Good News - November 2025

Elizabeth's Library
11 minutes ago
8 min read

Like many of you, this time of the year ELI counts blessings. We are so grateful for the many ways hearts and lives in Malawi and Zambia have been blessed this year. We are thankful to our faithful Directors, Mr. Kenneth (Zambia) and Mr. Jacob (Malawi) for their tireless efforts through ELI. Their stories shared in this Good News are so foreign in one aspect (imagine only having one set of clothes), and yet heartwarming when a Blessings Box arrives at the library with a new set of clothes for a child to replace the rags they are wearing! Imagine the answered prayer and absolute joy of a pastor receiving a native language Bible, when they had none at all to open before their church! As we remember our delicious Thanksgiving meal in the U.S., think of those in Malawi, who received a Basic Needs gift of corn meal, oil and eggs with such joy and praise to God. Children in both countries are blessed by the programs at the library where they now have the opportunity to learn and develop reading and math skills, explore creativity through painting and develop critical thinking skills through chess clubs! These are the things we are grateful for, and for you, our faithful supporters and prayer partners. God works through you to bring about all these blessings, thank you for being that willing vessel by which all these things come about.

“Give thanks always, for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Ephesians 5:20

Susu Community Library: Early Education Program

Mr. Kenneth is the Director of EL Zambia; his field report on the Early Education Program provides testimony of the impact that Susu Community Library is making in this very rural area.

Mr. Kenneth’s Report:

Susu Village is located in Kapiri Mposhi District’s Kakwelesa Ward, it is a community where educational challenges run deep. Many parents in the village have little or no formal education, making it difficult for them to understand the long-term value of schooling. For some families, sending children to school is not a priority; others live far from the nearest school. Many parents prefer to keep their children at home to help with farm work, so a significant number of children drop out of school or never enroll at all.

In 2020, the Susu Community Library was built—a simple but powerful attempt to introduce learning resources into the community. In the beginning few people used the library, as many did not yet understand how reading and education could transform their lives. The idea of a library felt unfamiliar. However, everything changed in 2025 when the Early Education Program was introduced in Susu Village and the surrounding communities. Led by Natasha, a very dedicated teacher, this program began with eight children. As parents witnessed the joy and progress of their children, attendance grew rapidly. Today the program welcomes around 70 children, a remarkable increase that reflects a growing appreciation of learning.

One of the most encouraging impacts of the program is the return of children who had dropped out of school or lost interest due to various hardships. The library has become a safe place where children feel inspired, supported, and motivated to learn.

Mapalo Michelo is a 10-year-old girl who has never been to school, not even preschool. She began coming to the Susu Community Library simply to join her friends, but soon discovered the joy of learning. Mapalo lives with her single mother and three siblings. Her mother was married at a very young age, which forced her to leave school early and none of her children are currently enrolled in school. Through the early education program, Mapalo has found hope, an opportunity to learn, socialize, and dream of a better future.

Another child benefiting from the program is 10-year-old Nelia Kabotolo. Abandoned by both her mother and father, Nelia was left in the care of her grandparents, who have raised her since she was a toddler. They depend on catching fish from the river to earn a living, and despite their limited resources, they support her participation in the library program. For Nelia the library is more than a place of educational resources, it is a place where she feels valued, encouraged, and part of a community that believes in her potential.

Susu Community Library has demonstrated that even small initiatives can bring meaningful change to a community.

The growing number of learners, the renewed interest among drop-out children, and the inspiring stories of boys and girls like Mapalo and Nelia reveal a community beginning to understand the value of education. With continued support, dedication, and awareness, Susu Village can continue moving toward a brighter future, one child at a time.

- Kenneth Kumwenda

Jesus Calling

Jesus has always made it clear that children hold a special place in His heart. When He called for the little ones to come to Him, it shows the world that young souls are not too small to know God, to praise God, or to be led to Christ. Today this calling continues, and it takes dedicated hearts to answer it.

