Home

We all arrived home last evening, after 30+ hours of travel, to a warm welcome at the Cleveland airport. Thank you to everyone who supported and prayed for our trip. We can't wait to share more of our experience with you...once we are well rested of course. 

Game Drive/Safari

Yesterday we visited a baby elephant nursery and got to see them during their lunchtime feeding. 

We also went on a game drive/safari at a preserve and saw zebras, giraffes, a warthog, monkeys, and much much more. 

Checking off all of the animals that we see.

Searching for the giraffes. 

Safari selfie.

Blooper: A failed selfie with a giraffe, the sun ruined our groove.

We depart from the Lusaka airport at 9:00 EST today and arrive Thursday at approximately 17:40 EST. 

House of Joy Visit (Reflection from David)

Went to the Sisters of Mercy (St. Theresa of Calcutta's group) orphanage and hospice yesterday. It was quite moving. It was immaculate. We went to the nursery and their must of been 20 cribs in the room each with a small child or infant in them. I picked up a child about 6 months old and sang her Sweet Georgia Brown and bounced around the room looking at the other children. After 5 minutes we had to go and I had to put her back in her crib. She immediately grasped on to me tightly and started crying. It broke my heart. Thankfully a caretaker came over to comfort her, and Jo Clayton came over and comforted me (another crying baby).

In the hospice there were about 20 men and women with HIV. They were very happy to see us and greeted us with song and clapping. I went to shake hands with the oldest woman to show respect and everyone around her jumped up to enthusiastically shake my hand. Again it was hard to leave them. I just wanted to spend some time and hear their stories.

Next we went to the school. It had orphans and children of the mothers in the hospice. As we walked over some of the older children (grade 3) were out playing and saw us and started waving. The sister turned the opposite way to show us a classroom, I looked at the kids and shrugged with my hands as the group was turning away. They shrugged back so I took off and ran over to them. They gathered around and wanted to know where I was from and what my name was. I asked them about school and what their favorite subject was and they started yelling out what they liked. A few liked science and I told them I was a scientist and encouraged them to study hard and pay attention in school. I started to shake their hands and someone put out his fist to "hit the rock." I added a little flare to it and everyone wanted to hit the rock. I had out both fists as the kids noisily hit the rock. It was a fun few minutes and I wish I had a rocket balloon on me to share with them, but I left the rest of them with a boy at Sunflowers Family Centre. 

This was a extraordinary place to visit. I could spend several days as it was full of love and joy.

Travel to Lusaka

Three hours out of the bush and Katie and I have been upgraded out of truck bed to the back seat. Four more hours to Lusaka...pray for us. 

Completed Storage Pantry

Soya chunks, flour, and sugar to fuel the kitchen and mouths of those who are a part of the Sunflowers Family. 

The beginning of the clothes racks. 

Plenty of cups, biscuits, and animal feed.

Blessing the finished building and all that it holds. 

The team excited to have completed our mission. 

Bloopers: 

We can't always take nice pictures. 

Gibson's Writing (Reflection from Marjorie)

Today was our last full day at the Sunflower Family Center, we leave early tomorrow morning for some downtime in Lusaka before we begin our journey home on Wednesday. I had planned a long blog about our 3 hour Mass of Thanksgiving today and the goodbye party that the children hosted full of dancing, crying, singing, and hugs...but something else struck me deeper. At the end of the goodbye party, The children were taking turns sharing words of thanks and encouragement with us. During this time Gibson shared some of his writing with us. A few days ago I was able to look through some of Gibson's writing and was struck by his depth and maturity. He has a God given talent in writing and is reading as much as he can to help himself grow as a writer. His dream is to write a book. I'm leaving him my copy of The Fault In Our Stars that I read on the plane ride here and hope to send him more Harry Potter books (he only has one of the seven). Gibson's words spoke to me today. I asked him for permission and would now like to share with you what he shared with us.

During my time at Sunflower Family Center I discovered that life gives the great hope when we come together with people we never expected to meet in lifetime. The love shared can never be compared to any price because we were brought together to be united and leave like brothers and sisters. And we made it with the support of many couraged people from Belgium, the land of our father, France, United States, and Spain. These made us know what we can do to the world and not what the world can do for us, by strongly supporting our education. 

