The ELI 2024 Mission Team is home from an incredibly blessed and productive time at all the ELI projects in both Zambia and Malawi. We were warmly welcomed by ELI staff, local pastors and leaders, teachers, and communities including hundreds of smiling children. We rejoiced together at God's blessing on ELI's ministry as we toured the bountiful Susu Farm, visited Mr. Benson's farm library, hugged Grandmother Elizabeth and Alefa, walked the dusty roads traveled by the Malawi Mobile Library team and toured Dorothy's school. We will be sharing highlights from this amazing trip in the next few issues of Good News, including stories from the CEF training (Mr. Bob and Chasya), the teacher's workshops (Katie) and the women's ministry outreach (Erica). Heartfelt thanks from all of us for your words of encouragement and faithful prayers.
Early Sunday morning, the US team travelled the challenging African roads to Susu Village to join their Zambian brothers and sisters for church service. Joyous worship music greeted us as we entered the small simple brick structure with an unfinished roof and open windows and doors; warm smiles and greetings made us feel right at home.
There were only simple wooden benches for seating, but the beautiful worship music frequently brought us to our feet to clap and dance with the congregation. The words were unfamiliar, but it didn't matter. We were praising our Lord together
Every member of the team was brought to the front, introduced and asked to say a few words. Mr. Bob offered the opening prayer. Papa Larry was asked to give the sermon and those fortunate to own a Bible carefully followed along. Larry was told that he didn't preach long enough, which is what he was told last year!
At the end of the service, everyone leaves the church one by one, shakes hands with the individual before him and then stands next in the circle - forming the right hand of fellowship. Wonderful way to meet everyone. Bob of course, immediately made his first friend under the age of six.
Next stop after enjoying a bag lunch at the Susu Community Library was Grandmother Elizabeth's farm. Previous issues of Good News have featured the story of this remarkable woman and her heart for the women and children of her community. She has only been working with ELI since December 2023, but the children's gospel outreach, adult literacy classes and the tailoring program are flourishing. We were excited to meet her and see these initiatives in action.
Grandmother Elizabeth and her community, including two local pastors and the village headman, were waiting for us. We were escorted to seats under a shelter especially constructed to shade us from the very hot afternoon sun. We felt so honored.
Grandmother Elizabeth and her leadership team proudly described the implementation and progress of the programs since formally partnering with ELI. It was the first time in their lives that they had ever had the opportunity to do a presentation. They were nervous, but delighted to share with an interested audience. The children's Bibles are loved by all and the sewing machine is a huge life changing blessing. The women are already creating beautiful baskets to sell locally, and now several of the women have learned to make simple clothing articles - also for the local market.
On behalf of ELI, Erica presented Grandmother Elizabeth with a beautiful shawl and spoke these words," Grandmother Elizabeth. We honor you and your dedication to the children of your village. This shawl is a symbolic way to wrap you in love, just as you do for so many others. Thank you."
It was an amazing day.
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