Forgotten Voices has a NEW Blog!

Forgotten Voices will no longer be using this site (travelwithfvi.blogspot.com) to post blog entries. Instead, please check out ForgottenVoices.org/blog to keep up with Forgotten Voices travel stories, updates from our south African project partners, insights from our leadership team and board members, praise and prayers updates, and other related information.

You'll notice on the new blog there's a place to sign up to receive blog posts via email, and also buttons under each post that enable you to share the story via facebook, twitter, or email. We truly appreciate your help with getting the word out about how we're empowering orphans in Zimbabwe and Zambia!

Please let us know what you think of the new blog, and thank you so much for your continued support of our partner pastors, community leaders, and the children they serve!

Ryan Addresses Tailoring Graduates

During my last trip, I had the good fortune of addressing graduates of the New Life Christian Church's Widow Tailoring School. It was impromptu, but a special time indeed.

Enjoy!

-Ryan

Greetings from South Africa

Greetings from South Africa from the flight lounge, as I await boarding to begin. Just connected with Michelle Lockwood, a missionary who hosted us on night 1 almost 2 weeks ago. We met to exchange things for her to bring home and for me to bring to the USA. :) International next day delivery at its best... :)

James is off to Washington Dulles as I type this. Rob & Remmy just wrapped up a game drive to see animals in Zambia's National Park in Livingston and I'm connecting here with you before going to JFK in NYC shortly, arriving tomorrow (Saturday) morning. Pray for safety & sleep for all of us as we travel.

We had WAY less internet time or access than planned. The days were too long and full and the places we were visiting were often too remote to justify special trips into town to wait for a working computer. but I do hope you were able to enjoy the posts from our team in the USA and the tweets.

There are so many amazing stories to share, as there always are. I could tell you about the 2 hr gathering we had in rural Solwezi, where over 200 people came 3-4 hrs walking away to greet us, pray with us, and share a meal --- even though they only heard we were visiting. They didn't know who we were, but wanted us to feel welcome.

I could tell you about our conversation with a pastor, who painfully shared about someone who had prostituted herself for the equivalent of $6, but was bringing charges to the police because she had only been paid $3.

I could tell you about some of the 300 kids who the Zambian Baptist Association helps to assist in 2011, believing God has called them to do so, yet they have little resources to provide tangible change for these vulnerable children orphaned by AIDS. Most of the pastors did not know why we were there, except to greet them and see how God was using them so we could share their prayers with others.

I could tell you more about the dozens of remote and urban churches we visited with over 10 days on the ground.

I could tell you about the 15 widows and 2 other women who expressed joy that I have rarely seen as they graduated from a Forgotten Voices supported tailoring program, receiving a machine, fabric and capital to provide for their children on their own.

I could tell you about the long 17 hr days we had some days, resulting in a need to support & encourage each other when very tired.

I could tell you about the late night PHASE 10 tournaments we had almost daily, with James winning "COPPERBELT PHASE 10 CHIEF" title on our last night together in Zambia. It was awesome to kick back, debrief the day, discern together, and enjoy some cards.

There are so many stories I could share and I will. Please look forward to my reflections and some from Rob & James in the days to come. Realistically, I'll be off most of this week to rest, then returning to the office on Friday - a week from today.

If you are local to Central PA, please consider coming to WEST SHORE E FREE CHURCH in Mechanicsburg, PA this SUNDAY. I arrive back into JFK Saturday, then will be speaking in both the 9am and 10:45am services on Sunday at WSEFC. I'm excited to see how God equips me to share, despite jet lag, emotional exhaustion, and being physically sore. But God is using us to bring hope. I look forward to being there with you.

See you then or see you here very soon. Lots of love!

-Ryan Keith, President, Forgotten Voices International

Journey updates from Solwezi, Zambia

If you aren't already aware, Ryan is currently leading a team in Zambia, Africa. While they are meeting with various pastors in the rural areas of Solwezi identifying community needs and possible partners to provide for local orphans, here are a few updates they've posted via twitter:

"Many of our friends here daily work their tails off to survive. What an honor to learn from them & serve with them."

"Amazing 12 hr day for us. 5 Baptist churches who have identified 300 kids orphaned. No one but church would find these kids."

"After typing up notes off to bed after 17 Hr day. So beat. Please pray for strength tomorrow. Leaving at 8 for Kitwe"

"Visited with a friend to Remmy, wife to chief who lost sister. Always tough to be around death. After 16 trips still new."


