Prayer

Hi All, I can hardly believe it but Caleb will be home soon! Wow, seems like such a long time since I have seen him! I am so looking forward to his return! Below is a list of prayer requests he has for his return trip so if you could join me in lifting him up in prayer. Thanks! His flight leaves Africa on October 6th and he will be in the USA on the 7th. As he shares stories when he returns I will post them on here!

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Here are a few prayer requests about the trips etc.:

For the drive to the airport, that we don't encounter any car trouble
and that we don't have trouble at all the road blocks.

Immigration at the airport, that everything goes smoothly and nicely
there.  That they don't give us any trouble etc.

For the flights.

For Phillips and Abed's drive home from the airport.

Update from Caleb

Below is a quick update from Caleb! Thank you to all for your prayers and support!

This week is a conference at the church, so that's what we'll be up to
for the most part.  Phillip's sister came home from South Africa and
surprised everyone yesterday, Joshepine (bad spelling).  She and Zach
lived together at Pastor Jef's.  I've heard a lot about her and it's
awesome to see her.
Things at the house are filled with joy and peace, and my heart is
overwhelmed by God's grace.  I am brought to tears thinking of how
much he loves us.  We've been through some tough seasons but He has
been with us through it all, and now we've been blessed by his grace
with such a season as this.

The weather has been real nice, windy and cool some days and scorching
hot others, so there is some variety haha.

Thank you for donating! Update on Goddy

Below is an email I just received from Caleb giving an update on Goddy! God Bless all those that heard the call and donated towards his health!

Goddy has been discharged from the hospital!  He's home, eating and
has more strength.  He told me to tell you guys to not be so worried
about him, he's improving.  His stomach is still giving him a lot of
pain, and oddly enough the people at the hospital never told him nor
us what the problem had been, weird.  The bill was $63.00, Goddy's
brother wants to help pay it, and Phillip thinks its ok to let him
even though we have enough so that the family continues to support one
another, as this has brought them all together again I think.
With the money so far we've bought him foods that are good for him, a
face cloth, sandals etc.
We are thinking that we could buy him a mattress, which is around
$60.00 as he's sleeping on the floor, and also just continue to
improve his living and future.  Goddy says he can't wait to be in the
States so that he can pour out his heart to you guys and express his
great love for you.
SO God is good!

Urgent Request

Goddy is back in the hospital. Caleb said they admitted him last night. He is still having stomach problems. Goddy desperately needs our prayers for healing and for wisdom for the doctors as they have been unable to figure out what is causing Goddy's stomach issues. On a heavier note, he really needs money to be able to get the treatment he needs. Please, if you are able to donate any amount it would be greatly appreciated. I hate the thought of Goddy not getting the care he needs because he cannot afford it. The home operates on a  skeleton budget and so taking from that to help Goddy puts the other children and adults health in jeopardy. So please, if there is any way at all that you could donate a small amount it would mean the world to Goddy and to the others helping him. 

We all have the opportunity to make a huge difference in this young man's life. Thank you so much for your prayers and for your donations.  May God richly bless you. 

July update

First, Let me apologize for taking so long to post! July was a rough month for all of those in the home. It started out with their good friend Goddy (GodKnows) becoming ill. Caleb said it was so hard to watch as he lost a lot of weight and mentally was not himself. After many trips to the doctor's they discovered that Goddy was infected with the AIDS virus at birth. It had been lying dormant until now. They also found out that he is suffering from having tuberculous. They have been having to keep all the other kids separated from Goddy due to the TB as it is highly contagious. Goddy has been a wonderful friend to Zach and Caleb. He was there on Zach's first visit and brought much joy to Zach. He also was around when Zach and Jason went the second time. He has been full of joy despite what he has gone through in his 20 years of life, losing both his mother and father and living on the street for a time. He also has been a great comfort to Caleb after Zach left. Caleb said Goddy is really struggling, gone is his joy and positive attitude. Caleb said it's as though he is a different person. So please, if you could lift Goddy up to God, ask God to bring joy back into his life and to give him hope. My heart breaks for Goddy as he has been through so much. I am sure that many of us of would have been crushed from what this young man has gone through. He is also struggling with some stomach problems and has been unable to eat. When he does eat he can't keep it down.  So please, cry out to God on Goddy's behalf.

