Amai Nkoma

 Yesterday, Kevin and I went out in a compound to give a BGR bucket.  When we met up with the caregivers we found out that they had already given a bucket the week before and we were just going to give a blanket and encourage her.  When we entered the house we found Amai Nkoma sitting on the floor.  She is 41 years old (even though she looks to be in her 20's!) and has 4 children.  Her husband is HIV positive and has been taking ARV's for a while but never told his wife.  The caregivers have been encouraging Amai Nkoma to go and get tested.  She finally did and found out she was postive.  Today she will go and get tested so she can also be put on ARV's.  It takes up to 2 weeks to get the test results back so it will be that long before she can begin taking the medicine.  

 As you can see she has these sores on her foot and leg.  The caregivers said the sores actually looked good today. They said that these sores were open earlier when they had seen her.  It is hard to tell from this angle but her ankle area is so swollen.  It is twice the size of the other leg.  She is in so much pain that she can not even walk.  It will be a challenge to get her to the hospital but one of the caregivers will go with her.

 Like I said she received a BGR bucket last week and was very appreciative.  This time when we went we gave her a blanket which was knitted by some women in the US and then sent to Zambia.  During these cool nights it will help keep her and her husband warm.

Kevin shared some scriptures with her from John 10 to encourage her after she had shared that she was a believer since 1998.  

Please pray for Amai Nkoma as she goes to be tested and as she begins taking ARV's.  While taking this medicine it is important that you eat well.  We also took some Soy meal to help but it will not last long.  

These 4 children need their mother and father.  Please pray that with God's help and the ARV's that these lives will be extended for the sake of their children.  We also found out that the mother of Amai Nkoma believes that this is all because of witchcraft and will not face the fact that her daughter is HIV positive.  There are so many who do not want to face the facts and get help.  Praise God for the caregivers who stepped in and helped her to face the truth and get the help that she needed.

 some of the children outside

Zach's 21!

May 20th, 1992 our first child was born and we named him Zachary Wade Rodgers.  It is hard to believe that was 21 years ago.  He was born in Wilmington, NC.  Then we lived in Widener, Arkansas for 5 years.  When Zach was 5 we moved to Zambia and that is where he grew up.  Now he is in America and is about to begin his senior year at Liberty University.  Time has just flown by it seems!  

We are so very proud of the godly man that Zach has become.

Happy Birthday Zach!

Contentment

How many women do you know who are truly content?  You can probably count them on one hand.  But if asked to name the women you know who have a spirit of discontent the list would be very long.  It seems like "contentment" has been the theme for me since January.  I have learned that even though contentment is rare it is possible.  Paul said in Philippians 4:11-13 "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
Paul lived an extrememly difficult life.  He was beaten almost to death, constantly misunderstood, and deserted by friends.  Paul's life was anything but perfect and controlled, yet he was able to say, "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am."  What is so exciting about this is that contentment can be learned.  This gives me hope!
If you are like me, I desire to trust God all the time but sometimes when it seems He is moving too slow I try to help Him out. Of course, he doesn't need my help or your help either!  But when we step in and try to make things happen on our own our actions are saying,, "God, your'e not doing what I think needs to be done, so I'll help you out."  When we do this it leads to having an anxious heart since we have taken our focus off the One who is in control and put our eyes on our circumstances. 
Psalm 16:5 says, "Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure."  We see from this verse that whatever happens is assigned.  We can't choose what belongs to us and what shouldn't.  Every assignment is measured and controlled for my eternal good.  If I will just accept my given portion then decisions become much easier and our heart becomes much calmer. 
God fills our cup or life with our portion, what He determines best.  Sometimes we don't like what's been poured into our cup.  Every cup, whether fancy china or rough pottery has a handle.  We either choose to grasp it by the handle and lift it to Him, saying, "I accept my poriton; I accept this cup," or we choose to smash our cup to pieces, saying, "God, I refuse my portion.  This cup is not the right size for me and I don't like what You've put in it.  I'll control my life myself."  No matter what we choose our circumstances will not change.  However, our choice will make a difference in how we walk through difficulties.  I believe that contentment is a journey.  It doesn't happen over night.  It is something that we grow into. May we all be like Paul and say, "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am in."

40/40

 This past month we have been involved in doing an orientation program for new missionaries who have come to serve in Africa.  This program is called 40/40.  I believe this was our 10th one to be a part of.  One of the best things I love about doing 40/40 is meeting all the great new missionaries coming to Africa.  

The program can be a bit tough sometimes.  Living conditions are not always comfortable, people often get sick, and people are stretched out of their comfort zones.  On the upside, culture is learned, lives are changed, bonds are made, and people are saved!  

I took lots of pictures but I'm only posting my favorites so you can get a glimpse into what we have been up to for the last 30 days.

 Our two nannies, Langiwe and Irene, took care of our two little ones.

 morning bible study

 a visit to the crocodile farm with all the mk's

Mindy and Abigail with a turtle

 Lots of Crocs!

 crocodile burgers

 fishing

 Hannah and Sarah

 learning to bargain at a market

 tea time

 Kayla, Lillian, and Hannah

 learning to make nshima

 visiting a Zambian's home

 playing volleyball

 reading

 many rides in the wagon

 lots of sweetness!

 a visit to the taxidermist

 even got to see a Zebra

 saying good-bye

 DFA's to the boma in the back of a truck.

 visiting a rural market

 cold drink in the market

 Hannah and Mindy

 lots of swinging!

 tea with the Chiefs wife and DC wife

 mk's visit a local farm

 riding an oxcart

 Irene and baby Hannah

 friends

 best buddies!

 Kevin came to play with the kids!

 mother may I?

 mk's visit a villiage

 mk's visit local headman

 fritas

 saying bye to helpers

nights by the fire

 Smiths going on their homestay

 Jones about to head out to their homestay.

 Isles with their hosts.

 camp

 toilet

 our home during camp

 Great friends and staff!

 all the mk's with their teachers

 Our 40/40 group!

 us with Anna Grace

 Love these special ladies!  

 Last night program was done baliwood style.

Final group hug and prayer!  After spending 30 days with these participants you can't help but love them!

Please pray for these precious friends of ours who are heading back home to their countries where they will learn language and culture in their setting.  Pray they will take all they have learned these last 30 days and now use it in their context. May God work in and through them to change the world!