This trip has given me great hope after coming together with people I never expected to meet in my lifetime. 

World Cup African Style

1-0 Jonathon shows them how to handle the ball. 

Climbed a mound of dirt to upgrade to box seats. 

The sun has set, temperature has dropped, and the goalie literally lit a fire in the goal box. 

Vacation Bible School Shirts

Thank you again VBS for donating the shirts, they loved them!

Storage Pantry

The storage pantry is nearly complete!

Waiting on the varnish and paint to dry, good thing it's a windy day.

Kabwe's Story (Reflection from Jo)

Many of you know that one of the things I wanted to achieve in this journey was to find an orphan to sponsor. My first impression of sponsoring was to financially help a child with their day to day expenses. I wanted to personalize it a little more by getting to know the child and having pictures, both literal and in my mind, to relate to when I thought of and prayed for the child. 

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would come to consider one of the children my own, and to call him my son. 

Paul, Paige, Beth, and I talked about the idea before I came and the girls requested that we sponsor a little boy because they always wanted a little brother, so this was my plan.

Three days after leaving home we arrived at the orphanage and I was overwhelmed by the almost 100 children/teens who came to greet us. They shook hands, a special handshake that I will teach you, and they welcomed us. Some children were very outgoing, and some were very shy and stood back, but they were very respectful. As we explored the buildings, gardens, and animals that make up the Sunflower Family Center we were often accompanied by children and I began to take notice of the younger boys and I would ask Fr. Pierre if certain boys had sponsors. Sometimes he said yes and sometimes no, and I began wondering with whom I would connect.

At dinner on the first night at the orphanage, but our second night with Fr. Pierre, I told him of my plans. He put down his knife and fork and told me he really wanted me to sponsor Kabwe, it means "little stone". Fr. Pierre told me he had been brought to the orphanage on Christmas Eve last year because his mother was dying of AIDS and that Kabwe was HIV positive too. My heart sank. I wanted a happily ever after and I was immediately concerned that this might not be the case. I was worried about the girls and how upsetting it would be if something happened to Kabwe. Fr. Pierre has already told me the story of how they lost a boy last year with HIV and now Kabwe was the only child in the orphanage with HIV. I didn't share my concerns because I felt ashamed that I was being selfish, so I just said nothing.

That night I prayed to God to send me a sign that would let me know what to do. Over the next couple of days, I tried to get to know this little boy but at first it was not easy. Kabwe is the youngest child and very shy. He speaks very little English but he does understand quite a but. One afternoon I was at the little store talking to Gibson and Kabwe was hanging around. I called him over and asked Gibson to ask if he wanted a sucker and lifted him up to choose one. He told Gibson he was thirsty and wanted strawberry milk and Gibson asked me if that was ok. Of course it was! He was like a child on Christmas morning, smiling from ear to eat. That was the beginning...

In conversation Fr. Pierre told me that he had to go into town on Monday to take Kabwe to the clinic for a check up and to get his antiviral medicine. Almost immediately, I asked if I could go too. Fr. Pierre realized I was trying to get to know Kabwe and he said yes this was a great idea. Later that day Fr. Pierre gave Marjorie a list of the children who do not have sponsors so we could work on getting them sponsors when we come home. I looked on the list for Kabwe's name and I saw it "Kabwe Emmanuel" - God is with us. That was my sign, or at least the first one. That night I prayed in chapel as I looked across at him and I realized it was not about me, or the girls, or Paul, it was about Kabwe. None of us know how long we will live but we all want to live happy, healthy, and fulfilled lives. If our contribution in a monthly basis could make life easier then surely that is all we need. 

Monday come and we set out for town two hours off road driving through the bush. Kabwe was bathed and had on his best second hand shirt and his new shoes that he got on Sunday when we had given the children the clothes and shoes we had brought with us in the second suit case we all had checked. 

