WELCOME

The Children of Zion Village is a Christian home for orphans in the southern African nation of Namibia. It is located along the Zambezi River in the northeast corner of Namibia. Our children come from several different tribal and language groups.
 
The "village" opened in January, 2003 and is now home to 57 children. Most of the children have been placed in our care because they have lost their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles to AIDS.
 
Here the boys and girls receive love, nutrition, shelter, healthcare, academic, vocational and Bible education, and become part of one large Christian family. Our missionaries, volunteers, and Namibian staff work together to raise the children in our "village".

VILLAGE NEWS

Church Camp at Zion – 716 campers come!

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 05/12/2013 - 06:52

We are thankful that more people are getting to know about Zion Village.  Although many of them still do not really know what Zion Village is so there is still education needed.  This year some of the youth leaders of the SDA (Seven Day Adventist) church came and ask if they could use the land here to do a youth camp.  Then did a small camp here last year and all was good so we said “sure”.  Later we ask how many people to expect and they said 500!!!  What, camping for 500 youth!!! 

Well, the story is not over because there ended up being 716 campers at Zion Village!!!!!  Campers for JESUS!

It all started with one lonely tent and grew to be Many!!  Boys on one side, girls on the other. 

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They came and they came…  Cars, trucks…  Packed with people… Packed with chairs, mattresses, tents, food, cooking pots…  

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Each day there was drills (looks kind of like boy and girl scouts and they were also working on badges).  Each day there was lots of pots cooking the food over the open fire.  Lots of fire wood was gathered each day.  Each afternoon was sports/games. 

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Most important, each day was filled with GOD!  Filled with prayers and filled with messages from the leaders that were inspired by God and filled with singing and praising.  We all (staff and us) were able to attend the major message in the mid-day and in the evening.

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Then, on Saturday, the Sabbath for SDA, the parents and the rest of the local SDA church people came!  We do not yet have the count but we are certain there was over 1000 here.  Here to worship!  Here to praise GOD!

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We are definitely standing on Holy Ground and the presence of the LORD IS ALL around!!!!  Please pray for the youth and the leaders and ALL of our children.  That they should know HIM and Follow HIM and Trust HIM and Live for HIM!!!!  

Then the perfect sunset for a perfect week.  GOD IS SO GOOD!!

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Church in the nearby Village

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 05/12/2013 - 06:17

On May 5, 2013 we attended the small New Apostolic church in a village not too far from here.  We started from our house of foot at 6:45am.  We walked to the village just next to ours to meet with one of the church leaders (and friends) and head out with him and his family (this is the family that has baby Lorna).  We walked for a ways and then there was water.  There was already a queue forming for the next dug out canoe taxi. 

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It is often enjoyable and peaceful on the water with all the lily pads and flowers but today was more difficult.  The bottom of the canoe was wet so we tried to hold ourselves up off the bottom on our arms.  Unfortunately for us old people bending the knees too far does not work so it was rather uncomfortable but we did not fall out! 

When we arrived to the other side we still had a distance to walk to the small traditional church.  Since we came with one of the leaders, we had no trouble finding a seat since we were one of the fist to arrive.  However, the church never did fill up. 

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The service was led by primarily one person but then there are 2 that follow him with words of encouragement and personal reflection or interpretation of the message.  They talked in solozi but there was an interpreter so we also heard in English.  They serve communion at each service.  They use the element of a wafer to represent the body of Christ but do not have anything to represent the blood even though they do talk about it. 

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They also have a choir and the music is always so enjoyable and beautiful!  After the service the choir was practicing for an event next week where many of the local churches will perform with an hour of singing. 

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We left and went back the same way we came – land, water, land.  When we arrive back at our friends house, they invited us to sit under the tree.  They shared some “samp” with us.  It is dry corn that they take off the ear, pound it to get the shell off, and then cook it in water over the fire for hours.  They added some sugar and it was very nice.  Africans love food and are always willing to share what they have even if it is little.  There is a lot to learn from that simple lesson. 

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May you always be joyful in your union with the Lord.  I say it again: Rejoice!!   Philippians 4:4

New Apostolic Church in Katima Mulilo

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 04/16/2013 - 02:59

WOW!!!  What a HUGE Blessing!!! 

One of our friends (the father of baby Lorna) from the nearby village invited us to the “Big Church” in town.  We agreed that if we would go we will take all of the children.  So, he said that would be fine.  So, early Sunday morning, April 14, 2013 we loaded our large Quantum and the front and back of the bakii (4X4) and headed to town.  There were 8 congregations coming together to celebrate the confirmation of 55 young people.  The District Apostle (DA) was coming from Cape Town to lead the service.  The church is HUGE.  There is even a balcony (which is where we sat).  We guess there were about 2000 people there!  

