Making A Difference In Tough Times

Life in Zambia has changed a lot in the last few months for most people. The economy has taken a downward turn and the drought has effected the maize production throughout the country. It has gotten harder to find maize for purchase and the price of farm products has doubled. Most people across the country are struggling to adjust to the rapid changes around them. For most, it is hard enough feeding a family of four in good circumstances, now they are trying to feed them when their circumstances are getting worse. However, God is looking out for Project Samuel.

Because of our sustainability efforts over the past year, we have been able to absorb some of the blow caused by the economy and produce a lot of the food that is now scarce in the villages around us. One of the key components to our sustainability, as it is with life in general, is water. As the drought deepens, Project Samuel is struggling without consistent running water due to sand build up in our well and power outages. We are having to draw water from the hand drawn wells in order to drink, bathe, and water our garden.

Something that will help us in the future is to add a back up tank and tower to our water system so we can store a larger supply of water. The national power company, which depends on hydro electricity, is struggling to keep up with demand because of the extreme drought this year. If we where able to keep some more water in reserve, we would be able to keep up with the needs around the project, even if we only had power for a few hours due to rolling blackouts.

Although the times are tough in the country of Zambia, we have a lot to celebrate. God has enabled us to help two pastors build and repair Their Churches. We have helped Pastor Tendai purchase the materials to pour the footings of his church building. Pastor Tendai has been meeting in a small grass building for over a year now, while he grows his new church plant. He desperately needs a permanent building before the rainy season comes.  Our children are finishing up another semester of school and all of them ranked in the top ten in their respective classes. Kennedy and Patricia were ranked number one in their grade levels. The extra tutoring and studying that the House Moms give our children is really paying off. Many of the Project Samuel children hadn’t gone to school before coming to Project Samuel. Seeing them thrive is especially rewarding.

I want to thank all of you who have supported Project Samuel throughout this year. We really need your continued support during these difficult times in Zambia. All of your prayers are helping! If you would like to make a special donation to help with our water needs, please visit us at www.projectsamuel.org or call us at 832-646-0872. Project Samuel wouldn’t be possible without wonderful people like you.