As we got close to town Fr. Pierre began having trouble with the truck overheating and we limped into town and luckily the truck made it to the mechanics shop. Fr. Pierre stayed with the truck and Amos, the boys manager, Kabwe and I took a taxi to the clinic. As we pulled in I got my second sign!! The clinic was called " The Mahakna Ghandi Memorial Clinic" and in the front of the clinic was a statue of Ghandi and inscribed on the stone was his mantra "Be the change you wish to see in the world...". Those of you who know Paige know that is the mantra she tries to live by, and she has it up in her room at home. Heck, she asked for it tattooed on her ribs for her 18th birthday this month, (not happening, just so we are clear...lol). The tears just flowed and poor Amos and Kabwe were really worried and confused. I told Amos I was just overwhelmed by all the people waiting to be seen knowing they were all HIV positive too, they were all adults except for Kabwe. 

We got his medicine but found out we had to come back on a Wednesday to register him at this new clinic because they only open new files on a Wednesday - bureaucracy at it's best. 

So we then took the bus back to Fr. Pierre and an amazing day and a beautiful relationship began. That whole day in town and our adventures could make a chapter in a book by itself so I will save that for later. But I will close by telling you he had sausage and chips for lunch that day in a cafe with us all, he sat next to me and ate half my lunch too. He arrived back at the orphanage that night very tired, we were gone twelve hours that day. He went to bed with a new family and a big blue toy truck that he saw at the store. For a boy who speaks little English he saw it and pointed wide and said, "Jo, a car for me". See, he is just like another six year old little boy, and I love him like a son. 

Reflection from Sue

Yesterday Dave, two of the older boys (Jonathan and Prince), Johannes, and Ben went to Ndola to get bee hives and instructions for the boys to care for them. Fr. Pierre and Kari went into Kabwe for supplies. Dorene, Jo, Katie, Angela, Marjorie, and I donned our chitenges (African "sarongs") and went to visit the school. Leonard, a school administrator, was our guide. The children from the orphanage recognized us and swarmed around us, but the children from the village seemed frightened and his from us. We had been warned not to take their pictures. We met several of the teachers and observed a few lessons. The students in one of the primary grades were learning the value of trees i.e.; to give shade, wood, and oxygen. The school is in need of so many things, books, desks, computers, school supplies, etc. the teachers are heroic to accomplish all that they do. The first aid kit that I brought for the team has become a regular dispensary for the children. Every day I have several patients. We continue to be showered with so many blessings each day. We can't wait to bring these blessings home to all of you who have been a part of Mission Possible A to Z. Thank you again to all our prayer partners, your prayers truly sustain us. 

Vacation Bible School Litany

met with some of the Wooster Vacation Bible School team to integrate their work with the Crop Walk and our time at The Sunflower Family Center. We built this Litany together to be prayed at the closing service of Vacation Bible School, below is the part that was composed with the help of the children from Zambia. The children in Wooster will add to what is written during their afternoon sessions. Please join us in prayer. 

God gives us what we need.

We need food.

We need...

We trust God.

God gives us strength.

We are strong in faith.

We are strong...

We trust God.

God delivers us.

God delivers us from evil. 

God delivers us from...

We trust God.

God guides us.

God guides us to follow him. 

God guides us to...

We trust God. 

Rivendell Farms (Reflection from David)

I took a field trip the past two days to the city of Ndola near the border with Congo. The photo above is what the trip looks like for the first 60 km. I went with Johannes, Ben, Amos, Prince, and Jonathon. We visited John Enright, a retired Methodist pastor who is developing "schemes" that will work in the Zambian culture and increase the income of the farmers in the bush. He has learned from 40 years of experience what to do and what not to do. Don't give a man a fish, or even teach a man to fish, but take a man fishing is a basic principle he lives by.

The scheme we are interested in implementing is a bee hive management scheme. He gives away bee hives that are placed in trees on the farms. A "mentor" is in charge of the hives of 100 farmers and is trained to construct, bait, hang, and harvest the hives twice a year. Rivendell Farms then sends out a truck to collect the honey and pay the farmers. The expected return for 25 hives on a farm is $100 per month which is a typical income for a bush farmer. This would be a large source of income with a minimum investment of time. 

Rivendell Farms processes the honey and sells it at a premium because they have EU organic certification. They currently are selling all they can produce to Japan. All of the profits go back into the foundation to fund more bee hives and develop and distribute other schemes. 

