The neighbourhood crusade has come and gone.  The responses at the altar were overwhelming and so with new salvations, there is a baptismal coming up in our back yard pool Sept. 19th.  These are always exciting afternoons!

Our resident children that went to others homes for August holidays are now all back and preparation was in full swing today for school opening for Third Term tomorrow.

Over the last week we have welcomed another 2 children into the Children’s Homes.  Kuda is a 3 yr. old doll, always smiling, always pleasant and always with a tongue out of his mouth .  I took 20 pictures of him and every single one of them was with his mouth open.  He is funny.   A second little boy joined us just this afternoon.  At 10 mos., Evan’s whole life has been lived in a hospital ward, in a baby bassonette,  and we watched with amazement as his huge, bright eyes took in the sights of outside, took his first car ride, and was enveloped in a sea of 40 other children as soon as he arrived at the Village.  Seems the whole thing was rather overwhelming to him.

As we took Evan, we were painfully aware that there were 3 babes we left behind, abandoned, with no where to go.  At another  hospital visit last Sunday outside of Harare, we met others just like them.  A 3 yr. old, and an 11 yr. old who had never been to school – abandoned in Hospital with no place to go, no places in the local orphanages, no foster homes.  We are praying about our part in it all and talking with the authorities about how we can help.

And though we are so excited and congratulate each other at each new ‘birth’, those moments are always bittersweet, knowing that the reasons behind their presence at the Village of Hope, are anything but pleasant.  We are so thankful these children at last, have a loving stable home, but the pain they go through in adjusting to their new life also makes for hard days.   God help this world and the people that bring pain to God’s smallest ones!

God help the Village of Hope to be different – to remain an oasis.

This week – last night and for the next 3 nights, Hope Community Church is running a neighbourhood crusade with guest speakers.  The first night was already amazingly well attended and there was a huge response to the altar, new salvations and the healing of broken lives.  God has been good!  Please pray for this ongoing outreach to the community of Good Hope.

Exciting for Gord and I was sitting behind a bench full of our resident children who danced their little hearts out during praise and worship!  Denzil, with huge chipmunk cheeks and tiny feet, was amazing to watch – we didn’t know he could move that fast at 3 yrs. old.   Wish you could have all been a part of the moment .

Electricity has been a huge problem these days.  And so makes it hard to keep updates happening, but does keep life interesting .  We are praising God for the granting of another year work permit in Zimbabwe.  There is peace in being stable again for another year and knowing that God isn’t finished with us yet.

The Secondary School block is growing fast and furiously now, once the foundation was complete! A weeks difference is shown above.

And Lisa went for a follow up at clinic again, but hasn’t gained weight this month.  Despite growing more beautiful everyday, we still have a fight ahead of us.  We ‘ve now added formula to her diet, as well as whole milk, a full meal compliment and a nutritional suppliment called ‘Plumpy nut’.  Please continue to pray for this little mite and her healing.  We’re now in search of an ‘exersaucer’ (or ‘ring walker’ as they call them in Zim) to give her opportunity to strengthen her legs and arms and build some muscle mass.

What a day!   One of those days that just makes each moment here at the Village of Hope worth it!

Today we celebrated the end of Term 2 and attended the final assembly of CHAPS and listened as results from each class and grade were announced.   And again, God has blessed our children and we teared with pride as we watched name after name of sponsored child be read off, as one of the top 10 in their class, or the most improved, and they paraded to the front to be applauded.   Wish you were here to share the moment!  God is blessing this place!

At the end of last week, our dear Lisa went for a follow up at the Clinic.  She weighed in at 6.2 kg!!!  This is whole kilogram gained since she moved in with us a month ago.  We are praising God for this progress!  She has a healthy appetite, and is starting to get up on her knees and hands to rock as she gains strength!

As we continue to provide for needy children in the orphanage and community we are finding a desperate need of 21 new sponsors for children.  We can’t help without you!  If you are interested in sponsoring a child, like Lisa, just call 905-542-7400 (in Canada) and ask for the Child Care Plus office.  Tell them you want to help the Village of Hope Zimbabwe by sponsoring a needy child.  MATABAS (thank you very much)!!

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!