Thursday 29 August 2013

Let's Give Them Hope

Nearly four years ago, in September of 2009, our family packed up our lives in Vancouver, BC and moved all the way across the world to the continent of Africa. For a family of 7, this was no easy task.

A few hours before the big move! ... the only ones ready? The 3 and 4 year olds.

At the airport

Our parents, Megan and I, and our brother, Joshua (12 at the time, but already a seasoned traveler), were all used to traveling and flying, but for Ayana and Moses (then 3 and 4) it was new, and exciting... of course, after two months of traveling, over 10 plane flights, and one suitcase between them, they became quite blase about the whole thing. Getting up at 4am to drive for five hours before catching yet another flight? No big deal for those two.


While we originally intended to live and work with an organization in South Africa, God had other plans for us. After spending several months in first South Africa, and then Uganda, our travels around Africa finally brought us to Zimbabwe.

South Africa
Ayana and Moses enjoying the South African sunshine
Uganda

Uganda

Uganda

Cutest baby in Uganda <3

 Our time in both South Africa and Uganda, while providing us with invaluable lessons, was- ministry wise- extremely tiring, discouraging and, unfortunately, sometimes boring. By the time we got to Zimbabwe, the entire family was feeling pretty drained.

Thankfully, it soon became clear that Zimbabwe was where we were meant to be. Land belonging to some very good family friends was made available for us to use, in the area our parents hoped to work in. There were wonderful people there, who were eager to work with us, and, of course, the number of children needing help was staggering. And so, our parents' organization, Let's Give Them Hope, was born.

The first day of Let's Give Them Hope, 2011

The ministry started with a once-a-week feeding program, catered towards a list of the neediest children in the rural area of Musana. Now, two years later, Let's Give Them Hope [LGTH] has expanded exponentially. With approximately 180 children registered in the program (64 of those being sponsored), the feedings now take place five times a week.

The children of LGTH, 2013 
Lining up for their food
 Along with the feeding program, there is also a Saturday morning kids church, and pre-teen/teen girls and boys groups.

Pre-teen girls group doing arts and crafts

The other side of LGTH is the urban youth ministry, which works under the name Zimbabwe's Finest Dance Group [ZFDG]. Through ZFDG, we are able to engage the youth in urban Zimbabwe by incorporating their love for dance. Dance in huge in Zimbabwe, and we have found that it is an easy way to speak to them and gain their trust.

One of the main focuses of ZFDG at the moment is our dance crew, Extreme Vision Dance Crew [EXV]. Made up of six young guys from extremely poor situations in the ghetto, EXV displays an incredible amount of skill and passion. Despite their difficult backgrounds, we are beginning to be able to support and help them in their dreams, as well as teaching them valuable life skills. Not only that, but they have really become an extended part of our family, and live at our parents' house every other week.

EXV!

Our crazy family :)

During our latest visit in Africa with our family, God really put a calling on both of our hearts to stay. Since then, we have decided to move back to Zimbabwe for a year. We will both be doing schooling online while there, as well as working with LGTH and ZFDG. We are back in Canada for the next couple of months in order to raise financial support, and sort out our belongings and jobs.

We are so excited to document this journey, and we would love for you to follow along with us. Please feel free to share our blog with friends and family! We would appreciate as much prayer and support as we can get :)


Thanks for reading!
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