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Camp 2007 - Eternal Perspective

Twelve months can’t have passed by already! But it has and don’t we know it when the month of July comes around! Seeing 40 children spend nine days away from suffering, abuse and neglect is something that words cannot express. Every day they gained more and more confidence, feeling free to show love to their leaders, hearing about pure living which is so important for youth, having an absolute blast, but most importantly seeing and hearing of God’s love for them in word and deed. Thank you to each and every one of you who committed this special time for us in prayer.

We are extremely thankful to International Teams for mobilizing and training the camp team from Australia and New Zealand. It is a partnership which plays out the true body of Christ as we help each other to reach out to others. Thank You International Teams! Bring on Camp 2008!

Here are some stories from Camp 2007 expressed through some of our leaders and children:

Leaders

Samantha Cullen – Camp has been a great experience: to see a different side of the Eagles Wings ministry and the joy it has brought the children’s lives. It has been a privilege to serve the Lord through a camp ministry whilst in Zambia and to be part of what appears to be a fantastic devotional program that is impacting children’s lives.

William Anderton – A few words from the Kiwi contingent. All the kids have such strong personalities and it was great to spend time with them, and Lord willing leave them with positive memories. All in all a great camp.

Joanna Nicholson – Camp has been an excellent time where I’ve seen the glory of God in a new place with new people. Meeting fellow Christians on the other side of the world, being able to disciple Zambian children who mainly speak Bemba (!) and seeing more of God’s amazing creation – these have all been invaluable and will stay with me throughout my life.

Kirsty-Lee Slater – I thoroughly enjoyed camp this year. It stretched me in ways – about showing love, showing compassion, trying to think about others before myself. I loved spending time with the children and sharing the Gospel with the ‘Zebras’ (group name). Victoria Falls was probably the best outing – could really hang out with the girls, have some quality time and show them something amazing God created. Thanks for the opportunity!

Children

Faides – I am very much encouraged during devotion time because I now know that Christ Jesus died for my sins and I have changed my mind to follow him. I really appreciate what my leader has done for me because without her I could not have this chance to visit Livingstone. Victoria Falls is so amazing to see. I like the tents because that’s where I sleep. I thank my leader for the skirt she bought me. I was also happy to see the animals during our tour in the national park.

Godfrey – I appreciate people involved in preaching to us the Word of God. It’s so amazing to visit Livingstone and see the Victoria Falls for the first time. It’s so amazing to see the wild animals. It’s also encouraging and interesting to be involved in different games and sometimes watching films. I won’t forget how brave some people were to take part in bunji jumping. I thank Ba Augustine, Ba Katrina and Ba Gracie for all their assistance.

Grace – I appreciate the church because that’s where we’re told about the Word of God. I thank the people who put up the tents because we’re secured and always happy. I thank God again during the river cruise as nothing bad happened. God provides us security through the two drivers. I praise God because all those who took part in the bunji jump were secured. God is wonderful to give me the opportunity to visit Livingstone for the first time. I also thank all the leaders.

Webby – It’s so amazing to see crocodiles, elephants, zebras, hippos and the river cruise, I won’t forget this in my life. I also appreciate the church because that is where we’re taught to love God and other people. I thank my leader, and the rest because we’re always happy at the camp. Thank you very much!

Children with a new hope!

Adult Education Program

Our Adult Education Program has completed its first year! Starting with a group of approximately 120 illiterate women in four different communities was quite a challenge for our AEP Coordinator, Sarah. However, after much hard work many of our adult students have progressed to a point where they are able to read and write. We now look forward to moving into small business studies over the coming twelve months with those women who are literate and numerate. Providing this training will be quite a risk in communities that are used to welfare based systems, but in order to develop and improve the communities we must provide skills and training and not just hand outs.

PHOTO: High achieving student, Catherine Kunda, standing outside the community school where we run classes in Chipulukusu compound - now known as Mapalo compound. Catherine has lived in Chipulukusu her whole life. She did not have the opportunity to gain an education as a child but now through the Adult Education Program has had a chance to become literate.

Our Challenge, Their Suffering

The story of street children

It is hard to understand a world in which a child can be forced to exist on the streets of their city as an only option. Yet, though accurate statistics are hard to obtain, it is estimated that 100 million children currently live on the streets around the world today. While budgets are increased, while politicians talk, while pastors preach, while we plan vacations, while we walk by, children still remain without hope on the streets.

That millions are left to fend for themselves reflects the attitude of society towards these street children. One report stated that street children are ‘unsightly if not incurable sores on the skin of society’. It is easy to see, if this is the attitude towards these children, how hard it is to gain empathy for such a cause or even to find a reason to assist. If you think this may be a shameful attitude, think of how your culture views children in similar situations. Even in the developed world there is, surprisingly, a similar attitude.

Within the African context the major factors in the increase of street children has been extreme poverty combined with the HIV/AIDS pandemic. These have eroded away the extended family that once cared for orphaned children. The social welfare of a society was very much a family and community responsibility. Governments did not have to have dramatic intervening measures to assist.

In Zambia, the statistics are just as frightening. The latest report on street children in Zambia reveals 13,200 children are living and sleeping on the streets with a larger band of children filling the streets during daylight to beg for money and food. The risk of more street children is high though as Zambia has an extremely large number of children who fall into the category of ‘extremely vulnerable’: approximately 1.1 million orphans, just under one million child laborers and currently 150,000 children living without an adult guardian.

Is there hope?

We may take a pessimistic view and say “Not a chance!” Social justice is seemingly on the rise, but to turn voice into action is a different story. Street children can be one of the hardest people to minister to because of the complexities involved, such as physical, sexual and emotional abuse, neglect and attempting to reintegrate children back into existing families and communities.

These complexities result in a lack of will power from both governments and non-government/ community based organisations to do what is needed to transform these children’s lives.

Christianity however is an optimistic belief. We believe in the impossible and set out to achieve it. Christ gives hope and a belief that if for only one child, we will still labor. At the same time, we have hope for the millions, as our God can achieve the impossible.
Eagles Wings is endeavoring to be a voice for street children while giving practical help through reintegrating children with their existing family and community. We continue to learn more about how this program can be more effective and efficient. By the years end we will also have completed, God willing, a documentary to show in national and international churches that will make known the plight of these children.

Please continue to pray with us as this unfolds: for the sake of the children that suffer very much in silence.