In Susu Village, a remarkable mission is unfolding through early childhood education. It is an extraordinary blessing to have an early education program manager and teacher who not only teaches reading and writing but carries a deep passion for guiding young souls into the arms of Christ. Such hearts are rare, and those who possess them are true vessels of God’s love.

Many can teach in classrooms, but only a few can love every child in a village without growing weary. It takes a heart filled with compassion, patience, and purpose. Madam Natasha has proven to be one of those few. She carries a genuine burden for every young life in Susu Village. She never gets tired of helping children, feeding them, embracing them, encouraging them, and most of all, drawing them closer to Jesus.

In a world where many overlook the importance of early spiritual foundation, it is inspiring and humbling to witness someone who understands that childhood is fertile ground for planting seeds of faith. Bringing children to Christ is not an easy ministry, it requires energy, sacrifice, love, and consistency. Yet Natasha serves joyfully, tirelessly, and passionately, making sure no child feels forgotten.

Her work goes beyond education; it is evangelism with a mother's touch, discipleship with gentle hands, and ministry powered by love. Because of her dedication, young hearts are learning prayers before pride, Scripture before struggle, worship before worry, and Jesus before the world.

Indeed, Jesus is calling for the little ones, and in Susu Village, His voice is being answered through compassionate service. May God continue to raise more who will love, teach, and lead young souls to Christ with unwavering passion. For the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Blessings from Susu Community Library.

Local Language Bibles

With the generous support of Elizabeth Library International, we have been able to procure local language Bibles for communities and churches in desperate need. The need was undeniable, pastors were struggling with torn, worn-out Bibles, that had missing pages making sermon preparation difficult. The arrival of these new Bibles transformed their ministry in ways that words can barely capture. Yesterday was a day of blessing as church pastors and leaders received their Bibles. The situation in many of these churches is heartbreaking- an entire congregation sharing a single Bible, passing it from person to person in a rotation, (including the pastor). This disrupts the pastor's preparation and study of God's Word, making it difficult to lead the flock effectively. Let me share with you the stories of pastors Elizabeth and Luke.

Pastor Elizabeth's Story

Our first visit was to Dima Village, where we met Pastor Elizabeth, a dedicated preacher at the  African Abraham Church. Although she had received a Bible the previous year, she had loaned it  to a fellow pastor, meaning two churches were sharing one Bible between them. When I visited on  Sunday, she had no Bible to read from, as it was with the other church, so she copied Scriptures on a piece of paper to read to her congregation.

The joy that filled the church when she received a new Bible that Sunday was overwhelming. The entire congregation celebrated this precious gift!

Pastor Luke’s Testimony

When we visited the Apostolic Church, led by Pastor Luke, the situation mirrored Pastor Elizabeth’s church. There was one Bible for the entire church to use, and it was borrowed from a church member who graciously shared it with the pastor and other members. In these communities that have very low income, owning a Bible is not taken for granted.

I was warmly welcomed into their church and given an opportunity to speak. After presenting Pastor Luke with the Bible, the congregation broke out in worship with a beautiful song glorifying God, acknowledging everything is a gift from Him.

Jacob’s Prayer of Thanksgiving

May the Lord richly bless every person who supported us in this gesture. Through your generosity, pastors can now study God's Word without hindrance, congregations can worship with access to Scripture, and communities are being strengthened in their faith. What may seem like a simple book to some is a treasure beyond measure to these faithful servants of God. The work continues, and the need remains great, but because of partners like Elizabeth Library International, light is spreading in these communities, one Bible at a time.

Jacob’s report vividly shares the need for more native language Bibles in these churches. It also reveals the beauty of the congregants, so willing to share the one Bible they had; thank you Jacob for sharing these amazing testimonies!

Thank you dear ELI friends and supporters for your prayers and gifts making it possible for us to provide Bibles for those hungry to learn and so many other blessings!

We are always praying for more regular monthly donors to support our current programs and help us add others. Your gift of any amount is a blessing. We ask you to consider a generous gift to meet one of our priority needs, thank you.