Update from Caleb!

Wow, here I am in Texas giving you all an update from Zimbabwe! Modern technology! Below is an update from Caleb so I will let him tell you in his own words. It's so exciting to think they will be taking in their first child today and how they continue to feed others and help children become educated! Think about it....we all have a part in this if we have donated to Christ's Initiative or to Zach, Caleb, and Josh individually , how very exciting and humbling. Our God is truly an awesome God! Thank you all from the bottom of my heart, the work could not be done without your continued support and prayers.

Hello all!

I am sorry for the amount of time it has taken me to send this, I have no good excuse except that our Internet time is limited.  See it’s not a good one!
Today is my forty fifth day in Africa, so let me bring you up to date on what we have done and accomplished during our time here so far.  I hope no one expects me to have tamed a lion, because if that’s the case then you’re in for a disappointing update!

Upon arrival in Zimbabwe we ended up having to wait eleven and a half hours at the airport for our ride to pick us up.  Their car kept breaking down on the way, poor guys had been driving for most of the day, as we packed our bags into the back of the truck, Phillip (the Pastor we’re working with) smiled and said “T.I.A.” This Is Africa.  And so it is, and we’ve experienced many T.I.A moments since arriving, but those stories are for another time.
We have been very busy since getting here, although things are slowing down a bit right now; they’re going to be picking up very soon. 

For the first few weeks we had a lot of paperwork to do, it seemed every office we went to inquiring about land for our shelter, identifying children, etc. etc. etc. sent us to another office.  Offices were contradicting each other, one telling us that we needed to start operations before they’d approve us (so that we could prove our authenticity), then another telling us we couldn’t do anything until all of the paperwork was done.  Eventually we came full circle, sent to the office that Zach and Phillip had begun the entire process with two years ago.  So right now we’re “proving” ourselves by doing small things through F.O.Z (Friends of Zimbabwe, the organization on this end that Zach began).  We’ve started the “Education Empowerment Program”, in which we help provide children in need with the necessary tools to go to school.  Here in Zimbabwe you have to have note books and pencils etc. etc. before being able to go to school, they don’t provide anything for the kids it seems.  Through this program we've also assisted in paying for children to go to school, paying the fees that are required.  We’ve also been changing the dynamic of the “Feed the Hunger” program, evolving it so that we may reach more people more effectively.  

We’ve begun renting a house.  We’ve been preparing the home for the kids, getting bunk beds, some appliances, and making it livable.  We’ve spent a lot of time renovating the yard as well, making it less dangerous, tall grass and untended yards are prime real estate for deadly snakes and other critters, as well as a dumping ground for peoples trash.  It takes a lot longer to do this here; we have to cut the grass with a “slasher”, a sharpened hoe like tool, which you swing back and forth.

We have identified some kids on our own (when I say “we” this includes Zach, Phillip, Josh and myself) and are looking forward to having them move in early this week.  This first child is coming today.  

It’s all a process and sometimes it takes longer then we’d like, but all in God’s timing!  He has truly blessed us; He is good and faithful!  It’s been such a blessing to be here, and also very humbling!  I thank you all for your continued encouragement, support, prayers, and friendship; I am blessed to have such people in my life.

Thank you all and God bless!  

“Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.”
-1 Corinthians 10:24