We arrived at FCE (Foundation for Cross Cultural Education – started by South Africans about 12 years) (www.fce.org.za) near Luyansha at 6pm, just as the sun was setting and in time for supper in the dark, as the power had just gone off. They blessed us with comfortable guest cottage accommodation for our next 3 nights (at camping rates).
8 June – Spent first day being shown around the property and all the various projects that operate from there. It is primarily a teacher training centre which trains up community teachers from Zambia and surrounding nations. They emphasise a method of teaching which is Christ centred and kingdom orientated. They also have a school (with about 210 children, grade 0 to 9) on the property, which serves the surrounding communities, as well as providing an opportunity for practical teacher training.
They offer certificate courses in agriculture and diploma’s in community development. They have also developed an extensive fruit tree nursery, fruit orchards, veg garden, carpentry workshop and a basic clinic. We met many South Africans who volunteer in the various programmes as well as a few from other countries like India, Canada and Germany. It is wonderful to see the impact on a new generation of children in the community nearby, as well as the impact on many other communities being reached through their good work. (I am reminded of the scripture….”that they may see your good works and glorify our Father in heaven!!”)
9 June – Spent the 2nd day out visiting other community projects near Luansha (Hands at Work) and Kitwe (LifeSong – operating schools for orphan education and also income generating farming activities). Was great to meet Eric and his wife and 5 children who have come to serve the most vulnerable in Africa, all the way from the United States. The schools are of a high standard and they are impacting many lives for the Kingdom.
We also visited our good friends, James and Sukai who used to work with Hands at Work. It was a real God appointed time and we hope to see them soon again. They keep selflessly accommodating more vulnerable children in their own home amidst their own challenges (presently eight children).
We spent our last evening at FCE encouraging and sharing with another couple from SA who have semi –retired from farming and have a heart for God’s purposes in their lives and are volunteering at FCE for a month.
(It was a bonus to get our car serviced and the oil changed by Raymond, an Australian volunteer mechanic at FCE, before the next leg of our trip to Tanzania and Kenya.)
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