Renewing Minds and Changing Lives Around the World.
As many of you have heard, it’s been a crazy last few weeks for us here at Project Samuel, Zambia. One of our teenage boys was very badly burned. We are thankful that he seems to be healing well. The comradery of his brothers and sisters from the Project has been beautiful to watch, as they’ve worried, prayed, and visited him in hospital. Some even jumped in to donate blood when we were told it was needed to have on hand for him. Thankfully it wasn’t needed and he is now home with us and continuing to heal.
Since writing last, we’ve also received wonderful news that Judy and Dorothy passed their grade 12 exams. Project Samuel is proud to have two more graduates! We are also delighted that all our grade 9’s passed! Judy and Dorothy have both decided to spend the next number of months working to upgrade their results by studying and retesting certain subjects, with hopes of then pursuing law and nursing.
We recently sent Isaac off to university as well, which now gives us five university students in town! Isaac will be embarking on a computer science degree. We are excited for what is ahead for him. His joy, laughter, and songs brought smiles to our faces and he is greatly missed, but the kids sure did enjoy the Ice cream party send-off we had for him!
We Love Visitors
Last month we had the joy of having Melissa (Brenden’s Mom), Katie (Brenden’s sister) and Kennady (a close friend), here in Zambia. They enjoyed doing different crafts with the kids, getting handprints for the annual quilt, playing soccer and spending time with us and the grandkids. Melissa serves Project Samuel very faithfully in the office in Texas, and it’s always great when she can take some time to connect with the kids here in Zambia!
Transitions
We’ve had some changes that we wanted to take a moment to share with you. Over the last few years there has been an international trend and push toward extended family reintegration for orphaned children. As a Project, we agree that where possible, the best place for a child to be is with loving, caring, and capable family. Project Samuel has stepped in and become home and family for children when this hasn’t existed. Your support has enabled us to do just that!
Situations change and just because a family wasn’t able to care well for a young child five or ten years ago, doesn’t mean the same is true today. So, we’ve been working toward reintegrationwhere appropriate. At this stage, Lavential, Oliver, and Norah have reintegrated to live with extended family.
Of course, our support of these children continues and they will have their education, food, clothing and housing needs provided for through continued child sponsorships! We will truly miss having these kids with us here at the Project, but will see and visit them and continue to play a big part in their lives.
This news also means we are actively pursuing younger children in need. We look forward to seeing who else God will bring into our family in the coming season.
Welcome to Baby Aliya
Speaking of new additions, as a Vowell family, we wanted to officially introduce you to our sweet baby girl, Aliya Love Vowell. She is almost four months old now and is a true joy and delight to us all. We praise God for her safe delivery here in Zambia.
Thank you for your continued love and support for the Project and Vowell Family!
Sending Love,
Brenden, Kim and our big Project Samuel family