Zambia Mission Fund

04/24/2020

Give a Mothers Day gift that can save lives. This Mothers Day you can honor someone on Mothers Day AND provide a life-saving gift to mothers and babies in Zambia. A donation of $10 will purchase two Clean Delivery Kits (CDKs) that will help expectant mothers in Zambia who may not have access to a clinic or hospital for labor and delivery.

Many women in Zambia give birth without a trained attendant. These deliveries often take place at home. Infections are common and cause many maternal and infant deaths each year. Clean Delivery Kits are a simple and effective way to save the lives of mothers and babies by reducing infection. Each kit comes with simple easy-to-use items that may not be available in remote rural areas. The kits are given to women who come to Namwianga Mission’s health care facilities for prenatal visits.

When you give to purchase Clean Delivery Kits, we will send an acknowledgment to the person(s) you choose to honor. Your Mothers Day gift can demonstrate your care for a mother in the U.S. and also provide care for women in Zambia. Give online today at www.zambiamission.org/mom or mail a check to Zambia Mission Fund, Box 3393, Abilene, TX 79604. You can also text GIVE to 325-313-3160 and select MOM.

04/17/2020

So far Zambia has had only 52 recorded cases of COVID-19 and two deaths. No one associated with Namwianga or in Kalomo District has contracted the disease, and we hope and pray no one will. But Namwianga leaders are proactive in preparing for COVID-19 and are making sure that staff and community members are informed and aware. Mission staff, Namwianga residents, and all those who come to the hospital are taught about hand washing, social distancing, and other ways to avoid virus transmission. Dr. Stephen Chanda is shown here training hospital staff on COVID-19 procedures.

04/11/2020

A report from Food Relief Coordinator Wilson Siazilo (editor's notes in parentheses):
The rainy season is coming to an end, leaving behind huge blessings of food to most people. I receive calls and some thank you letters from different congregations directed to our brothers and sisters in the U.S. who have generously shared what God has given to them. WE THANK GOD!

However, not all received equal blessing of rainfall. The southern part of our district has not received enough. Ba Halale recently took mealie meal to Katapazi, Simusunge and Siakasipa. The report she gave was that the area did not receive adequate rainfall to grow even sorghum. The little food they collected is coming from small gardens which they watered by hand. We have visited other places as well that will need relief food even this year. The people in the Zambezi Valley have no source of income because they sold out their livestock during the famine. They will need our help to survive. (The photo shows an empty grain bin in one of the hard-hit areas that did not receive rainfall. Families count on a full grain bin to get them through until the next harvest.)

We are pleased to see that the distribution of sorghum seed has helped many. We have visited farmers who show us that the sorghum was the only crop that would resist drought. (In the photo below, the farmer shows his thriving sorghum crop on the left and a maize field on the right that did not do well.)

04/07/2020

As part of Zambia Mission Fund’s food relief efforts, a community garden was launched at Zyangale Church of Christ in Zyangale village. Sixty raised beds are now ready to provide fresh vegetables to the entire community. Namwianga Mission Farm Manager Thomas Simubali led the Survival Garden Workshop at the village, training and supervising representatives from 55 households. The participants learned how to construct raised beds, how to use manure “tea” as a top dressing organic fertilizer, and the importance of crop rotation to maximize soil fertility and reduce pests and disease.

The process involved “learning by doing,” so everyone pitched in to prepare the garden. A bucket drip irrigation system is now installed so that even in times of limited rainfall the garden can thrive on water provided by a nearby borehole (well).

04/03/2020

Six-year-old Jacob Morris wanted to help the people of Zambia who are hungry. He donated a bag of money he had saved so that it could be used in the food relief efforts. “This was money I didn’t need,” said Jacob, “and I wanted to help Zambia and help save lives.”

Jacob lives in Abilene, Texas. His parents, Drs. Jason and Heidi Morris, have been supporting the work in Zambia for many years, and Jason served on the 2005 Zambia Medical Mission team. Both Jason and Heidi are professors at Abilene Christian University.

Thank you, Jacob, for helping the people of Zambia.

04/01/2020

April 4 Update on Marge Kagels: Marge was dismissed from the hospital and was able to go home rather than to a rehab hospital. Her family reports that she has a great attitude and is doing well. Thank you for your prayers, and please continue praying that she will make a full and quick recovery.

Update on Marge Kagels: Family members report that Marge is walking with the help of a walker and is able to answer questions. She probably will be transferred to the rehab hospital at the end of the week. Thanks for continuing to pray for her!

Marjorie (Marge) Kagels recently suffered a stroke. Marge is a veteran of many Zambia Medical Mission teams and a member of the Zambia Mission Fund board. She is in a Tennessee medical hospital awaiting transfer to a rehab hospital. Her family reports that she is able to move her right arm and leg but is having difficulties with speech. They are encouraged but concerned and would appreciate all our prayers on Marge’s behalf.

