Lisa is already gaining weight, she is on medications and being followed by a local specialist.  Her skin condition has improved and she no longer cries constantly.  An incredible bond is already developing between her and ‘mom’.  AND…

Last week, we grew again by 2 resident children!  Though stories are heart rendering, we rejoice with the fact that they now have a stable home, regular food and loving care.  Please help us welcome Denzil & Rutendo!  Denzil will need a sponsor ASAP.  Thank you for your prayers for these 2 new beautiful ‘babes’.

On Wednesday afternoon, we ‘gave birth’ yet again . Please help us welcome little Lisa to our VOH home.  This little girl is 14 months, but is the size of a 6 month old.  She suffers from HIV and an enlarged heart.  Please help us pray Lisa through these next crucial weeks and months as we seek treatment and pray for healing.  Would you like to sponsor little Lisa?  Please get in touch with us!

Dear friends,

It has been almost 3 months since we wrote to you. But it is only because of the few moments we’ve actually had to sit down J. We have started several drafts and letters to you, only to be interrupted by one urgent need after another. Let us fill you in…

BLESSINGS

• We have admitted 8 new children into Shamwari House, and a newly opened Nyasha House in the last 3 weeks. We will need sponsors for these new children through Child Care Plus! First 4 older children between ages 6 & 11, then another 4 younger ones between the ages of 3 & 6 years. All 8 are from orphanages that have recently been closed due to failure to meet Ministry standards. Meet these new additions to our VOH family below….

Above are Gabriel, Savannah & sister Anxious with mother Margaret (little Natsai & Esnath in front snuck in for the picture); then Tanaka, Chiedza & Chenai (twins) & Natsai with mother Addeline; the last portrait is of 6 y.o. Nyasha (on right) showing off hew new 3 y.o. ‘sister’ Sharon (on left) – we need to keep a constant eye on this little active one !

Have you fallen in love with a face or name and want to help by sponsoring her/him?  Contact Child Care Plus via phone or the web and let them know!

• Two more children’s homes are in various stages of construction.  When complete, this will make 8 Children’s Homes at the Village of Hope.  5 are open.  One ready to be opened once we have found another House Mother, and the last 2 yet to be registered with Social Welfare.
• Plans for the Secondary School are moving forward.  The land that once grew all our vegetables is being cleared in preparation for putting up our first Cornelius Hope Academy Secondary School classroom block.
• A short term missions team from Edmonton blessed our VOH children for 2 weeks with outings off the Village of Hope grounds, with swimming lessons & a Vacation Bible School, and our housemothers with new hairdo’s and a lunch out.  They built new preschool tables, and revived our many broken swings and playgrounds with new equipment and hardware.  WOW!  What a difference.
• We have interviewed and hired 2 new House Aunties to assist our Mothers with the growing  laundry and chores needed when taking care of 37 children, and to cover them on days off.
• Term 2 of Primary & Secondary School opened on May 6th and all the busyness that accompanies those days J.

CHALLENGES

• Despite the beauty of the faces above, these children come with real needs and can act out in a new setting.  Please help us pray each one through this transition – that they might truly make the VOH home!  And fall in love with their new ‘moms’!
• The rush of activity when new children come is not unlike the rush that happens around giving birth.  On top of the preparation of clothes, towels, pillows & food, this month we also had the rush of opening a new Children’s Home in the space of a few hours as not just 1 or 2, but 8 little bodies moved in with us in the space of 3 weeks.  WHEW!
• We praise God for our new registration for 56 children, but the fact is that we need to hire 2 more House Mothers immediatelyto meet the need.  Somewhere there are God fearing women that will make the difference in the life of a child.  Please pray that God puts us together – and SOON!
• This week, life went on hold again, as we tended to a resident child that decided to try a‘gravity defying’ stunt off our playground equipment and broke his forearm in 2 places!  Today he is home and happy on pain killers, but has a cast and some new pins and wires in his bones after surgery to correct the serious fracture.  Please pray for Tashinga’s quick healing.  We’ve asked Tashinga to keep his feet on the ground for a while !
• There is a new trend across Africa, including Zimbabwe to get children back into family settings wherever possible.  Although this is an awesome idea in principle, please pray with us that those that can make connections with distant relatives are welcomed, loved and prepared well for yet another transition.  Pray that they would know God as their comforter through uncertain times.  Pray that we use God’s wisdom and pure love in dealing with each child.

CHILD EVANGELISM

In the midst of all the business that happens to take care of children, to ensure we meet Zimbabwe gov’t standards, to continue to grow the Village, is the heart of what we do in providing HOPE… FOR THEIR FUTURE.

You see, as the Village grows, it is less likely that it will be Gord and I picking up a child that fell, praying with them as they settle into a new home and life at the Village, leading them in devotions day to day and inviting them to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord & Saviour.  The larger it grows, the less Sunday School we teach, the more meetings we attend, the more staff there is to oversee.  And so at a joint meeting with all our Management Team, we have laid out a plan to ensure that beyond food and clothing, each child has the opportunity to grow in God, to make their relationship with Him personal, to gain the confidence that no matter where life takes them – God is in control and  cares.  One day when we can’t be there – He will – here and in eternity!

As such, our Child Evangelism Plan is focused on our adults.  Because if they are whole and relying on God, they will be the ones to speak life and encouragement into a child’s life.  We are purposeful …

• In having devotions and prayer times with our staff 3 times/week.  Sometimes in small groups to bring personal requests, sometimes in large groups for teaching and corporate prayer.
• In training our teachers in child evangelism, so that if God provides a moment, they can give a salvation invitation in the classroom. 
• In training our staff, whether constructing a home, or binding a child’s wound, or repairing the water system, or growing vegetables, that all they do is to bring HOPE…FOR THEIR FUTURE.
• In placing scripture and messages of hope & encouragement all around the Village.   After all – ‘EVERY CHILD IS EVERYONE’S CHILD!’  We have a responsibility to each one.
• In having a Child’s Church Service every Wednesday afternoon instead of sports.  Children sing, children M.C., children usher (our Youth Pastor brings the message), as we give them the chance to find their gifts and purposes in the body of Christ. 

Thank you for being part of the miracle that is the Village of Hope, Zimbabwe!  Thank you for your support in every way!

Gen. 15:6  “Abraham believed God and it was credited him as righteousness”

WE STILL BELIEVE!  BELIEVE WITH US!