It was a family affair. A little girl, her dog and chicken stood watching while the mother and father ‘plowed’ the field. The hoe has a broad, birdlike head that flew up, and plunged quickly back into the ground, the thumps making a rhythm as the couple worked. Large pieces of earth would be dislodged, revealing red and white sweet potatoes. Hundreds of them, scattered around. So much of identity in Africa is tied to the land. Its ownership often defines and roots families, providing assurance for generations to come. If you own the land officially, the chief and state must protect you at all costs. If you don’t own the land, you can be blown around with every wind of shifting power.
Our trip to Africa was to obtain land ownership and begin building a high school for orphans. The ‘free’ land in the village had multiple applicants with forged papers claiming ownership. There were complications regarding how free the land was. It was originally offered at no charge but the owner didn’t really have ‘title,’ and, she wanted, well, quite a bit ‘in exchange’. Although many of those hurdles are passed, THANK you God, government delay in providing land ‘title’ is the current obstacle obstructing the establishment of this school.
Our trip to Africa was to obtain land ownership and begin building a high school for orphans. The ‘free’ land in the village had multiple applicants with forged papers claiming ownership. There were complications regarding how free the land was. It was originally offered at no charge but the owner didn’t really have ‘title,’ and, she wanted, well, quite a bit ‘in exchange’. Although many of those hurdles are passed, THANK you God, government delay in providing land ‘title’ is the current obstacle obstructing the establishment of this school.
The final week, toiling with David through all the issues surrounding the land ‘title’ and reading Ecclesiastes, made me leave Africa on an emotional low. I couldn’t help but think that so much of what we build starts decaying from the moment it’s built, yet we work so hard to establish it. I began to picture the design drawings on my laptop becoming a reality. And then pictured rain ruining the facade, the roof rusting and ram shackled, termites destroying the foundation, windows breaking and columns tilting. However, God spoke so gently and clearly through it all, reminding me that there were kids being pushed into idleness and hopelessness every week, in need of a place that will give them His hope. And more so, that our efforts should not be only to build a school, but mainly to PRAY for the spirit of these kids, for the work of God in their lives, for teachers with a heart and mentors with a passion to serve.
We’re in Africa to build a school as much as a farmer is in the field to topple dirt. The objective of the farmer is not to move earth - although they do lots of that - but it’s to uncover red and white sweet potatoes. Similarly, we are not called to Africa to stack bricks in the form of classrooms - although we may do lots of that - but we are there, physically or through prayer, yours and ours, so that in this toil God can bring transformation to the lives of people!
Please PRAY for the children of Africa.
Please PRAY for the children of Africa.
Prayer and Donations
Our most IMPORTANT REQUEST is that you pray with us that God’s will, will be done. No construction can start till land ‘title’ is given.
None of your money donated during 2009 has been spent. No new donations will be spent until ‘title’ is granted. All this past summer’s expenses have been paid personally by Farzam and myself. Should you, after prayer, believe that God wants you to join with us in prayer for this project, and financially assist this much needed boarding high school for orphans, please do so.
None of your money donated during 2009 has been spent. No new donations will be spent until ‘title’ is granted. All this past summer’s expenses have been paid personally by Farzam and myself. Should you, after prayer, believe that God wants you to join with us in prayer for this project, and financially assist this much needed boarding high school for orphans, please do so.
