Click Here to view the PDF version of this newsletter.
It is wonderful to be back in Zambia to see, experience and join all God is doing through Every Orphan’s Hope ministries. Having Randy Schmor, NAB Gateway Teams, visit us for a few days to explore ministry opportunities was a great blessing to us. I can’t wait to see what God has in store!
Upon arriving in Zambia, I could hardly wait for my first trip to Chongwe (about one hour outside Lusaka), location for 8 My Father’s House (MFH) orphan homes. Why the anticipation? House #8 was completed just prior to my arrival and I was excited to meet and welcome Mama Martha and the children she feels called to raise as her own. On my first visit I met Joseph (age 12), Kelly (7) and Charity (7). I learned that Joseph had attended one of our Camp Hope events a few years back, and now calls MFH #8 “home”. If you can help by sponsoring one of these beautiful children ($27 per month), please contact me.
The official ribbon-cutting and dedication for MFH #8 is planned for Saturday, April 4th. Our goal of 10 new homes will allow us to serve more orphans in Zambia. The needs are great!
My other excitement about going to Chongwe was to see our Chicks-4-Orphans sustainability project back in operation after a storm destroyed the chicken run last year. Lucky Chipampe, EOH Farm Supervisor, shared enthusiastically, “I was the happiest man alive on the day the chicks arrived.” We continue seeking a long-term partner to buy our chickens, and will move soon to expand capacity to 9,000 birds by constructing a second chicken run. Please pray for wisdom and discipline to wait for the right partner and to proceed in God’s time.
What next?
In addition to construction of a second chicken run, in August we will host annual Camp Hope events for an estimated 600 orphan children from local communities. Pastor Humphray Simbeye, EOH Camp Hope Supervisor, is busy mobilizing local Zambian pastors and churches to partner with us in sharing the love and hope of Christ with children who may not otherwise hear the Gospel. A North American mission team is being organized to support Camp Hope activities, but for the first time both August camps will be led by our Zambian team. We are excited to serve and support our Zambian team in this way!
Camp Hope 2014
Plans are also underway to renovate existing MFH homes. Some of these homes are more than ten years old and as you might imagine are in need of renovations (structural repairs, plastering inside and out, painting, replacement of furniture, appliances, bedding, etc.) If you are interested in joining a future construction team, please do let me know. We want to create a suitable living environment for our mamas and children.
Opportunities to pray and thank God…
- Pray for our dedicated Zambian staff and Mamas who invest daily in the lives of our children. They deal with some of the same issues and challenges in raising children as you might experience with your own family. Pray that God will grant them wisdom, patience and a deep commitment to god as they love, support and shape many young lives.
- Continue to pray for the ministry of Every Orphan’s Hope. We believe God is asking us to reach more orphans in 2015/2016 by adding ten new homes.
- I am thankful and humbled by those who help make my ministry possible through prayer and financial commitments. Please continue to pray for expansion of my support base as I serve Every Orphan’s hope in Zambia.
Thank you for your love and prayers!
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” – Matthew 22:37-39