You can tell that this journey so far has been both productive and extremely demanding in many ways. Please keep the team in prayer as they journey from Solwezi back to Ndola, then catch a flight to Lusaka tomorrow to meet with local pastors there.

Stay tuned for more updates ..

Brian

Images of Solwezi

As you continue to pray for Ryan, James and Rob's travels through Zambia, here are a few images of the region they have been visiting. As you can see it's quite rural. Many resources, including church ministries, are stretched thin. But the strengths and needs that have inspired and moved us to action among our current projects in Zimbabwe and Zambia ring true in remote Solwezi as well.

The church is still alive and sharing the love of Christ in the community.

Mothers still have dreams for their children and long to see them grow up to succeed.

We still find many households devastated by HIV, where the oldest and youngest family members are left to care for each other.

Church leaders still meet - often under trees - to make a plan for the orphaned and vulnerable children needing their care

Resources like food, clean water, education, and skills training are still often out of reach, but vitally important, especially for orphaned and widowed community members.

Families still pray for rain so that their crops will grow and their family will have sufficient water.

God still promises to be with us always, no matter where His calling to serve may lead us.

Finding the Forgotten

Off the map, out of range, and just plain out there are a few ways to describe the location of our team currently on the ground in Zambia. In actuality we don't know EXACTLY where Ryan, James, and Rob are, but from the itinerary they've left us as well as their occasional tweets we know they are moving through the rural areas of Solwezi.

It may seem strange for our team to be so far outside the normal thoroughfares and busy cities of Zambia, but their mission is to go beyond areas that may already have aid organizations to find those desperate communities that have been forgotten. You can hear directly from Ryan about the mission of this particular trip, about how through partnering with local churches in rural villages Forgotten Voices hopes to provide sustainable care to nearly 5,500 vulnerable and orphaned children this year. Just today, the team has already visited with 12 churches, seeking to identify potential partners that can provide holistic care to orphaned children around their communities.

Many experts estimate more than 700,000 AIDS orphans are currently living in Zambia, and with your help we have plans to continue building a strong network of sustainable partnerships with local churches to provide for as many vulnerable children as we can.

Check out TenTogether, our campaign to reach 10,000 orphans by the end of 2012 to see what you can do to help. It's easier than you think to make a real difference in the lives of others, and you can expect this movement to bring change to your own life as well.

Brian - Forgotten Voices {{{Volunteer}}}

Graduation Day

As Ryan, James and Rob continue to travel through Zambia, they'll have limited access to internet over the next few days. In the meantime, we'll provide some additional insight and photos introducing you to some of the church leaders, families and children they are meeting.

On Thursday, the three travelers spent their first day in Zambia attending a graduation ceremony at New Life Christian Centre. Since beginning partnership with Forgotten Voices International, New Life Christian Centre has seen 60 women from the community - most of them widows - graduate from its Tailoring Program. This program gives women in extremely vulnerable situations skills training to financially support themselves and restore dignity to their family. Upon graduation, each woman receives a sewing machine, start-up fabric and capital to begin their own small business.

Enjoy these photos of just two of Thursday's 15 graduates, taken in November. Pray for them and the 13 other women now stepping out in faith to use their new skills to support their families.

More updates soon!

Greetings from airport - again

After a wonderful meatball sub & avacados & salad meal with sugar mango pudding for dessert, we couldn't sleep with excitemtn - though we all tried. We were all too excited to sleep. Excited to finally be in Africa and pumped to continue getting to know one another. Already the conversation has started about how we can use our collected gifts to help tell the stories of people we've met already.

Stories of kids here always amaze me. About 150 kids were there for the first day at Aurora Primary School yesterday. Aurora is a K-7 school about 30 min from the airport, set on a beautiful farm. It will be two weeks until they have a better understanding of the count. Kids come from 30 kilometers away, some by foot or bus. We got to meet all the kids informally, in a mass setting while they were playing a game. The energy of screaming kids is always reenergizing. Many don't have parents, or have parents absent or abusive. It was clear that Aurora was a place of healing for some and will be for those that arrived yesterday for the first time.

It is always good to see my friends, the Walkers, who lead Aurora, but especially good. There is so much going on in their lives. Please join me in praying for a house closer to the school, building construction & adjustments underway, and plans to floor classrooms and pay more teachers. Some of ths they don't have funds for, but the are faithful people. We look forward to being ambassadors for them as we return to share their stories.

James rose early this morning to the sounds of birds outside. Rob managed to go back to sleep after awaking. I slept soundly until 15 min before we left for the airport. :) Oops. Just picked up some muffins and OJ at the airport lounge so, Katie, you don't need to worry. We will also eat on the plane. We leave in 50 min for Zambia. Excited to see Remmy again.

