Please Pray for our Mission leaders in Africa

A message from our Mission leaders in Africa:

To all our partners.

We are leaving once again for Zambia on August 3rd to August 19th to go and start with making bricks for the orphanage and see how far we get with it and foundations for the orphanage. Please pray that God would protect the vehicles going up and there because we do not have time for brake downs. Pray for the team of 16 from America and for the 5 of us leaving from South Africa. Pray for the Spiratuality of the people in Zambia and that we would be the witness that God want us to be. That we would have the opportunty to share the gospol. Pray that no one will sustain any injuries. Thanks so much for all your prayers and support. We look forward to sharing all that God did when we return.

with much appreciation and gratitude,
Amber and Jako
Mission of Love Community Orphanage

Medical Reminders for Team Zambia!

As the team medical officer I am providing you with your friendly reminder that Monday 7/31 is the day you should start your Malaria prevention medication (if you are taking
Doxycycline) if you have not done so already. Remember to keep it packed in your carry on so you will have it with you at all times. This is true of any prescriptions that you need to take. (or anything you can't live without)

We have a Comprehensive First Aid Kit that is packed in my carry on, however, if there are over the counter medications that you think you will need often, please pack a supply in your carry on as well.

I will also need your medical history forms and release/permission forms prior to departure. If you did not bring your shot records last Thursday, please bring those with you as well.

Please continue to pray for health, safety and protection.
Rest, prepare and be well.

(note: Italics were edited by the system administrator)

Zambia sets elections for September

I am only a single person, one that is far from a political commentator or expert. However, in the interest of communications and openess I am providing news from Zambia and trying to educate families as the news unfolds. I thought this was important to highlight, since many US citizens will unfortunately jump to conclusions of unrest and uneasiness. If there is anything mistaken in this post please immediately let me know.

On June 16th the President of Zambia announced the dissolution of Parliament effective July 26th. In America this act would seem to be the beginning of significant strife. However, in Zambia according to the National Constitution it is one method to begin the election process due in 2007.

Please pray for also for the Zambian people, democracy as they move toward another public election and stand up their electorale commission.

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” - Jeremiah 29:11

Follow the Calling

Dr. David Livingston was the first whiteman to see the Zambezi river in 1853 and discovered Victoria Falls Nov. 14, 1855. I have been reading the biography of this Missionary/explorer that was the first to go where we are going. It has been inspiring.

To think that only 150 yrs since this wonderful land was discovered. From his journal entries it seems that not a whole lot has changed. He talks of eating the corn meal stuff with the natives. He speaks of the different wildlife and climate. He even canoed down the Zambezi river!

He felt called to share the gospel of Jesus with the Africans of that region. He faced many trials and tribulations in the process. When asked how he approached this task so confidently he said, "If God has accepted my services, then my life is charmed until my work is done." - Feb. 1853

As I prepare to leave my family and go on this adventure these words give me comfort by giving me the proper prospective.

Team, God has called us to His service in the Mukamba village. Let us go knowing that our lives are protected by the Almighty, God of Abraham, God of Africa, God of the Universe...our God.

Rising costs in Zambia

Originally Posted by SusaninZambia:

"Many people believe (myself included once) that living in a third world country is cheap. How wrong they are. Especially in Zambia, because it is landlocked and everything must be imported, prices are high. When I first arrived here in July 2005 the exchange rate was 5,200K to every US dollar. This was good and we were able to live without spending an arm and a leg for things. Now, due to political competition and the World Relief Bank, the exchange rate is 2,910K for every US dollar. Now you might be saying...you still get almost three times as much then you would have in the states. That is true, but you must take into consideration the cost of things. Some things we can get much cheaper than the states but the majority of things we deem as necessities are very expensive. This problem has been compounded by the rise in prices in food and diesel. Let me give you some examples:

1 gallon of milk = $7.10
1 gallon of diesel = $6.00
1 block of cheese = $6.70
1 box of cereal = $8.00
1 black printer cartridge = $85.00

This is only the tip of the iceberg. There are many things we can't even get here, and the ones we can we can't afford. A local newspaper just printed an article that said a family of 6 needed 1,650,000K per month for food. That's $550.00. That doesn't include rent, clothing, school fees, or medical bills. The majority of people in this country make less than $1.00 per day. "

Helpful hints in packing plans

1. Pack medicines and several sets of clothing in your 26lb carry on. If checked baggage is lost, it is lost for the whole trip until we return to the airport in South Africa. Whatever you can't live without for 2 weeks should be in your carry on.

2. Wear your work boots in route. For me, it saves me space and weight in my luggage. Once on the plane you can take them off. If your work boots are uncomfortable...remember you will be wearing them for 10 days.

3. Wear your light jacket or sweatshirt onto the plane. This will also save packing space and, again, you can take it off when you get on the plane.

4. Remember...there are weight limitations for the luggage! And they will weigh each piece and there will be no gray area. 50.5lbs will require extra fees or an "in the airport" repacking.
But...they don't weigh you. Whatever you can take on your person saves weight in the luggage!

5. Don't forget to pack your malaria meds.

6. Each team member has a water filtration system bottle in my office to be picked up.

7. The cots are also in my office to be picked up.

Power of Prayer

Please keep praying for God's will to be done while we are in Zambia. Please also pray for our safety while we are traveling and in Africa. Today a friend stopped me in the office and told me that they prayed for the team this morning. I was honored and humbled. When she went on with the story she told me that she had seen an image while praying, maybe more of a vision of us getting out of a four wheel drive vehicle, she could see grass huts and people getting out of the vehicle. She also recognized Michael the Guardian Angel standing nearby with a sword.

Hearing this, I feel that we will be protected and the Lord will very much be with us on our Mission. Thank You for your prayers!

Mission Team Commissioning

At today's Church service the Mission Team was commissioned by First Baptist of Woodbridge (FBCW) in preparation of their journey to Zambia. A prayer for the team and request for prayer while the team is in the field was offered by Pastor Ray Bearden.

Satellite Phone

After contacting the US Embassy in Lusaka, The Zambia Revenue / Customs department and the Zambian Embassy in DC I still don't have firm written approval for the Satellite phone. I wanted to go ahead and order the phone to guarentee that we would have communications.. So it was ordered and it will be here in time for our flight toward the Mukamba Village. Thank You to my friends at PWM L Dock from all of us going on Mission to Zambia!!

Get ready to enter Zambia.
(Photo at the border of Victoria Falls)

VISAs

Team, Jim has completed the VISA process and will be picking them up at the embassy on Monday. He will arrange for their safe keeping in the meantime. If any of you have an urgent need for your passport in the meantime, please let him know and he will arrange for you to pick it up

Communications

I received a special designated funds from my extended family at Prince William Marina's L-Dock. These folks are family and would do anything for my family and I. L-Dock has made it possible for us to bring a Satellite Voice Communications phone to Zambia to use while we are in the Mukamba Village. I am currently checking with the Zambian Embassy to ensure that this will not pose a problem. Please pray for a positive response. This will allow us to update (via voice) this blog, have emergency communciations and get the news of God's accomplishments to everyone while we are in the field.