Zambian Farmers Receive Well for Irrigation Partners Worldwide Partnership Facilitator Gayle Zonnefeld reflects on his recent trip to Zambia and shares how God answers prayer in unexpected ways. One of the partnerships that Partners Worldwide is involved with in Zambia is All Kids Can Learn Inc, Villages of Hope (AKCLI). AKCLI is a unique program that cares for orphaned children and partners with Partners Worldwide to work with older orphaned children who are now heads of families. These young adults need to be trained and equipped with business skills that will all them to care for their siblings, creating economic development in the community.   One of the business ventures is in conservation farming, a project requiring sufficient water, which can be a challenge in a country like Zambia. One of the businesspeople is experienced in well-drilling and another in basic irrigation.  While we evaluated the current system and explored options for better use of the current water supply, it became apparent that additional water really was essential if this program were to expand, and that meant the expense of drilling another well, so God provided in a unique way.   While we were in Lusaka, Zambia to purchase supplies to repair equipment, we stopped at a small restaurant for lunch.   A man walked into the restaurant and on his shirt it said “OxBow Well Drilling.”  One of our tasks was to try and learn more about the subsoils, strata, etc. and the difficulties of well-drilling in this region.  We decided to introduce ourselves and see if this individual could answer any of our questions and provide information as we evaluated options for obtaining water.   To make a long story short, we explained what we were doing, how we were working with Villages of Hope to care for orphans, and our need to expand in order to make an impact. The man said, "You know, that is a good cause, and I have felt our company should get involved some how.”  He said there was a drilling rig coming by AKCLI in a few days and he would have the crew stop for a couple days and drill us a well!  And he was true to his word. The well has been drilled, the pump installed, and all at a minimal cost to us.  The well works great and moves 60 gallons a minute! Our God is amazing. There is no other explanation than that God saw our need and our willingness to be involved, and provided in a wonderful, creative way.  To me that is one of the most exciting blessings of doing this work: seeing God provide, as long as we are willing to get our hands dirty, literally.   Partners Worldwide Homepage