Thanks to the Lockwood family for picking us up, feeding us, and housing us. We are so thankful for your love and support. Without your assistance and encouragement - "a welcoming place" - we would not enter Zambia as refreshed as we are this morning.

Lots of love to you all. Thanks for joining us on the journey.

Until Zambia,
Ryan (for James & Rob)

PS if you follow our tweets - but especially for our wives - we wisely decided not to buy Ferraris at the Ferrari store. In fact, we managed to tick off the woman mopping the store. She scowled us out before we could even seriously consider it. :) Alas, another day without ferraris. :)

Safely here in South Africa

Greetings from Johannesburg, South Africa. We arrived safely after 19 hrs on the plane. It was a long way, the longest north to south trip I've ever taken. For whatever reason the currents aren't as strong this month so it took us longer than my January trips usually take.

We are all in good spirits, but anxious for rest in a bed. Lockwoods are picking us up in the airport. I'm sending this as we await their arrival in the lobby. The beauty of WIFI in Johannesburg - the New York City of Africa.

James & Rob both went to Deer Foot, a boys' camp in upstate New York, so they bonded instantly sharing names and experiences. It was nice to see such a deep connection so early on. We have al ong road ahead and will need to be supportive of each other.

After being picked up by the Lockwoods, we will drive immediately to Aurora Primary School,  a school where the Lockwoods volunteer their enormous talents as a family. We will be there for about an hour or two, then head home. Too quick, but it's going to be dark. Please join me in praying for our time at Aurora Primary School. I have met with the leaders of the school over dinner, but this will be the first time. We are going to see, learn and encourage those serving in the school. While this is not a project supported directly by Forgotten Voices, it has become a project near to my heart. It is not uncommon to encounter incredible work being done that falls outside of our mission. So, I'm grateful to share one of these projects with Rob & James.

Until later when we arrive home at the Lockwoods,

Ryan (for James & Rob)

Ryan Returning to Africa TODAY

Friends - I begin my return journey to Africa in less than 12 hrs. Amazing that it is time again.I can't tell you how excited I am to return for this special trip. I just sense that the timing is right for the journey. The purpose of the trip is described in this brief video. Thanks for watching. You can read more below. We now know of over 10,000 kids who need a champion. This trip is for me to go meet more of them so I can share their stories with you. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter as we go. 

Enjoy the ride! -Ryan Keith, President, Forgotten Voices International.

On the map below, you'll see the 5 new growth areas where we hope to reach in 2011 with the launch of TENTOGETHER.org, a campaign that asks you to join with 10 friends, each giving $10/month to Forgotten Voices and your team of 10 serving 10 hrs a year to a cause local to you in the USA.

Potential growth areas within Zambia, as TEN TOGETHER teams start, are numbered by order. Across the 5 cities, we know about 75 pastors who have about 18,000 kids within their communities. Each child is orphaned by AIDS and has unique needs that their local church is willing to help meet, but needs some support. We've spent the last 2 years identifying and networking these trustworthy graduates of TCCA, our seminary partner in Zambia. We praise God for the opportunity to meet so many and pray expectantly for God to use you and me to respond to this need through TENTOGETHER and supporting Forgotten Voices.

This trip I'll be joined by Rob Pepper, a friend from Messiah College, and James Masterson, a friend from Indianapolis. We will travel first ot South Africa to the Aurora Primary School and visit our friends, Steve & Michelle Lockwood. We then will be in Ndola (just south of Mufulira on map below) to meet up with Remmy (right), who some of you meet when he was here in October/November. Remmy will be our guide every day in Zambia.  We will meet with about 15 pastors for a couple days in Ndola, including a graduation for a widow sewing program Forgotten Voices' supports. The ceremony will mark the 60th woman trained by New Life, a church we serve. After a Leadership Summit with all current project leaders in Ndola, we will be off to Mufulira (#1 on map below) for a meeting with about 12 pastors, then on to Solwezi (#2 on map below) to meet with 8-10 pastors over 3 days. After Solwezi, we return to Ndola before taking a 6am flight to Livingstone (southwest corner near Zimbabwe) via Lusaka. Once in Livingstone, we'll have a lunch meeting with about 10 pastors in the area before taking in the Great Victoria Falls - one of the 7 wonders of the world.

