Covenant Ride for Acirfa

For two days in June, a group of five bicycle riders rode 150 miles on behalf of Acirfa. Their ride stretched from the Covenant Church Annual Meeting in Green Lake, Wisconsin to their homes in Rockford, Illinois.

During their two day ride, the group shared with many people about Acirfa's ministry and planted many seeds on our behalf. Between the churches and individuals involved, over $1300 was raised for Acirfa.

Gary Lindberg, the ride's coordinator, had this to say, "The only criticism I had was that the ride turned out to be mostly uphill and the wind was in our face for two days." However, as there are two sides to every story, he also stated "The blessing was we all got a good work-out and we had a nice breeze."

Thank you to Gary and to his fellow riders for their support. If you are interested in riding, walking, or running for Acirfa at a future event please contact Stuart at stu@abikes.org.

July Construction Update

It is crunch time for the members of the construction team. The bikes have arrived, so it is time to return to bike assembly and distribution. The entire team is moving quickly and efficiently to complete the Production Facility.

It has been so incredible to see our team take ownership of the project. They come early, stay late, and share about how they can use their new found skills to build their own homes and other homes in the community.

We have been pushing extremely hard to get the external walls of the Production Facility up in order to avoid storing the bikes in another facility. The walls have been completed. It is a surreal experience to watch the land transform and be utilized to bring development to the Kampampa community and all of southern Africa.

Please keep the construction team in your prayers as we focus on getting electricity out to the facility. Please pray for cooperation with the electrical company, ZESCO, and we anticipate seeing you at the Zambikes Land soon.

Zambikes Trailers

One of the most progressive developments for ACIRFA and Zambikes this month has been the success of this year's pilot project. Members of our team welded aluminum bicycle frames and fabricated bicycle trailers.

The response from members of the Zambikes team who see the new trailers and who test them in the field is entirely positive. A few responses have been, "with the trailer I will be able to make five times the income that I used to on my bike," and "now a hospital is always within reach." Others say "I can't believe we are making this in Kampampa."

This trailer is our first step in larger scale fabrication and provides new skills/employment opportunities. A long-term benefit of the trailer is that it takes the stress off of the bike, thus keeping the bike working longer while carrying a larger load of goods. The trailers even have the potential to support the development of a currently non-existent middle class in Zambia.
Zambikes hopes to scale this project to larger volumes next year.

A Tribute to Dennis - The Softening of Hands

This week we mourn the loss of a valuable member of the Zambikes community. Many of our supporters may remember the story of Dennis and Patrick, two disadvantaged entrepreneurs who, through receiving the work of Zambikes, were able to purchase a farm and establish their first company "PADS."

The two would often visit the Zambikes Land to see the progress of the new Production Facility. Oftentimes, they would drop off vegetables as gifts to founders, Dustin and Vaughn.

Just last month I sat down with Dennis as he retold his history with Zambikes. He described to me that he would one day assume the responsibility and leadership of PADS as his uncle became older and less able. His eyes shone proudly as he recanted the work he accomplished in the past year and as he described his plans for the future.

Two weeks ago Dennis contracted an infection through an open wound on his foot. Within a day, the infection spread to other areas of his body and led to extreme damage to his internal organs. By the next morning Dennis' family awoke to find that he had passed away during the night. Vaughn and the Zambikes team were notified of the tragedy and Vaughn was asked to assist in the necessary post-death procedures and customs. Vaughn transported Dennis back to his home in Southern Zambia, and joined his extended family there. Dennis left behind two children who will be raised without their father.

During my time with Dennis, he compared my soft, white American hands with his tough, calloused African palms. It was a vivid reminder of the challenging life that Dennis faced - one marked by hard work, determination, and a willingness to overcome any difficulty that stood in his way. I admired those hands and the hope they represented.

Vaughn described to me his observation of Dennis' lifeless body. He stated, "It was strange. His hands weren't calloused anymore. They were as soft as the day he was born." Dennis' hands are no different than any of ours. He was raised on a different continent with different challenges, yet nonetheless as a child of God.

We are continually thankful for the message of hope his life represented. His great testimony serves as inspiration for the multitudes of individuals who face the same daily struggles. Please pray for Dennis' family as they move forward without him and mourn the loss of his presence. May his hands rest in the hands of peace that ultimately hold each and every life, and may Dennis' legacy live on in the continued work of Acirfa.

CALLING ALL GOLFERS!!! SUPPORT ACIRFA AT THE BOB JOHNSON CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC

Saddleback Covenant Church in Mission Viejo, California holds a yearly golf tournament called the Bob Johnson Classic. Each year, the tournament donates the proceeds to charities. This year Acirfa, along with two other charities, has been chosen to receive a portion of the proceeds. The more golfers the tournament brings in, the more Acirfa will benefit...

The Bob Johnson Classic will be held at beautiful Tijeras Creek Golf Club, in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA on September 20, 2008..

Here's how you can benefit Acirfa at the Bob Johnson...

1) Play golf... sign up at www.saddlebackcovenant.golfreg.com

2) Become a Title Sponsor, Platinum Sponsor, or Tee Sponsor. Or advertise your company in the Program...

3) Not a Golfer??? --- Join us for dinner at the banquet or sponsor a foursome to play

4) Sell Golf Ball "Raffle Ticket" - At the end of the day, a helicopter will drop a large bucket of balls, closest ball to the pin wins a guaranteed $500. Tickets are $10 a piece, winner does not need to be present, and anyone can sell or win this! Also, the person who sells the most golf balls gets a $50 cash prize...

Visit www.saddlebackcovenant.golfreg.com/ to learn more or to sign up for any of these options...

E-mail Stuart at stu@abikes.org if you have any questions...

Steven Lenhart - friend, supporter, and MLS Player for Columbus Crew gives Acirfa Props...

Steven Lenhart, a close friend and avid supporter of Acirfa, was drafted a few months ago to play in the MLS for the Columbus Crew. His dream is to work with Acirfa in Zambia, but he has put that dream aside for the time being to pursue another passion and play professional soccer. The article linked below discusses the success he has already had in the MLS and his longing to work with Acirfa in the future. Please take a few moments to read it....

Lenhart's MLS career delays charity work