John Enright lives by and operates his business by seven kingdom of God principles. He is a fascinating, energetic, and one ot the most real persons I have met. Ben told him he should write a book  about the seven principles and he produced an outline he has developed, but told us not to count on a book being written.

For those of you who know my good friend Pastor Richard Frazier, John is like Richard, but with many more years of experience. Either get on board or get out of the way because the train is leaving the station with or without you.

For the two young men that went with us from the orphanage this was there first trip to Ndola which is a much richer city then Kabwe which they have visited. We took them to a mall and they had pizza for the first time. They demolished the pizzas and really enjoyed them. We just had a lunch of meat pies, and they arei missing their nshima. 

One tired Jonathan.

Amos, Prince and me.

With the help of Amos we were able to find some nail polish so the ladies can do some pedicures for the girls. It should be a fun Friday night when we get back. 

Last Friday we hung out with the older boys around the BBQ fire. We exchanged brain teasers and they taught us how to pick up hot coals. Learning that skill was worth the price of admission for me. Once Sue (our nurse and team mother/grandmother) found out she let me know I was on my own if I got burnt. We ended up sharing with them the American delicacy of s'mores made from digestive biscuits, Cadbury chocolate raisin bar, and Peeps. They loved them and ate them as quickly as we could make them. 

We are having a great time, making lots of friends, learning there dreams

A small rural village.

 

Ladies and tomatoes.

Kapiri hills

Reminds me of grad school when my classmates joked I was learning third world farming. Not far from the truth.

Can I get it Donna? About $160! The Buffalo, made in Zambia.

Reflection from Katie

"How many Zambians can you fit into a truck?" It sounds like a start to a bad joke, but today we proved that you can fit approximately 16 Zambians, 6 Americans, and 2 Belgians in a pick up truck as we started our adventure of planting the moringa trees. When we all arrived, the children and our team worked together to dig, evenly space, and plant all 87 trees. It was such a fun experience that everyone got to enjoy! All together! What strikes me about The Sunflower Family Center is with almost 100 kids running around, you would think the environm would be a loud, chaotic, headache inducing mess, but I have found quite the opposite. Within each child's joyous, energetic energy, there is a peacefulness. The Sunflower Family Center is the most peaceful place I have found in this Earth in my short 20 years. The only logical explanation I can come up with is the over abundance of God's presence within these grounds. So far, being here is such a renewing, rewarding experience in which I have  learned so much about myself and these wonderful, beautiful children. I feel so blessed to be here, and my gratitude grows only more each passing day, as it becomes more and more evident why God called me to Zambia. I ask that all of you reading this continue to keep the team in your prayers to unite us, to remember why we are here, and that we will be successful the rest of our time here in Zambia. 

Reflection from Sue

Before I left Wooster, several friends told me this would be a life changing event for me. But actually, it has been a life giving event. Getting up and getting out of my comfortable existance and conquering my anxieties has not been easy. I really feel the prayers of my family and of my prayer partners so far have strengthened me spiritually and physically. I am very grateful!

At our 2 1/2 hour mass on Sunday, attended by the children and many villagers, I had ample time to offer prayers for all of you. We walked to the church, about a mile, led by the children so we would not get lost on a path, criss crossed many other paths through the bush. John, you would have loved it! I also wish you all could see the night sky. So full of stars. The southern cross is very visible. We all feel so blessed to be able to bring Christ's message of inclusion to these children. We hope our presence here demonstrates to them that we recognize them and that they matter. Love to all my family. Sue

Laundry Day

Levi teaches Katie how to wash her clothes without putting it in a machine and pressing a button. As Levi said, we can now marry a Zambian and wash his clothes. 

Reflection from Dorene

Exhausted? Excited? Both! After a rough beginning with a nasty airline employee who made us account for every ounce of weight in our nine humanitarian good suitcases, it was a relief to depart on time. The following 29 hours of travel left each of us exhausted, but eager to begin our mission. Coming out of the airport into the loving arms of Mama Chantal, and bear hug from Fr. Pierre, Luc, Thierry, Fr. Wilfred, and Johannes; made it all worthwhile. I can't begin to explain what it's like to have these dear friends on the other side if the world, and to feel immensely blessed for the opportunities to work in solidarity to improve the lives of the orphans and villagers. As each team member was introduced, I could see the beginning of their transformation; they would never be the same.