Over the past 2 years, we've been working with TCCA, our seminary partner in Zambia, to build a Graduate Network around the country. We've been finding trustworthy pastors to make sure your investments are wisely spent to make the wisest impact. During this trip, we'll be discerning where we should join with the local church first in responding to the physical & spiritual needs of children orphaned by AIDS. I'm delighted to go and meet these brave men & women serving kids who need a champion. We'll also be spending time throughout listening to what God is teaching the local church about service and how we can bring those lessons to the USA to help us love our neighbors more effectively.

All of this is for our new TENTOGETHER campaign to support our work at Forgotten Voices. In 2011, we hope to equip local churches in Zimbabwe and Zambia to reach 10,000 children orphaned by AIDS. These children will be found through this trip and others to come. Pray for wisdom for when, for whom and how we should join with the churches.

Please join me in praying every day for the trip. Particularly pray for wisdom as we meet pastors, joy with the kids we meet, and humility to learn and listen. Pray also for safety, as we will have many flights over the next 12 days. Please also pray for the role you may play in helping us reach 10,000 kids in 2011. Visit www.TENTOGETHER.org to learn more. Thanks for following our adventure, as we go for you.

New Year's Eve Memories and Prayers

Six days ago, my husband and I were driving to spend New Year's Eve with his parents. I had one more task to complete - my weekly phone call to our Zimbabwe Director, Fibion - before I could relax and enjoy the long weekend with my family. Marveling at the technology that allows me to sit in my car in Pennsylvania and talk to a dear colleague in Zimbabwe, I gave Fibion a call. It was a short conversation, as we both had evening plans. Amidst the business items we had to discuss, I learned that his evening plans involved a 4+ hour prayer service at his church. I was challenged by his and his congregation's faithfulness to prayer, and asked Fibion how I could pray for them. He shared with me the story of Sipho, which I want to share with you. Perhaps, like me, you'll be challenged to make prayer a more intentional part of your life in 2011. And perhaps, like me, you'll start by praying for Sipho. Here is his story:



As millions of people welcomed the New Year with fireworks, we can only imagine what memories were going through this little boy’s mind. Three years ago, Sipho lost four fingers on his right hand and sustained burns to the right side of his body in a fireworks accident. He was on a holiday visit to his step mother in South Africa when this painful experience occurred. His grandmother tells us that Sipho was seriously hurt as he tried to join the celebration with a firecracker. The experience left the boy psychologically shaken to this day.

Sipho lives with his grandmother in Zimbabwe. His father has been imprisoned in South Africa on charges of theft. Sipho is one of the beneficiaries of the partnership between the local Free Methodist Church and Forgotten Voices.

In school, Sipho struggles to write with his left hand. He’s just learned that he did not do well on his grade seven exams. He used to succeed academically, but is now has learning difficulties at school.

Pray that Sipho will experience continued physical and emotional healing, as well as psychological stability. Pray for those around him who are seeking appropriate educational tools for him. Pray for his grandmother and for his father who is still in prison. Pray that the church’s involvement will bring about the total healing that is needed.

Ellen Shaffer, Director of Project Management

Prayer & Praise: January 2011

Each month we receive prayer and praise updates from the churches with whom we partner across Zimbabwe and Zambia. Below are just a few of those updates. We hope you'll take some time to pray about these requests and praises, and remember the work of our church projects in Africa.

ZBA OVC Support Project – Zambia

Pray for the ten ZBA church planters and their families who are serving and promulgating the Word of Christ in some of the most remote areas.

Pray Mushili Baptist Church as their sanctuary is in need of repair. Ask that God would provide the resources, both physical and human, to refurbish the building.

Praise God that recent seminary graduates will be joining the ZBA workforce as church planters!

Fruit of the Vine (Vineyard World Outreach Church) – Zambia

Praise God that a number of leaders have experienced a direct call to love vulnerable children!

Pray that God would fill the leaders of this project with confidence and grace as they begin working with vulnerable children. Ask that the Lord would send His Spirit in power to equip these leaders to meet the needs of the many broken children in their community.

Free Methodist Church – Zimbabwe

Pray that God would attend to a young boy named Bright who was unable to complete his year-end ninth grade examinations due to sickness. Ask that God would completely and expeditiously restore Bright’s health as he recovers from malaria.

Ask that God would provide rain for the many farmers who have planted crops. Pray that God would provide a plentiful harvest to be shared among the community.

Praise God that many children successfully completed their year-end examinations with the love and support provided by FVI!

