From Erin: Cindy and I will be heading to the Namumu Orphanage (located in Siavonga, Zambia) May 31 – June 10 as representatives of Park Lake for a Roundtable Meeting with several other churches from the States. The Orphanage is facing some major changes in the near future and the purpose of this meeting is to discuss how we (and the other churches) can help support the Orphanage with these changes and to better build it’s future.
This meeting will be led by Reverend Ted Wright, PLPC supported missionary and Regional Liaison for PCUSA and The Outreach Foundation. Over a two-day period, we will take a tour of the orphanage; go over the challenges that are facing the orphanage (present and future); discuss the staffing situation and finances; go over strategic planning (1-3 year plans) and discuss how all of the Partner churches can help with funding, prayers, communications, scholarships and visits to the U.S. We will also get a chance to see the fishing boats and discuss ways of improving this operation. Cindy and I will be staying on at the orphanage through Thursday afternoon to have play time with the kids. I see lots of soccer in our future! We will also visit with Miseki MNDOLA, a PLPC scholarship student studying at Justo Mwale Theological College in Lusaka and his family. He has a young daughter who is 16 months old.
Here are some of the things that Cindy and Erin have been doing to prepare for their first Mission Trip:
From Cindy: As the weeks go by Erin and I have a lot to do to be ready for our trip to Namumu Orphanage. We must arrange multiple airline tickets (21 hours in the air one way!) get 9 shots (ouch!) and also what do we bring? It’ll be their winter - what does winter in Africa mean anyhow? More importantly we must ready our hearts. What will they need from us? How can we help them? Will we be there to bring a message or receive a message? Will it help the students at Namumu to know they have friends in America? Will traveling that far help them feel loved? Will Erin and I be ready for the intensity of the experience? Will Park Lake be ready for what the folks at Namumu ask of us? Please pray that Erin and I be the people that God needs us to be, so that we speak well, and that we listen well. Please pray that upon our return Park Lake hears, really hears, from Namumu, through the message they give us. |
Worship and Work 
