Greetings from Zambia, Africa!! This is my first time in Africa and I can tell you it is astounding. My team (Jericho) and I are in Lusaka, Zambia at a backpacking hostel. We are tenting out with bunnies, enjoying Nshima and making a lot of new friends. This month, our team is doing something called Unsung Heroes. Our task is to find Kingdom-focused and unrecognized ministries around Zambia and help them in any way possible. We get to know them and establish a relationship. Then, we send in their contact information to Adventures in Missions in attempt to partner with the wonderful ministries we come across. It really is a beautiful thing. This month we are completely relying on the Lord to lead us. It is challenging and stretching but it is going to be a growing month for each and every one of us in a different way.
This week we have already met some amazing people at our hostel. We have learned how to successfully eat Nshima and conversed about the history of Zambia and other parts of Africa. We were invited to a fundraising brunch on Saturday and got to meet with the locals to eat, sing, worship and dance. It was a blast! These people know how to get down, let me tell you. The women were all singing and “ayiyiyiyiyi-ing” while dancing to the music. We got to sing “Lean on me” karaoke style and just converse with others who love Jesus. Heck yes, I can get used to this.
God At Work For Kids
So let’s talk about my first meeting with Nathan! Last Thursday we got a chance to meet with Pastor Banda, of God at Work for Kids (GAWFK). He was so excited to talk with us and find out about our organization and what we are doing this year. He told us a little bit of his testimony and how God called him off of the streets and out of drugs. He has a love for kids and passion for the orphans and street children of Zambia. He opened God at Work for Kids in 2005 and currently has 57 children living in his orphanage from the ages of 1 to 18. He teaches them about Jesus and that is the foundation in which the organization is run off of. Pastor Banda said someone graciously donated land to GAWFK but he does not have the funding to build a bigger home. His dream is to open up a larger building so he can take in more kids, as there are many orphans on the street in Lusaka. He is also a chef and wants to teach the kids how to cook, as well as invite others from the community to come and cook or bake. Then, his plan is to sell the products in order to self-sustain the organization. He is a dreamer and has grand visions for the children here; but most importantly, he goes after it. He knows that God is going to provide. He is one of the only small non-profits that is hanging in there, without large networks of support or funding to help. Currently, he is at a stand still and does not have the money to expand or even get supplies for the culinary school he has envisioned. When we meet with him again on Tuesday we are going to suggest setting up a PayPal account so people can donate directly to him. It is an amazing ministry and is providing love, education and Jesus to the street kids of Lusaka. I can’t wait to visit the orphanage and see what God is doing at GAWFK!
Unsung Heroes month is unlike any other. I am already falling in love with the country and people. This is a culture that doesn’t worry about time. It is welcoming and warm. They are quick to offer help. It is not uncommon to sit and converse with a someone for 3-4 hours at a time. There is something catchy about it all…. Yes, I think I’ll stay here longer and find out more about this hospitable and loving culture.
….More to come about GAWFK and my time in Zambia!
