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