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 September 4, 2010 |
Update for March 14, 2006Today I am sure, there are many families in Champheta eating a nice meal of maize meal...made from the maize which they received on the weekend from many generous Canadians. After two and a half days on the road (or should I say "in" the road?) the truck with the maize and HEPS finally reached (well not really) Champheta. I guess I should tell you the whole story... On Thursday I was happy to hear from George Phiri that finally, after many delays, the maize and HEPS was going to be transported into Champheta on Friday. There had been a few delays in getting the 30 ton load to Lumezi and then even more delays in getting the first month's allotment on a truck and on its way to Champheta.) I was hoping to hear on Friday evening that all had gone well and the people in the community had received the goods with thanksgiving. It was not till this morning (Monday) that I received a call from a very tired George Phiri. The truck did go in on Friday but on Friday evening, just 8 kilometers from Champheta, the truck got stuck. They sent for the people of Champheta to come to try to push the truck out. That didn't work and I don't think I have all the steps and efforts taken but it includes at least two tractors being taken in and running out of diesel before the truck was pulled/pushed out Sunday night and finally returning to Lundazi Monday morning. While the truck was stuck the people of Champheta came with ox carts or whatever means they could find to ferry the maize and HEPS across the river, to Champheta. They were very happy to be able to have something to "ferry" and thus eat! George said most recently they have been surviving on green maize and watermelon. This maize relief will bring a stop to the eating of green maize, which is next year's crop, hopefully averting such famine again next year. Thanks so much for your help in getting this food to these hungry people. I had asked Pastor Kangwa from Lundazi to go into Champheta with the maize, to represent you, the donors. Unfortunately, due to the delays in the truck being ready to go, he was not able to go at the time it was ready. However, George tells me Pastor Kangwa sent in a very fine letter, letting the people know that this was a gift to them from God's people. Now I am hoping that in the church planting that the Lundazi Church is involved in that Champheta will be a focus area for a new church plant. Wouldn't it be wonderful for the people of Champheta to receive new life in Christ along with the life that will be spared because of this food relief? Please continue to pray for the people of Champheta that every time they eat that maize they will be reminded that there is a God in Heaven and many people in Canada who love them dearly...enough to offer them life! Blessings! Cheryl Ann Johnson P.S. - Next month we just may ask the people to meet the truck at a near-by Government school which is before the mud and the river...
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