Doreen What makes a person decide to travel half way across the world giving up four weeks of personal holiday time, leaving behind their families and friends, trading comfort and security for what is unknown, and paying for it?

Pastor Paul Curtis of the Victoria Point Baptist Church challenged the twenty four people of all ages and walks of life going to Zambia 29 March to be prepared for what lay ahead. He said there would be emotional, physical, spiritual and relationship battles in wait for each of us and our response was crucial. Most of us are bone weary, emotionally and/or spiritually spent and longing to go home but I can honestly say, we are praising God for giving us the opportunity to be a part of His great plan.

The Zambian hospitality, friendliness and grace cannot be faulted. Their heart is strong though poverty weakens their bodies. Their lives are full without the clutter of possessions and yet they are willing to open themselves up to get to know the foreigners that come and go out of their lives each year.

Bec and Ashlee

It’s so hard to sum up our experience in Zambia in just a few paragraphs. We have both been changed by these three weeks. Coming here we didn’t quite know what to expect and were blown away by the lives of the people we came in contact with. We were touched by their friendliness and love, they are such an inspiration and there is so much more we could learn from them.

One of the highlights was definitely being able to spend time with the kids in the evenings and on the weekends. They are so much fun and it will be so hard to leave now that we have got to know them all, they are like a second family.

We have learnt that serving is the best way of loving and we now understand so much more that it is better to give than to receive. God has changed our lives through this trip and our prayer is that we can bring our passion and enthusiasm back home with us. Thank you for your prayers and support. God bless and “Keep it real!”

Vanessa

What an amazing journey it has been! The children have had a huge impact on me, from the day we arrived they have been so accepting, friendly and loving. They have so little but are so happy and enjoying life. Walking through the compounds was heartbreaking to see how these people live but all the children are friendly calling out “How are you” and waving, wanting to hold your hand, hug etc. It will be very hard to say goodbye, I will miss them. The African people in general are friendly and always saying “Hello” when you walk past them.

I have been brought out of my comfort zone through the building project, it has been physically challenging. I have done things I have never done in my life, like hammering, helping on the fence, painting etc, it has been a great learning experience for me. It makes it all worth while when you realize thousands of children will now have an education and an opportunity to learn about God for years to come because our team came to Zambia.

God is doing an amazing work here and I am glad he gave me the opportunity to come and play a part in the team. It has been a life changing experience and I encourage anyone who has thought about doing something like this to not just talk about it but do it, it will change your life. Coming to a country like this makes you realize how blessed we really are in Australia and how we can use what God has given us to help these people.

What an amazing journey it has been!

We would like to thank Joe Jansen, his church and the team for their continued support and commitment in seeing our community transformed. God willing, this school will bring not only the Good News of salvation to the people, but give them an opportunity to escape the suffering that poverty brings. Through Christ, we are seeing change in the lives of children and their families through men and women who believe.

Our Challenge, Their Suffering

The story of HIV/AIDS in Zambia

“I believe that this could very well be looked back on as the sin of our generation. I look at my parents and ask, where were they during the civil rights movement? I look at my grandparents and ask, what were they doing when the holocaust in Europe was occurring with regard to the Jews, and why didn’t they speak up? And when we think of our great, great, great-grandparents, we think how could they have sat by and allowed slavery to exist? And I believe that our children and their children, 40 or 50 years from now, are going to ask me, what did you do while 40 million children became orphans in Africa?” Rich Stearns, President of World Vision, US

Anyone working in Zambia at any level and in any sector is faced with issues related to HIV/AIDS. Directly or indirectly, it is something that has brought economic hardship, suffering and turmoil into every home – no one escapes this disease. Even the son of the first President of the Republic of Zambia, Kenneth Kaunda, died from this disease.

The first case of HIV/AIDS in Zambia was reported in 1984, though in all probability, HIV/AIDS had been around in Zambia since the 1970s. But the response to acknowledge the issue and then to bring a focused and educated approach to stop the spread did not gain momentum until rates of infection reached epidemic proportions of 17% (1) of the total population.

Today over 1.1 million (1) are infected in Zambia alone, with 710, 000 (1) children having been left orphaned due to the death of their infected parents.

Not only are these children left orphaned, but because of the role HIV/AIDS has played in breaking down the extended family unit many of these children are left to fend for themselves, either on the streets or moving from house to house within their communities. If the parent was the main income earner of the family the children are left with no option but to leave school and often the oldest child has to take on the role of the parent in caring and providing for their sibblings.