Reflection from Kari

Have you ever head someone coughing, and then you can hear their voice through it? Or perhaps read a letter, or a text message, and heard ther person's voice in your head? We here today have heard that voice, the Lord's voice. He said, "My child, go forth and share me." I have heard his voice and look at me now, surrounded by amazing people, ones I know and those I don't yet. Here in Zambia everything is slower and so much more alive. In a way that you know only God could do. To bring joy to those who have so little. I see children younger and older than I am who are full of so much energy and happiness that it takes my breath away. To see such joy is truly a blessing.

When thinking of so many Americans who are depressed and troublesome it is quite sad and depressing. But when everyone here with only a place to sleep, eat, and all the other necessities, it is almost crazy to think of all the things I left at home. All technology and the betterness, I may say, makes us lazier throughout the day. 

To you now, I want you to think of all the good things you have and say, "Thank you Lord for another day." A day to love one another.  A day to celebrate, take chances, and of course just live. To feel life in a new way everyday. So give thanks and remember what is truly important to you, whether is be family, friends, or anything else. Just make the most out of what you have. 

Smile A Little (Reflection from Angela)

Wow. 3rd day. The past days here have been very different yet very memorable, not to be cliche but of course it's different, it's Africa. Everyday I wake up (very early, but very excited) the birds are chirping the sun is shining, and the young kids are already hard at work, watering the gardens full of tomatoes, eggplants, strawberries, peas, bananas, elephant plants & something called "veg" (I'm guessing this leafy green is a vegetable?) Anyways, you will probably hear people saying over and over again how awe struck they are. These people and children lead simple lives, don't complain, don't have much, yet really do know how to live. They are happy. I love it. They are fabulous singers and dancers (literally the choir of 15 or so girls and the I guys deep voices chiming in is gorgeous) perfect harmony. And their dancing makes us Americans seem worse than awkward robots. I got pulled on the dance floor. Thinking, "oh great I'm not ready for this," I danced anyway and had a great time. (Still cursing under my breath that I never took dance lessons or taught myself on YouTube). 

Yesterday we walked miles to the farm to de-kernal corn. By hand yes. No machines, no tools just bare hands. These tedious processes of life make one realize what we take for granted... Yet, they are what brings people together. 

One slower day I brought out a Book & magazine ... It's funny how it catches & everyone gathers around outside to hear a random girl from America tell "story hour."  They love it, and I love how intrigued they are. 

Today we started putting up the shelves in the food pantry. Working Together once again we carried long boards and cleaned the inside. When that was done I learned some African games, rock games, dirt games, then I brought out cards and they had tricks too. I showed them tic-tak-toe. Then how to play "PIG" basketball with a soccer ball. It was cool exchanging & comparing common games kids play on completely different sides of the world. They were pretty similar. 

Today was also exciting because we finally got to pass out the gifts to each child! We set up a lovely "mall" in the Study room and they came shopping. The girls loved it (take note for next time -pink is a favorite, also everyone wanted blue "tropicals" or flip flops). 

The thing that makes my heart melt the most= smiles. The small children who have no idea what you are saying look up you with wide eyes and you can't help

wanting to hug them and give them whatever they want (Jo clayton

was powerless to our little 6 year old Kabwe and brought him to the store & bought him strawberry milk). I would give everyone in the world strawberry milk if they would smile as big as he did.  Smiles; they really do go a long way.  One if my favorite things was waving to the small kids walking down the road as we drove here

in our car (down the smooth as glass absolutely no bumps dirt road). That was the best part about seeing this new country.  The kids, walking home the many many miles in their uniforms, gave the brightest white-teeth smiles like it was the happiest day of their life. I felt like a celebrity. You realize just how friendly everyone is here.  I can't even count how many "good mornings " & "how are you's " I receive throughout each day.  I guess it makes you realize how Americans really need to smile more (me including); so I will have to work on that when I get back. 

P.s. I learned from a teenaged boy, Dalitso, today that in "Bemba" (their language) "how are you" is "mulishani."

And that's all for today folks !! 

Working Hard

Jo supervising the construction of the shelves in the food pantry. 

