Good News July & August 2025
- Elizabeth's Library
- Sep 2
- 8 min read
EL Zambia Director Kenneth has penned, “Plant today, harvest tomorrow. With faith in our hearts and work in our hands, we plant not just for ourselves, but for generations.” It is good to plan for the future. ELI has taken many steps to plant with intention to reap a harvest for future generations in Zambia and Malawi; we know you will rejoice with us for the stories in this Good News letter.
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season, we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Galatians 6:9
Pastor's Conference
History continues to be made with the second Pastoral Conference held this last June at the Susu Community Library with 87 pastors in attendance, some traveling as much as 30 kilometers on bicycles over rough terrain and dusty roads! All were seeking spiritual nourishment and unity, with many different churches and ministries represented under the theme, “Feed My Lambs with the Right Motive.”
Each day commenced and ended with extended time in prayer, fostering unity and spiritual revival. Kenneth reports, “The conference featured profound teachings from dedicated pastors and teachers of the Word. A notable highlight was the virtual session by Pastor Larry from the USA, who joined via Starlink to deliver rich biblical insights that edified and encouraged the body of Christ.”
“This theme was not only shared but also taught with sold out passion and clarity, ensuring that all invited ministers were spiritually and mentally prepared for the conference. The goal was to equip every believer through their leaders, empowering them for effective and purposeful ministry.”
From its inception, ELI wanted the beautiful Susu Community Library to serve as a hub for conferences and learning seminars as well as a community based library for literacy and social gatherings. With this idea in mind, one dedicated friend of ELI applied for Starlink to be installed as soon as it was available, making a way for the Inductive Bible studies for the U.S. and this rural African village possible! These studies began only two years ago with a few pastors, receiving and learning how to interpret and teach the Scriptures; now it has caught fire with a spiritual fervor reaching far away communities with biblical truths that bring the hope of Jesus to so many.
Hospitality played a very strong role in the conference, ensuring that all logistical and hospitality needs were met. Food supplies were carefully sourced, including traditional and modern meals. The organizing team worked tirelessly to make the conference a success. The three day event was powerful and spiritually uplifting for all, and will not soon be forgotten!
Susu Community Library
Saturday Early Education program
This new pre-school program has only been underway for two months, but parents are already commenting on the positive learning experience for their children. They are learning basic skills in a nurturing environment and using the amazing books and educational resources provided by the library. The children enjoy all the activities, but story time with teacher Natasha or Mr. Benson, who loves reading Bible stories is especially delightful. One parent told Mr. Kenneth that his child was now telling him the Bible stories!
These new resources were in the 75 boxes sent last April, donated by ELI supporters in our Boxes of Blessings. The boxes arrived last week and have now reached the libraries in both countries. Your gifts traveled 10,000 miles and will bless hundreds of children.
ELI has been praying for support to add a Wednesday Early Education class and we are pleased to announce the first three months have been funded. This class will begin soon and we are praying for additional funding to continue this class until a primary school can be built near the library. Please consider a gift to fund the Wednesday Early Education program for one month (the cost is $150).
Grandmother Elizabeth
"I'm so excited," reported Mr. Kenneth after a visit to Grandmother Elizabeth's homestead. Two years ago Grandmother Elizabeth started a story time for the many children in her community, a basic literacy program for some of the women and a sewing class. ELI funded one sewing machine and basic tailoring supplies. The dresses they are creating to sell to their neighbors are beautiful and they really need another treadle sewing machine to expand their income generating project.
Kenneth was also surprised to see the beautiful baskets that Grandmother Elizabeth had made. She explained the importance of this current generation learning this craft as part of their Zambian cultural heritage, not wanting it to be lost after the passing of her generation. What a blessing to have Grandmother Elizabeth teach village children this beautiful craft!
Chibwe Literacy Program update
The village of Chibwe is quite a distance from Susu and the poor roads make it very difficult to visit. For the last two years, the literacy class updates Kenneth with pictures on their progress. The pictures sent are of poor quality, but good enough for Mr. Kenneth to see their determination to keep progressing despite very challenging circumstances. Mrs. Rhodah, the literacy teacher, is also a trained seamstress. ELI was able to fund the gift of a treadle sewing machine which further provides a means of learning marketable skills! It would be wonderful to have another sewing machine for these ladies who are so determined to learn.
Recently Mr. Kenneth began receiving pictures of the new pre- school class also taught by Mrs. Rodah. There were twenty children sitting on mats in a thatched roof building, with the teacher doing her best to teach a few skills. Mr. Kenneth felt it was very important to visit this little school and encourage teacher Rodah. His heart was touched and so was ours. He invited her to visit Susu Library and attend the teacher's workshop. The next week, she found transportation to Susu and returned to Chibwe with wonderful supplies for the little Chibwe pre-school.
