Fern Road

Friends and family,

We finished our project at Fern Road yesterday- the chicken run! We finished with time to spare and enjoyed a friendly game of volleyball with the older kids at Fern Rd.

Here is a pic of the finished product:

This morning we are going to Goshen Farm! We look forward to seeing the children there- all preschool age- and also more of the beauty of Zimbabwe. It is a distance from the city and there is no electricity there. It will be like camping for us.

Sara would like to tell her sister Laurie HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! and that she is thinking of you! Laurie donated hand warmers to our team and we plan to use those warmers out at Goshen.

Here are some updated prayer requests for us:

*Team Unity- we are presently on Day 5 in the country and the reality of being here is setting in. The culture is different, the food, the accomodations are great- but different from home. The situation of the children is heartbreaking. All these combined and typically hit a person around Day 4 and 5. Please pray for us that we are sensitive to the needs of our teammates. Phil. 4: 6-8

*Children's situations- As I mentioned above, the orphans situation is difficult to swallow. One million is a low estimate of the orphans in Zimbabwe alone. Hands of Hope is doing an amazing work here caring for them, loving them and creating a family for them. The situation in Zimbabwe, however, is difficult. The employment rate is 10%. Life has improved dramatically in the past 3 years, but there is much poverty and need. To our human heart and our American eyes, this is very difficult. Please pray God would teach us through this and that we would trust Him with the situation.

*Health- David is sick with a cold. Josh has had a fever. Emily is not sleeping well. Becky's neck is sore. Ken, Sara and I are fine though! Please pray for God's strength and healing hand. Praise that Ken, Sara and I are healthy and sleeping well!

*Balance- we are here for a goal and for productivity- but we are also here to minister and love the people of Zim. Please pray we would find a balance in each situation.

Thank you dear friends and family. A follower of our blog commented that we need to not take any minute for granted! We are trying to do that- thank you for the reminder!

Nda Tienda! (thank you in Shona!)

Katie