If Happy Is...

December 28, 2010—January 9, 2011

If happy is the smile of a child…
if happy is a new friend…
if happy is planting fruit trees…
if happy is swinging high in the sky…
if happy is the beauty of a waterfall…
if happy is sharing a moment with your buddy…
if happy is the exuberance of children…
if happy is a new pink stocking cap…
if happy is a hug…
if happy is your first Bible…
happy is learning about Jesus…
then happy is the joy of experiencing the goodness of God.

During late December and early January, Cornerstone sent a new team to Hope Children’s Center (HCC). Our team of Eric, Jon, Micah, Gabe, Heidi, Jewels, Kay (shown at Victoria Circle in London) and me helped with food distribution to orphans, Bible study for the children, and agricultural development.
Shortly after we arrived in Lusaka, we went about the task of buying seedling fruit trees to plant at HCC so that someday the children will have nutritious fruit as part of their diet.
HCC has a large building with a dining hall, kitchen, classrooms, and office. In this building is where our team led the Bible studies.
Our team stayed in the guesthouse and ate our evening meals together. A well and water tower on the property provide a reliable source of water for the Center.

The Cornerstone junior high youth group—180—purchased Bibles for the orphans. We made book covers from construction paper to protect the Bibles.
On Sunday, we went to worship service at the church in Kamena. Our guys piled into the back of the truck for the 24-mile drive out into the bush.
After worship service, we helped the HCC staff distribute 110-pound sacks of maize, Bibles, and new shoes or flip-flops to the 130 orphans. The caregivers and children were excited with the Lord’s blessings.


Maize and bibles also were distributed to 23 orphans at Teta church.
As we were taking photographs, some of the women of the church asked that their picture also be taken. They were all dressed in their Sunday finest.
Carrying a 110-pound bag of maize requires ingenuity. A bicycle is a common method of carrying a heavy load.
Nearly 60 orphans, or children-at-risk, come to HCC, usually after morning school, for a noon-time meal and Bible study. Like all children, they are full of energy.
HCC has about 11 acres in agricultural production—both in row crops and a large garden. White maize is grown in two large fields at the Center. Joshua, the head gardener, is seen here inspecting one of the maize fields.
One of our major objectives was to plant an orchard. Some of the native trees were chopped out and the field was smoothed with hoes.

The children helped carry the young trees out to the orchard.
In three days, the team had planted 128 avocado, banana, guava, lemon, mango, papaya, and tangerine trees.

It rained nearly every day, which was great for the crops and the newly planted fruit trees. Then the rains would stop and the sky would be a beautiful blue.

In conclusion, the team had a great experience loving the children and serving our Lord in Zambia. A new orchard was planted with seven varieties of fruit, new Bibles were given to orphans that had none, and we were able to experience the joy of helping those in need with the distribution of food. The apostle Paul wrote, “Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ.” So here are a few more photos of joy (if happy is…).

Marlin Rice (for the team), January 23, 2011