In Ngabwe a two day clinic was set up where a total of 401 patients were treated. An emergency surgical case was seen to where a young girl’s heel and Achilles area had been ripped apart after getting it caught in the spokes of her father’s bicycle. Dr Narelle Dart was able to perform surgery on the girl and also performed three other surgeries, removing benign lipomas from three very happy patients. Narelle was amazed at how obvious God’s hand was in all of this: One of the surgeons she works with at home put some bactagra gauze (antibiotic impregnated gauze used in major surgeries) into her bag at the last minute, just in case she had to perform surgery.

The team was hugely successful in their mission to provide health care to needy communities in Zambia. God protected us all and provided the opportunities to make huge differences in people’s lives. He provided both the ways and the means in everything this team encountered. Praise the Lord for his abundant goodness!

Do you like school?
Yes, because if I am not learning I will not be able to read and write.

What is your favorite subject?
Phonics and English because I will be able to communicate in English, even with the muzungus (white people).

What do you like about Eagles Wings?
Learning, both school work and the Bible or things of God. I am able to read and I have stopped insulting people the way I used to.

What do you want to do when you grow up?
I want to be a teacher like Sir (Daniel, our Principal).

What do you know about God?
He is our healer and provider of clothes.

During July and August 2007, Matthew Nelson, Lackson Matolokoshi, Clayton Hinds and Reid Anderton undertook filming for a documentary on street children. Having visited Africa previously, Matthew was moved to document the plight of street children. In partnership with Eagles Wings, we were all given this special opportunity.

When I was asked to put down my thoughts and reflections of my time shooting the film I honestly did not know where to begin. It reminded me of that familiar question, “How was your trip?”, a question that should be expected when one has been away overseas, but nevertheless a very difficult question to answer briefly. For the time being, I have settled on, “It was great, thanks. Challenging, hard, confronting…an experience.” Usually this prompts the person to give both a slightly bewildered look and say, “Well glad you had a good holiday. Did you see the rugby scores?” But there are those very few people who say, “Well thanks for the headlines. Now, seriously, what was the trip like?” Of course the latter of these two conversations usually ends up in a coffee being booked for another time to continue catching up, but both are equally valid.

When Reid asked if I would contribute to this Update I must confess I was surprised, but thankful. Thankful for the opportunity to share, very briefly, what most people do not have the privilege of seeing: the real side of Eagles Wings.

After filming this documentary I have such a better appreciation fo what Eagles Wings does. Having spent days and nights out on the streets with Reid, Clayton and Ba Lackson, I think I better understand where this vital ministry is coming from and the children it seeks to reach. Seeing what the kids at Eagles Wings came from, meeting their ‘peers’ and seeing how they live…WOW! God is powerfully using Eagles Wings to make a positive difference.

I was reflecting one day on how some people just do not understand why Eagles Wings operates the way it does. I reached the conclusion that visitors to Eagles Wings see these kids after they have experienced love, so it is difficult for them to comprehend what they were like beforehand. Seeing, smelling, tasting and breathing the dark depths of where these children have come from humbles me. To see God’s powerful and transforming love displayed through the staff and the Matolokoshi family is so beautiful. It is my prayer tha more people can understand why these children need to be loved, that their stories be told. That is why I am making this film.

Please be in prayer as Matthew puts this film together that, God willing, will be launched in February 2008. We greatly appreciate his sacrifice and heart for these children. It was a journey that none of us will forget…

Photo: A young boy of about 13 years living on the streets of Southern Africa. These are stories that must be told for the benefit of thousands of children.

Sue Kitzelman, Vice Principal of Hillcrest Christian College in Australia, spent three months at Eagles Wings, part of which included conducting a professional development course. We greatly appreciated her assistance, guidance and the way she humbly interacted with our teaching staff.

Teaching at EW - Opportunities for overseas Volunteers

Shay Helmbock

Teaching at Eagles Wings Christian Community School has been a privilege, a challenge and also rewarding. This place is a paradise in the middle of a desert. The teachers and staff here are so willing to do whatever it takes to help their students get a better education. For me, the challenge comes with the language barrier as well as many cultural differences. I am constantly learning from fellow teachers, as well as some of the children. I will be able to take many of the things I have learned here back to America with me. Knowing that I have been able to help in the beginning stages of the code of conduct as well as teach the first fourth grade class is something I will never forget and at the same time I have found it to be a very rewarding experience. I am also enjoying building real, respectful and Christ-like relationships with students and staff here.

I would like to be able to come back in a few years to see the progress of the students here as well as the teachers and staff. This school has grown so much since the doors have opened, 18 months ago, and will continue to grow because of the foundation it has been set upon.

Email - This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it to get involved.

Women from our Adult Education Program (AEP) standing with Sarah and Emmy, our AEP Coordinator and Teacher. These women will have the opportunity to run the shop for eight months and also claim all of the profit. This profit will give them capital to begin their own small business upon graduation: profit which they have earned and profit which will empower their families for the future. This shop will continue to be used every year for a new group of women from our community.

NOTE: Our running cost has changed for the new financial year in 2007/2008.