Often I wake up just as the birds start to sing. I thank the Lord for what we have and for the challenges that we are facing. For I know that all I have; all are gifts from the Lord. It is not because I am anything special, clever or different, it is because the Lord is good and I thank him for that.

But not more then a km away there are many families who’s children are dying because they are malnourished, HIV positive or have malaria. Not more then a km away there are families who may or may not eat a single meal today. Most people don’t have a job! Not more then a km away young girls as young as 5 years old have been raped and their attackers have not been brought to justice. Not more then a km away children live on their own because both parents have died of HIV/AIDS.

How do you live with that? How do you live as a Christian with so many overwhelming needs all around you? What can I do to help, or to improve so many desperate situations? This is the reality of Africa.!! But we as Christian must look to the Lord for help, for strength for hope. This passage from the book of lamentations brings hope and light into every desperate situation. May the words of God be like a medicine to our soul, spirit and body.

Our 33 students. 16 are second years, and 17, including the 2 girls and the "muzungu" (white) boy, are first years.

We are now well into our third year at MFAZ, and time seems to pass so fast. We have two ladies and one white young man as part of this year’s intake; all in all 33 students.

Our first intake (Jan 2003) left us at the end of last year after their exams. We know that at least half of them have got jobs, the other half we’re not sure, but we pray and trust in the Lord that new doors will be opened for them.

We now know that all our first year have passed their 2004 certificate in the C&G exams. We are still waiting for the results of the second years which are due any day. MFAZ is now the only C&G centre in Ndola and we have people from all over coming to sit their C&G exams at our college. We are now able to help the community with this service.

    My coming into this college was a miracle from God, it was a dream come true.

    Since my childhood I have always loved and enjoyed fixing things and just wanted to know how something functioned. So my wish was to be a technical man particularly a motor mechanic or an architect.

    However, this dream was not simple to fulfil or bring to reality and I think it happened that way in order for the hand of God to be revealed in my life.

    One night after having an evening’s devotion at my home, just after I went to bed, I thought of going into college to study motor mechanics. But thought it would be too expensive. The following day I was visiting my mother and she told me about a missionary couple who were opening a new charitable mechanics college in Ndola. I was amazed that that was the thought I had brushed aside just the night before.

    So I immediately rushed to Mechanics for Africa but to my disappointment enrolment had been completed. But I was sure that God had given me a place in this college so I prayed to God to have mercy on me. Then Mrs. Watt told me that one of the enrolled students had not turned up so she told me to go home and pray about it, and that if God really wanted me to be in this college, that student would not turn up within a week.

    That is how I went back feeling so low. A week later I received the message that I was wanted at the college to attend an interview. That was how I went and made it through; it was by the grace and plan of God that I was selected into this college.

Now after two years of learning and change of character I feel ready to face the real challenges of life after being equipped with various skills of life. May our wonderful God continue to bless this college, the staff, trustees and indeed the sponsors of Mechanics for Africa Zambia.

Last Summer our third Soapbox team came to bless us. They came for three weeks and they all worked so well and hard. They were laying the foundations for the new Assembly Hall. The work was hard and physical; mixing concrete and barrowing it to the foundation base. In the afternoons they visited a primary school in one of the most deprived compounds around town where they did some teaching games and lots of activities with the children. We are expecting our fourth soapbox group to arrive here for three weeks this August.

Please pray for the Children of Zambia, so many of them having to cope with bereavement, abuse, hunger, loneliness and poor physical health. Pray for those who go hungry and don’t know where the next meal is going to come from. May God provide for, and comfort, them.

Please pray for the college as we are getting ready for our combined First Graduation and Official Opening Ceremony of the college. May God ensure a successful day.

Pray for our students. For those who are graduating, and have not yet got a job, may doors be opened for them, and for the current students for good learning, concentration and good relations with staff and with each other.

Pray for us as a family and for our health; for Sammy’s continued good growth and development; for Sharonne to have a full and healthy term of pregnancy with her second child, and for a healthy baby. Pray also for us as we face so many challenges each and every day. May God give us wisdom, love and patience to deal with every new challenge.