Jonathan's Boys

 Isaac Zimba is 10 years old, and lives with his mom and dad, 2 older sisters, 3 older brothers, and 3 other dependents. He lives in John Lieng community, attends the LCA, and occasionally attends a community church. His prayer requests include finishing school to be an explorer and healing for his mom's poor health. She tells the children in the home she may die from her illness. He is a sweet young boy, and desperately needs a sponsor.

Alick Mulenga is 10 years old but does not know his own birthday. He lives in a 3-room home with 12 other people. Because there are so many, clothing is scarce. He and his family eat 2 meals a day, unless there are leftovers for breakfast the next day. His mom sells cookies down the street with his older brother. Alick loves attending the LCA because he realizes his education is his livelihood. He desires a "good life for the future." 

Henry Simanda was by far my most outgoing and welcoming boy. With a contagious smile he wears his positive outlook on his sleeve. He is 10 years old and lives with his mom and stepfather. It saddens Henry that his father is separated and does not support him and his siblings. His mom sells skin cream, but tends to drink alcohol using the trivial earnings. Occasionally, his stepfather beats his mother. Henry loves attending LCA and receiving the meals there. With so much potential, Henry is desperate for a sponsor.

David Meene (he goes by Davy) is 9 years old and lives with his parents, 3 siblings, and 4 other distant relatives in a 2-room home. Sometimes, his family attends "Bread of Life" Church. However, he admits his father drinks too much and becomes verbally abusive to everyone in the family, even their neighbors. His mom is a janitor at a school. He feels privileged because he eats 3 meals a day. Davy wants to finish school and become an accountant.

 Matias Banda is 10 years old and lives with his grandmother and 8 other dependents. His mother has passed away, and his father's illness has him bedridden. Matias was visibly uncomfortable talking about his father's situation. Matias typically eats 2 meals a day. His prayer requests include common provisions such as food and clothing, opportunity to attend school, and healing for his ailed father. Matias could attend school and receive daily meals should he receive sponsorship.

 Richard Phiri is 9 years old. He lives with his grandmother because he doesn't know his father. His grandmother sells vegetables to support the 7 dependents living there. His mother is around but does not work. He recently had to stop attending the community school because of a lack of money. His prayer requests were to attend school and for more common provisions like food and clothing. Richard prayed to believe in Jesus during our 1-on-1 time. He is a sweet kid needing sponsorship.

John Bano is 10 years old, but doesn't know his birthday.He moved in with his grandparents to attend a community school. His parents remained in a village of the Eastern Province of Zambia. John lives with 8 dependents in a 2-room home without electricity. John receives 1 meal per day each evening. He fears his grandmother will not sell enough vegetables to support those in the home. He no longer attends the school because of a lack of money, and he misses it. John prayed to believe in Christ.

Abraham Phiri is 9 years old and is a double orphan having both his parents pass away. His oldest of 2 sisters cares for him and her child. Her husband (Abraham's brother in-law) is verbally abusive to Abraham. Sometimes, she'll take Abraham to a Reformed Church. He wants to attend school and finish to become a pilot. His other prayer request was for his family to be reunited.

Rogers Mashilira is 11 years old. He was my most soft-spoken boy at Camp Life. He lives with 6 others in a 2-room home, where an older brother provides money for the family. Although their mother lives with them, Rogers' father has passed away. One of Rogers' older brothers drinks alcohol, smokes heavily, and sometimes beats him. Rogers prayed to receive the Lord during the "bus announcement" at the end of the day. His prayer requests are to be able to go back to school and for his abusive brother to be freed from his addictions. Rogers said he wants to finish school and be a pastor, "work for the Lord."

Lyson Sakala is 10 years old and lives with his grandmother since both his parents have passed away. On Monday of Camp Life, he received a letter saying he was expelled from the community school, but he's not sure why. This made him very sad because he wants badly to go to school. His grandmother sells peanuts, yet they typically only afford 1 meal per day. His younger brother has been sick since he was born. An older brother smokes marijuana and is occasionally abusive. Lyson prayed to receive the Lord. He was such a pleasure to be around. 

Multipanel Mirror DIY

Now that we have our entertainment center built and in place 

I have to figure out what to do above the mantle now that the TV isn't there...

I saw this mirror at Pottery Barn and fell in love with it! But $700?!?! Um, no. 

The wheels started turning. When I was cleaning up the garage I came across 7 13"x13" mirror tiles that we had used as part of our centerpieces at our wedding 6 years ago. 

I kept going through left over materials from the entertainment center and came across almost everything I needed to make my own version. I used 1x2" trim on the outside of the mirror and pieces of very skinny moulding. We used some leftover unfinished hardboard for the backing. 

We used a type of liquid nails to adhere the trim and mirrors to the backing. I used the same Minwax Dark Walnut Stain as I did for the entertainment center. We hung it by 4 hooks just to make sure 30 pounds of mirror didn't fall on the kids...

