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March 2007 Newsletter Greetings to you all from Zambia. This has been an exciting and busy month for us. The greatest blessing was to have my parents come to visit with my youngest sister, Bethany. They also brought with them my good friend, Lindsey Marshall. It has been such a joy to have them here with me. They have also been a big help with many of the activities this month.
Liberty Baptist Preschool
The preschool has continued to be strong. The children have started getting used to having a "white" teacher. Every day, they have been learning more and more. Zambian schools run on the system of having month long breaks every 3 months. April is the month off for all the children. I decided that we needed to have a celebration on the last day of school before the break. The parents and children were quick to agree. So on the last Friday, we had a big feast with rice, potatoes, sausage, cake, and Coke. The children all had such a good time getting to fellowship with each other and eat all of that food. They also enjoyed learning some new games like "musical chairs" and "hot potato". I was sad to see them all go, but I know the month will go by quickly before they return.
Liberty Baptist Children
I invited all the children from Liberty Baptist Church to come to my house last Saturday to meet my family. They were so excited that they started arriving 3 hours before the activity was supposed to start. I never know how many children will show up for these activities, but they kept coming and coming. By the end of it all, we had 76 children. We divided the children into two teams and had an assortment of relay races. We made games that would allow everyone to participate from the smallest to the largest.  After a few games, the children sat in the grass and sang some songs. Then my father taught them about David and Goliath. My friend who helps me with interpreting, Clara, was up to the challenges my dad gave her throughout the lesson. He had her acting out the parts right along with him. The children giggled as they both shook with fear at the thought of the giant, Goliath. They cheered as Goliath fell slowly fell to the ground dead. Not one child could take their eyes away from my dad.
After the lesson, we had one final surprise game for the children. We brought out bags full of water balloons for a final battle between the 2 teams. The two teams lined up facing each other and on the word "GO!" they all ran around getting each other wet. The children were delighted at this activity as they rarely get a chance to play with balloons and water balloons were just that much more special. As we were saying our goodbyes, the children had one last laugh as my father dumped a garbage bag full of water on Clara and me. It is not often that they get to see their teachers drenched. All the children were happy as we gave them a snack as they left. The children will never forget the wonderful time we had.  Liberty Baptist Church
This last Sunday, everyone was excited with anticipation to meet my family. The day had finally arrived. The choirs put on their special uniforms just for the occasion. Clara and I taught Sunday School as the adults started to arrive.
 The church filled up as we sang some hymns and Zambian choruses. Then the youth choir sang in their copper uniforms (we live in the Copperbelt). They were followed by the women's choir who sang a song to greet all the visitors from America. Then a new choir sang some songs in English for the benefit of the visitors.  Then my father preached a message that nobody will soon forget. He preached about walking with the Lord, and used so many wonderful illustrations that people will be talking about it for years to come. I don't think that anyone can forget when my dad asked Dickson, a somewhat small man, to jump on his back as an illustration of forbearing one another. But much to everyone's surprise, Dickson then asked for my dad to jump on his back. Dickson showed his strength as he didn't even flinch as my dad jumped on. It was a message and a day that we will all remember.
Liberty Baptist Ladies
I invited the ladies to meet at my house yesterday for their weekly Bible Study. About 14 ladies came for the Bible Study. They all introduced themselves for my mother so that she could always remember to pray for them. I then taught them about how a wise person receives instruction. After the lesson, we surprised them with a meal of sausage, vegetables, and Nshima (their staple food). Then they practiced some of their songs to prepare for Sunday. We all had a great time and my mother got to know the ladies a little better.
I have so many thank you's for this month. I first want to thank my parents, Bethany, and Lindsey for coming to visit me and see the work which I am doing here. They brought me so many special things from America that I had been missing. But the best thing they brought was themselves. I want to thank Pastor Frazer Kane for driving us around the last few days. I want to thank Clara and Dorothy Lufunda for helping us keep the clothes washed and cooking for all these occasions. So many people from Liberty Baptist Church have helped us this month that I cannot even begin to mention all of their names. I also want to thank all of those who sent gifts to me. Everything was greatly appreciated. This has been a special month for me and for Liberty Baptist Church. Please continue praying for the church as we are preparing to start building on the original plot that was allocated to the church. God bless you all for your continued support.
Praise Be to God,
Jennifer Townsend
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