03/30/2020

Kadonci Kaziya serves as Principal of George Benson Christian College (GBCC)—a position that is the equivalent of college president in the USA. Known for his evangelistic passion and quick wit, Kaziya handles administrative duties in addition to his role as a lecturer in history, educational psychology, and civics education.

Kaziya’s road to GBCC was unplanned. After graduating from high school in nearby Choma, Kaziya bicycled to Namwianga to get a reference so he could attend South Africa Bible College in Johannesburg. Once at Namwianga, however, he discovered that interviews for GBCC were being held the following day. He borrowed the interview fee, sat for the interviews, and was admitted. Administrators at the Mission helped him get a sponsorship as well.

His college years at GBCC were busy and productive. Besides attending classes, Kaziya rode his bike to nearby communities and taught Bible studies on Tuesday afternoons. On the weekends he preached in the villages and helped to plant new congregations in Katungu, Boma, Simakkakata, and other places.

After college, Kaziya taught math and science at Namwianga Christian Secondary School. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from the University of Zambia (UNZA) and began teaching at GBCC. He has since earned his master’s degree, also from UNZA. He served as Vice-Principal of GBCC from 2013 until he assumed the Principal’s role in December, 2019.

Students love his animated teaching style, and laughter rings across the campus during his lectures as students enjoy his humor. He also continues his evangelistic outreach in the community and inspires his students to follow his example. He sums up his experiences: “I am thankful to God Almighty for this great opportunity to serve His people and show them His purpose.”

03/23/2020

It’s always an exciting day at Namwianga when a shipping container arrives. But THIS container brought special excitement. MANA, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending malnutrition, sent an entire shipment of nutritional supplements to help in Namwianga’s food relief efforts. Workers unloaded 900 cases of Ready-to-Use Supplementary Food (RUSF), a product designed to help children ages 6 months to 5 years who are malnourished.

Distribution of the 135,000 packets/meals will begin soon under the direction of Namwianga’s Food Relief Coordinator Wilson Siazilo. “We are so thankful the MANA container arrived,” said Ellie Hamby, Zambia Mission Fund board member. “It came at a good time because there are areas all around Namwianga that did not receive enough rain this season. There is going to be hunger for many more months."

MANA learned about the need in Zambia through student and faculty fundraising efforts at Harding University. MANA offered to give supplements equal to twice the dollar amount of donations given, and they then provided free shipping.

Read more about MANA Nutritive Aid Products at their website: https://mananutrition.org/
#ManaNutritiveAidProducts

03/16/2020

Students from Midland Christian School in Midland, Texas, ministered to children at Butale Christian Community School last week. The MCS students stayed at Namwianga and traveled out to Butale daily to tutor small groups of kids, teach Wednesday night Bible classes, and make lots of new friends. MCS teachers Wil and Jenny Pippin led the group.

03/16/2020

Jesus and the Journey

On Wednesdays behind the Hamby house here at Namwianga we wash each others' feet. During foot washing last Wednesday I asked, "Are your feet beautiful today?"

One answered, "Yes my feet are beautiful. I told my children a story about Jesus."

I responded, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring Good News."

So another one told me that he greeted people in Jesus' Name and said, "God bless you." "Leza amuleleke."

"Yes you have beautiful feet."

One of the last ones, a big oxen ploughing man from Mutale, said, "Yes my feet are beautiful." "I sang a song on my journey here on my bicycle."

"What was the song?" I asked. "Jesus and the Journey." "Oh," I responded as the other workers were softly chuckling.

So then I got the laughter. The song was a made up title by the big man for the moment. We all laughed and the story was repeated as the late ones came in for footwashing. Finally the story was so funny that the big man shoulders were heaving and tears were in his eyes he was laughing so hard.

I thought about the big man's journey home on his bicycle that afternoon. What would his words be?

Jesus is the Way. Jesus makes my feet beautiful. I want everyone to have beautiful feet. Jesus is my journey.

Would he greet people in Jesus' name? Would he carry an old woman's heavy load on his bicycle back to her village and tell her Jesus loves her?

As we travel along we talk about Jesus when we are eating and drinking and resting and working. He is the topic of conversation. And as we travel in Jesus' Name He gives us beautiful feet for the journey.

Jesus is the Journey.

Blessings from the little house in the very green bush. Cynthia Robinson

03/06/2020

Every weekend teams of Namwianga Christian Secondary School pupils and George Benson Christian College students travel to villages and towns to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. These outreaches provide valuable experience for the students as they preach and teach in the churches they visit. The outreaches also encourage the local congregations. “They feel revived,” says Nixon Siamungande, coordinator of the student outreach program.

In the first six weeks of the 2020 school term, outreach teams visited 37 churches. There were 7 baptisms and 252 restorations during these outreaches.

03/02/2020

Did you know that you can donate to Zambia Mission Fund by using your cell phone? Check out the picture below for more details......

