Here's what's been Happening - It's Exciting!

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Children bowed down in prayer 

during Discipleship Clubs

Q1 Update                                                                          April 2022

It's been quite the first 3 months of 2022! As I'm sure you know by now, in January I had unexpected surgery and in February my mom passed away. It was so hard, but I don't think I've ever felt the network of prayers lifting me up like that before. God was with me. So, last month I got on the plane and returned to Tanzania. I know this is supposed to be a Q1 report of, but I thought I’d focus this update on what’s been going on since I got back on the ground. It's so exciting! Check it out.
What's been Happening
Here's 4 of the best things that have been happening since I got back:
1. Discipleship Clubs 

The children meet every week to learn more about God. The current theme is on forgiveness. Last week it was about forgiving one another. Today it was about God forgiving us. It was so precious to hear the children discuss what they think sin is and to hear testimonies of what it means for God to forgive them.

Here's a couple of short video clips of a young man who shared with the teacher's summary and the class reciting 1 John 1:9 together. Check it out.
A child speaks of God's forgiveness for us by dying on the cross.
Timely with Easter next week!
The children recite 1 John 1:9 together... talk about sowing seeds!
2. Child Safeguarding Training

Last week, we had a week long session training for VOH Mwanza staff about keeping children safe. They used the new curriculum we developed last fall.

Of course keeping children safe isn't new, but it's important to take time out of the busy schedules to remind every person involved with VOH how important it is to ensure every child in our care is safe and protected. On the final day, there was training for children in middle primary school as well.
3. Strategic Plans

We've been working on these for months. Each centre has gone through a process to identify their SWOTs and current state vs ideal state, then voted, prioritized and sought God to develop their key initiatives and projections for the next 3 years. There's lots of exciting stuff like:
  • expanding primary schools to secondary
  • expanding feeding programs into new communities
  •  growing local resource initiatives and
  • a new emphasis on re-integration of children into their communities 
Over the last 2 weeks, I've had long zoom calls with each centre to review their final presentations and plans! It's exciting to see the vision each director has for their centre. I can't wait to see it realized!
4. Re-uniting with friends and making new ones 

It can sometimes be a bit lonely here, so it's so good to be back building relationships and starting new ones. After church this week I had lunch with a new friend, Aichiko. She is an accountant who works with the government on Anti-Corruption investigations. She's so nice, and we both like polka dots!

Tomorrow I will be leading the "Professional Connect" (aka small group bible study) reflection on Sunday’s message from Isaiah 40 about who is the God we should wait on. We meet by the shores of Lake Victoria - so beautiful there!
VOH Impact
A quarterly update wouldn't be complete without a couple of short stories about what's been happening with the children in some of our centres - this time, it's about a big smile and learning!
 At Child Health Week at VOH Mongu, Zambia all our kids participate and receive medical and dental check-ups. Our clinic staff works tirelessly during this week to ensure that all our kids are given proper treatment. Nice smile!
At VOH Bwiza in Burundi, our children show up each day for a nutritious meal, followed by tutoring lessons. The children enjoy having the chance to ask more questions and use our chalkboards to share information so they can learn together! We are happy that these lessons help our children grow intellectually and increase their confidence. 
Prayer Needs
Please pray with me for the following:
  1. Work of VOH - Pray as we begin to implement our strategic plans that they will be instrumental in bringing hope children in need in sub-Sahara Africa.
  2. My work permit - We finally have all the documents ready and are submitting the application this week. Let's pray it gets approved!
  3. Living Adjustment - Pray for new friends and fitting into an unfamiliar culture so I can be a blessing to those around me.
A Final Thought

But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Who is this God we wait on?
He's our Creator, Conqueror, Comforter and Controller! Amen.
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them for what they have done. Prov 19:17



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