Mr. Kenneth asked us to consider and pray about funding the purchase of small plastic tables and chairs for the children, and a table and chair for Mrs. Rodah. They would be so blessed and encouraged, and ELI feels this is another grassroots community initiative that has great potential for growth! We hope you will be encouraged too and you will consider donating towards an investment of $500 to launch this little school.
"Your kindness is not just a donation of books but an investment in the dreams and future of our children. You are planting seeds of knowledge that will grow to transform lives and generations to come.
We are deeply thankful for walking with us in this journey. Your love, sacrifice, and commitment inspire us to keep working hard in ensuring that every child in our communities has the opportunity to read, learn, and thrive."
With gratitude and blessings,
- Kenneth Kumwenda
EL Library in Lilongwe
The very small Lilongwe Library began three years ago as the ELI office. Boxes of Blessings would be unpacked and resources stored until time for Mobile Library Day in the villages. The neighborhood children watched all these activities and soon asked Mr. Jacob why were they being neglected. They also wanted to read all those good books and play with the wonderful games and puzzles. So Mr. Jacob opened the "little library" whenever he could, and within weeks, the library and outdoor space was overflowing with children of all ages. Miss Bethel, who is a qualified pre - school teacher and a member of the team from the very beginning now opens the library three days a week. Sometimes 100 children a day visit the library and must leave before they are finished as the space is needed for the next group.
A too small library is a wonderful problem to solve. Please pray for Mr. Jacob and his team as they are looking for a larger facility to rent in this neighborhood. They are looking for a building with a large children's reading room and a quiet space for the teenagers wishing to do research for their school assignments.
Girls at the Net
Physical activities that combine team work with strategies is so beneficial for both children and adults. Our Malawi team and the communities we serve are so grateful for the gift of soccer balls for the boys and now netballs for the girls. These resources were not available for the village children and now the boys are enjoying "real" soccer balls and the girls have netballs with moveable goal posts. A wonderful innovation, and these resources can be shared by many.
Mr. Jacob writes, "Our visit to deliver the netballs was unannounced, but as soon as people saw the truck traveling down the road to Dima village (the first stop), a parade of villagers began following us. There was an outpouring of joy and excitement as they realized what we were bringing. Within minutes, older village women were joining in and teams were forming."
The communities extended their heartfelt thanks to ELI and our supporters. They emphasized that before ELI came, they lacked books and other precious resources, now, the villages are coming to life.
Basic Needs
Because of your generosity, ELI was able to bless another grandmother living without support except for small food gifts from her neighbors. The villages served by the EL mobile library program are very poor; the team sees many real needs as they minister in the villages. Mr. Jacob says their hearts are broken and he and the team asked us to please continue this program.
Please prayerfully consider a special designated gift for the Basic Needs campaign. The EL team will prioritize and bless with care where the greatest needs are. Soon the "hungry season" will begin and this gift will be a miraculous blessing and encouragement.
Poultry Project
The Basic Needs program meets immediate needs, but the poultry project provides a way for families to have protein in their diets with a much needed income generating project. Access to water in these villages is limited, so gardens are almost impossible to grow. However eggs and chickens can be sold or traded for corn meal, cooking oil and vegetables.
Divelia is a widowed mother of three (including a baby), and could not believe that she would soon have her own chickens. Construction of the project was watched by all the neighbors, and especially the children. No one had ever seen such an amazing sight. Incredulous children gathered for opening day. Please pray for Divelia and her new venture. For those bearing this great need, It's another miracle in the villages.
Mr. Jacob reports that the next two recipients have been identified. The chicken houses will need to be constructed before the start of the heavy rains. Please pray about sharing a gift that will provide a poultry project that will make an incredible difference for a hungry family. Thank you.
"Every book will feed the minds, and every piece of clothing will warm the bodies and hearts of children, youth, and adults in the rural communities we serve. These are not just physical items, they are tools of transformation. In places where children never owned a storybook or had a warm jacket, your support means the world.
To all who laboured in packing, preparing, and praying over these boxes may the Lord richly reward your kindness.
- Jacob
We know you have rejoiced with us as you read what your prayers and financial gifts are accomplishing. This summer, ELI would truly appreciate a generous gift to help meet operational expenses and grow our programs. Any amount would be a blessing. A one time gift for a special need is also appreciated. Thank you from all of us at ELI.
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