Dear ELI friends, we're off to an exciting start in 2025. Your Christmas blessings funded much needed food, basic supplies and seeds for family gardens in the Malawi villages. Susu Farm is expecting many baby goats in the next few weeks, and the newly planted potato and tomato crops are flourishing. Our last shipment of book boxes arrived just in time for Christmas and everyone was so excited to see all the new treasures. We look forward to sharing incredible stories with you this year as God sows seeds of hope through our libraries, literacy programs, pastoral training and produce from our farm in Zambia and family gardens in Malawi!
"For with God, nothing is impossible."
Luke 1:37
Malawi - Seeds of Hope
Our precious friends could not believe the good news they were hearing. Jacob and the village chiefs announced that maize (corn) seeds would be distributed just in time for planting before the start of the rainy season. Thirty families with small garden plots quickly prepared the soil and very carefully planted each kernel. Jacob reports the seeds are germinating well, and there is great hope for a good harvest in late spring.
As reported in the December newsletter, the immediate need for food was imperative for many. Thank you for your generous response! Jacob and the chiefs identified twenty families in very critical situations. The elderly without support systems and families with very small children were blessed with blankets, water buckets, food supply for thirty days, soap and matches. Without matches, when a fire is needed, the wife carries a handful of burning grass from a neighbor's fire and prays it doesn't go out. A big challenge for the aged population.
Jacob reports there was shock and unbelief when he and Grace knocked on the doors and explained that God had a big blessing for them; never did they expect this miracle!
ELI will continue this basic needs program as resources are available. Jacob said, "you have touched the souls of many."
Malawi - Grandmother's Heart
It is not uncommon in Africa for grandmothers to care for their grandchildren, often because of the death of one or more of their parents. Jacob and the village chiefs identified four grandmothers with critical needs. These two grandmothers, both in their 80’s are doing the best they can to raise their grandchildren. Your gifts suppled the basic needs of food blankets and clothing.
Jacob said, "When I saw the little ones with nothing, I had to give them each a toy for themselves." It was the first toy they had ever owned. Indeed, the little toy truck was the first ever in the community, and soon there was a small crowd of children watching Precious play with his truck.
There are many more grandmothers and vulnerable families in need of basic supplies to survive this season of food insecurity. Would you please consider a very generous donation to our Basic Needs campaign to bless these families. Thank you, and God bless you.
Malawi - Mr. Limiton Update
There is great excitement in Mphonde Village. Christmas blessings funded the needed table & chair sets to open two more library centers, supervised by Mr. Limiton. The village book monitor is a very prestigious position, so the village chiefs were consulted for their recommendations. Chiefs are responsible for the well being of their community and they know an individual's abilities and character. Just as important, they know their reputation and how they relate to others. Chief Chiwayula and Chief Khothi proudly introduced us to Mr. Blessing and Ms. Zione - the new book monitors in Mphonde Village. Both have graduated with the US equivalent of high school and have been praying for opportunities to serve the children.
Jack and Grace (ELI team) had a fun time demonstrating how to set up a folding table and demonstrate the educational resources such as puzzles. Mr. Limiton is a visionary, he believes there should be a library on every corner. We love this idea!
Malawi - Dorothy Story
Dear ELI friends, many of you have followed Dorothy’s story the last few years, seeing a little girl locked in a silent world from deafness emerge as a young lady with hope for her future. Dorothy’s education in sign language and life skills through her school for the deaf has opened her understanding and creativity; she has blossomed under ELI’s care through the Malawi mobile library visits and the Grandmother ministry.
Dorothy's school requested that she should now wear school uniforms. So on her big day out, two sets of uniforms were tailored for her, and the excitement and joy this produced in Dorothy was a blessing for all to see!
Please continue to pray for Dorothy, and consider a gift for her education. Dorothy is growing into a lovely young lady and it’s our desire to see her reach every potential that God has for her. Thank you.
Malawi - Lilongwe Library
This very small facility overflows with children every time it is open. The newly introduced chess game is a favorite here too, and an outside table with chairs was really needed. Bethel, our librarian reported that the games started as soon as the table was in place. Chess teams are being formed in both Lilongwe and the rural villages, and we're expecting a chess tournament soon.
Zambia - New Kid in Town
ELI is pleased to announce that baby goat Blessing was added to the Susu goat herd earlier this year. One of our faithful supporters gave Blessing as a gift to honor a friend's birthday.
In addition, Susu is so excited to report that ten new kids are expected in the next few weeks!
Zambia - Susu Tomato Field
The Susu farmers expressed their gratitude for your prayers for seasonal rain. This year the rainfall across all of Zambia has been plentiful and harvests look promising. Please continue praying for bountiful harvests across Zambia.
Zambia - Boxes of Blessings
The ELI team is busy packing wonderful donations of quality books, Children's Bibles, educational resources, games, puzzles and toys. A special thank you to Dress A Girl from Santa Cruz, CA for 200 little dresses of all sizes. The little girls are delighted with their beautiful outfits. And another special thank you to Mitzi, ELI friend and helper who donated the chess sets shipped last year. No one anticipated the excitement chess could create from children to village chiefs! Many more chess sets will be included in the next shipment.
We know you'll rejoice with ELI when you read the impact of your prayers and financial gifts. All our projects and programs are ready to grow, and faithful monthly supporters are truly needed. Any amount is greatly appreciated.
Special requests this month are donations to the Malawi Basic Needs Program and for the next shipment of Boxes of Blessings. We plan on including many more little trucks and stuffed animals or dolls for those precious children needing something of their own to cuddle.
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