Nuzwelay-hundi! {I am just fine!}

{Dit Like Lecka! 'it looks good' in Africaans}
okay so quick recap before we head out..

it has been A-FIPPIN-MAZING seeing the children at the orphan school grow an develop even over the past few weeks. Moonga could not even trace the number 1 nor would she speak or smile or come to us for hugs or finish her small plate of poriage but now she has completed Clarissas art projects (including cutting!) all on her own, she speaks in full sentances, mimics our words, and even came back for seconds of poriage! Tarryn even heard her count all the way to 26 without pressure or help. I think it was the highlight of all of our weeks. I nearly cried when Kalumbu (who is a new student who hasnt been able to even look at anyone) drew 1's on her own for a bit! We were all chatting about how its crazy that these are the things that are making our days.. even when Moonga or caren backtalk us or say no is envigarating because they are knowing what they want, understandin things and asserting their opinion.

Speaking of Tarryn... Another south African team arrived with 15 people including the senior pastor and wife of Tableview church. Tarryn and Ashliegh and me an clarissa were immediately best of friends and the both heped us out in the orphan school last week, Ashigh with Clarissa mostly documenting every moment with her super awesome camera, and Tarryn with me and the tiny kiddies reading them stories, playing games and giving them losts of loooove. Dave is loving the help of some of the boys Dino, Jason, Mark, Vuyo, Joel and then some adults Tony, Louis, Jaques to keep building on to the new house. With the help of Jenny, Kathy, Kelly and the other girls we made over 130 beaded bookmarks for the ladies meeting this Saturday. Jill and Allister left us on Friday day which was sad and also left us the beading class but which we have grown to love and anticipate their hours laughter. Lubasi loved having Vuyo and Kelly having worship team practice everyday at Mutoya and at community hall. They brought new instruments for Hope church here and Jason and Joel taught many of the guys how to play guitar and drums which they miraculously picked up in just a weeks time and one even played on the new keyboard in service this morning. Speaking of service.. I didnt have a ride last Saturday after youth so I had to stay and watch worship practice which ended up being a super blessing because it was so amazing listening to them and then I stayed this week and they let me practice with the other girls so this morning I helped lead worship this morning! It was so crazy amazing fun to be in the midst of the Lozis all worshipping the same God, and they even told me to stay for the second service to sing in Lozi (which fortunately we had sung Lozi songs at the ladies meeting so I wasnt completely lost)!

The beading for the ladies is becoming a big hit. We have gotten to know many of the women in the church through this ministry and have seen them at meetings, church, and even around in Mongu. They laugh alot, but are serious and work hard making paper beads and varishing them to make into homemade bracelts and necklaces. The vision for this came from Marinette to use art to raise money for the upcoming Village of Hope (google it!) but that the funding for thi project wouldnt come in all through handouts but to get the women of the church who have no jobs to make them included in helping orphans, feel accomplished, get a skill, and get a percentage of the funds. Its so exciting! The ladies meeting on Saturday was a little nervewrecking for all of us planning it but so well worth it. There were so many new faces beccause the ladies invite their friends. Many of them that I met ended up even at church the next day! PLease keep praying for these ladies. Because the church meets at a community hall which also provies housing, many people who are just milling aroun or visiting workers are also invited to church and have found new meaning and hope and purpose and laughter in their lives in Mongu!

So many more things have happened and there are so many details of peoples lives that have bee tuched and changed and bettered from the effects of God through Hope Church and all the missionaries here! Its still unbelievable how comfortable we are both here and how much we have fallen in love with the adults and the youth and the children! Bright and early we will head off to Muwawa which is a very rural village about an hour away. We will sleep like 5 to a tent an cook over a fire and have babywipeshowers until thursday... finally the Africa experience we expeted. We will be building relationships, telling stories, and building the actual church building!

God is good, all the time and all the time GOD IS GOOD
and nothing is impossible for those who believe!

keep praying for these wonderful people, for their families, for healing, and for a spirit-filling of all the Mongu people!
love!
Carlie