Kunda’s Blog

We have missed our updates from our dear Kunda these past few weeks!  She is now back to work at Wiphan and is recovering well from her surgery.  Many thanks to those who prayed for her surgery and speedy recovery!  We recently sent out a newsletter with excerpts from the following letter from Kunda.  Our newsletter couldn’t contain all of the amazing things that God has done in the past twelve months so we’ve included Kunda’s entire “wrap up” for 2008.  You will be blown away by the blessings!   Merry Christmas from Wiphan!  We look forward to hearing from you in 2009.

Now, here’s the whole story from Kunda herself…

Sweet-beloveds  -  Great Wiphan-USA,

MILLION THANKS TO GOD ALMIGHTY.

Glory, honor, praise and thanks be to the Lord, our God, who works out wonders and miracles in our lives. Our God is such a wonderful and loving father. He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think or imagine, according to the power that works in us and to Him, be the glory in the church, at Wiphan, by Christ Jesus, to all generations, forever and ever amen – Gal 3:20.Ps 103:1-5 says ‘bless the Lord all my soul and all that is within me, bless His holy name.  Bless the Lord all my soul and forget not His benefits – He forgives us of sin and heals us of all diseases. He redeems our lives from destruction and crowns us with His loving kindness and tender mercies and this is exactly what the Lord has done for me – He has healed me and redeemed my life from destruction and I will forever sing Gal 3;20 and Ps 103;1-5 to the Lord.

MILLION THANKS TO THE GREAT-WIPHAN-USA, SAINTS.

Million thanks to you, our sweet-loving saints for your continuous, great financial and spiritual support rendered to me during my illness, surgery and even this time as I steadily recover.  The first day, I did a scan and was told I had multiple fibroids around the uterus and the only remedy was MYOMECTOMY (surgery), life looked bleak for me and I felt that was the end of me.  Later, after prayer, the Holy Spirit whispered to me and assured me ‘IT IS WELL WITH YOU, KUNDA AND BECAUSE YOUR REDEEMER LIVETH, YOU WILL FACE TOMORROW’.  Saints, such great assurance from the Lord, brought in me lots of confidence and I knew, it shall be well with me and indeed, I am here to declare that IT IS WELL WITH ME.  The surgery was very successful.

Glory and honor to the Lord, who heals us and my deep heart-felt gratitude goes to you loving and caring saints for your kind generosity which made it possible for me to receive the healing I desperately needed. Had it not been for your financial help, we could be talking about something else today.  The fibroids made me extremely uncomfortable each time I ate anything, I had a hard time breathing properly and had lots of discomfort in my stomach. I am now able to eat well and without experiencing any complications. A million thanks great saints, for making my life comfortable once again. Glory be to God, great things He has done and indeed, He is greatly to be praised. Through you, loving saints, God has redeemed my life from destruction. God richly bless you all for your kind generosity. AM VERY GRATEFUL.

WIPHAN – ZAMBIA’S GREAT EVENTS OF THE YEAR, 2008.

KUNDA’S SUCCESSFUL SURGERY.
I hope and trust everything and everyone around you is fine. I also hope the Lord is keeping you steady amidst the frightening economic situation that side. Anyway, it seems just a matter of time before we get hit out here too. But we trust God will continue to take care of all of us as Wiphan – Zambia and Wiphan – USA.

Recovering from the operation has been quite a task, especially the aspect of keeping away from work. It feels funny that I haven’t been able to do the things I normally do, especially presenting my weekly reports.So when it came to writing you the latest report, I decided I should report on the whole year starting with my health…..I am happy to inform you, sweet-beloveds, that the operation was a success. It left me on mandatory bed rest for many days though. The Wiphan family here made a big difference with their constant visitation while I stayed inside the hospital and afterwards. My sweet daughter Abigail was extremely helpful as she sat by my bed side immediately after I came from the theatre and constantly prayed for me. Which I believe was very sweet of her. My brother Chala (the television producer) and his wife were also on hand to help me through.

My mum and dad from Mansa, Northern Part of Zambia, also came over and spent a week with me. All in all, I have been surrounded with so much love and support that I am more assured now than ever that I belong to a family that truly cares. And most importantly am very grateful for the huge financial and spiritual support that the brethren of Wiphan–USA rendered.

I am now recovering steadily and am pretty confident that I willbe back to work soon.Right now, I have resumed light work… something like an hour or two every other day. I am due for medical review every two weeks. I can only see a full recovery sooner than later – glory be to God, great things He has done. And indeed, greatly He is to be praised.

REGISTRATION OF THE MINISTRY2008 has been such a wonderful and fruitful year for Wiphan- Zambia.