Thank you and prayers needed for Vuyani

Friends - thanks for investing in the hopes and dreams of children in 2010. On behalf of the 5,200+ kids we served in 2010, I'm so thankful for each and every one of you. Personally, I thank you for the opportunity to guide you and introduce you to the children, our partners in Africa, and our network of Board members, volunteers, staff, and supporters in the USA.

When we started Forgotten Voices, we didn't know how or when the needs of those we met would be addressed. We knew that God would work through local churches to meet the needs of children we could not deeply know to a level necessary to determine which needs, when, etc. Every child is known personally by their church. Every child has a story that breathes more hope Dec 31 because of your investment in them. We are so thankful you have helped respond. We don't know all of you or how you came to know us, but we are thankful that these children are not forgotten.

Not every story in 2010 ends with joy, however. I just got off the phone with Fibion, our Zimbabwe Director, who told me that a dear young friend of mine is not well at all. Her name is Vuyani, age 17. She is suffering greatly tonight from anemia. We've featured her picture before (she is in the pink), but never her story. After losing her mother, Vuyani and her twin sister were unable to continue going to school. Fibion's church helps send them to school and meet other needs, such as retreats, food, and counseling.  Vuyani's smile is contagious and she is one of my closest young friends in Zimbabwe. We humbly ask you pray for Vuyani. When I saw her in November, she was so frail she couldn't walk. She recovered for about 2 weeks after 9 months of bedrest. Her sister has been reading course material after school for almost a year because Vuyani had to stop attending because of her pain.  In the past few days, she has turned for the worst. Now, she can barely speak and is very, very sick. We pray for healing, but also for peace as she suffers. Right now, people are caring for her on your behalf. Thank you.

As we go off to celebrate, please remember to pray for Vuyani as we continue working to help your investments realize the needs of the healthy and the sick children orphaned by AIDS in southern Africa.

Finally, Fibion's church wanted me to thank you for your prayers & support. Just today, we sent funds that will help the church care for 230 kids, including Vuyani. The church is entering the new year by hosting a 5 hour prayer service that is underway right now. As we pray for them, Fibion also wants you to know that they will be praying for you.

You can continue to give online to support our work at Forgotten Voices' website. Thank you.

Peace and love this new year,
Ryan Keith
President - Forgotten Voices International

Merry Christmas from the almost forgotten

Last night at Katie's parents' Christmas Eve service, I watched with delight as my daughter quietly jumped up and down throughout the whole service...quite a feat for a six month old. On the inside, I could tell she was singing because her bouncing to the beat was so passionate. Only occasionally would a shriek of joy cry out. Being that it is our first Christmas, I'm soaking up every minute.

Her passionate joy taught me two things that I wanted to share with you this Christmas:
1) That as we celebrate our King, let us dance about with joy for the birth of Jesus. He's not just "the reason for the season", as the phrase goes.  He's the reason for our salvation. He's the reason for our Hope. He's the purpose of our lives. He's redemption from death. He's life for you and me, if we believe and follow Him.

2) As I watched her dance, I was again overwhelmed by how much I crave this joy and security for the kids our ministry serves.  I kept thinking about what would've happened if local churches weren't helping bring life after death of their parents. I couldn't stop thinking of the hundreds and thousands of people who live, in part, because of our ministry. This means that they are still alive, in part, because of your investment.

You can click on the captions below each picture to learn more about each child.

Eddie, a future pilot

Nelson, a future farmer.

Peterson, a future cameraman

Neatness, a future accountant or air hostess. Now, maybe a teacher.

Shelton, Concilia and Magret, back in their home for Christmas.

While I hope you take some time today to read back through the many reflections from our advent contributors, I wanted to also let you see some of the many faces who live and have the opportunity to teach us to live like Christ because you helped them stay alive. When Christ ascended into heaven, He left behind His church as Plan A. There is no Plan B. Through your investment in local churches, by God's grace, we are helping bring redemption and hope from death. I will, without exaggeration, be forever thankful for each of you.

On behalf of all the people we serve, our volunteers, our staff and Board, Merry Christmas from Forgotten Voices International.

With great joy and thanksgiving,
All the best,
Ryan Keith
President, Forgotten Voices International

Death to Life at Christmas: Part 2

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10)

Yesterday, I shared a short reflection on why Jesus came. He came at Christmas to die, so that we may have life and have it to the full. In coming to die, we are offered a life of laying ourselves down for Him, just as He taught us with his life.

This year, that's what I'm learning about Christmas. At Forgotten Voices, as I reflected yesterday, we deal with death a lot and it can be incredibly overwhelming for me to process. Then, I think about our partners in Africa and the sacrifices they make by doing this day after day. How does a man like Pastor Fibion wake up knowing he'll likely encounter death several times today? How does Pastor James rise to care for children in his own house, knowing that more will come?

