How an ” I can’t” from the drilling company turned into an “I can” from God
As many of you know, one of the top priorities for our trip in January was to get a well drilled at the orphanage. One of the major issues for the orphanage is a reliable water supply, because the small water tanks on the site don’t hold much water, so the orphanage can sometimes go without water for up to a week.
We were so excited when a drilling company came out and said there was water on the land. Doing our due diligence, however, we contacted another drilling company to double-check their findings and compare pricing. Titan Drilling, the second company, determined there was no water anywhere in the area.
We came home deeply disappointed and continued praying for an answer to solve this essential need for the children. But God is so good!
A few days after we returned from Africa, Loveness Sakala, the orphanage director, sent us photos of a Titan Drilling rig and two large water tanks that the company provided for the orphanage! The tanks hold 15,000 liters of water, or nearly 4,000 gallons of water! Prayerfully, this is a long-term solution to the water issues. We are so grateful to Titan Drilling for the company’s compassion for our children and to God for His great love and provision for them!
Praise God for Providing a Safe, Blessed Home for Our Children
We were able to spend a lot of time with the children during this trip! We now have 44 children, and they are the sweetest, kindest, most loving children. It was truly a blessing to spend a week with them and show them how beautiful they truly are.
Ruth’s Story
Ruth is now 4 years old, but when she was an infant, she was found in a human waste pit. A passerby heard a baby crying but couldn’t find her. An extensive search by rescue workers discovered the newborn baby wrapped in a blanket underneath human feces. It’s a miracle she didn’t drown, but God had plans for her.
She has lived her entire life at the orphanage. When we met her last summer, she was withdrawn and shy. This time, she was laughing and bubbly and wouldn’t leave my side. She is truly a precious gift from God!
Our Dedicated Staff
The “Mothers” and staff members who take care of the children—Katrina, Uncle Joe, Director Loveness Sakala, Loveness, Mary, and Katrina—do an amazing job and deserve our appreciation! One of our priorities in the budget is to raise their salaries. Right now, they literally make about $25 per week, which is low even for Zambia. The average pay there is about $10 per day.
Future Planning: “The Farm”
We reconnected with several government officials, including Mayor Lucky Sichone and District Commissioner Kelly Jibinga. Everyone was so welcoming and eager to help us get the surveying issues with the “Farm” squared away.
With a new, more specific survey, the Ministry of Agriculture has recommended permanent numbering for the 600 acres of farmland. This is a big step that allows us to move forward with planning a new orphanage on the site! We even met the tribal Chief, who is considered royalty. He was very gracious and even invited us to move to Zambia to live among them, which is a very high honor.
Worship and Community
All the children boarded a bus to go to church with us. Many of the older children are in the youth choir; their voices are amazing, and their worship was inspiring! The entire church prayed over and blessed us for helping the children. It was truly a blessing to worship with them.
Impact Report: Needs Met
With help from our generous donors during this trip, we were able to:
- Tax Relief: Provide funds to catch up on the property taxes on the orphanage building.
- Dining Essentials: Provide each child with a plate, cup, and utensils, along with new cooking tools for the kitchen.
- Education & Play: Purchase school supplies and toys for the children.
- Home Improvements: Pay for materials and labor to recover the couches in the common area to make them easier to clean and safer for the children.
Awareness: Current & Future Needs
With each visit, we learn more about the needs of One Way Mission Children’s Home. We are currently prioritizing the following:
- Staff Salaries: Raising pay for our caregivers and farm workers to a fair local wage.
- Property Taxes: Maintaining quarterly tax payments to avoid falling behind again.
- Transportation: Finding a van or small bus. This would help with school and doctor visits, and could provide income for the orphanage by offering rides to others in town for a fee.
- Infrastructure: * Large pavers to fix the driveway for a future vehicle.
- Pavers to reduce mud around the building.
- Tools for digging a drain for the outdoor kitchen and dishwashing areas.
- Staff Uniforms: Providing work-specific clothing so the staff’s personal clothes aren’t ruined while caring for the children.
