Monday
presented us with a great opportunity!
Two of our board members arranged for us to travel three hours north to
Lelaan where were able to observe a milk cooling station. We were accompanied by three farmers from the
Sibanga area that were interested in seeing first-hand what bringing a station
to their area would do for them, their neighboring farms, and the community.
We
were told that in the Lelaan area there had been much tribal fighting but the
cooling station had brought peace to the farmers as they began to see how it
benefited not just them but the surrounding area. They went from having only a few shops nearby
to having a street lined with shops, a bank and also a school offering Forms 1,
2, and 3. This is the American
equivalent of Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors!
It was very encouraging to see all the positive life changes this one
operation has brought to an entire community!
The
farmers who went with us returned very encouraged and we are counting on them
now to tell their neighbors what they saw so more people will become aware of
something being planned to help them improve their standard of living. The trip to Lelaan Highlands Dairy was very
helpful in formulating plans for this project in Sibanga. It is our hope that our station will have the
same positive community impact.
We
also took the opportunity to bless about a dozen workers and managers with
their own copies of the Bible. They were
very encouraged, and we have received requests to send more!
Tuesday
started with a brain-storming session involving our future training
coordinator. We discussed what type of
training will be offered and how it will be presented. The result was a plan which we think will fit
the vision very well.
We
had to complete some difficult negotiations on the architectural work and have
spent a good deal of time praying that the result would be we respected those
who worked with us and we were good representatives for the Kingdom of
God. His presence was certainly felt in
the meeting as we sensed calm throughout the discussions. We are getting a new taste of what long-term
mission is about. Even though we are not
staying here long term right now, all of our planning is geared toward that and
it affects our daily decisions and plans.
A
note of praise for little baby Ellen.
She has been diagnosed with Typhoid and Malaria but she is home now and
on medication. As a result, she seems to
be feeling better.
Our
prayer requests are for:
1. Protection
against things that would create division among board members
2. Steady
progress
3. All
of the logistical details associated with getting our NGO registered here
4. New
beginnings with different architects for training center construction plans
5. Encouragement
for us to make opportunities out of challenges
6. Pray
for healing for our friend Lillian who works at the cyber café. She is suffering complications from a surgery
about a year ago and is currently in the hospital.
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