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There have been many financial blessings this trip that are going to make a profound difference. In the states, many of the things I'm about to mention are minor blessings and everyday items that people easily have and take for granted. Here in Zambia, it's a completely different story. Since we have been on the trip, God has provided through people in the states and the team members of the USA team the following extra blessings: 130 book bags with school supplies for the Encounter run community/Christian school in a very poor village area; 19 bicycles for the ERM Zambia team which will save these team members $4.00 a day in bus fees getting from their home to the ERM headquarters for ministry. How the kids even come up with the $20.00 per week for the bus tickets is beyond me because they have nothing, eat one meal today consisting of an orange and bread, and when they are given some extra money through the ministry, they usually take it home to their families. These 19 young adults are some of the finest young people in all of Zambia. Now they will have bikes! I would guess that 80 percent of the people do not have automobiles, and probably 50 percent do not have a bicycle. So this is an amazing provision! We have also seen God provide the money for 250 study bibles to give to the pastors for the transformation of their personal lives, preaching/teaching ministry, and their churches; and today God provided a refrigerator and a couch for two of the main pastoral staff that assist Leonard in the overall Encounter Zambia ministry. Both of these men are married, in their thirties, and have children. One has never had a refrigerator and one needs a couch. Understand that most people do not even have furniture in their home...they just cannot afford it. When we told these men today that God had provided those two things through some of the team, they shouted, "Praise the Lord!" I have grown to love these men, their servant leadership, and their love for the Lord. They are key to the widespread ministry God is doing here through Encounter Zambia. We also were able to buy a tool box with some tools today for Peter. He is the grounds keeper for the Encounter farm that is used to help provide food for a large community for Gospel witness. Can you imagine running a 20-40 acre farm with no tools? No shovel, no hammer, no screwdriver, nothing. For $150.00, we were able to transform this man's ministry and effectiveness in what God has called him to do. He is a real servant, we painted his house last week (before picture above), and now we are praying for God to provide furniture for his house. He is married and has twin boys. The only piece of furniture in the house is a mattress that ERM gave a couple of years ago. Many blessings....many needs....and greater opportunities! Before I finish this entry, one final note: I was told today that for a man to buy a refrigerator or a couch in Zambia, it would take an average man 5 to 15 years to pay off one of these items.
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