THE CHILDREN AND LEADERS WERE AWE-STRUCK BY THE SHEER SIZE
AND AMOUNT OF WATER FLOWING OVER THE FALLS.

Camp 2008 was the first year Clayton & Anna headed up the Camp Program. Although it got off to a rocky start with the bus breaking down halfway to Livingstone, it ended on an amazing note with 18 children giving their lives to Christ on the final night.

15 leaders from Australia, the USA and New Zealand joined with Zambian leaders to take 40 disadvantaged children from Ndola on the trip of a lifetime to Livingstone.

On the first day in Livingstone we saw one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Victoria Falls (or Mosi-o-Tunya – The Smoke that Thunders – to the locals), and witnessed God’s incredible imagination when He created the world. The children and leaders were awe-struck by the sheer size and amount of water flowing over Victoria Falls.

Visit www.claytonhinds.com for more camp photos

Throughout the week the children were able to take part in many other activities including a boat cruise, game drive and visiting a crocodile park. Most importantly, during devotions and sharing times, children had the opportunity to hear about God’s grace and love for them.

For those of you who have been to a developing country, you will know that power and water facilities are unreliable at best and that was no different at Livingstone! Water was scarce which made toileting and showering difficult. The leaders should be congratulated for their attitude when faced with these difficulties. It showed their commitment to the children and to Christ. Well done!

We had the opportunity on Camp to visit the land that has been donated to Eagles Wings to build a permanent campsite. The leaders gathered for a time of prayer over the land and committed it into God’s hands.

We are already planning for next year’s camp and hope to make it bigger and better than ever! If you would like Clayton & Anna to visit your church or small group (no matter where you live in the world!) please contact them by email.

INTERVIEW WITH CHARITY

What did you enjoy most about Camp?
Seeing God’s creation at Victoria Falls, the boat cruise and all the animals.

How did Camp change your life?
When I was taught the Word of God it strengthened my heart.

What was your favourite activity on Camp?
Hearing the Word of God!

Did you make new friends on Camp?
Yes: Paxina, Jacklin and Ba Ben and Ba Anthony

Did you like the food?
Yes! I am very thankful to the people who were cooking.

UBUNTU in Lusaka

James, Belinda and Paul, stars of UBUNTU, with Deputy Minister from the DCDSS, Mr. Mwendoi Akakandelwa, Mr. Charles Lulika from UNICEF, Lackson (EW Director) and Gilbert (EW Chairman).

Four years ago, the Department of Community Development and Social Services (DCDSS) in Ndola approached Eagles Wings to care for a young girl that had been seen wandering around the market places and inner city of Ndola. This young girl was only six years of age. It is unthinkable to imagine how children are placed in this position of self reliance, but sadly, it is commonplace in our world.

Belinda has grown into a very intelligent (and still self reliant!) ten year old, who hopes to one day become a journalist. For now though, Belinda, along with James and Paul (*NB. Names changed), who were both more recently admitted to Eagles Wings, starred in UBUNTU: The Street Child Story, a film documenting the plight of such children.

UBUNTU was produced for Southern Africa, with Lusaka, Zambia our first opportunity to bring church, government and non-governmental organization leaders together in a way to both highlight and encourage a greater responsibility to orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs). After an eventful, five hour journey from Ndola to Lusaka, where we were stopped at nearly every roadblock and harassed by police and road traffic authorities who enjoy pointing out any minor fault you or your vehicle may have, we made it to the Holiday Inn (without being fined!) where the film would be shown.

We were encouraged by both the sincere words and even tears after the film was shown.

Deputy Minister from the DCDSS, Mr. Mwendoi Akakandelwa, along with Mr. Charles Lulika from UNICEF were guest speakers. They were joined by 45 pastors and church leaders from across the Lusaka District. Many of the documentary crew were also in attendance.

While at this stage it is hard to assess the impact that the film had and the possible long term changes that may occur, we were encouraged by both the sincere words and even tears after the film was shown. UBUNTU touches on all aspects that affect OVCs. Issues from HIV/AIDS to corruption, which are very sensitive issues, have to be brought out into the spotlight for open and free discussion if we are ever going to see OVCs, such as street children, live purposeful lives and ultimately decrease in number.

Currently millions of childre around the world still live with and endure the pain of abandonment, abuse and mistreatment. They are still, in many places, viewed as worthless either by their existing families, community or government. “No child wants to live on the streets” as correctly pointed out by the Representative for UNICEF Zambia. Belinda, James and Paul are great examples of children that had to become self reliant, but ultimately just wanted a home, a family and a community that felt that children should be treasured.

Special thanks for the launch:
• Holiday Inn, for offering the conference room for free
• Department of Community Development and Social Services
• UNICEF
• Pastors and leaders who attended
• UBUNTU Director, Matt Nelson
• Belinda, James and Paul for bravely standing in front of all those people!

Building Team 2009

We are beginning the process of mobilizing the Building Team for Stage 3 of the Monkey Fountain Campus for April/May 2009. If you would like to be part of this team please email us to register your interest or for further information.

Meet Abudu

Camp 2008 micro light winner preparing for take off over the Victoria Falls

How old are you?
10 years old.

Tell me more about yourself.
I’m a happy boy because I have learned how to read and write. I like running and playing football.

What grade are you in?
Grade two. What do you like about your teacher? I like the way she teaches mathematics. What do you want to do when you grow up? I want to be a pilot.

What inspires you?
When I see an aircraft. Many people inspire me by saying, “You are a nice boy. You should be a pilot.”

Why do you want to be a pilot?
So that I can help people with health emergencies and save them before they die.

What do you like best here at EW?
Learning different Bible stories.

What don’t you like about the community?
People fighting each other and insulting each other.

What do you do to try to stop that?
I don’t insult and I try to talk to my friends and tell them that God does not like it when we insult and fight.