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.

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 .

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.

That as the Secondary School develops, curriculum is decided upon, teachers are hired, and buildings are erected that we hear God’s heart for the children and respond accordingly.

That as we begin to pursue the establishment of the Medical Clinic, that all the necessary pieces and people (approved plans, workers, doctor and nurses, supplies, agreements) would come together in a manner that pleases God and remains in line with our vision and mission statements at the Village of Hope.