Daniel Daniel He is our boy!

I started going to Africa in 2006 and through the years have met many incredible people from all over the world serving in Zambia.  Before Arise Africa built the complex in 2015, I lived with random families I knew when I was there. 

For years I stayed with the Showells.  They are an American Family and the father, Eric worked for World Vision.  They have three children and, well… I could tell MANY stories about the Showells and their shenanigans.  OH there are some good ones but that is for another blog post (or many).

One person who helped the Showells and myself so much during this time was their housekeeper, Susan.  Susan isn’t just a housekeeper, she is your ever loyal best friend too.  Susan ran the house and kept us all in line in a way that was so loving, you never even realized how much power she had over you! Susan was the matriarch for sure. 

Susan has three sons.  Two are older and do not currently live with her.  But Susan had her youngest “son” living with her on the compound with the Showells.  His name is Daniel.  Daniel is not technically Susan’s son.  Susan was a friend of Daniel’s mother and she died when Daniel was a baby.  At the funeral Susan discovered there was nobody to care for Daniel, and Susan simply opened her arms.  That is how Daniel came to be Susan’s. 

Daniel was the same age as the Showells youngest son, Oliver, who has downs syndrome.  And everyday when you would pull into the driveway at the house, there was Daniel and Oliver playing and getting into more trouble than you can imagine.

If you fast forward a few years, the Showell Family moved to South Africa and Eric took a job with World Bicycle Relief, (you should check them out!).  And Susan and Daniel now live at the Arise Africa complex!  I couldn’t do Zambia without them.

If anyone has gone on a mission trip with you you know Susan and Daniel well.  Susan loves on all of our staff and guests and cares for everything Complex related. 

And Daniel, well, he can’t be missed at the Complex.  He has more energy than any child I have ever seen.  He can eat more than any child I have ever seen.  He has the attention span of a gnat just like me.  He is absolutely crazy, wild, sweet, funny as heck, and is  a GREAT kid.

This is why we have decided to get Daniel supported to help with funds for his education.  Daniel has been going to a private school that a few of us have been paying for.  But we would like to get him in an even better school that will further his education to a level that we desire for him and all our kids.  This school would enable Daniel to get the attention he needs to learn to read well.  This would build him a foundation that he needs.  Unfortunately, this school is more expensive.

I pray that Daniel is a successful man that loves Jesus one day.  We define success by Daniel living a positive and happy life. Education, I know, is a large part of this. I tried to teach him his ABC’s at our kitchen table one day and wanted to pull my hair out.  I quickly realized we will all lose our minds trying to help Daniel but we can certainly still make sure he receives the best education possible by bringing in the professionals!

Daniel will never ever know or have memories of his real parents. He was an orphan and in a split second, one AMAZING and selfless woman stepped in and said she would care for him. Will you join us in helping Susan and Daniel?  Will you consider sponsoring Daniel at $50 a month so that we can send him to a school where he too will receive a great education even though he has no parents to provide for him? OR you could do a one time gift. Together we can do this!  All of your funds will go directly to his tuition fees.  You will receive a report on Daniel every three months along with photos.  You also will have the opportunity to write him letters if desired.