It’s hard to believe that Dan & I (Greg) will be heading to the
airport in less than 24 hours! I still have some business related calls to
make, and even will be out of town tomorrow morning for my work but that couldn’t be
helped. Right now I am packing the final
bag with airplane parts, uniforms and shoes. It’s always a puzzle to figure out
what all I can get in the checked bags and stay within the allowed weight, but
I love it!
I really wanted to update you on what’s taken place just
this week in Macha. Right now, Gil and Ronda’s son, Greg, is in Macha and has
been working feverishly to get some things in order. One of the things that he
helped with was raising the water tower and tank, and hooking up the existing
pipes. I’m sure that there were shouts of joy when water came out of the
faucets and the toilets started to fill once again. It has been over a year
since that has happened.
Here’s how Gil and Ronda put it: “The water is running ....flowing actually. We had a hot shower last night for the first time!!! I did a load of wash straight through with no buckets!!! Toilets in the school are flushing!!!! Living the good life!!! . . . Boy, here in the States we sure take running water for granted, don’t we?
This week Greg Krause has been working with Mike, the general
contractor (Zambian). They have put together a building materials list, and
gone to Choma to purchase everything to complete the new building, and have
unloaded them in a safe, secure location. Mike is helping to find reliable
laborers and they will be ready to get to work when Dan and I arrive on Monday
morning. The work has been planned out to be accomplished in two weeks! I am so
grateful that Greg Krause is there on the ground to get things ready for our
arrival.
There’s more good news! Ronda tells us that the teachers
have been paid some of their outstanding wages in computers. She says: “Amazingly they have been able to sell them.
People have been lining up and paying the asking price. We feel this is a God
thing as we thought no one would want to buy these used computers for the price
they are asking. God worked it out for good even though it was meant for
harm.... just as in the Joseph story.”
It sounds like the teachers are entitled to more pay
yet, and that will likely be in computers as well. So that’s good! These
teachers have been patiently waiting for their wages due them and they have
been learning to band together and look out for each other, and negotiate their
settlement as a group. It’s been a growing experience for each and I am looking
forward to talking with them personally.
Good things are now happening at MICS and in Macha! A huge thank
you goes out to each of you that have supported the work in Macha with your
finances, prayers and student sponsorships. You are making a difference in the
lives of many; some may be future leaders of Zambia!
On the right side of this blog you will see that we have
kept this past year’s school verse posted where everyone who visits this site
will see it. It says that “All things work together for good to those that love
the Lord”. We are seeing the fulfillment of God’s promises right before our
very eyes!
If you want to receive an “alert” when there is
late-breaking-news out of Macha, send Kathy your email address and she will
include you in that group. You’ll receive an email telling you that we have
updated this site and how you can pray for Dan and I, and our time in Macha.
Here’s Kathy’s email address:
kjhazsmith@gmail.com .
May God's blessings abound as we stand together in this work,
Greg
Excited for you and Dan as you head to Macha! I'm also praying that God would use you as He sees fit. That you would know that He is God and that He goes before you. I'm also praying that those you leave behind here would see something from God for them, in your absence. Praying expectantly! Jen
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