House of Faith Orphanage | Silembe Update

World Orphan Relief now has four people working toward our effort in Zambia; Mike Jones is our acting Missions Director for Africa, Linda Jones works on various aspects of World Orphan Relief projects in Zambia, Jo Anne Byrum is our Orphanage Director, and Elizabeth is our first House Mother at House of Faith Orphanage (HOFO).

The following in an update from Mike at the project site, be blessed (edited):

This is the second home at HOFO site. The recently returned Journey of Faith Team worked on this home and funded the construction for the entire house. The roof is now on. It is still too wet for hauling rocks, so the floor will probably be another couple of weeks. Speed of construction has been dramatically reduced since heavy rains began in December. While we did experience some rain during our 2-week visit earlier this month, it wasn't anything that required us to alter our plans.

The Journey of Faith Team also spent considerable time working on the cook & laundry shelter also. The drains were being set in the sinks yesterday, and though one column looks crooked, it is straight. Two pantries are going up on the right side (one for each home).

Four pantries almost finished on the left side. The door frame and metal door, like we have on the bath house, will be installed for each pantry. They are k450,000 each ($121), which should be ready next week. The iron work for securing the building over the sinks, entrance, and large cooking grill should also be ready next week at a cost of k2,300,000 ($621). We should have no other large expenses for the kitchen-laundry area except pouring the floor. I've arranged to buy a load of cement Monday, even though it is a holiday.

Lunch time provided for a good picture. Jo Anne is staying again until Monday. The furniture is not yet in its place, but you can see it is very sturdy. The little guy didn't seem to be feeling well today. Nothing serious. I asked Golden (our construction foreman who lives nearby) how the children were doing. He said, "They are very happy!" I've contracted with my old painter (he is also a senior headman) and expect him to arrive any day to paint the house.

Goats always go for the garden.

The ceiling will be completed today in the second home. We will need to start on another building, or reduce the work force again in the near future. We project that the first home will be filled with twelve children in the next 30 - 90 days, at which time we will begin to fill the second home, which will be finished by then.

Sheri (Mike and Linda's daughter) got her visa for DRC. We will take her up to the border Tuesday, with the Congolese couple from Bible School. Sheri will have someone to travel with, blessing them with transport, while paying less than an airline ticket. We are staying at MMM in a house that sleeps 5 for k150,000 ($40) per night. After taking them to the boarder Wednesday morning I plan to see the head of Social Welfare for Copperbelt. We are working toward starting our third orphanage in this area later this year or 2009. Our second site at been tentatively selected for a site just outside Kasama, Zambia.

We are hoping that Social Welfare can provide for some numbers on orphans, how many and where, where existing orphanages are located, and where they need, or would like to see, additional orphanages in the province. I'll also be talking with our contacts throughout the province. As far as the plumbing job at the Orphanage in Ndola -it shouldn't take long, but this is Africa. I've already bought most of the cpvc parts needed except for the pipes which will fit inside the van.

This picture was taken from the pit latrine, a place the team will probably never forget. The school hosted a soccer match today. The players filled a container with water from our well, keeping it in the shade of the kitchen/laundry area. As far as the local people are concerned, we have built a city in the bush -their village. They are very grateful, with hearts open to the gospel. Comrade told me his church attendance went up by 15 people since showing the Jesus film. God has laid it on our hearts to help suffering orphans. Your obedience has ended up adding a territory, covering many villages, into the Kingdom of God.

Have a Great Day!
from Mike Jones in Zambia

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Thanks again to Mike, Linda, and Jo Anne for making our stay in Zambia enjoyable, and so very productive. I personally had the opportunity to walk out the Orphanage project there. I can say that the place is special. We measured roughly 23 acres dedicated to serving his children, and we have been assured that if needed we can add to land to serve His children.

Please keep our people there in your prayers, and that we may be most efficient in bringing these children up giving them a Great Hope! -Scott