In January, Wiphan Zambia got registered with Zambians registrar of societies, which helped Wiphan-USA acquire a Tax Exemption Certificate- great achievement, congratulations Wiphan-USA. This brought us a lot of joy.

MARCH VISIT OF THE FOUR GREAT MEN
It was such a great blessing to have the four great men; Kevin, Scott,
Richard and Harris visiting us in March. Their visit brought great change at Wiphan – Zambia.
When these four great men returned to the USA, they worked tirelessly, raised funds that helped Wiphan–Zambia complete the first four classroom block.  Kunda and Labstone greatly appreciated the wonderful times of delightful insights given to them concerning how to run and manage Wiphan – Zambia. The great wisdom and knowledge given, brought growth in Labstone and Kunda, something that shall be treasured for life. March visit brought about lots of other great achievements Wiphan-Zambia is celebrating and thanking God for, today.

WIPHAN-ZAMBIA OFFICES.
During the March visit, a lot of Wiphan-Zambia’s needs were presented and the need For Wiphan-Zambia to have offices was not an exception. It never took long before Wiphan-Zambia found offices. Thanks a lot Wiphan-USA for helping Wiphan-Zambia acquire offices which have been very handy and
have made our job easy. Before, we kept ‘trotting’ from one inter-net café to another for the sake of communicating with Wiphan-USA, but now that is the thing of the past. Inter-net has been installed right in our offices and we are able to communicate any time – we are very grateful and extremely excited about the offices. Saints, you made it happen – God richly bless you.

COMPLETION OF MAPALO SCHOOL
Wiphan-Zambia greatly thanks God for the completion of the first four-classroom block and this came about after the March visit of our beloved brothers. Guys, we will never thank you enough, you have done so much for us. This is really kind of you.

NEW ACCOUNTANT
Thank you so much, Wiphan-USA for employing a new accountant for Wiphan-Zambia. Labstone, Operations Director, handled finances and did financial reports single-handedly for years.  All of us are very happy and especially Labstone, that we have a new accountant who has been of great help to Labstone as regards to handling of Wiphan-Zambia finances. William is a very vibrant young man, who loves the lord. He just got married. He is doing his job very well. March visit of the four great men, facilitated such a wonderful thing. We thank God for William.

JULY-VISIT OF THE 12 GREAT SAINTS
Wiphan-Zambia, was highly privileged to have received 12, wonderful brothers and sisters, in July, 2008. It was not only an honor but a very good time of fellowship with the new friends, sharing ( eating nshima together!) and learning from each other. It was such a powerful team that comprised of a successful Doctor, nurse, teacher, lawyer, accountant, computer analyst and students – Wiphan-Zambia was extremely blessed and encouraged. This visit, did not just enable us to have new friends but it made a lot of Wiphan-Zambia’s dreams come true and indeed a reality.This visit also brought a lot of development to Wiphan and the Zambian community and these included the following:-

INTRODUCTION OF WIPHAN CLINIC/GIFT OF A NURSE
The introduction of the Wiphan Clinic, spearheaded by Kerrie, Dr Jacobs, some Zambian Medical Personnel and the rest of the Wiphan-USA team, has brought answers to the many challenges faced by the average and underprivileged Zambians. Lacks of drugs in hospitals, not enough medical personnel, and lack of money to pay for medical care, bring about a lot of premature deaths amongst the underprivileged.

One orphan commented “if this clinic came about a few years ago, my father and mother wouldn’t have died”.  Very moving and touching statement.    The Clinic has been highly appreciated by Wiphan Management, Teachers,general workers and the Widows and Orphans that Wiphan-Zambia ministers to. Many many thanks to the entire team that worked tirelessly, giving out medicines to both Wiphan workers and students. This was very kind of them.

It was after this, that the Clinic got established and it has continued to run with the help of Sr. Mary who is a gift to Wiphan. Thank you so much Wiphan-USA for employing Mary. She’s been a very good nurse to Wiphan Community.

INTRODUCTION OF THE SPORTS CAMP/GIFT OF JERSEYS
The Sports Camp spearheaded by Janet was an experience to treasure. Wiphan-Zambia Teachers and Students appreciated the interactive sports of soccer, netball and other new games that Janet taught. These games are still played as everyone here is excited about them.

JERSEYS-WONDERFUL GIFT
It’s a rare privilege for a community school team to have jerseys and so we thank you so much for blessing Wiphan-Zambia with such wonderful jerseys which are admired by all community schools in Mapalo. Both the soccer and netball teams perform excellently wherever they go and we
believe they are motivated by the Jerseys. Thanks once again.

