The Thanksgiving season is the appropriate time to share praises for the continued blessings on the ELI ministries. In the three months since the ELI Mission Trip, our national directors and staff have been busy incorporating new skills and knowledge shared by the mission team and continuing projects already in progress. We know you'll rejoice with us and we hope you'll continue your prayer and financial support as you read how God has used your investment in mighty ways.
It is good to give thanks to the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High.
Psalm 92:1
Boxes of Blessings
With thanks to many ELI friends; seventy-eight boxes of clothes, toys, games, puzzles, stuffed animals, good quality books and Children's Bibles have arrived at the libraries in Susu, Zambia and Lilongwe, Malawi. There was great joy and thankfulness as these treasures were unpacked and many items distributed to the children, schools and rural pastors.
The young boys were delighted to play with the cars and trucks and the little girls enjoyed the variety of stuffed animals. These are exciting new experiences for most of these children. The chess game was introduced to the village children and now everyone wants to learn how to play. Susu Library has already organized a chess club and Malawi's club is in the works. Many thanks to the churches, schools and individuals, who have contributed to bless so many people.
We are already packing the next shipment. Will you pray and consider sponsoring a box or two?
Zambia - Mr. Benson
Mr. Benson recognized early on the impact Susu Community Library would have on the lives of his fellow villagers. He had always enjoyed reading, but there were not books to be found in his remote community, so he gladly walked many miles several times a week to access these incredible books. It wasn't long before he asked to borrow books to his home and offer story time for the children passing by his farm on the way to and from school. Soon adults asked about establishing a literacy program so they too could read the books and use their literacy skills to manage a small income generating business. The first village banking program was birthed and now the literacy students tend a beautiful vegetable garden.
This past summer, the ELI Mission team was so impressed with all that had been accomplished, but meeting Mr. Benson and witnessing his heart and efforts for his community was one of the greatest highlights of the trip. The children love his story time and it was obvious that his gifts should be utilized in a larger way.
Mr. Benson was asked to consider becoming the story time supervisor for the mobile library program and without any hesitation, he agreed. However, Mr. Benson's farm is a long distance from Susu and so are several of the schools that are served by this program; he would need a heavy duty bicycle. A faithful ELI supporter immediately caught this vision and within a few weeks, Mr. Benson was presented with a bicycle. A few days later, Mr. Benson launched Saturday morning story time at Susu and the following week at Brunelli. Every week finds him visiting different schools and his carefully kept records show that attendance keeps increasing.
In the recent shipment of books, he truly enjoyed helping unpack the Boxes of Blessing and was delighted to find the Children's Bibles. He immediately gathered nearby children to hear Bible stories and see illustrations which they thoroughly enjoyed. Bibles also went home with Mr. Benson for Bible story time at his farm. It is amazing how God is using a faithful man and a bicycle to share the gospel in this remote region of Zambia.
The literacy class is also growing and Mr. Benson needs another table and chair set.
Zambia - Susu Community Library
The teachers attending Katie P.'s workshop were inspired to implement new educational initiatives in their schools. Using great resources from the Susu Library, student clubs began focusing on developing math, poetry and speech skills. The first inter-school math competition was recently held at the Susu Library.
ELI continues to be ever thankful for the expansion of skills, literacy and knowledge of the gospel that was begun with a bicycle and a box of educational resources a few years ago. Thank you so much for your support of Elizabeth’s Library International!
Zambia - Farm Update
This has been a very challenging year for the farmers in Zambia including those on our Susu farm. In January of this year, the country began experiencing the worst drought in two decades and all of us at ELI joined in prayer for the rains to start. Loss of food crops would affect the entire nation.
At Susu, the rain dependent maize field was lost. As the nearby river dried up, the banana trees that were irrigated with pumped river water were also in danger. A well was needed and at the last minute, funds were received and a new well was dug.
The drought continued and over 3,000 heads of cabbage were lost. For the first time in anyone's memory, the Susu area experienced two nights of frost and the beautiful bananas were destroyed. The Susu farm team was discouraged, but they prayed and trusted that God would bless the country with rain this next season, so they planted potatoes and new banana trees. We are hoping and praying for a good harvest in early December. The food shortage in Zambia this year is affecting everyone and hunger is very real. Now the cost of food commodities has risen very high, which makes food for most of the rural population unaffordable. At Susu Library the ELI staff plan to provide a simple meal for children coming to Mr. Benson's Saturday story time. A small beginning, but we will pray for funds to expand this very needed program.
Now that the rains have started there is hope again, but please pray for the potato harvest at Susu and for funds to plant another potato and maize field. The food will be a blessing to many.
Malawi - Mobile Library Program
On the bi-monthly visits, the EL Malawi team travels to three villages bringing educational activities, new books and games. Eager children look forward to learning something new and the game of chess is a favorite. Mr. Jacob (EL Malawi Director) and Mr. Jack (EL Malawi staff) know how to play chess and they were surprised at how quickly the children learned. Everyone, including the village chiefs and the women's literacy class wanted an opportunity to play. Chess has become the most popular game in each village and the next book box shipment contains two chess sets for each village. Mr. Jacob reports they have identified the best players and they will task them with teaching other children. Chess clubs are being formed, and we wouldn't be surprised to learn that the villages are holding chess competitions. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if a future national champion would come from one of these villages?
