Serenje Dormitory Update

“‘Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.”

(Isaiah 58:6-8)

For a number of years now we've partnered with Tearfund to help bring transformation to Serenje, a rural community in Zambia. As part of that project we helped fund a dormitory where girls could complete their secondary school education in a safe and secure environment.

Howard and Elizabeth Reece-Smith, part of our community for many years and now living in France, were recently out in Serenje and got to visit the dormitory, which is now up and running with the first group of girls living there. They sent back some photos which I wanted to share with you all, as it's so encouraging to see what has been achieved.

Interestingly the whole Serenje project arose out of a talk Bono gave at the Willow Creek GLS, challenging the church to engage with the issue of HIV/AIDS and seek to make a difference. That's why I'm passionate that as many of us as possible get to be part of the GLS we're hosting on the 12th and 13th and 15th October - more details here. If you're not booked in already please get yourself there - who knows what God will say to you and the impact that might have on the world we live in.

Enjoy the photos, and for all those who gave financially to the project and prayed for it please know that you have made an incredibly wise investment of your time and money!

Much love,

Simon.