November 06 Update

Dear Friends of Ubumi:

We are still in reorganization mode—but I just got a letter from Eddy with some very good news. When Claire left in August, there were no volunteers at the orphanage, although there was some interest. Eddy says that now four volunteers have been lined up—two from the UK, one from Norway, and a doctor from Harvard! I have no idea yet how long they will stay, but I have learned over the past several months how important they are to keep us in touch with what is happening there. I will let you all know next update the progress on the hammer mill being built next to the Musonda Communit, and the progress on the taxi. Two other programs have been instituted recently.

One is the prayer program. Eddy believes that the relationship with benefactors must be two way, but at least currently, they are so lacking in resources that providing a return can be daunting. However, the children are rich in faith. Each child has been given the name of a benefactor to keep in their prayers, and time is allotted each day to pray for benefactors. Know that the prayers of children are being offered daily for you personally.

The other project is the computer lab. Even though they are still in need of laptops, they are beginning a computer education project. The plan is that there will be weekly instruction for the children in the use of a computer. He reports that work on a space just off the children's playroom is being renovated, and the staff is also excited about learning as well. So far we have the promise of two laptops. We are hoping for five.

Last Sunday, the Hudson Hub ran a story on the orphanage and our dream that Hudson will “adopt” it. The story was in conjunction with the benefit concert being given by the Evans girls at the Hudson High Auditorium this Saturday, Nov. 4 at 7 pm. I hope some of you will be able to attend and will encourage your friends to do so as well. The concert is free, but there will be a donation taken for the orphanage. The Evans girls have pledged to raise $15,000 to build two new classrooms on to the Musonda school. They are 15, and 13, and an inspiration to us all.

After the story ran, I got a call from a local contractor, asking how he could help. “Read your Bible,” he told me. “Our chief responsibility is to care for the widow and the orphan.” We are so dependent on your continued efforts and support, and so grateful, not only for your monetary support, but also for your ideas and encouragement. As we get organized as a non-profit, we will be looking for folks to serve on a Board of Trustees. If this sounds like something you would like to do, please let me know.