We, along with others here are in the process of forming Shalom Christian Care Ministries. SCCM exists to care for the needy in Zambia with a special emphasis on orphans and vulnerable children. Our co- founders include a Zambian Pediatrician and business people. Our first project under SCCM will be a pediatric clinic and mission center for street kids. The picture on the next page is of a piece of property we are considering.

We have been appointed to the advisory committee of the Lilato (love) home for Kids Alive in Zambia. Kids Alive is an international organization based in the USA and other countries. The Canadian Office in Ontario funds the Kids Alive homes in Zambia. The local (Mongu) home here has just opened and God has allowed us to play an instrumental role in getting it off the ground.

The local directors are Davern and Masoka Shilayi. They have been friends of ours for years and we are happy to assist them in their new ministry. In our next couple of newsletters we are going to tell you the stories of a few of these children who are a part of this home.

The girl on the right is Lisulo. She was born on December 24^th, 1996. That makes her 5 years old. But, she only weighs a little over 20 lbs. That is less than our son Joshua who is only two. This is caused by a severe lack of food. Her growth has been stunted because of malnutrition. According to the United Nations, 59% of Zambian children are severely malnourished or stunted. In spite of her small size, she is an alert and articulate child.

She has been dividing her time between our house and the Shilayi’s for her first few days with Kids Alive. Because of her ill health, we wanted to give her extra attention and food. She knows what she likes and doesn’t like and doesn’t mind telling you. After finishing three courses at one meal, she asked for some bread. So, Lori picked up a loaf to cut off a piece. When she saw Lori with the whole loaf, she said "No that is too much for me."

Lisulo’s father died and her mother could not find employment. The unemployment rate here is 80%. She went to live with her uncle but he also died. She had no other living relatives and felt she had no choice but to find a man to take care of her. The man she found was a drunkard who beat her and neglected Lisulo. We found them living in this shelter.

To get in they would lift up a metal scrap and crawl in through the top. They slept on the ground with Lisulo at their feet. When it rained, Lisulo would get soaked. The neighbors had pity on this little girl and informed us of the situation.

Lisulo now lives in a modern home with her 11 new brothers and sisters. She has her own bed with a mattress and blankets. She takes a hot bath and eats three square meals every day (more sometimes).

Yesterday, (February 19^th) Davern came over with a new situation. It seems that about three weeks ago, a young unmarried lady gave birth in the village to twins. Unfortunately, the girl died in childbirth. The father is unknown. The grandmother is a widow and is trying to take care of the girls.

The local evangelical church is trying to help the girls but they have lost a lot of weight. An elder from the church came to Kids Alive looking for some help for the girls. He said he didn’t think they could live long in that situation.

We went out to see what could be done. We found two small and painfully thin baby girls. Those two girls spent last night in Joshua’s bed. He slept on a mat in our room. They had their first meal of formula and slept peacefully.