This is one of the challenges facing Eagles Wings as we work within communities affected by this pandemic. It may seem like a battle that can never be won, or at least managed, but the size of the problem should not determine whether or not a fight should or should not be mounted.
Social injustice is not just a call to government but is a Biblical call to all who are followers of Christ. Injustices faced through HIV/AIDS are numerous, for example, consider the child born HIV positive as one aspect of injustice.

Can we imagine Jesus walking throughout Southern Africa in human form today? How many HIV/AIDS sufferers would He be reaching out to? Would He consider the injustice of HIV/AIDS worth fighting? Would He speak out?

As we hear so often in Zambia. ‘If you are not infected, you are still affected’. What will our grandchildren think of our generation?

(1) UNICEF State of the Worlds Children 2007

Learning to Walk Again

Douglas Chinda, in grade 2 at Eagles Wings Christian Community School, recently had surgery to amputate his leg. Helen Anderton, who is in Zambia to support Douglas and his family through the experience, writes of the journey.

In 2003 a photo of Douglas was found in amongst many other photos. I asked the Lord if He wanted me to help this boy then He would have to find him. I started praying and in 2005 found him in a compound near Eagles Wings. The first miracle.

Over the next 12 months I researched Douglas’s condition and was told Douglas had a rare condition where he lacks the covering around his bones and his fractured leg would never heal. The only way forward was an amputation. Professor John Jellis from Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, offered to do the surgery free. The second miracle.

Professor John has been working among the poorest of the poor for 44 years as an orthopaedic surgeon. After much prayer and medical direction from people, confirmation was given by ongoing ‘God miracles’ as well as the $5,000 raised in Brisbane Australia to cover costs.

I thought this journey was about Douglas, and it is, but for me the miracles I wish I had room to share with you have been ongoing. God’s provision, not only for Douglas and his mother but for me as well have continued to thrill my heart.

I remember the photo of a boy with no hope, who has walked for the first time in his life and I compare Douglas to a one-legged beggar I saw in Lusaka whose eyes were bloodshot from alcohol, whose body was thin from lack of food, whose wheelchair was a white plastic chair slipped into an old wheelchair, who begs for money, who is treated brutally by others and whose name means ‘deserted’. Simply, the story of Douglas is God’s miracle.

Douglas is a very intelligent boy who is being educated at Eagles Wings Christian Community School. He has a strong personality and I know with God’s help he will continue to be blessed, succeed and bless others.

Here is an extract from a letter received from Douglas’s father:

‘May we take this opportunity of expressing our sincere gratitude to you, Sister, and indeed the people of Australia for the assistance rendered to our son Douglas, whom I never thought he would walk but your kindly assisted that boy to walk.
Thanks very much for your help. So Sister convey our warm happiness to all those who willingly contributed to hospital expenses and that the words of Galatians 6:9 and Colossians 3:23 -24 comfort and give you courage.
Alick, Douglas and the family as a whole.’

Educating the Future Generation

Our Education Program is starting to see it’s first ‘fruits’ with children beginning in the program back in 2001 now leaving, graduating from grade 12 as young adults with dreams far greater than they may have ever first imagined.

James Kabwe is one of those who has graduated and is now looking forward to beginning further studies as a mechanic. He will have the opportunity to do this through a new scheme at Eagles Wings which allows those who graduate from grade 12 within our Education Program to receive funding which they pay back, interest free, into a revolving fund that will assist others.

James wrote to Lackson on the completion of his studies:

‘I write to thankyou (Lackson) and your organisation for the financial and material support you continuously rendered unto me from grade seven up to my senior level of education.
Without your support and generosity my completion of the secondary school level would not have been possible.
May the good Lord richly bless you and his blessings help your organisation keep on growing as on Eagles Wings.
Once again thankyou so much.
Yours Faithfully, Kabwe James’

James earning some extra money by helping on Stage 2 during the Building Team’s visit

Meet Our New Board Chairman

Gilbert Mubanga is married to Grace and has 4 children. Trained and equipped at GLO (Gospel Literature Outreach) and TCCA (Theological College of Central Africa) he was involved in church planting for a period of 9 years throughout the Northern Province. In recent years he has moved into visitation work of past GLO students. He has a deep concern for the disadvantaged child shown through his committment in assisting Eagles Wings wherever possible. Those who meet Gilbert remember his smile and humor. It is a pleasure to work with a committed man of God.