The start of a new month - do not worry

It is hard to believe that it is already February. It feels like we just had Christmas and New Year! At the same time we realize that we have been in Zambia now for a little more than 3 weeks. It doesn't feel that long but at the same time it feels like we have been here much longer. Things are started to feel familiar and "normal" when we are in the office and work with the team here. Also "normal" is the power outages almost every evening from about 7:30pm till 8:30pm or so. We also seem to have weekly water outages for about a day or so. These are things that in Canada we didn't have to think about too much since most of the time the utilities work. But here, people just get on with their business even when there is no water or power. Back home, things grind to a halt when there is no power, here people just find a candle or a flashlight and keep attending their business.

This week we spent time getting into the normal activities of the office. Gert got into some financial stuff and worked on some budgets for the year and is trying to figure out a way to hopefully improve the financial reporting and forecasting of the activities. There is a lot going on and there always seems to be a shortage of money. There is always a need for more money given the needs there are so they always assess the immediate and most urgent needs and pay those first. Other things deemed less urgent will be left. Sometimes it means that there is less money for food which really breaks your heart knowing that they have already so much less than we do.

It is very important for Every Orphan's Hope to fill its sponsorship program so that there is enough funding for all the expenses in regards of the orphan homes. Right now the program is just under 50% of its final goal. It would be a great thing if we could raise the number of sponsorships to a full 100% by the end of the year. For $27 per month you become one of the 12 sponsors of a child. All the money raised is sent to Zambia for the support of the orphans and their mamas. We can testify to the good use of the funds, since we see it every day with our own eyes. Visit www.everyorphan.org and go to Sponsor an Orphan to sign up. For Canadians we are working out some final details to have donations go through our church. More details to follow soon. Help us get the word out about this great cause. We see with our own eyes the difference your money makes in the lives of these children.

This week we also started with the first preparations of Camp Hope, the bible camps that will take place this summer. It is still a long time away but there is also a lot that needs to be done and as we have experienced, things take time here in Zambia. There are often just physical obstacles that prevent things from being done quickly. Whether it is a vehicle that doesn't run or a child that breaks an arm that suddenly comes up and needs to be dealt with, there are often many reasons why things that longer than we would expect. We have to get used to that since we are such a high-paced society. Here most people don't have internet at home and there is no functioning mail system. So you either have to call someone (hopefully they still have talk time on their phone) or go and visit them if you want to discuss things. Buses have given routes but no fixed schedule so you just have to wait till it shows up and then hop on. Things are just different here because the infrastructure in place is not the same as what we are used to. As a result, life goes at a different pace and doesn't seem to have the stress that we know in North America. We hope to be able to find a middle-ground between the two cultures and lifestyles. It would be nice if things could go a little faster (like applying for a work permit) but at the same time it doesn't have to be as strict and measured as in North America. It is important to make time for other people and their immediate needs regardless your schedule.

The Bible tells us to focus on our neighbors. I realized this morning that it never says in the Bible that we have to complete our tasks. Seeking God's Kingdom and righteousness first and loving our neighbors as ourselves is what we are called to do. There is no mentioning of getting your "to-do" list done. Maybe we have gone a little too far in the Western world in putting tasks and actions before people. Something to keep reflecting on the next little while.

During our devotions we talked a lot about "do not worry" and we concluded that worry is the opposite of faith. A strong faith will take away worries about our daily lives. We often look at people who live a "do not worry" lifestyle as irresponsible and don't take them seriously. Something more to keep in mind and reflect on.

Maybe you can help us through some comments and provide us with some of your insights. We love to hear from you and wish each and everyone of you God's guidance and protection in everything you do.

May God bless each and everyone of you richly.