Happy Birthday Steven!

Today our Steven turns 12. Honestly, it's hard to believe. He was such a cute, adorable little boy when we first met him just five years ago. As much as I miss the little guy that he was, I so enjoy the young man he is becoming.

Steven has the most contagious laugh you ever heard. Nearly every day, he has the whole family laughing hysterically at least once and usually a whole lot more. And he loves, loves, LOVES music. He is ALWAYS singing and/or bee-bopping (is bee-bopping even a word?) around the house.

Today we all went to Quick Save for lunch which is such a huge treat. As you can see by Steven's big smile, he was a happy camper.

As you can see by the wide smiles of my beautiful sweet daughters, they were happy to celebrate their brother's birthday. One of the many blessings of many children is that there is almost always a birthday to enjoy.

The kids started off at separate tables but decided to all sit together shortly after these pictures were taken. I think one of their favorite things in life is selecting their lunches from the menus and placing the orders.

For the next month, we have two fourteen year old daughters, Shauna and Isata; two twelve year-old sons; and one feisty eleven year-old Sia who just happens to be the tallest all the kids. Life is never boring at the Sibleys!

Today I started teaching a nutrition class at the Theological College of Central Africa, a highly respected and accredited Bible college right here in Ndola. My students are wives of the pastoral students at the college. Families live on campus for three to four years depending on their programs. My classes are not accredited but are part of the required courses. I am honored to be a part of this program and will tell you all about it in my next post.

I hope you are all enjoying beautiful weather today as we are here in Zambia.

Blessings and joy,
Beckie

A Glorious Easter Service

Okay, I'm just a tad bit late posting these photos captured on Easter Sunday but better late than never, right?

We were blessed to pieces when we visited the Sande's church, which began just eight months ago, to see a thriving, involved congregation. Pastor Charles taught about about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and why it was absolutely necessary for the redemption of mankind. The message was biblically sound and well received by all.

What encourages us about this small church is that it is maturing without our involvement. This has always been our goal in Zambia: to raise strong spiritual leaders who depend wholly on God for guidance, wisdom, and provision. Pastors Charles and Petra Sande are such leaders. They completed MTI classes that Jason taught in Ndeke and set right out to apply their new ministry skills in Mushili, one of Ndola's poverty stricken compounds.

Pictured below, Pastors Charles and Petra humbly accept a gift, completely unexpected, from their congregation. They began this church less than a year ago; yet have already gained the love and respect of the congregation.

I snapped this picture after Charles and Petra accepted the gift and then said a prayer of thanksgiving and blessing over the church (congregation).

Outside, our little ham (that would be Sia) asked me to take her picture. That night, she broke out in chicken pox. She wasn't smiling then.


I hope this finds all of you enjoying a beautiful spring day. Again, I thank you for all of the love and prayers you send our way. You make a difference to us here in Zambia.

Blessings,
Beckie