The other children were also sick in July. First, a 24 to 48 hour bug went through the house and then they all came down with the flu. Caleb said that he got the stomach bug but did not get the flu. Susanna has struggled with high blood pressure which causes her to at times have seizures. Caleb said she felt a crushing weight upon her shoulders during one attack. They don't seem to know exactly what causes these attacks. So again prayers are desperately needed for all of the children and adults.

Even after such a trying month, Caleb said he feels blessed to be part of God's work in Zimbabwe. He said during the dark times he drew closer to God and knows that it was because of God that he got through it all. It was hard for him to watch Goddy become so ill. He had never experienced that before. Phillip and Susanna continue to be strong and are a great comfort to Caleb too.

I have a few more stories that I will post later, I don't want you getting tired of reading! Again, thank you to all of you that are praying for the mission in Zimbabwe. God hears your prayers!

Wow! God is moving!

I am so excited to see how God is moving in the hearts of children! After hearing about Zach and Caleb's trip to Zimbabwe, a local brother and sister decided to sell lemonade and give the proceeds to Christ's Initiative! Their Mom said they explained to those who stopped  how Christ's Initiative is  helping children in Africa. The two of them earned over $50.00! Their Mom told me that they came up with the idea all on their own! In the picture they are presenting their earnings to Zach!

I will soon be posting a similar story but need to get more details! : )

It gives me goosebumps when I think of these two young children hearing God's call and stepping out and doing something about it! If only us older folks would be so bold! Is God calling you to do something bold for His children in Africa?

A big huge THANK YOU to these two incredible kids! Wow, God is moving!

Update from Caleb!

Wow, I am sorry I haven't been posting, Josh has been doing such a great job with the Christ's Inititive blog that I have slacked! I just received the following up date from Caleb this morning!

Hello Everyone! 

Man, it’s been longer then I thought since I sent the last update, I’ll do my best to get us all back up to date!  
We now have four children living at the home with us: Brian (16years old), Princess (14years old), Merjury (12years old) and Prince (4years old).  With them, Phillip and his family, Godknows and I, there are nine of us living together, so we’ve got a full house!
Brian is an orphan who was living with his Grandparents, he comes from a stable home background but they were unable to provide for him and care for him.  
Princess was living with her Grandparents as well, one of her parents has passed away and the other she has never met.  Again, her guardians were unable to take care of her.
Merjury comes from a home that practices polygamy and not a good home environment, her Father had so many kids that they were unable to care or afford Merjury. 
Prince comes from an abusive home, his body is covered in scars and his arm has been broken before.  When he first arrived he wouldn’t smile and wouldn’t do anything more then sit quietly on the couch, his head tilted to the side and his eyes staring off into the great unknown.  He is a testament to God’s awesomeness and reminds us that God is the God of transformation.  Slowly but surely he has been transformed back into a child.  He talks more then I ever thought possible.  When he first got here he would barely walk from point A to point B but now he is jumping, running, and laughing all over the house.  It’s been a blessing to watch as God works in this young child.  That is just one example of God’s continued love and provision, His faithfulness, power, and intimacy.  
Daily I find myself learning new things about God, life, and myself, it has been a humbling and amazing experience.  
It’s so awesome to watch as all of the kids have turned from all being strangers in a new house to now acting as a family, laughing, playing, and living together as brothers and sisters.  I am blown away by God’s beauty, as He shines through all of this.  To Him be the glory.

We continue to work on the Feed the Hunger Programs, doing an early morning breakfast run now, bringing sandwiches and tea to the Street Kids and continuing the afternoon program.  We continue to seek ways to expand and evolve the programs so that we may be able to help more people and in a more full way.  We are also continuing the Education Empowerment Program, providing children in need with school supplies and helping with school fees.  

None of this would be possible without the support, prayers, and encouragement that we have, and continue to, receive from all of you.  We are all of one body, and it is so awesome to see as everyone works in the way that God’s blessed them.  Your prayers mean so much to me; God has surely been here in a mighty and powerful way.  If you could continue to pray for provision and vision, encouragement and support, and open doors, for all of us involved in Christ's Initiative and F.O.Z to be led by the leading of the Holy Spirit and God's Word, and that we would be where He desires us to be at all times.   
I continue to pray for you all, and although an ocean separates us my heart and Spirit are both with you. 
 

To God be the glory, may He bless you all!  

“From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” – Ephesians 4:16

P.S. Check out the Christ’s Initiative blog @ www.Christsinitative.org for photos and updates!  

I’m ashamed to say it, but I have not tamed a lion as of yet, but, and I don’t mean to brag, I have killed one or two spiders, no big deal.