longer!

About four hours later we received word that Phillip's car had broken down and they would be stuck in the airport for several hours. They were told not to leave the airport and to make sure one of them remained awake to watch their things. During that time we were able to chat via skype with them. Zach said they were both exhausted and hungry. They didn't know that they would be stuck in the airport so hadn't gotten something to eat before all the airport food stations were closed. So at that point they hadn't eaten in over 10 hours. He said it was hard trying to rest in the airport.

Around 6 p.m. our time on Sunday, Dave received a text saying that Phillip was able to get the car fixed and had arrived at the airport. So that was around 1 a.m. their time. So they are now safe at the home they will be staying at until they find a home for the shelter. Dave got a brief message from Zach that they were resting and would try and contact us at a later date.

We have not heard anything more from them. Zach did tell us that the other two times he went it took him two to three days of sleep to get caught up. So I imagine they are still resting. It makes it harder that they had both just gotten the stomach bug days before they left. I forgot how hard it is to go so long without talking with them. When I think back to the days of the frontiers I am in awe of how they could go weeks, months, even years without hearing from a loved one, not knowing that whole time if they were dead or alive. I feel like a whimp! I have a hard time going days without word. I feel very fortunate to live in a time where they are just a computer away from contact.

Hopefully, we will be able to talk with them soon and I can update what their trip was like and what they have been doing. Please, continue to pray for them! Thanks for reading!

I wanted add few more good-bye pictures. As you saw from the previous post Caleb had to say good-bye to Patriot (collie) and Deghan. He has been spoiling them, they are going to miss him! So today I have been trying to be patient with the doggies! So a few more pictures!

Well, around 4:00 p.m. on Friday they were finally ready to head out. That was bit off from the noon time plan! We rented a car for their Dad, Dave, to drive them to NY. Any of you that know us can understand why we didn't want the van going all that distance! It was very hard saying good-bye. I must admit that I wasn't able to say it without tears. The tears lasted for about an hour after they had gone. Noah (17) and Nate (15) were a great comfort to me after their departure.

They arrived in NY around 10 p.m., I hear they had pizza and went to bed in the wee hours of the morning as they were still getting things ready! I got a call from Zach and Caleb around 10 a.m. and they were just about to board the plane. I got a last minute text saying they were on the plane and ready for take off! They both sounded very excited about this new adventure that God has them on!

At our house yesterday you would not believe that Zach and Caleb were leaving for Africa in a matter of hours! Here are some pictures of what it looked like around our home just hours before they were to leave for NY!

They were still running to stores shopping for last minute items! We then went as a family out to lunch. I must confess I was in no hurry to have them leave. Yes, Zach will be back in a month in a half but Caleb is going for as long as he feels God wants him to be there.

It's sometimes a struggle following God. I know without a doubt that God does indeed want them to serve in Africa but it breaks my mommies heart knowing how far away they will be and that there maybe times when food could be scarce or illness might strike. I hope that while they are gone I will be able to cast my cares upon God for I know He cares for me and my sons.

Why Africa?

Four years ago, Zach (18 at the time) felt called to go to Africa. At that time we were attending a small church in our town. A woman gave a presentation on a family she was helping in Zimbabwe. Her daughter had attended college with Pastor Jeff from Zimbabwe here in the states. She became friends with him and when he returned to Zimbabwe he married and had a child. His first child died from starvation so the woman and her daughter began sending money to him.

During the presentation I felt the Holy Spirit telling me that Zach was to go over and help. Being a Mom and not wanting my son to go to Africa, I said nothing. On the way home from church my husband said to Zach, "Zach, I think you are suppose to go to Africa to help." Zach said, "No way! When I went out back for coffee hour Laura said to me, "Zach, when are you going?" I then shared that I had felt the same thing.

Laura emailed Pastor Jeff and his response was, "Yes, send the young man." At the age of 19 Zach felt the time was right to go. He had never been away from home for any length of time but he gave away all his belongings, bought a one way ticket to Africa and stayed for three months. Once there God turned his heart to the children of Zimbabwe. So many abandon or both parents dead with no one to take care of them. It was then that God gave him the vision to start a non profit, "Christ's Initiative" to start a shelter for children, to help feed and educate them along with adults that may need help.

After collecting some funds he returned a year later with a friend. They were their for one month and since then Zach has been fund raising. He is again headed there with his younger brother Caleb, 19, so this is where this blog begins, with this new adventure!