Over the past 6 months we have been collecting and packing medical equipment and school supplies for the government Mnaza Mmoja Hospital and the Living Stone Academy in Zanzibar. What an awesome sight it was as Charlie Parker Crane Service loaded the container on a truck headed to the coast then onto the Island of Zanzibar in East Africa.
The previous week Charlie's pastor had preached about using our gifts, abilities and our jobs for God. He told Charlie he did not know how God could use a crane. The next day Ron called saying CHaRA needed a crane to lift a container filled with humanitarian supplies going to the Island of Zanzibar. God needed a crane! Charlie gave his services to CHaRA. Thank you Charlie! Mnazi Mmoja Hospital is the largest hospital on the Island of Zanzibar. After a short tour of this hospital one knows the need is great. Evangel Worship Center in Concord gave us space in their warehouse and at their dock to fill this container. Over the past 6 months God has put people into our path that provided medical equipment and supplies. During our fund raising project with Heart Gifts we met Chuck Glen who gave us a dental chair, X ray machine, ENT chair and other great items. Evangel donated beds, surgery chair, and many other supplies. CMC Northeast Hopital in North Carolina gave waiting room chairs, linens, gifts, surgical instruments and other items. Dr. Christopherson donated files, fibulator, scopes and other items. John and Mary Beth Flippen donated commercial washing machines. While shopping one day for the clinic the Hills paid for all the items in Ron's cart. The stories of how these people and others helped us are amazing. Now the container is at sea on a vessel named “Zoë Glory”. In Greek Zoë means “life”. We are taking life to Zanzibar.
Living Stone Academy is now complete and started classes in January with 23 students. This school is built on the historic property given to the men who carried David Livingstone’s body across Africa after his death. David Livingstone was a medical missionary and explorer who helped to abolish slavery in Africa. Last year through the generous support of friends and The Refuge in Concord, North Carolina this school was built. It is a place of love, peace, joy, safety and learning for children.