Find out more about Zambia Mission Fund at http://zambiamission.org

#Zambia #donation #donate #support #charity #nonprofit

02/22/2020

What a difference a well makes! In September the people of Siangoye spent hours every day digging in a dry river bed to collect small amounts of brackish water. Now a new well (borehole) provides a fresh, abundant supply of clean water for the entire community! Before and after photos show what a transformation the well has made. The log fence protects the well from wandering livestock. There are now 25 new wells in Southern Province. We sincerely thank our generous donors. Find out more and donate online at zambiamission.org/water.

02/19/2020

This Saturday, Feb, 22nd, 2020 we are loading a 2nd container. We are starting the load at Global Samaritan Resources(2074 N 1st St, Abilene, TX 79603) at 8:30AM to load some items and then move to Bontke Brothers Construction Company(102 College Dr, Abilene, TX 79601) to finish the load. Please let us know if you can help.

02/17/2020

Zambia Mission Fund (ZMF) is sad to announce that Suzahn Roach passed away on Friday after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. She had been the accountant for ZMF (through Action Professional Outsourcing) since 2011. "Everyone connected with ZMF who worked with Suzahn loved her dearly," said board member Ellie Hamby. "She loved the mission efforts in Zambia and continued to work from her hospital bed until just recently." Services are pending.

02/09/2020

Yesterday we loaded our 40" container full of boxes and other items for Namwianga, Zambia. Most of the items will be used on the 2020 Zambia Medical Mission in July and the rest will go to various places/people around Namwianga. Thanks to students from Abilene Christian University, Cisco College and anyone else that helped load on Saturday.

Pictures are by Neal Coates.

Here is the news story that was done by KTAB News:
https://www.bigcountryhomepage.com/news/students-load-supplies-for-people-in-zambia/

02/08/2020

The Evangelism and Spiritual Growth (ESG) team leads the way in planning and promoting Namwianga Mission’s outreach and evangelism efforts. Team members plan outreaches to communities all over Zambia, sending out workers to plant churches, train leaders, and encourage individuals and congregations. The ESG team helps to plan and organize student outreaches, women’s meetings, and annual lectureships. The ESG team also works closely with the bicycle evangelists in training and supporting their efforts to spread the gospel. Find out more at zambiamission.org

02/02/2020

An urgent message from Namwianga's Food Relief Coordinator Wilson Siazilo: Hunger has reached its climax in and outside Kalomo. People are coming to Namwianga from all directions. I can’t teach a class with my phone on. I receive calls every five minutes or so. The situation is overwhelming. Some people walked for 3 days to get here.

We need to double our efforts to pull through February and March. After that, the pressure will calm down. Please, we are asking for supplemental funds to get us through.

Without food relief in Kalomo many souls would have been lost. We sincerely thank our donors.
W. Siazilo

Zambia Mission Fund needs $60,000 to fund food relief efforts in February. If you can help, please donate online at zambiamission.org/hunger or mail your check payable to Zambia Mission Fund to Box 3393, Abilene, TX 79604. (Photo was taken in December by Ellie Hamby.)

01/25/2020

Chief Expresses Gratitude for food relief

Food relief was distributed at Chidi village (near Kabanga) this week. The village leader expressed his gratitude to the donors who have given generously to feed this hungry community. More help is needed as families struggle to make it through until the harvest begins in late March/April. Donate online at zambiamission.org/hunger

01/23/2020

Due to a scheduling issue at the port, we are unable to load the container on Feb 1st and will now load on Feb 8th at 9AM. I hope everyone will still be able to come out and help us load on Feb 8th.

We are still having the workday on Jan 25th, 9:30AM - 1PM or when finished at the shed, 102 College Dr, Abilene, TX 79601.

01/21/2020

We are so thankful for being able to partner with Healing Hands International to help the people of Zambia.

FIVE states in FOUR days and over 1,500 MAGI boxes, school supplies, sewing equipment, and medical supplies are headed to Zambia! 🚚✈️THANK YOU to all of our MAGI supporters, volunteers, coordinators and partners - none of this would be possible without you! We are especially thankful for our drop off partners in TN, AR, TX, NM and CO! YOU are truly #MakingAGodlyImpact!!

Just a reminder ... MAGI boxes are still needed this Spring for continued distribution. We need your HELP delivering smiles and God’s love all year long! Order your boxes online at http://hhi.org/magi #MAGI #SpringMAGI

01/17/2020

Pioneer missionary celebrates her 98th birthday

Be inspired as you read about Iris Elder. She is the only one still alive of the original four families of Church of Christ missionaries who came to Zambia in the 1920s.

ZAMBIA (BNc) – Iris Elder (nee Merritt) celebrated her 98th birthday on December 16, 2019. She was born to Dow and Alice Merritt in 1921 at Fort Collins, Colorado. The Merritts went to Africa…