YEAH!

This is the website, Help4Hope, of the couple who bought our vehicle and container in Zambia.

Jack and Judi were with the International Mission Board from 2002-2008. They served in Kenya first, then they were in Zambia. They began the 40/40 training that our friends, the Rodgers do now, and also serving in what is known as the Farmer's Block in the Mukushi area, north of Lusaka a ways.

It's a YEAH! day for them because they just got their NGO status in Zambia. They have come back on their own, but will again be working in the Mukushi area. They have been there for just a few short months now. With the NGO status, they can now get their work permits, they are tax exempt and all that goes with being a non-government organization.

I have really appreciated Judi every since we "met" them. We obviously wouldn't have met if we weren't leaving and them coming and thus needing to buy supplies, vehicle and all that. She has just been so encouraging to us! A listening ear, a word of support-we've both agreed we would have gotten along so well!

We've talked about community before on our blog, how much we miss it, deep down we all desire it. I tell you-that is something I just love about the missionary community. I don't know-our experiences have just been so..."community-ish". There is just something about talking to someone who understands, sometimes even just a little bit more than anyone else. The bond is just there-sometimes, no words are needed. While we prepared to leave for Zambia, we had many helpful email conversations with missionaries who encouraged us before we even got there, helped prepare us for what was ahead. And then, while preparing to leave Zambia, so many stepped up to be helpful, to be a listening ear, to understand, to encourage, to exhort...to be family for us. Some of them we knew only for a few days, some through only a few visits over the year we were there, but it didn't matter-they felt like family.

So YEAH! Jack & Judi-be sure to check out their website to see what they are up to.