WOR | Zambia Update

We hadn't heard from Mike in several days, but he did check in yesterday and provided this report(edited):

We are still alive. Just got back from Lusaka late last night. Lusaka is not my favorite place, but I believed I should have stayed for a while. Now I know why.

First, on the orphanage, We should be there tomorrow. One of the people we were buying bricks from hauled bricks for us with his ox cart for free (I'll probably give him something). Hopefully, I'll have some good pictures tomorrow. No word yet on the permit for Orphanage. I'm going to Livingstone Friday and will try to see someone then to get an update. We will get the permit; hopefully soon.

We have a Toyota Super 16 Van! This will make our group's travel take less time and be completely inside next month. The paperwork took time. This was an US Embassy vehicle. The Roads Traffic Lusaka office had experienced a week or more of computer problems. The lines were longer than the building. One day he stood in line all day and didn't get to the window. I'll try and get the paperwork errors corrected Friday and get the remainder of the paperwork completed.

A couple of days before going to Lusaka I got a call from Rob. He had been a missionary in Zimba and we were good friends during this time. His wife got into medical school the next year and is a doctor today. They were in Lusaka to adopt a baby. We told them we would be in Lusaka in a couple of days and would see them. We didn't know how "down" they were. The process had already taken more time than promised, costing them thousands of dollars. The worst thing was not knowing for sure if they would be able to get the 18 month old, the family of 5 is already attached. By the grace of God, we were able to take them around to the various government entities and they got everything done. They are staying with us in Kalomo until their rescheduled flight departs on the 15th.

The experience taught us some things about adoption in Zambia. Besides Rob there were 2 others we knew in Lusaka actually staying where we stayed, waiting and hoping to get their child. All of them having a very bad experience. This adoption process has been stopped in Zambia for the time being. Those already in the process still have a chance, but not for sure. The High Court option remains open, and probably always will, but could take 2 years. Once the man with the white wig speaks, no one can argue.

I'm getting prices on fixing the lorry(truck). Because of the holidays the shops were unable to get prices until this week.

God Bless, (Mike)

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Progress continues on the second home at House of Faith Orphanage. We expect to finish this home towards the middle of March. We continue to expect our permit any day now to begin receiving children into the first home at the project. Peparation continues for this day............