Sorry about last week. My five-year-old laptop decided it was done, and it took me a few days to get it replaced. Back to work today!!
The cover photo this week shows the work continues. This came in today, along with a few others that are doing their maize allocation today. I love waking up on Sunday mornings to these pictures of our brothers and sisters receiving the life-giving maize. When we were in Zambia in August, 2024, we were able to be present at two different services where the maize was distributed. So amazing to be there in person and see the joy on these faces that will have food on their tables they otherwise would not.
We also continue to see pictures of fields that look spectacular! If they can avoid the termites and the flooding (I saw pictures this week of flooding in both Lusaka and Chipata), there is still lots of optimism for a terrific harvest. Reminding me, of course, that our goal is to lean into that harvest season and refill our community storehouses that will be depleted by then. We could use your help to do that. You know where to find me if you have questions.
Also, we have three clean water projects currently on hold because it is too muddy around Chipata for the drill rigs to get in and out safely. Hoping to have pictures and videos to post soon related to those projects.
Between Rog and I we have now gotten S2S registered on both the Thrivent Choice! and the Every.org donation platforms. Among other things, the Every.org platform allows us to receive donations in the form of STOCKS or even CRYPTO assets. If you are my age, that second item might sound a little wild, but I am led to believe the next generation has embraced CRYPTO as a viable investment option. It is my understanding that a donor can now go to Every.org and search for Shoulder 2 Shoulder and then follow the directions to donate either Stock or Crypto investments in a very simple manner. Would love for one of you to be intrigued enough about one of those donation methods and give it a try!!
Update on the exchange rate issues: still a problem. Don't know whether it is mostly caused by something our government is doing or something the Zambian government is doing. But it has greatly increased dollars it takes us monthly. Maybe it is temporary. Or maybe it is a new normal. Either way, thanks so much for helping.