Reflection from Jo

Day 4: Last night was a night of tears; those who know me know that is not unusual, but even David sobbed, We were not sad though, we were truly overwhelned by the beauty of this place. If you could see this place without feeling it, as we have, then you night think us crazy, To be honest the conditions are far from what we might describe as basic but that is not what we are seeing. The orphanage is full of love and gratitude for everything they have, There is no sense of entitlement, and the respect they show everyone is heartwarning, At Mass they sang like angels and they danced and played the drums with such energy, After dinner the children put on a show for us, and it reminded me of when my girls and their friends would do that when we had dinner with friends. Finally, we realized that some of the kids were pointing at us and looking confused. They thought we did not like their show. Of course that could not be further from the truth. I have never seen a group of people so genuinely poor and yet so happy, and it moved us all to tears, time and time again. I think we all felt inadequate, and even quite pathetic; when we considered the things we think of as troubles on a daily basis, and the over dramatic way we react. It was truly a night to remember, 

Today we walked a couple of miles to the farm with a group of the kids and we shucked corn for several hours and then walked back together singing; David went into town to get the wood we need for inside the pantry and because of the journey he will be gone all day.

Well time for supper so that is all for now. Sending much love to you all and wishing you could all be here with us, Keep praying for us as we are for you, Paul, Paige and Beth I love you and miss you but more than that thank you for this opportunity xoxoxoxoxoxxoox

The Best Laid Plans (Reflection from David)

Thanks for all of your prayers. We had a fantastic trip to Zambia. Only took us about 29 hours from Wooster, but most of that was spent on the new Dreamliner. Great food, service, and very comfortable. Arrived in Lusaka, Zambia at 2pm and were greeted by a large contingent. Fr. Pierre from the Sunflowers Orphanage, Fr. Wilfred, Brian (Mark and Dorene's Zambian son), Belgiums Johannes, Terry, and Luc, Mama Chantelle, and Andrew (a taxi driver). It was great seeing so many friendly faces. I realized immediately that agriculture is really important in Zambia when the very first sign out of the airport was one for John Deere Tractors welcoming us to Zambia.

Our first stop was Fringilla Farms which reminded me of the kibbutz we stayed at in Israel. Cottages, restaurant, cattle, dairy, pigs, and most any other animal you would want to eat. We were hosted by the owners, Minnie and George, and it was nice to get our stomachs fed, a warm shower, and get to know our new friends. The manager of the restaurant is the splitting image of Basil Fawlty (John Cleese) from the BBC show Fawlty Towers. It was hard to keep a straight face when he came to our table and asked how we were doing. Jo and Margie got their picture with him and his buddies got a laugh out of it. I'm sure we weren't the first to tell him. WiFi, breakfast buffet, milking cows, feeding calves, and holding baby pigs were on the schedule this morning. A lot of practices (hot water, biogas, dairy) are things that Fr. Pierre would like to get started at the orphanage. Hot water sounds great to me!

This trip is teaching me how to go with the flow. One of our travelers, Katie, was flying on a different flight then the rest of us and her plane had mechanical problems so she missed her connection in D.C. to Ethipoia and will be coming a day late. Dorene is heading back to Lusaka to pick her up, exchange money, and buy some groceries. The rest of us are headed to the "boosh" as Fr. Pierre says. The children at Sunflowers are expecting us for lunch at 1pm. I hope we get there by 2pm. We are stopping at Kabwe to run a few errands.

One of the things that I didn't expect to see was the large scale agriculture that is present here. Zambeef is a large company that has a huge farm across the street from where we stayed. Center pivot irrigation was watering large fields of wheat. This is winter is Zambia (75 degrees and dry) so they need to water anything to grow this time of year. The farm went on for miles and miles. Saw a demonstration plot of Pioneer Hybrids on the road to Kabwe.

Arrival

Just a quick post to say that we have arrived (minus Katie whose plane had mechanical issues and is meeting up with us tomorrow). We are relaxing at Frangilla Farms and trying to fight off our jet lag. Prayers for Katie's safe arrival tomorrow!