Over and over, our friends and partners in Africa teach us a lesson they have learned from considering the birth of Jesus -- He came to die. They consider this often in their day to day lives, offering themselves up for others to bring redemption in death.

Under this tree, the visit of Forgotten Voices was birthed. In the death of this woman, we saw redemption in partnering with local churches to meet the needs of children left behind.

Prudence, age 3, died in Jan 2006.

On just my 2nd trip to Africa before Forgotten Voices was birthed, I remember sitting with sick this woman slumping into the arms of her mother (pictured above). Her name is Mrs. Mpofu. Two Zimbabwean pastors (one, named Garret, pictured to woman's right), my friend Dale (white guy there) and my friend Trevor (Board member - not pictured) visited this woman with me the day before she died in January 2005. She would leave 2 kids, Peterson (pictured below with Ryan) and Prudence (Pictured left), behind in her death. You can click their names to learn/see more.  I remember so distinctly sitting there crying out to God, "What do I know about this and what can I do?"

Working with pastors to decide what would happen to the kids.

Under the tree with Mrs. Mpofu and below around the circle, were pastors who did know what to do. They were offering themselves up before God so that Mrs. Mpofu's kids may have life and have it more fully. They committed their ministries to look after the kids and meet the physical & spiritual needs of the children orphaned by AIDS. They knew their names, histories, parents, situations, etc. They understood what was going on more than you and I could even imagine.

Through the death of so many people that we know at Forgotten Voices, our partners have continually shown us that God wants to redeem death through the example of Jesus' birth, death, and resurrection. In the midst of our pain, God wants us to just come as we are and offer ourselves to Him. I don't think I would've committed so fully to helping develop Forgotten Voices until I saw such an extreme case of death and result. By partnering with the church, we've seen thousands of kids restored to life after losing their parents. We've watched hope win, when death and darkness appeared more logical.

Ryan and Peterson, visiting Peterson's mom and sister's grave site in 2007.

As I continue to walk hand in hand with some of the kids who have experienced death, like Peterson (pictured left with me and below), we get to partner with the church and help redeem death. By investing in the lives of the children left behind by AIDS, we don't just help them. We - you and me - get to experience life-transforming hope in learning more about God's deep love for all of us.

Ryan and Peterson, learning to use a camera in 2006.

On behalf of all the kids we serve and have been served because you all join us in offering life after death, thank you! Thanks for joining the pastors sitting under trees and offering life to their hopes and dreams for the kids in their communities.

As we celebrate our King's arrival tomorrow, may you be encouraged by the work God has allowed you to join. May you find peace in coming, as you are, before Him in worship. May the darkness of our world be enveloped by the promises of our God to redeem of all of this. May you know, without a doubt, that this baby came for you and me. This Christmas, despite the pain we see around us, we have redemption and hope because Christ is born so that we may live fully.

Merry Christmas,
Ryan Keith
President, Forgotten Voices International

Death to Life at Christmas: Part 1

PART I. The story of Christmas is about Death to Life. Jesus came as a baby, born in a manger. The redeemer of the world. God - Literally here on earth. But He didn't just come to be cute and have us throw a party in His honor every year. He came as a gift - offered to all of us for us to accept. He offers Himself to take on the sins of the world so that we may have eternal life if we believe and follow Him. As a Father, God gave us His son, which we celebrate at Christmas, so that He would die for us, which we mourn and celebrate during Easter. He showed us His majesty and triumph over sin by RISING and offering us eternal life.

Can you imagine giving up a child to die for the betterment of others? As a father of a beautiful 6 month old girl, Avery Joy, I'm immensely thankful for this incredible gift that God has bestowed upon my wife, Katie, and I. Avery's giggles, new tricks, and even tears at 3am bring enormous joy to all who encounter her. When I think about Jesus being born for the purposes of dying for me, this strikes me in such a more powerful way now that I have a child. He came to redeem you and me and invite us into His Kingdom if we only believe.

The Christ-mas story of Jesus' birth and future death helps me see the redemptive value of death. Though our thoughts are of great anticipation for life at Christmas, I challenge you to also reflect on Christ's death this Christmas -- His death so that we may have life.

At Forgotten Voices International, we interact with death a lot. A LOT. I've now sat with hundreds of people in their final stages of life. I've met hundreds of parents, caregivers, and kids who are no longer alive. I've sat under trees, holding the hands of men and women...praying for them and asking God to grant them peace in their suffering. I've watched so many parents cling to life, fearing what will happen to their children after they pass away.