And up it went!

I'm so excited to be able to actually decorate the mantle now! The TV was just always in the way. I'm playing around with my flower box but that's about all I've attempted!

Total cost: about $12 because of leftover materials! 

I like that a lot better than $700 for a similar look!

Katy's Girls

After this summer Jonathan and I feel like we are parents to 22 more kids! The connection made only after a short week is indescribable. We so love these kids and want the best for them just like our own kids.

We want to share their stories because we're their only voice. Six of my girls need to be sponsored and all 10 of Jonathan's boys need to be sponsored. (He'll be posting about their stories in a separate post.)

I shared Sandra's story here if you'd like to read more about her emotional story.

Eunice Mwila is 9 years old and is currently in grade 1 at Lifeway Christian Academy. Both of her parents have passed and she lives with her grandmother and 3 siblings. She eats once or twice at home and eats lunch at school. She has lots of friends. She prayed to receive Christ at Camp LIFE this year! She wants to be a counselor at Camp LIFE and tell others about Jesus.
Eunice needs to be sponsored. Sponsor her for $44/month here.

Ruth Mwema is 9 years old & is in grade 2 at a community school (located in a home, not consistent, teacher is outnumbered by children). She lives with an aunt because her father has rejected her (her mother & 2 siblings live with him). Her aunt is too old to work & they go without food often. She only felt loved by her grandparents who have both recently passed away. She is scared of her father. She became a follower of Christ at Camp LIFE this year! She wants to be a doctor.
Ruth needs to be sponsored. Sponsor her for $44/month here. 

Regina Mujonba is 9 years old. She also goes to a community school and is in grade 4. She lives with both parents and 3 siblings. She likes to play games with her best friend and her favorite subject is science. She is scared of getting sick. She accepted Jesus as her Savior this year at Camp LIFE!
Regina needs to be sponsored. Sponsor her for $44/month here. 

Catherine Mwale is 9 years old. She is in grade 1 at a government school. Her mother passed away and she lives with her father and grandmother along with 10 other children. She eats three times a day. She trusted Jesus as her Savior this year at Camp LIFE! She likes math and wants to be a lawyer when she grows up.
Catherine needs to be sponsored. Sponsor her for $44/month here. 

Margaret Sonkani is 11 years old. She does not go to school but is estimated to be grade 5. Her parents are divorced and she lives with her mother and 5 siblings. Her father doesn't provide for them (spends money on his girlfriends). She is teased by siblings about her weight and her mother withholds food from her. Her grandmother speaks evil over her. She trusted Christ as her Savior this summer at church. She wants to be a lawyer when she grows up.
Margaret needs to be sponsored. Sponsor her for $44/month here. 

Ruth Bwalya is 11 years old. She is grade 6 at Lifeway Christian Academy and is incredibly bright! Her father passed away before she was born and she lives with her mother and step-father along with 4 siblings. She usually eats three times a day. She likes to play soccer with her friends. She accepted Jesus as her Savior last year at Camp LIFE. She wants to be a journalist or a doctor.






Diana Sikeleti is 8 years old. She also attends Lifeway Christian Academy and is in grade 3. She lives with both parents and 5 siblings. She receives lunch at school, but sometimes only gets dinner at home. She told me that nothing pains her now that she is going to school. She accepted Christ as her Savior last year at Camp LIFE. She wants to go to college and become a nurse.






Sizwane Bwalya is 10 years old. She is grade 5 at Lifeway Christian Academy. She did her one on one time with me in English (a first time experience for me)! Her parents are separated and she lives with her mother and two sisters; she misses her father. She receives lunch at school and eats porridge and nshima (food like grits) at home. Her grandmother is involved in witchcraft and has tried to involve Sizwane. She prays with her mother to give her peace about that. She has been a follower Christ for a few years. She wants to be a nurse when she grows up.

Annette Phiri is 11 years old and is grade 2 at Lifeway Christian Academy. She lives with her grandmother because both of her parents died when she was 5 years old. She eats once or twice a day (tea, nshima). She likes to play handball with her friends. She trusted Jesus as her Savior in 2011 at Camp LIFE. Her favorite subject is science and she wants to be a lawyer.







Melody Kombe is 11 years old. She is in grade 3 at Lifeway Christian Academy. She lives with an aunt  (who may have HIV along with her baby) and 3 siblings (who have 3 different fathers). Her mother passed away in 2011 and her father left. Her step-brother beats her when her aunt is at work and she is scared of darkness. She eats three times a day including lunch at school. She prayed to receive Christ at Camp LIFE this year!

Loveness Kaputani is 8 years old and is in grade 3 at Lifeway Christian Academy. Her father passed away and she lives with her mother and 5 siblings. Her mother doesn't work so they rely on other people to give them food, but she does eats lunch at school. She doesn't have too many friends. Her favorite subject in school is science, but she hasn't decided what she wants to do yet. She trusted Christ as her Savior at Camp LIFE this year!