Reflection from Dorene Miller

     A few days ago, I called Maman Chantale, my dearest friend in Zambia.  She was the cook, and “house mother” for the girls at the Sunflower Orphanage, who spoiled our team with her amazing cooking, made sure I had heated water for bathing, and enveloped me in her love and prayers at a time when I needed that nurturing. I’m so excited to know that I will see her again!  Now, it’s my time to spoil her.  She’s so appreciative of the gifts I send.  I loved buying her a dress for church, a beautiful floral print blouse, and a warm coat and sweaters for the cold nights of winter on the African savannah.  I’d like to bring her to the USA for a visit.  She’d never be able to afford this on her own, and I’d love to surround her with my friends and supporters, to listen to her stories, to understand her strength and sacrifices.  She gives me the motivation to keep going to make a better life for these people.  Above all, she is an example of incredible faith, and an inspiration to all who meet her.

Reflection from Dorene Miller

     Today started off with a problem, but as with any mission work, you have to be patient, and know the solution will become apparent.  So it was with this.  Working half way around the world many nights  from my dining room table, and during lunch time from my high school classroom is a challenge, but I believe in Mission Possible A to Z’s potential, and I’ve seen how lives have improved from the work our teams have done.  I’ve also learned to put my trust in God to solve the problems, while I do the things that I can do.

      Being an Intervention Specialist  helps me think out of the box.  Marketing our sale of paper bricks to the students has been a challenge worth taking on.  These represent the bricks we will use to build the food pantry, and each purchase puts this project closer to reality.  As of today, we’ve sold 3,895 out of the 5,000 of our goal.  With all the negative we hear about kids not caring, I’ve seen this amazing outpouring of support. Not all of the bricks have been from our students and staff, but they have gotten out and spread the word in the community.   The “brick walls” we’ve built around the building are a testament to goodness.  The inspirational sayings, drawings, and more on the bricks, has stirred the hearts of all who have visited our building.  Kids are stopping to read them, and one boy was heard saying, “I wish I had the money to buy a whole wall of bricks.”  I had tears. 

Reflection from Lauren Baird

     I am not part of the team, but I have been helping Mission Possible A to Z by hanging paper bricks for the fundraiser at our high school I feel good about helping because it is a great cause.  I got into helping out because my friend, Meredith is a team captain for the fundraiser, and we have been making, selling, and hanging the bricks.  Even though I am not officially part of the team, I am happy to help out.  Knowing that I am doing something good for children in Zambia who have so much less than me, makes me feel good, and inspires me to find more ways to be charitable.

Reflection from Dorene Miller

     After the successful completion of the tilapia pond at the Sunflower Family Orphanage in Zambia last year, we're excited to be going back to Zambia in June. Our fish should be ready to harvest next month, and I’m anxious to hear the reaction of our orphans to this new item in their diet. We’re preparing to move on to the next project; planting 100 moringa trees. These "miracle" trees grow to maturity in 1 year, and research shows that the leaves are a nutritional powerhouse of protein, calcium, vitamins and minerals. We will pilot these plants which will feed the 103 children at the orphanage (moringa can be put into soups, made into tea, or eaten as a green salad would be eaten), and the excess will be fed to the livestock. Feeding the livestock will save a tremendous amount of money now spent on animal feed. I can’t wait to see the results of healthy children and animals!

     I'm very excited about these plants, and have closely followed the research, and visited a Zambian operation that is using these trees to feed all their animals, and wow, they looked amazing! I can't wait to come up with some recipes to make this a daily addition to the diet of the children, especially since the girls are so calcium deficient.  Once our pilot shows sustainable success, we will pursue a grant to establish the “Sunflower Family Moringa Tree Farm”.  

     Along with the moringa project, we will be building an 18'x40' food pantry/storage building. Right now, Fr. Pierre has to send someone to the nearest town each week for supplies, because there is no storage at the orphanage, and the cash flow will not support “stocking up” (I feel guilty looking into my 2 upright freezers, and my large kitchen pantry). The town is a 2 hour drive in the old truck down a nasty rut-filled road that pushes my prescription motion sickness patch to its limit!  By building this, the wear and tear on the old truck will be minimized, the exorbitant amount of money for fuel ($7 per liter)will be cut, and additional supplies readily available will make life easier in general…and I’ll sleep better knowing that an emergency with that truck won’t result in starving children and dying animals. They bake 20 loaves of bread each day, so they go through lots of flour, and with 105 mouths to feed, the amount of nshima used for all meals is huge! It will also allow space to store the moringa farm tools, and for donated humanitarian goods, such as clothing and medicine.

