THE REAL BLESSINGS

Proverbs 17:6 - "Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children."

 Mama Dee and Cason

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Mama Dee and Amos

 Amos and Isaac

 Mama Dee and Cambree

 Warm cinnamon rolls from Cason, Caedmon, and Cambree

 Isabel and Grandpa

 Isabel, Amos, Isaac, and Abigail

 Cambree

 Mama Dee and Abigail

 Isaac, Cason, and Caedmon

PROSTHETIC PROMISES IN HIS NAME

The Prosthetic Promises In His Name (PPIHN) team was at New Day in September.  We can't begin to tell you the amount of work that gets done when they come and the lives that are touched.  God blesses their efforts to help the lame walk and give eyes to be seen.  Along with providing prosthesis two other team members came along to install solar lighting/power for the kitchen and dining hall. For more information and pictures check out the PPIHN blog and website www.prostheticpromisesinhisname.org  We loved having our friend, John Brinkley, here for a few weeks and look forward to his and the team's return in April.  I Peter 4:10: "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms."

Working in the almost completed clinic 

Working in a bush village 

NDO kids love John and Katie 

 John Brinkley preaching Sunday morning before they left.

OUT AND ABOUT AT NEW DAY

Below are some random pictures from around New Day.  1 Thessalonians 5:18:  "...give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

 5th dry well; please pray for an abundant rainy season.

 Ron has taken lessons from the Zambian women!

 Typical Zambian transport with no weight limits.

 First time to drive...on the wrong side of vehicle and road.

 Prince and his homemade guitar.

 Carolyn Groseclose, missionary teacher from Ocker 

Jacey Brauer, 6 month missionary from Belton, helping in pre-school

 

Unwelcome guest in our bedroom...4 inch centipede!

Wedding in Mapanza

Not long ago, the pastor of Mapanza Baptist Church, Maxwell, asked Ron to speak at a wedding.  We saved the date, asked questions regarding what to wear, how to act, how long to speak, etc.  Nothing could totally prepare us for what would happen.  When we arrived we found people waiting around under whatever shade could be found, women cooking huge pots of nshima, beef literally being cut off a carcass inside a small dark room, interesting dancing and much drinking of a homemade brew!  Not knowing what to expect or do we followed Pastor Maxwell's instructions.  Almost immediately, Ron was whisked off with Maxwell in the truck to "go get the bride."  As they were leaving at least 30 (or more) people jumped into the back of the truck and off they went.  If you know Ron, you know he thinks this is very unsafe!  When the procession arrived back at the wedding site they were led by a group of women dancing, followed by the dancing bridal party made up of four boys and four girls, and followed by the bride and groom.  The woman with the white hat is the wedding coordinator and led the wedding party in.  It is cultural for the bride to be very despondent on her wedding day as she is grieving the leaving of her family; therefore she is not to look up, smile, or basically participate in the ceremony.  We also learned a wedding ceremony is not a quiet time for the attenders (this could have something to do with the homemade brew!) and most people did not hear the words of the preacher as he spoke over the couple.  Following the short devotional, Pastor Maxwell stood on a barrel and pleaded with people to bring there gifts to lay in front of the couple.  This appeared to be the "wedding shower" as we know it and the couple was showered with money and kitchen items.  As you can see by the crowd, there is no such thing as personal space in this culture!  We were pleased to see some of the Ocker Brethren Church t-shirts had been given to some of the guests; Pastor Maxwell received a box of clothing the day before to pass out to his congregation. These t-shirts were worn not because of what they said, the color, or anything except that it was the newest and probably nicest item they owned.  Genesis 2:18:  "Then the Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.'"

HALOGENS TO HAPPY HOLLOW

Chad Mees and Gill Russell from FBC Bartlett were here for one week installing solar lights in each of the houses.  He also installed the pathway solar halogen lights toward our home, Happy Hollow, with help from Blu's pole climbing prowess!  We are so thankful for the work Chad and his teams have done at New Day and now when the power is off (Zesco) we only need pull a string and "Chadco" lights our way!  Matthew 5:16: "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven!"  

CHOMA SHOPPING CHAOS

Shopping days are CRAZY!!!!  A trip is made into Choma every week to do grocery and other shopping for New Day.  CRAZY, CHAOS, EXHAUSTING, WILD, STRESSFUL, CROWDED, HOT, NECESSARY, and  BLESSING are just a few adjectives to describe the event.  Thanks to all who participate in this ministry through your prayers and gifts to NDO and turn this CHAOS into a huge BLESSING for our children.  Matthew 6:11:  "Give us this day our daily bread."

Kids' Discipleship Training

While Wes and Laurie Wilcox are stateside, we have had the privilege of teaching Bible study skills with the younger children who have made a profession of faith.  These 12 children meet with us each Thursday afternoon in Wes and Laurie's home and we sing, learn memory verses and parts of the Bible, and do Bible drills.  Please pray for these young Christians as they grow in the Lord and in His Word.  What a blessing for us to be a small part of their lives.  Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it."