Skip to main content

Every Single One

 

This is Kitty Kalunga. I met her in Serenje in October 2010, when Val Cottee and I spoke at a women's conference, teaching about the fruits of the Holy Spirit. She is a Pastors wife, and was one of the wonderful women that had sacrificed in time and responsibilities, in order to attend the conference. Mrs Mutala had been speaking about the strength of the women and how hard they worked for their families and children. In fact, as I recorded in my notebook at the time " Leah was fantastic - in response to our request to "bring a greeting", she pretty much exploded into the room like a hand grenade"! She was speaking vision for the girls dormitory that the community had decided they needed to build, encouraging the women that "for my children's children I must give some money by faith". Mrs Kalunga was the first woman to pledge a gift for the dormitory that day, and it was so moving to watch many other women also then walk forward to give a financial gift - women who have very little. Together they gave 122,000 kwacha as a "First Seed", believing that the dormitory would one day become a reality, enabling their own teenage daughters to safely continue and complete their education.

Since then of course, many others have contributed to the Dormitory - known as "Project 125" that so many Bracknell teenagers and many others have been a part of, finding many creative ways to get involved and raise money. It's seemed a long time to wait, but we're hopeful that this week, the building work will start.


Every time we have visited Serenje, we have visited the site of the proposed dormitory, walked around the field and seen the plans. It's so exciting to think that there will be a building there, and that because of that, 100 girls will safely live and complete their education - it's always about the people.

Today I'm thinking about the individuals - each individual, who like Kitty has given money for the dormitory; and each individual girl who will live in the dormitory. Each plays their part, each is a part of the bigger picture. Today I'm thanking God and praying for His blessing on every single one of the givers and recipients (as well as praying for the contractors and builders!)

God is good!

Ephesians 3:20- God can do anything, you know - far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Serenje women (Farmers, Pastors wives, Community Leaders, Mothers) at the conference

Isn't this a beautiful picture of friendship?

 

Popular posts from this blog

Guest Blog: Esther in Indonesia

I'm delighted to welcome Esther Ross-Watson to my Blog today! She is a dearly loved member of our Kerith family. She and her late husband Michael served as missionaries for many years. Esther bravely made the decision to travel again, and she has recently returned from Indonesia. Here's her story:  Whilst Michael was on his last days on earth in August 2017 he received a request from the Island of Madura, Indonesia asking us to return to the town of Pamekasen, Madura, Indonesia where we had begun our Missions work in July 1973 exactly one year after we were married. They were keen to have us see what God had been doing in the years since we’d moved on and we excitedly said ‘Yes’ we will come!   Obviously that had to go on hold for a while because I didn’t feel I could, or even wanted to go alone! Anyway around March/April time 2018, I begun to feel a gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit urging me to think some more about it! It was like a feeling of wanting to know
Read more

Our Living Hope

Not sure what happens with my blog...or me writing my blog! Can't believe I've been away from it for almost two months. Oh well, no condemnation! Let's pick it up and start again :) Yesterday was a great day in Church! I was so challenged and encouraged - I love Sundays and all the different ways God shows His love and who he is to us. Natalie Jones preached at both our morning meetings in Bracknell , she gave such a good message on generosity, be sure to catch it when the podcast comes on our website, but for now, watch a  summary of Natalie's preach At the 6pm meeting, we had Paul Manwaring sharing about culture : the 4 Gamechangers - again, a really challenging message to check out if you didn't get to hear it live. I wore my HOPE earrings yesterday - sometimes I deliberately  choose to wear them as a practical symbol that I am choosing HOPE - that I choose Jesus, I choose trust, I choose hope. I'm so glad I did, as throughout the day I felt God speak
Read more

3 Little Bottles

Thought I'd mix it up today and do something lighthearted here. I popped into town this morning (as an aside, anyone else still incredulous that "new Bracknell / The Lexicon is so great and that it's really here to stay?!)  Anyhow, I popped into town for a quick wander and bought 3 "essentials" I'd run out of, so I thought I'd share them with you - and of course I'd love to hear about your 3 recent essential purchases. 1 Contact lense solution I've worn glasses since Secondary school, and contact lenses since I left Uni. Gas permeables - great for me - slightly perilous in swimming pools / the sea / other people's sinks (£80 to replace). They work for me - and so a couple of bottles of solution each month keep me going.I ran out a couple of days ago, so it was £4.70 well spent for clean lenses and clear eyesight. 2. "Buffet" by The Ordinary This was a new one for me, a present I received last Christmas. I LOVE it and can
Read more