MICS Turned Upside Down!

This was what MICS 2 looked like last year,

Many of you have asked for an update on Macha and MICS (Macha Innovative Christian School). Up until now it has been difficult to share as we didn’t have a lot of information to pass along.

  

This could be a long post but to be brief, we will use bullet points. Bear with us as we tell you about the disappointing turn of events:

• Earlier this year there were concerns as we received reports that teachers were not being paid.

• Progression on the school’s building project was delayed time and again.

• The water problem had not been resolved.

• It was discovered that Macha Works (MW), the economic development organization responsible for the above work, was bankrupt.

• Add to that, the building materials purchased for the school building project were missing, later discovered on the two new homes built by MW staff.

MICS 2 today. Still much work to be done.

Fortunately, there are some bright spots and possible resolution on the horizon:

• Mr. Kalambo, administrative director of the hospital has stepped in to mediate between parties. He is a well-respected Zambian and also skilled at bringing two opposing sides together.

• The land MICS sits on is called “mission land” and is owned by the BIC Church (Brethren in Christ). The BIC is offering to take on MICS as a BIC school with the Krauses running it as they have been. Their school board is ready to help them function as a private school.

Bathrooms need lots of work yet.

• Wisely the Krause’s refused to pay any more on the new building until it was finished. It seems that there is enough money to replace building materials but not enough to pay for workers to do the work.

• The Labor Board has gotten involved & ruled in the teachers favor. They have distributed assets belonging to MW to the teachers. They will be selling off those items, including computers and electronics to cover their back pay.

Help is on the way!

• Flying Mission, another mission organization based in Lusaka (the capital of Zambia), has already drilled new bore holes and installed well-pumps, and is ready for water lines to be laid & hooked up.

• Shortly, the Krause’s son & president of Zambia Tomorrow Inc. will be arriving in Macha to help to set up accounting systems, meet with the BIC board members and work out the details of this new relationship.

• Greg, along with Dan Green, will also be going to Macha on October 19^th for 2 weeks. Their dates will overlap with the Krause’s son, and they will be ready to hire workers to install the water lines and to finish the building. They will oversee the completion of those projects.

• The new school year will begin in January, it will be important to enroll additional students to fill the new facility. Now is the time to advertise. Greg will help to produce TV and radio ads that will play across the country, as well visit radio stations to introduce them to MICS & possibly get additional promotion coverage.

• Valleybrook Church will be taking a special offering on October 14th. These funds will go towards hiring workers to complete the building and lay the water pipes.

Here’s how you can help:

• We’ve been asked to collect school uniforms. If you have used blue school uniforms that you’d like to donate, let us know. We will send them in Greg and Dan’s checked luggage.

• Greg and Dan need to raise funds for their travel expenses.  They will need $6000. If you’d like to help them go, please send your check written to Valleybrook Church, to Greg Smith, 11195 47th Avenue, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729. Thank you for standing with us.

• Pray, pray, pray for the Krauses that they will be encouraged. They have repeatedly told us that we have thrown them a lifeline.

The Smiths and the Krauses.

• Pray for the right people to be ready and available to help. Pray that all those involved will be guided by God’s Holy Spirit, and they will respond in obedience each and every moment.

This is a difficult and overwhelming time for the Krause’s but also very exciting because God is moving this in His time and according to His purpose and order.  

Thank you for your help, support and prayers. We can't do this alone.

Glad to be part of the adventure,
Greg & Kathy Smith