Our Grandmother's Heart program is flourishing. The children of Dima village love Grandmother Alefa's story time. Children of all ages crowd near as she reads simple stories or helps them do a puzzle or learn to color. Alefa was so excited when she was presented with new Children's Bibles and Bible story books. Every child enjoys the special attention a grandmother gives; and while ELI is counting our many blessings, one of them is Grandmother Alefa! She also helps Dorothy with her school homework and there is a very special bond between them.
Malawi - Mr. Limiton's Library Outreach
In 2022 when ELI began the mobile library program, our Malawi Director, (Jacob) met with three village Chiefs to explain the ELI vision and seek their permission to work with their communities. The Chiefs gladly gave their permission and also personally chose the individuals that would serve as the book monitors in their respective villages. It was an important position; they would have responsibility for the care and use of the books and other resources, while keeping track of the check out records. In Mphonde village, the Chief selected Mr. Limiton.
The Chief must have known that Mr. Limiton cared deeply for the children in his community. Many children do not attend school for many reasons or attend over crowded schools with little or no educational materials. Using the resources provided by ELI, Mr. Limiton held classes to teach the children basic reading and math skills. His story time was well attended and soon many children were asking for books to read themselves. A blackboard and a table and chairs set made teaching and learning much easier; children could now easily play games and complete puzzles.
Mphonde is a very large sprawling community and it was too difficult for many children to walk to engage in all the activities. So Mr. Limiton identified two additional locations in the village and began carrying a large bin of books on his shoulder, bringing the library to the children.
In July, the ELI team visited Mr. Limiton and saw his heart for the village children and their future. The US ELI Board sought funding for a heavy duty bicycle for Mr. Limiton, and just a few weeks ago, Mr. Limiton was presented with his new bicycle equipped with a sturdy book box.
There is more to Mr. Limiton's story. Sadly, just three weeks after the ELI Mission team visit this summer, Mr. Limiton's wife died from complications due to Malaria and he was left with three children to care for. Despite his grief, Mr. Limiton wanted to continue serving his community. He asked for a table/chair set and a blackboard for his other two locations. It's not possible for him to carry these items from place to place.
An ELI friend has just funded the two table/chair sets and only $100 is needed to purchase the blackboards. Also, Mr. Limiton needs a small poultry project to provide needed food for his children and a small income to buy other commodities.
Would you please prayerfully consider funding the purchase of two blackboards ($100.00) or the poultry project start up for $200.00? What a tremendous help this would be for Mr. Limiton, his family and the community he serves!
Malawi - Dorothy Update
Dorothy's miraculous physical and social improvement encourages everyone who knows her. The once frightened and sad little girl lost in silence now smiles and laughs as she participates in school and community activities. Jacob reports that the gorilla stuffed animal was a big hit and Dorothy carried everywhere!
One year ago, the roof of Dorothy's house was destroyed just when rainy season was starting. ELI friends funded a new roof and blankets for the family, who slept on dirt floors without any coverings. Dorothy's father did his best to support the family using a very old rented bicycle, but his income was very small. Another ELI friend funded a year's supply of basic food commodities for the family and within a few months, there was a noticeable improvement in the family's health and appearance. Dorothy's hair grew so long that her teachers plaited her hair.
In addition to the changes in her physical appearance, Dorothy's teacher noticed an increased ability to concentrate in school and she quickly mastered new concepts and skills. She urged us to find a way to send Dorothy to school full time. This is ELI's prayer also, but necessary funds are not available.
Dorothy's home is in Dima village, a very long distance from her school and there is no public transport available. Twice a week, Jacob drives all the way from Lilongwe to pick up Dorothy in the morning and return her to Dima in the afternoon. The road is full of potholes and difficult to drive, with fuel costs determining how many times Jacob can make the trip each week. Prayer was offered up and our faithful God gave us an answer. Dorothy's father would need a heavy duty bicycle to transport Dorothy to the intersection of the highway from the road to Dima. This would lower the fuel costs for ELI plus Dorothy's father could have a dependable vehicle to use for the village taxi.
For the last few weeks, Dorothy has attended school three days a week. Her teachers have already noted more improvements and the bicycle taxi business is slowly growing. This is good news for the family as the food grant will end in January.
Funds are still needed for the fuel costs. ELI would like to have Dorothy attend school at least four days a week. Please consider supporting Dorothy for a month of schooling, we would love to see her reach her greatest potential, mastering sign language to give her a bright future. Thank you!
Specific Needs
ELI is very thankful for all our prayer partners and financial supporters. Lots of good news about your investment in our different projects. If you are not yet a regular donor, please prayerfully consider a monthly gift of any amount. One time gifts for the needs presented in this newsletter are also greatly appreciated.
Happy Thanksgiving and may the Lord richly bless you.
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