Even then, the challenges are enormous.  Leaving a familiar culture and taking off into the unknown is a terrifying experience. It can involve learning a new language, facing a new climate, adapting to a new culture, and often involves laying down one’s personal dreams of career or study in order to survive the many  years needed to obtain citizenship.

Changing Lives heard of a Burmese teenager who needed some urgent heart surgery. We were able to provide about 25% of the total cost which was needed for her treatment. We can report that she is making good progress, but is one of those waiting in a refugee camp along the border.

We would love it for our friends to visit while we are there, to lend us moral support and to provide a ‘buzz’ about the place.

Each week he was given a small amount of pocket money from his Changing Lives allowance, and we understand that he was clutching some of that small change when he died in April 2009.

We honour the work of the McKean rehabiliation centre who cared for him so lovingly during his time there.

which you need, and then carry it back uphill.  Even then, the water is of dubious quality.  Another alternative is to wash yourself and your clothes in Lake Tanganyika, and then take the same water home to drink. For many people these are the only two options.

A community is coming together in Fiziland, where the tractor is now working, but so much time and energy

is spent in collecting vital water.  A reliable source of clean water is urgently needed.

Changing Lives is working in partnership with King’s Church, Ilford, to provide a borehole in Fiziland, D R Congo. We already have £2000 towards the cost. We also have a volunteer to go and do the work! He has significant experience of digging boreholes in Africa and has, therefore, a good understanding of all the challenges which are involved.

Thank you so much to everyone who made this project possible! The team experienced some serious health issues along the way and we are grateful to God for bringing us through.

The truck was shipped from England in June and almost made it to Fiziland! It broke down about 60 miles from its destination but ‘our’ tractor went out to meet it and towed it home. What a spectacular sight this must have been on the appalling roads and if only we had a photograph!

Changing Lives

Changing Lives

Her life, full of loss
War-torn home, war-torn heart
What if this orphaned child was to find she’s not alone?
That there’s a Saviour who died, who lives
To show His love, to take her in
There’s a healer of hearts, a Father
She waits for a hope
Somewhere safe, someone’s love
What if she could find there’s a hope after all?
There’s a Saviour who died, who lives
To show his love, to take her in
There’s a healer of hearts, a Father
The love of the Father
A heart longing to heal
Compassion for the broken ones
Restoring dignity
Oh loving Father
Come share Your heart with me
That I may share Your heart with them
Your love changes lives,
Oh change their lives
Her life now full of peace
Happy home, someone’s love
This child, once so scared has now found that she’s not alone
Her life now full of hope
A chance to learn, a chance to grow
This child has now found there’s a hope after all
Change their lives, God change their lives
Jesus lives to change their lives
Change their lives, God change their lives
Help me live to change their lives
Change their lives, change their lives.

Sarah Drizen

They had with them some precious money donated by Changing Lives and designated for some sewing machines.  Living in the UK in a very multi-cultural part of London it was, therefore, quite a shock to be so very conspicuous as a ‘white woman’, and it very quickly became clear that white woman meant – money.  Shopping for the sewing machines was quite a challenging experience, and more so when we added them to our luggage ready to cross the border into DR Congo. Our airline generously allowed 45kg each, so we were already well packed with sewing accessories and a case full of sports equipment for the children.  Five treadle sewing machines and various rolls of cloth, together with vast amounts of luggage PLUS ‘white woman’ made us very obvious indeed. The journey into DR Congo cost a huge amount in terms of exploitation of the situation, but such is life in Africa. We were grateful to arrive at our destination with all the luggage still complete. Nothing was stolen along the way.

The tractor project proved itself to be an amazing walk of faith. Changing Lives somehow became the catalyst and within a very short time money started to arrive in almost every post.  We opened letters which brought tears to our eyes. One lady was dying, but she had heard of the tractor project and wanted to give a gift. She passed away just a couple of days after we received it.

One Saturday afternoon there was a knock on our door. A lady stood there holding her cheque book. ‘Hello’, she said. I could not work out who she was.  It was an ‘old’ school friend of our daughter’s. They had been in primary school together but I had not seen her for  years and had failed to recognise her.   She told me that she had been in church the previous week and heard God speak to her. She knew God told her to come and bring some money. She did not know what it was for, but she could not rest until she had been.  And even though she clearly had a nasty throat infection, there she was to honour what God had asked of her.

Amazingly, we reached the £11,000 target, but by then the price had gone up and the new estimate was £14,500. By now we were breathless at what God was doing. The manager of the business where we were buying the tractor advised us that prices were going up, but he would honour our order if it was paid in full by a certain date. We did not have the money. We asked if we could pay 50% and after some hesitation he eventually agreed.  But the balance also had a deadline. By now our faith was being stretched to the limit!

It was a wonderful moment when the money was paid in full, on time! Changing Lives always wants to give God the glory for everything, as there is no way that such a small team could achieve so much on their own.  We offered to Him what we could do, and we are in awe at the way He took our offering and multiplied it, touching so many other people along the way.  We say ‘Thank You’ so much to everyone who took part in the tractor project.

In addition to the tractor there was a new plough and harrow.  Shipping the precious container with the items was not without delay and stress, but it was a great day when we heard that it had finally arrived.

We can report that it is now working in Fiziland and making a huge difference.