Because of Christ's example of sacrificing Himself so that others may have life, the Church has an example to follow. A promise of redemption in the darkness.

Tomorrow, in Part 2, I'd like to share pictures from a profoundly significant day in my life leading Forgotten Voices. Pictures I haven't seen in a couple years until preparing for this post. Pictures that are around me but I've been unable to look. But this year, by looking at Christmas as a story of Death to Life, I'm learning to love and trust in God in new ways. I want to show you what God is teaching me and how our partners in Africa are offering hope to all of us, in the midst of darkness. Jesus' birth showed them.

May God grant you peace and joy in the busy season that is Christmas in America. May you stop and reflect - with great anticipation - for the coming of our King.

Until tomorrow,

Ryan Keith

President, Forgotten Voices International

Breaking out of the bubble

It is almost a year since my first visit to Africa. While I had worked with Forgotten Voices International for some time and understood the devastating description of conditions there – life expectancy in the 40’s, over 1.5 million children orphaned by AIDS, and the large number of households headed by children, I was still not prepared for what I was about to see. When I returned to my comfortable life in the US, I was struck by the words of a friend of mine following a trip to Africa, observing that those of us in the US “live in a bubble, insulated from the harsh reality that is always present in places like Zimbabwe and Zambia”.

As a way to avoid slipping back into complacency, I have taken some of the photographs from my trip to Africa and placed them on a digital photo frame in my office. Every morning I turn it on to remind me that there are places in the world where there is little opportunity to rise above the forces of poverty, illness, and injustice. The faces that appear on my digital frame are real people with names that I can remember - James, Fibion, Neatness, Petersen, and many others. They are not an abstract problem to solve. They are people whose faces call out to me to see them as God’s children and to respond through the eyes of faith.

My experience in Africa has convinced me that the Church of Jesus Christ stands as a beacon of hope and the manifestation of God’s love in the most difficult of circumstances. I have also come to appreciate that the FVI model of working through local churches is the most effective way to meet the needs of orphans. As a relatively small organization FVI can be very nimble in response to the needs identified by the local church, and can help to create solutions that have true local ownership. Africa is like most places in the world where empowerment and dignity go hand in hand. Working through the local church also provides a framework with integrity that is sorely lacking elsewhere. In short, a higher percentage of the dollars spent by FVI is reaching the targeted needs of those in distress.

I urge all of you who live in the “bubble” we call the United States to join the work of Forgotten Voices International. If you are looking to make a difference in the world, you have come to the right place!

Stephen Proctor - Chair, Forgotten Voices International

Learning from Hope

Today's story is from one of my favorite people in Africa - my dear, young friend Hope. She is Remmy Hamapande's niece. Remmy is our Zambia Director, who some of you were able to meet in Oct/Nov 2010. One of my favorite things in all the world is to sit and learn from children. Hope's eternal joy and quiet smile always warms my heart. It is no exaggeration to say that she has helped me get through dark times. When I come to Zambia, I stay with Remmy's family, including Hope.

After spending a long day with children who have recently lost their parents or assessing a difficult situation, it is common for me to return home exhausted and out of steam. But, Hope - like God's gift of hope - always invigorates me with her request to play games outside or UNO. Her endless joy refreshes me and helps me refocus on God's hope for all who I've seen that day. She is always concerned to make sure I'm doing well and always enjoys a laugh. From Hope, I've learned to come home to my daughter ready to play, laugh, and love despite a tough day. For all the kids we serve, I long to create a family environment of laughter and hope - a lesson Hope has helped me learn again and again.

I'm thankful Hope offered to write this. Though she is shy, her heart is full of love for all of us. I hope that her reflection, offered with love, offers you hope.

Ryan Keith - President, Forgotten Voices

(Click to enlarge)

Hope Shanungu, 12 year old from Ndola, Zambia

Welcome to Starbucks, would you like to save a life or just coffee today?

"I’ll have a grande extra hot soy with extra foam, split shot with a half squirt of sugar-free vanilla and a half squirt of sugar-free cinnamon, a half packet of Splenda, oh and put that in a venti cup and fill up the "room" with extra whipped cream with caramel and chocolate sauce drizzled on top?"

As Americans, we want what WE want, when we want it and how we want it. It’s hard not to be surprised by the labels we receive like “selfish, egotistical, or narcissistic,” when we have so much and millions of others have so little. The saddest part about this is that as Americans, we have to make sure everyone else around us knows just how much we have, compared to others.