INTRODUCTION OF THE FEEDING PROGRAMME
The July visit also ‘gave birth’ to the Feeding program, which has been welcomed, highly appreciated by both Wiphan-management, widows and orphans. There are high levels of hunger and poverty in the homes of these widows and orphans. Therefore, the worry and stress of finding food have since been put to rest – saints, this is really kind of you.  God richly bless you for contributing to such a noble cause. Since September, the programme has continued steadily until now. What is even more fulfilling is that even when I lay sick, the programme continued. I can only thank you, all, most sincerely for your part in the program – God richly bless you all.

PURCHASE OF SINIA CENTER AND ITS RENOVATIONS
On behalf of Wiphan-Zambia, I would like to express our heartfelt appreciation for the purchase of Sinia center and its renovations which are now at roof level.God richly bless everyone who contributed to such a noble cause.  Having our own place of operation in Sinia has been a great achievement for the Ministry and will make our in Sinia work much more smooth and easier. No more renting. Thank you so much.

CURRICULUM BOOKS FOR THE TEACHERS
Previously, Teachers struggled in preparing adequately for the lessons due to the lack of official ‘Teachers Handbooks’. But thanks to you for buying the Curriculum Books, the teachers have greatly appreciated them as they have made their work easier and pleasurable and it seems like this has also reflected on to the Students-enjoyment of School-and increased high performance. A million Thanks.

WIPHAN-ZAMBIA’S FIRST GRADE SEVENS
But perhaps the greatest joy comes from our Community School and the skills development ministries.13 kids from the community school entered our final Zambian Primary School Examinations for seventh grade. With the evergreen help of Labstone, they were registered for the examination at Kanini Basic School, which is where Labstone was a teacher before he joined Wiphan full time. Saints, we, Wiphan-Zambia, are moved with hope that one or more of these 13 kids would actually make it to some form of great worth out of our community school. Your sacrifices are a great seed here. I will update you on their performance in the exam once the results are released sometime in January.

One song writer says, ‘Thank you for giving to the Lord, I am the Life that was    Changed….I am so glad you gave’. Wiphan-Zambia is extremely grateful foryour evergreen generosity which has helped the Widows and orphans of our community in so many ways.From the skills programme, which is basically skills development in knitting, sewing and cookery, I am elated to report that four out of our last graduates have been employed, two at a leading garments manufacturer Bona-Colwyn and two by an individual who runs a knitting outfit.

It’s very fulfilling, noticing that the skills, the four ladies have acquired, have become a platform for a more viable living. What more could one ask for?Further in this area, 10 graduates have been empowered with loans. Indications so far are that the loans are being applied appropriately so much that we expect the 10 ladies to start servicing the loans at the end of this month, December. This is also one of Wiphan’s dreams becoming a reality. There is lots of appreciation and excitement in the ‘camp’ of the Graduates.

This has brought motivation, enthusiasm and an inspiration amongst the current students, as they learn and look forward to their graduation and opportunity to get loans and make a living. Wiphan-USA you have made it happen. Thank You so much.I must also report that the 100 widows currently under training are showing tremendous excitement at the prospect of settling down and making a living using the new skills they will acquire, upon completion of the programme.g)

TABLES AND CHAIRS FOR THE TEACHERS
Saints, you should have seen the excitement and great joy on the faces of theTeachers when they saw the coming in of their tables and chairs. All of them have expressed relief and gratitude. Standing for long hours is now a thing ofthe past. ‘Twatotela Mukwai mukwai’ Bemba phrase meaning, ‘Thank you so very much’ God richly bless you all.

PURCHASE OF VAN
Million, million thanks, loving saints for the van that has been purchased for Wiphan-Zambia.  This is really kind of you sweet-beloveds.  The van has made our everyday transportation extremely easy and cheap. Saints, you have done just sooooooo muuuuuuch that it is hard to find proper words that can help us express our DEEPEST HEARTFELT APPRECIATION for all that you have done for us, at Wiphan. The Bible says ‘ he who gives to the poor, lends to God.  Saints, you have lent to God and guess what? you are in for such great abundance – financial and material abundance
that shall be enjoyed not only by you, but also generations, yet to come. saints, we love and appreciate you so dearly.  God richly bless you all.All in all, 2008 seems to me like a year that we will remember with fond memories because of the breakthroughs we have experienced as a ministry and the measurable progress that has been achieved in the lives of the people we have sought to uplift.All, in all, we give glory and honour to the Lord who has enabled us to have a very fruitul year and 0n behalf of Wiphan, we can boldly say GOD HAS BEEN SO GOOD, GRACIOUS, FAITHFUL TO US.  The Bible says ‘ every good and perferct gift comes from the Lord and WIPHAN-USA, YOU ARE JUST THAT PERFECT, PRECIOUS AND WONDERFUL GIFT, GOD HAS GIVEN US. WE ARE VERY PROUD OF YOU. Bye for now and stay blessed.

TONNES AND TONNES OF LOVE,

Kunda for Wiphan.