Hello friends and family,
Just had our first rains here and it is so refreshing, but could do with some more.
Just a quick update on what has been happening here with the women’s ministry.
I have been working with a group of women at a rural village called Kangnomba who call themselves “Wisdom ladies Club”. Since we began meeting, they have learnt how to make handbags, pin cushion’s, pettie coats, door mats, did some crocheting and made a little girls dress and as group they try to get together each Friday. It is amazing as we look back; this was the village the late Pastor Marie help plant a church when she first visited Zambia. Today we find a church, a school and a women’s ministry group. I am sure this would bring a huge smile on Marie’s face seeing that church reach out to the women of the community through sewing.
My sister in law Josie while in Zambia taught a class of adult literacy for the “wisdom ladies club”, not the usual class room setting, but set up with them under a tree.
These women are so eager to learn as much craft and skills as they can, with a view of starting to generate their own income.
Earlier in the year we had a Mother Daughter Workshop. The aim of the workshop was to enhance communication between the Mother and daughter and learn communication skills that would strengthen their relationship. My Mum, Mrs Kaminsa ministered to the Mothers while my Sister Serah, Cousin Charity and Niece Grace ministered to the girls. Then we had a joint session where the girls were given an opportunity share on what they felt misunderstood. You should have seen the mother’s faces.
The Daughters
The Mothers
Also this year we had a team come from City Impact Church in Mackay on a mission’s trip. We organised for the ladies to do a workshop at Kabwe Chapel with the Compassionate Ladies Ministries team. Teya Gibson shared the Word and showed the women how to set a table, Channtelle Hildreth share on budgeting skills, and Sam Faltinsky shared on health and exercise. Elijah Chembo took driving lessons, had a theory lesson first with the women and then they took turns driving. Serah Phiri taught sewing skills and had the ladies make skirts for themselves. Chris (Our Master Chief) did a catering lesson, pumpkin soup with Chicken spaghetti which ended up being our lunch and I taught on how to decorate a cake. It was an awesome day and a lot of lives were impacted.
Two days later we had a “Know your neighbour” afternoon tea for the women in my neighbourhood. About 60 women turned up and the Aussie ladies ministered again as the men were out a building clinic. As a result of the afternoon tea we now have formed a Ladies club with a committee in place, We have since started a Savings and Loan Association. (SLA) where as women we meet weekly and bring our savings together.
When funds are enough, loans will be given out to the members, and will be payed back with a manageable interest increasing our savings. This develops a culture of saving and empowers the women through micro projects, starting small business while being community of women and being our sister’s keeper. So what began as an afternoon tea in now an association of women empowering each other and fostering community? We have been encourage to register with the Department of Community Servicers this will allow our group to be used in Government initiatives to empower women and foster community development as well as helping in times of disasters. Thanks Teya, Sam and Chantelle something simple has grown into something wonderful.
While the team from Australia were here, we made a donation to women who work at the quarry. These women (mostly single mum’s and widows) make a living from digging gravel and crushing stones by hand with small hammers and pilling them up in heaps with buckets. They then sell to people who are building (1 dollar = 1 wheel burrow of crushed stones $5 for 2 tonnes of gravel and that’s loaded price), providing support and food for their families. Our paths crossed when we were building the Chankosa Clinic and classroom as we needed supplies for the building.
Chris would buy the stone and refused to try and talk down the price he says “any one in life that has to crush stones by hand in the heat is worth every penny” He was also moved when he noticed most women were bare foot, so we made a donation. Now when Chris buys stones or gravel the women come running and load his trailer first and while others to wait till they are finished. With arrival of the next two containers we will be making a Christmas donation making sure the women have some new clothes and the children have clothes and school books to start the New Year. So Thanks Victory Church and Operation Lift.
Serah Phiri was invited to Mkushi recently for a 3 days training the Joint widow’s fellowship at Global Church. She taught them how to use a knitting machine and sewing machine. The total number of Ladies who attended was 17.
Recently I was moved to do something for a young boy named Julius I found working outside Shoprite, our local “Woolworths” his Dad died in 2009 and since them, he has not been to school. He expressed a desire to go back to school and we have made arrangements with his family for him to start. We have booked him into school and he will restart school as a grade 5 next year. He will go the last two weeks this year so he can settle back in after being out of school for 3 years.
His sister also going through number of struggles as well, I will see what can be done.
This year has been great, and these have been a few high lights of this year’s ministry in between being wife, a mother and host to mission’s teams thanks to you all for all your support.
God bless you richly and have a wonderful Christmas. Looking forward to catching up with as many as we can in the new year when we return to Australia for a few weeks.
Love. Angie
