Mpalo Messages!!!

Greetings all from Ndola Africa! We are having a fabulous time here in Ndola! We had a great trip up from Lusaka, and spent the first day shopping! We bought groceries and FANS!!! Since we all have heat rash, we think we will buy stock in Cortisone cream! The weather has been sunny and HOT, until tonight with a great thunderstorm and cool weather! We all have been standing in the rain just to get a break from the heat!

Every day we begin the day at SHIP with worship and bible study. It is really nice to open the day with a group bible study. Today, Nancy, Kathy, and I taught Donald (do-nut) and Mupe how to use the Flannel-graph. Pastor Francis's nephew and grandson were peeking in the window and were captivated. We invited them in and practiced telling the stories of Philip and the Ethiopian, Jesus and the Great Commission, Jesus walking on the water, Joseph and his brothers (the early years), and Gideon. Tomorrow is Independence day and we will continue to practice on the flannel board and plan to use it this weekend at church.

The men went to buy the supplies for the solar dehydrators and solar ovens. On the way, the truck broke down. Jerry was able to spend 4 hours with Nimrod working on the truck and building a relationship. Matt had challenged everyone to share their stories about how God has come through for them, and Jerry and Nimrod carried out the task! It was a good ministry time for them both. Tomorrow, they will all begin building while Jerry and Nimrod will continue to maintenance the vehicles.

We are very blessed to be here for Independence day (Friday), Mrs. Ferukas graduation from Divinty School, and Presidental Elections next week. We are getting a ton of cultural experience, and opportunities to minister to all. After our outreach Saturday and Sunday at Mpalo, we will head to Lusaka with a team from Ndola and do an outreach there. We are so excited to see the Vineyard here supporting a newer, younger Vineyard, and that we get to be a part of it!

Additionally we will be able to visit the farm where we did the outreach for the new church plant! They are currently working to find a pastor,but the harvest is ready!

Matt checked on the pig farm we started in July - they pigs are tripled in size, and Samuel is doing a great job caring for them. Also, Jonathan the woodcrafter is now moved to the new resource center, and the team was able to visit him and support the resource center by purchasing some great wood crafts. (This year he added drums and more!)

We have been so blessed by all your support! We will write more soon!

Love,
Matt, Bonnie, Ariel, Nancy, Kathy, Jerry, & B.I.G. Nate (you will have to ask him about the B.I.G.)


P.S. Matt and I have a very important meeting tomorrow regarding possible location for our home here! Please keep us lifted up for discernment and wisdom!