The Sunflower Orphanage

     When I overheard my dad, David Lohnes, talking to Dorene Miller about making a trip to Zambia to visit his newly sponsored son I quickly blurted out, "I am going too!" without thinking too much about it.  Two weeks after that I found myself sitting down at the Miller's dining room table with my dad purchasing tickets to fly to Zambia this June.  To be completely honest, I had a lot of doubts.  I was doubting how we could possibly raise all of the money we needed to complete our envisioned projects.  I was doubting how we could get anything done with so little preparation time beforehand.  I was doubting how the small group of us (four at the time) would be able to accomplish any of the goals that we had for the trip.  Good thing God likes to frequently prove me wrong.

     A lot of things have changed since we found ourselves purchasing those plane tickets and I am continually in awe of how God is bringing everything together.  Our team has expanded to seven people, giving us some much needed manpower to complete the tasks that stand before us.  We have been richly blessed by the donations of others at St. Mary Church, Wooster High School, and the community...so much so that we have already sent money over to Fr. Pierre at the Sunflower Orphanage so they can get started on some of our projects before we arrive.  We have set realistic goals for projects that we would like to complete during our time there and I am confident that we will be able to complete them.  I sure am glad that God has proved my doubts wrong, He is faithful.

     Our team leaves June 10th for Zambia where we will work to complete the following projects:

• Finish building and then stock the food pantry.
• Plant Moringa trees.
• Harvest the tilapia from the pond and teach the children how to dry them. 
• Fix the pond liner.
• Send a small group to Ndola for training on bee keeping.
• Meet with the local school administrators about electricity.
• Seeds of Hope training for biosand filters.
• Meet with villagers and the Cooperative.

     Over the past few weeks I have been talking to my 2nd-4th grade students about my trip and the people of Zambia.  We have read a lot of books together and have come up with numerous questions to ask the children of the orphanage in our pen pal letters.  I would like to think that because I am the teacher and have done more research, I know the answers to a lot of my students' questions.  I am excited to be proved wrong.  I am excited to finally experience a continent and a culture that I have only read about.  I am excited to meet my new brother, Dube.  I am excited to travel with my father.  I am excited to bring back pen pal letters from the children of the orphanage and share my adventures with my students.  I am excited to work hard to complete our projects.  I am excited to see how God will continue to prove my doubt wrong and show that He is faithful.

Led By the Spirit (Reflection from David Lohnes)

Eight years ago I remember Dorene Miller, the whirlwind behind Mission Possible A to Z, inviting me to go to Zambia on their first mission trip. She told me I would be a gift to the orphans that lived at the orphanage. However, I said no. I was scared. Scared of how the experience would change my life. Scared of a broken heart when I would leave the orphans and go home. Scared of not being able to afford the trip. 

After eight years of spiritual growth, making an active investment into an orphan, Dube, and the adventuring spirit of my daughter, Marjorie, my heart has changed and led me to jokingly ask Dorene, "When are we going to Zambia?" She had just made a trip the year before and I figured there was no way we could plan, raise funds and make a trip in just 4 short months. Little did I know that she was looking for a sign from God if she should make a trip in 2014. God used me as his sign and when Marjorie immediately responded with "I'm going too!", Dorene said she knew she was going to make a mission trip this year. 

Thankfully I was open and allowed the Holy Spirit to use me to speak to Dorene, because I'm so excited to visit the Sunflower Orphanage! 

• Excited to meet, hug, and learn about my new son, Dube! 
• Excited to twist balloon hats, animals, and toys for 105 children! 
• Excited to see the children's faces when I show them the wonders of God's creation through science experiments and demonstrations! 
• Excited to celebrate Mass with so many children! 
• Excited to help young men and women learn skills to help them support themselves!
• Excited to travel with my daughter! 
• Excited to have my heart broken!

This WILL BE a life changing trip. Please pray that our hearts will be open to receive the gifts that God is showering down upon us.

30 days and counting!