In contrast, Forgotten Voices International (FVI) sees the needs of those that are suffering and less fortunate and humbly works to care for them. FVI focuses its energy in Africa, specifically within Zambia and Zimbabwe, to come alongside the churches and selflessly fulfill God’s calling to help those, specifically orphans, affected by AIDS/HIV. These orphans struggle to have even just one meal a day, medications, education, or even a parent alive to show them love --- and our biggest difficulty in life is trying to decide what kind of milk we should get in our coffee?!

Psalm 119:36 says, “Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.” The New Living Translation of this verse offers clarity, “Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money!” The selfless nature of FVI, to go follow and serve the Lord demonstrates a sharp contrast to that of many people today.

Forgotten Voices does not simply swoop into Africa like Superman with a camera crew, a bunch of McDonald’s cheeseburgers and Nike sneakers to come save the day and receive instant gratification and personal gain. Instead, in Zambia and Zimbabwe, Forgotten Voices goes into communities and partners with the local churches to holistically empower and uplift the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the people. They do this by funding HIV/AIDS orphans’ schooling costs, hosting sewing classes for widowed women, equipping the jobless with the tools/skills needed to have their own farm for a financial/food source, and many other initiatives.

I support Forgotten Voices and work to help build and grow this organization because I see genuine needs of forgotten people in Africa who have nothing, while I have so much. I frivolously waste my money and time doing things that only serve myself. Did you know that it only costs $15 to send one child to primary school for an entire academic term (4 months)? Considering that a typical Starbucks coffee costs at least two or three dollars, it puts things in perspective. By fulfilling my own frivolous needs, I am, in essence, closing a door on the opportunity to change and perhaps save an orphan’s life.

This organization and the people that work with it are not trying to leave a personal legacy or receive praise and honor for what they do. Much of the work done through Forgotten Voices is “behind the scenes” and if you asked any of the assisted children what “Forgotten Voices” was, they probably wouldn’t even know what you were talking about. Instead, FVI is trying to demonstrate Christ’s GENUINE love and compassion through their service to those that have been forgotten or disregarded by society.

Working with Forgotten Voices is not meant to make me feel like a better person or to receive a nice pat on the back for “sacrificing so much of myself,” -- it’s about having no other option. We all cannot just sit back and go on with our lives as our brothers and sisters in Christ suffer and fall by the way side. We need to volunteer, donate (even if it is just giving up one cup of coffee for the week), pray, etc. because others’ lives depend on it.

Heather Murphy - Forgotten Voices Public Relations Intern and student at Messiah College

Crushed & re-made everyday on our journey to heaven

Note: On a recent phone call with Fibion, I asked how we could be praying for him and his ministry. He began to tell me about the week he’d just had, full of dramatic emotional highs and lows, one after another after another. I was struck by the emotional toll that such a week would take on a pastor like Fibion, but also struck by the fact that this was not particularly unusual for many pastors in Zimbabwe. I asked if he would write about his week for our blog. His account of the week, as well as his reflections on how to respond, are below.
- Ellen Shaffer, Director of Project Management


On November 29th, tired from the chores of activities in town and from traveling 15km away from Bulawayo, I arrived home only to receive the news that my nephew was detained by police for juvenile crimes. I had to put aside my plans to plant maize in my garden to go and hear his story. The following morning as I was working in my garden, I saw one of our church members with a somber face. His father had collapsed and they had taken him to the hospital. Late in the afternoon someone came and told me that the old man had died upon admission. We had to start visiting the family every evening to comfort them until the burial day on Saturday. After the funeral, I had to rush for a class with the candidates for baptism the next day. Sunday morning saw thirty three individuals being baptized and one being admitted into full membership. We also had a Christmas party which included 85 children. Amidst the joy, we also had to announce sad news - the death of the beloved father of some of our church members and also of one member admitted at the hospital. On Monday morning, as I was asleep, I received a call that one of the high school students supported by our partnership with Forgotten Voices, had died and the burial was to be on Tuesday. Another painful moment!

How does one deal with such a mixture of experiences and emotions; sadness and happiness, sorrows and joys? It would seem God is crushing, mixing and molding us into special vessels for his noble purposes. In His Christmas story, Jesus says that He came to do [God’s] Will, to be crushed so that we are saved and receive His joy [Hebrews 10:5-7]. Let us pray that God will enable us to be used and spent for others.

Fibion Ndhlovu - Zimbabwe Program Director