Saturday 31st January

Quiet your heart and mind. Breathe deeply and exhale slowly. Imagine going to a high place with Jesus. Let the excitement grow in you as you follow Him and wait for what He wants to show you.

“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts."

Psalm 96:8

Ponder: What experiences in your life have filled your heart with amazement at God’s greatness?

Scripture

And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
    and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
    and with your blood you purchased for God
    persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
    and they will reign on the earth."
Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.  In a loud voice they were saying:
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
    to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
    and honor and glory and praise!"
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
    be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!"

Revelation 5:9-13

First, imagine Jesus is focusing on you, looking you right in the eye, and holding out a gift for you. Hear Him pray this over you. Read the blessing again slowly. What do you notice?

From the Quarry to the Classroom

In the heart of Livingstone, Zambia, lies a community called Ngwena, where Open Schools operates a vibrant program. We met several children who had previously worked alongside their parents at the local quarry, crushing stones to earn a living before joining the program. 

One of our tutors, Gladys, leads a project with 60 children in and around her home. She stands as a testimony of hope, persevering through her own life challenges, to serve children who have never attended formal school.  

Chilileko, an 11-year-old girl, joined the program without understanding a single word of English. Over the past 3 years, she has excelled tremendously and now stands ready to transition into formal schooling.  

Living with her unemployed mother, Chilileko faithfully attends the Open Schools program every day. By the end of this year, she will be assessed for placement in a local formal primary school - likely entering at a grade beyond her age level, due to her remarkable progress.   

Through the Open Schools program, we have seen how the power of poverty can be broken, one child at a time. Even more beautifully, we have witnessed the love of Jesus Christ expressed through these children as they perform short plays, sing songs, and recite Scripture with joy and confidence. 

Angie Pape, Director OSWW, South Africa 

Tell God what you noticed about His working in this story. Tell God how this makes you feel about Him. Speak out 5 attributes of God that this story makes you think of. ‘God you are…’