“Joshua, it was forty-five years ago that the LORD told Moses to make Prayer Focus that promise, and now I am eighty-five. Even though Israel has moved from place to place in the desert, the LORD has kept me alive all this time as he said he would. I’m just as strong today as I was then, and I can still fight as well in battle. So I’m asking you for the hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You were there. You heard the other spies talk about that part of the hill country and the large, walled towns where the Anakim live. But maybe the LORD will help me take their land, just as he promised.” Joshua prayed that God would help Caleb, then he gave Hebron to Caleb and his descendants. Joshua 14:10-13
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This is a remarkable passage concerning Caleb and could be titled ‘Never to old for a new challenge.’ Caleb walked through the Promised Land as a spy and came back with the report that the Israelites could take the land. He was promised the land that he had walked through, even though the Israelites did not enter the land at that time. Now, 45 years later, Caleb asks for the same land he was promised, even though it was hill country, the cities were walled, they were still occupied by giants and he was now an ‘old man’.

May we all have the spirit of Caleb who never was afraid of taking up a new challenge, even when he could easily have said he had done enough; he deserved retirement from all the fighting and deserved some choice land to inherit. The battle is not over until God calls us home, so let’s not shy from new challenges that come our way – no matter our age of life.

PRAYER FOCUS

2007 is an exciting year as we begin to research the possibility of extending Eagles Wings into other Southern African countries. Over the next three months Lackson, Reid and Chantelle hope to visit around five countries including Malawi, Lesotho, Mozambique, Angola and the Congo. While there, research will be conducted to determine the needs of some of the poorest communities and street children. They will also be looking to determine whether Eagles Wings can partner with churches or individuals who have already begun working within these communities.

Please be in prayer for Lackson, Reid and Chantelle as they visit Malawi and Lesotho during March.

FROM PREVIOUS UPDATES

Bus – Reid, Brad and Casey had a successful trip to Dubai where they purchased a 29-seat bus for Eagles Wings. Both the body and the engine are in excellent condition and the inside has just been fitted with new seats. Over the coming week, God willing, the bus will arrive in Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania where Reid & Chantelle and Brad & Casey will drive it through Tanzania and back to Eagles Wings.

Praise God – For His guidance in selecting a bus and the provision of finances to purchase it.

Please Pray – For safety as Reid & Chantelle and Brad & Casey travel in the bus from Dar Es Salaam to Ndola.

- For efficiency and honesty when they arrive at the border and obtain clearance for the bus.

New Head Teacher – Daniel is adjusting well to his new role as Head Teacher. Already he has brought order and organization to the school and is providing leadership and guidance for the teachers. He has organized the first PTA (Parents and Teachers Association) meeting and has become a confident and contributing member of the Management Team.

Praise God – For the way He is guiding and strengthening Daniel in his new role.

Please Pray – Daniel has asked for prayer for wisdom and God’s strength as he takes this new role in leadership. Daniel acknowledges his need to trust God to lead and so he asks for prayer that God would increase his faith and trust in Him.

Clayton and Anna Hinds – Clayton and Anna are settling in well at Eagles Wings and are already hard at work! Clayton has taken over the position as Administrator and is busy learning the rules and procedures of administration in Zambia. Anna has been providing health care to many of the children in the Full Care Program who have been sick. She has also begun health care talks with the children at the school at Monkey Fountain and is working as a teacher-aide at our school in Kanyala.

Praise God – For how well Clayton and Anna are settling into life at Eagles Wings.

- That Clayton and Anna’s work permits were approved and they have been able to collect them from Lusaka. Please Pray – For Clayton, who has been sick. Pray for his full recovery and protection for both Clayton and Anna from further illness.

- That they will be encouraged and blessed as they serve the Lord and the Zambian people.

- That they will continue to settle into life and work at Eagles Wings.

Reintegration of Full Care Children – James and Clinton have joined the children from our Full Care Program who have returned to their families. James has returned to Chipulukusu, where he is living with his father and attending school. Clinton also has moved to Chipulukusu, where he is living with his Aunty.

Please Pray – For the education of these children. Pray that their education would continue and their families would encourage them to attend school everyday.

- For Grace, Cecilia, Thelma, Sara, Agnus, James and Clinton as they adjust to living full time with their parents in Chipulukusu.

- That they would seek guidance from God and be aware of his convictions to make good choices in their lives.

NEW PRAISE AND PRAYER POINTS

Sickness at Eagles Wings – Many of the Full Care children, staff and volunteers have been sick over the past few weeks. Some have had temperatures and fevers, some have had malaria, some have had boils and others are coming down with colds and flus.

Please Pray – For comfort and healing for those who are sick.

- For the health of all children, staff and volunteers. Pray that God would prevent illnesses from being spread to others.

Douglas Chinda – Douglas is in grade 2 at Eagles Wings Christian Community School at Monkey Fountain. When he was younger he broke his leg and due to a rare disease, the bones were never able to heal correctly. As Douglas has grown, the risk of the bone breaking through the skin has increased, and with it the risk of serious infection. Through the work of some amazing individuals and organizations, Douglas will have surgery to remove his leg on the 6th of March and for the first time in years he will have the opportunity to walk with the aid of a prosthesis instead of a crutch.

Praise God – For the availability of surgery for Douglas.

Please Pray – For Douglas. Pray that he would understand what is happening and why it is necessary. Pray that he would know God’s presence and peace throughout his time in hospital and that his healing would be fast.

- For the doctor. That God would guide his hand and give him wisdom throughout the surgery.

Special Education Training – One of our enthusiastic young teachers, Sylvia, has applied to do further training in Special Education for two years. Sylvia finds out in March if she has been accepted for this course. If Sylvia is accepted and trained there will be opportunities to expand the work at Eagles Wings Christian Community School in Monkey Fountain by providing classes and education to children who are hearing impaired.

Please Pray – For Sylvia’s application. Pray that she may be accepted to study Special Education.

PRAISE FOCUS

Two years ago we began the process of applying for our VAT (Goods and Customs Tax) Exemption Certificate. Over that time we have applied for the incorrect document, dealt with various corrupt and inefficient employees of the Ministry of Finance, had our application lost, resubmitted our application and taken countless four hour bus rides to Lusaka only to be told to come back another day.

Last months Praise & Prayer had a request to pray ‘For (the) receiving of this certificate TODAY!’ The word TODAY referred to no particular day, but was intended to communicate the urgency of this need. However technology problems delayed the sending out of the newsletter until the 19th of February.

On the 19th of February another bus ride was taken to Lusaka to visit the Ministry of Finance. Please join us as we praise God for His amazing timing, as it was this TODAY that we finally received the signed VAT Exemption Certificate that will save around $7000 in taxes for the bus alone!