Ben's Birthday

For over the last year I have followed many birthday celebrations at New Day through the Tidwell's blog: tidwelladoption.blogspot.com, but last week it was such a joy to be able to attend one in person!  On Monday, sweet Ben turned 7 years old and we celebrated!

Pouring water on the birthday boy/girl is a tradition here. :)

Hugs for the birthday boy.

Anna decided Blu needed to get a little wet too.

Joseph joining in on the fun.

We all agreed that this was one of the best birthday parties we have ever attended.  It was a blessing to join in on celebrating this sweet little boy's birthday.

Dayla and Darbi

Mapanza Baptist Church

On Saturday the team had the opportunity to share with the youth of Mapanza Baptist Church.

We spent five hours playing team-building games, sharing testimonies, leading sessions on True Love Waits, having break out times for discussion, fixing an American lunch of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and speaking on unity.  The team did fantastic!  We had a wonderful time sharing and learning from our Zambian friends.

Here are a few pictures from the day.

Nick (the New Day Intern) leading a time of worship.

Joseph sharing his testimony.

Margo talking about True Love Waits.

Unity Game.

Sharing and Futbol

Last Thursday I had the chance to lead a study in Nabukowa village.  There were 10-15 adults in attendance which was a huge success.  After a time of teaching and discussion Callie shared her testimony with the group.  We are definitely lifting up this village and these people to the Father.  Please join us in asking that they would come to know and accept the truth.  Also lift up the continued work that will take place in Nabukowa.  I was so honored to be a part of the first interactions in this village.  Our Father is so powerful and I look forward to hearing about His work in this place.

Tim sharing the Good News at halftime.

On Friday the guys played a game of futbol at Nabukowa with some of the guys from the village.  Joseph scored all three of the goals making the final score 3 to 0!  I think the nationals were fairly impressed with the Muguwas' (white people) skills.  During halftime Tim shared the Good News with the group using a futbol that was designed for this very purpose.  

Margo loving on some babies

The girls enjoyed playing a game of netball with some of the nationals.

Everyone listening during halftime.

The girls with Miss Cambree.  She's a hoot.

This past Sunday the team had the opportunity to share C to C during the morning fellowship under the shelter.  If you do not know what C to C is, ask one of us sometime.  Basically we share, in story form, the beginning of the Word to the death of JC.  The team did great!  It is such a blessing to be able to share the love of JC in unique ways.

Cute little Axer with Papa Wes' sunglasses. 

Sunday fellowship in the shelter

C to C with Malenga translating.

For all of us,
Dayla

The Cheese Cave and Soccer Camp

The team is having a blast at New Day this week.  Along with several opportunities to teach and lead devotions, we have had the chance to do some construction projects as well as put on a soccer camp for all of the kids.

As New Day grows and develops it is the staffs' goal to become more self-sustaining.  One of the many ways they hope to accomplish this is by making their own cheese.  This week the team has had the opportunity to finish up a project of building a cheese cave.  In this cave the cheese will be matured and then hopefully ready to be eaten. 

If the cheese cave doesn't work for some reason, Blu has determined it will become his "man cave". :)

Adding dirt to the top of the cheese cave

Building a wall around the entrance.

Building shelves for the cheese cave.

Working on other construction projects around New Day.

Yes, that is in fact a power tool in Callie's hand.  These girls have skills.

 

In addition to construction projects, the team has also been putting on a soccer camp for the kids in the afternoon.  Tim and Joseph have been teaching the kids basic ball-handling skills and have had a couple scrimmages.  The kids are loving it and have been improving each day!  Here are some pictures from soccer camp.



This afternoon some of the team will be going to a neighboring village to share the Good News.  As we do this, please lift us up.  I will be leading a study to a group as well.  Ask that the Father would have His hand on each of us.

For All of Us,
Dayla

New Day Orphanage

The team arrived at New Day on Saturday afternoon where we were greeted by all of the staff and children.  What a wonderful welcome!  After dropping off our things at the volunteer house and M's home we went on a tour of the grounds.  It was cool to see such vision come to reality as we toured the school, orphan houses and land. 


On Sunday morning some of the team led the kids Sunday school time.  They taught the story of the four friends bringing the lame man to Jesus.  After teaching the story the kids acted it out and also played some games.

In the mornings before the work day begins, the staff goes through a devotional time together.  This week our team is helping to lead that time.  Tim had the opportunity on Monday to share from James about drawing near to the Father at all times.  The next day one of the staffers approached him and thanked him for his words.  She had been concerned for her niece that day who had been in labor for several hours and was worried that the she and the baby were in danger.  After Tim's devotion she and one of the M's were lifting her up when the phone rang with news that the baby had come and all was well.  The staffer then gave Tim the privilege of naming the baby.  I look forward to hearing what name he chooses.  This is just one way the Father has worked.

This week, some of the team has spent the morning teaching classes at the school like Bible, Tutorials, Art and P.E.. 

 

P.E.

I'm not sure who loves this time more, the kids or the team. 

Bible Class

Margo and Brittany have been able to go to a local clinic a couple of times to and help administer some inoculations as well as assist the doctor.  They hope to be able to go to a local hospital later in the week as well.

The whole team has also taken turns working on some construction projects around the grounds as well as put on a soccer camp for the kids.  Pictures to come.

Thank you for continuing to lift us up.  We are loving our time here, the fellowship we are experiencing with other believers and the opportunity to be stretched and used by the Father.  Please specifically lift up an opportunity to share at a new location.  On Friday we will have a big soccer match and then share the Good News.  Also lift up an opportunity to put on a youth conference on Saturday.  We want to be used by the Father in both of these opportunities.  Please continue to ask that we would be unified and continue to be filled by Him.

We hope to blog again soon with more pictures and stories!

For All of Us,
Dayla

In Lusaka

We made it to Lusaka yesterday afternoon after a 12 hour drive from Isoka.  After resting a bit and getting cleaned up we went out to eat and then to a movie.

Everyone is doing well.  We have had a little stomach bug going through the team but I think that everyone is feeling okay today.

At 9am we will be loading up a bus and heading down to New Day Orphanage.  Blu (the M from New Day) met us here last night and will be going back with us.

Thank you for continuing to lift us up.  We will update as we can.

For All of Us,
Dayla

The Last Few Days

The last couple of days the team has had some relaxing days at the M's house in Isoka.  The girls have learned how to make many wonderful things in the kitchen, while the guys have been helping replace a water tank at the M's house.  

The kids in the neighborhood got a kick out of the guys being on the top of the shed working on the water tank.  They kept asking “how are you?” and the guys would give different responses like: wonderful, fantastic, splendid, marvelous.  The kids weren’t really sure how to respond.

The M’s took us to a water fall about 30 minutes away and we really enjoyed it. We had a picnic there and then decided that we were all adventurous enough to climb the mountain to the top of the water fall. As you can see we are still alive and well. Just kidding parents the M knew that it wasn’t a deadly climb. 

We’ve had so much fun and have gotten to live just a piece of their lives. The kids have really enjoyed a few days with the team and have gotten to know them even more; not to mention the team has fallen in love with the M’s kids. It will be heart breaking to leave but we will be taking a huge part of them with us.

Please be lifting us up as we head on our journey to Lusaka on Friday for our second part of the trip and thank you for taking the time to read our blog.

For All of Us,

Anna