Our school in Kenyama is well

Finally, Wednesday we visited one of my favorite ministries... Kenyama West Church of the Nazarene Community School. We arrived yesterday morning as the kids were coming to school and we were warmly greeted and welcomed by Pastor Benson Mweetwa, his staff and about 300 precious kids.
They wanted to play and hug and hold hands. They sang for us and each teacher on the team was asked to teach a class. It was cool to watch the team teach school in Zambia. How many times in life do you get that opportunity?
The Kenyama West teachers were the same ladies that we met one year ago. They still get paid a small amount, irregularly. The school serves about 300 students in the morning session and 300 students in the afternoon session. One of the teachers, Rose, proudly reported to us that all 16 of her 8th grade students had passed the grade this year. This is hugely significant because 8th grade is the highest basic school level. Beyond 8th grade in Zambia is considered Secondary School and is very expensive. Kenyama West school has big hopes that they will expand their school to 12th grade. We share that hope with them and want to be a part of their growth. Last year it had been 4 months since they were paid. We have known this for one year. It is time to do something about this, and we are ready. Josh and Angie worked to put together our kids profiles for our partnership to ensure that all 9 Nazarene Community Schools across Zambia stay open and prosper. We can't wait to be a part of this effort. If these schools did not exist, these kids would not be able to attend school and they would also not have the one hot meal a day served at the school. This is definitely something we want to be a part of.
The work continued at Chipongwe yesterday and floors and walls are impressive! We worked on the foundation on the extension of the building and several of us hauled 40lb block... all day.
We walked to a little community store today for a cold drink and a cookie. We met the owner, Christine. She is a warm lady and has a huge smile. She is very happy that we can shop in her store everyday and we are very happy to keep it local ;)
I had a very interesting conversation today with Davis. He is a Radiologist that lives in Kafue and commutes to the Zambian Helpers Society Hospital across the road from our Chipongwe project everyday. This hospital is in Lukamantano village.... (another story). He told me of the excommunication of an Archbishop, a possible partnership with South Korea and the present level of care being delivered at the hospital. No staff, no care. It is an interesting situation and I was able to arrange a visit to the hospital today. I am interested to learn more... and see if God is leading us toward a partnership.
It is going to be a good day.
More later...