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We have always tended to have church here in the village because of the challenge of transporting so many children.  So, except for walking to a few nearby churches in the villages, we have mostly worshiped here.  Now that so many children are schooling outside of Zion, we can pack them in 2 cars so there are now more opportunities.  During the service there was congregational singing and a message, prayers and the choir sang and it was BEAUTIFUL!!!  Then everyone participated in communion and the young people were confirmed. 

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Each one that was confirmed then received a new Bible and Certificate and had a group picture taken. 

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Each day is a gift from God.  Each person is a gift from God.  We thank God for our friends and families all over the world and we know God will Bless you each day.  All good gifts come from HIM and we are thankful!!  Praise GOD from whom ALL Blessings flow!!!! 

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Happy Easter!!!

Submitted by The_Currys on Sat, 04/06/2013 - 14:24

We had a wonderful Palm Sunday Celebration with the Bible Study on Saturday when the children understood the celebration of Jesus coming into Jerusalem.  We even waved our palms…  yes, the palms of our hands.  They continued to work on the creation of the “Easter board” with making butterflies to add to the flowers.  Next week we add the “He Is Risen Cross”.  Empty because He Lives!!! 

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On Saturday afternoon (our typical Bible Study time) we reviewed what had happened during Holy Week.  Why Friday was called Good Friday but it was the saddest day.  What happens three days later??  They all answered and understood.  Were they ready for Easter and what does that mean?  Yes, they were ready!  Yes, they know that Christ died for their sins.  Yes, they know that He loves them and that they are special.  But do they really know?  Do we really know? 

After the lesson we divided into groups.  One group was coloring pages displaying the Easter message.  The other smaller group was coloring Easter eggs.  If you donated Easter egg coloring kits, thank you very much!  Everyone enjoyed!!!  Interestingly, there are NO white eggs here so all the colors were on Brown eggs.  One of the older children (18 yo) said she had never seen a white egg!!!  She did not know they existed!

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Easter Sunday:     HE IS RISEN!!!!  HE IS RISEN INDEED!!!!

HE IS RISEN!!!   HE IS RISEN INDEED!!!!

Christ the Lord is Risen today…  Hallelujah!!!! 

What a glorious day at Zion.  We started with a wonderful church service in the big dining hall/multipurpose room/church:)  It was full since most all of the children were home from school for the long Easter weekend.  Some of the local children returned to their relatives in nearby villages.  We like to do a lot of singing to praise our Lord so that was the start to the day. 

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Everyone was doing their best to be ready.  Even the 2 year old was getting a hair style:)

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The kitchen staff started the day before to prepare a nice Easter meal for all of us!

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We helped 9 of the children to prepare an Easter skit.  The focus was going to the tomb and the tomb is Empty.  Then they see Jesus and know that He is living and has gone to be with the Father.  And because He died, we too will live.  If we only believe, ask forgiveness and for Jesus to come into our hearts and live according to His rules, His plans and always give thanks!!  The small girls were even dancing the thankful Easter dance!  Such JOY!

                                           

The delicious food was served and we ate under the new pavilion after the prayer of thanksgiving. 

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After lunch we were blessed to be able to buy and give out chocolate Easter Bunnies to everyone!!!   What a special treat.  Later in the afternoon we took our family walk and enjoyed each other and all of the Blessings of the day that were given by God. 

           

          

We are forever grateful for YOU!!!  We are forever grateful to GOD!!! We Are because He IS!  We are Here because HE called us.  You are reading this because He called You!  We are thankful for His calling to us and to YOU!! 

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We thank God for YOU and we thank HIM for His faithfulness and LOVE!!!                 Happy Easter!

Happy Birthday Namibia March 21, 2013

Submitted by The_Currys on Fri, 03/29/2013 - 13:39

Today (March 21, 2013) Namibia turned 23 years for Independence. 

At the school earlier in the week, the learners had a wonderful celebration of pledges, singing, dancing and speeches.  We gathered outside the small school so everyone could enjoy the fresh air, shade trees and have enough room for dancing and for everyone to be together.  The celebration opened with prayer and a devotion by Travis.  Enjoy below just a few of the many pictures.

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Then on the actual Independence Day we also really had a big party and had a BLAST!!!  Everyone helped, even the smallest.  Children were cleaning outside to prepare the party area, the staff were cooking and baking and we were all dancing. 

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Then after giving thanks to our God who provides, our God who loves, our God who forgives, we were invited into a challenge for a fashion show.  So, it was the children vs. the staff/parents.  Wheeoooo…. we were laughing even after our face hurt!!!!  What a show!!!! 

Now, Introducing the Zion Children!!!!

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Now, introducing the staff and parents!!!!

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We ended the fashion show but singing Happy Birthday to Namibia and blowing out the 23 candles. 

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 What a great day of joy, laughter, fun, food and love in AFRICA!!!!!!  Happy Birthday Namibia!!!!!!!   May God continue to Bless this country, this nation and this world.  Thank You Jesus!!!!  Amen!