We are excited to announce that we recently received a special donation for a new water well and set of towers, which have been desperately needed for the garden and new orphan care house. Our Zambian team has made great progress on getting the well drilled, hitting water in their first attempt. This upgrade to our water supply will increase our capacity from 5,000 L to 25,000L! We are grateful to God for this and the generous donation that made this possible.
Our dear friends, Carol and Larry Bill have donated in memory and honor of their parents, Esther and Leland Thomsen and Leon Bill, and in honor of Larry’s mother, Darline Bill. We pray that God will bless them for their generosity and their gift will bless the lives of many living in poverty in Zambia.
Sandwell with our new tanks.Our old water tower and caretaker home.Isaac with our new tankNew towers.Lukas with our new solar panels for the pump.
By Frank Kovacs
May 2024
In May 2024, the US ZMP board voted to send a special relief gift to our Zambian board and the ZMP Orphan Care Center. This was in response to a terrible drought that has gripped Zambia and is leading toward famine. We received a report from the board in regards to that gift along with a couple of letters of thanks from the board members and their churches who were impacted by the gift.
Report from May 27, 2024
ZAMBIA MISSION PROJECT BOARD MEMBERS’S TRIP TO THE ORPHANAGE CENTER Report Submitted on 27th May 2024
We send our warm and deepest gratitude to the Zambia Mission Project board members and other ministry partners in the USA for quick response to the challenges and the drought that has affected most parts of our country(Zambia).This drought is the waste hit in the history of Zambia not only crops are affected,but also our water bodies that depends on water for generation of electricity,irrigation purposes and water supply system to the household level and communities both in urban and rural parts of our country Zambia. The Nation of Zambia comprises of 10 provinces,116 districts,156 constituencies with about a population of 20,000,000 plus people. Out of 116 districts, 84 districts are the most affected and in dire need of food relief. On 4th May,2024 The Zambia Mission Project Board Members comprised Sandwell Zgambo, lsaac Muswala,Lukas Simuyemba,lsaac Mwanza and Dickson Muchulu.We went to the Orphanage Center with blessings/gifts we had bought for them, especially mealie meal, which is our staple food, and others,and each child received a 25kg bag of mealie meal. We were able to distribute about 45 bags of mealie meal to our children. A total number of 48 children were in attendance and 16 caretakers/guardians. Children and guardians welcomed us by singing songs to appreciate our coming and sharing their joys and excitement to thank God for providing food. We had a wonderful time together in the Lord singing of songs, preaching of his word by Pastor Isaac Mwanza urging us all to depend on God as our protector and provider as we face these challenges of drought in our country. We also had a fellowship meal together, where we ate with children and guardians and Zambia Mission Project Board Members.
Blessings Banda, a grade 9 student in our program, gave a vote of thanks to God, the board members in Zambia, and the USA board and ministry partners for the continued support and the blessings/gifts they have been receiving since they were recruited into the program. Guardians/caretakers also expressed their gratitude to God Almighty and the Zambia Mission Project and Ministry partners for providing relief food for them and their children. Last but not least, as board members and our families in Zambia, we are equally thankful to God for making the way and the board in the USA and ministry partners for your quick response in raising money to cushion our budgets and provide food relief for the children and their families. We are also largely affected by the drought, so we ask for your prayers over our nation, our leaders, and the board in Zambia. We appreciate this gesture as we all received the $500 allocated to each board member and the money allocated to help the Church members buy food for their families. Your kindness speaks volumes, and we cannot thank you enough for your love and care shown towards us. Yours in Faith, Dickson Muchulu, Board Secretary.
Letters of Thanks
By Frank Kovacs
Jan 2024 – Update
The following update on the ZMP Orphan Care Center comes from the ZMP-Zambia board who traveled to the Center to give school books, snacks and large bags of ground corn known in Zambia as mealie meal:
“Today 27/01/2024. The Zambia Mission Project Board comprised of Sandwell Zgambo, lsaac Muswala and Dickson Muchulu. We went to the orphanage center with the blessings we bought for the Children to share and have some wonderful fellowship together They were excited and happy to see us at the land. We carried for them the following items pencils, ball pens, biscuits, drinks, books, 25kg bags of mealie meal. A total number of 42 children received their blessings. Also together with the children and guardians, we took time to visit the newly constructed house and give praise to God for what He is doing on the land and in the lives of the children. Guardians and children gave praise to God and also thanked their sponsors for the continued support they are receiving.”
They also sent a couple of videos of this visit to the Center.
Here is a gallery of photos of their visit featuring many of our children. These are the beautiful children who are being helped by your generous support.
By Frank Kovacs
July Outreach
When my son and I visited Zambia this past Summer, the Minden E-Free Missions Committee gave us funds to be given to the ZMP-Zambia board to use for the children we support at our Orphan Care Center. The following is from a ZMP board member telling us about how they were able to use these funds to minister to the children of our village of Mulobela:
Today, 07/08/2023 I went to the ZMP orphanage center to share the blessings from the US to the children and some guardians who came with them. We gave out the blessings to the children as follows; we started with books, ball-point pens, pencils, 2kg sugar and last but not least we shared some biscuits and drinks. There were 38 children and 15 adults present. Together, we enjoyed the fellowship as the drinks and biscuits were shared among us. We experience the joy of being one family in Christ Jesus our Lord. The children expressed their gratitude for the support and items they have received so far to enhance the pursuit of their education in order achieve their goals in life.
By Tom Barnes
Call for Donations for Our Fall Auction
What can I donate?
Here are some ideas base on items donated in the past that did really well:
Donate items that will catch the attention of others: Power tool, lawn blower, lawnmower, toaster oven, tickets to a Minden Opera House event, Husker tickets, or ?
Team up with someone(s) else to donate a larger ticket item: Snowblower, iPad or notebook, or ?
Donate items that you may be ready to sell and that others would value: A road racing or an off-road bicycle, an antique, bedroom furniture that has been replaced, family furniture that is still in good shape, a dining room table, or ?
Put together a special basket: Homemade candy, pies, pizza, or ?
Simply give a donation of money to the ZMP
How and when can I donate?
You can donate anytime between now andOctober 9.
To donate, either call 308.832.1574 or email mindenefree@gmail.com, to let us know you want to donate and what you would like to donate. At that time we will give you instructions for what to do.
Here is an overview of what we will ask of you:
To take a picture(s) of your donation
Email the pictures to: mindenefree@gmail.com
Hold on to your item(s) until after the auction. You will bring them to the Minden E. Free Church, 1310 West 1st in Minden, on December 4th or 5th.
If you need assistance taking pictures of your donated items, contact Frank Kovacs at 308-627-8147 (kovacsfa1@gmail.com) and he will help you.
The pick-up date for purchased items is December 8, from the above address.
By Tom Barnes
Church Planting
Corn Planted!
Corn (aka “maize” in Zambia) is not the only thing that the Zambian Mission Project team in Zambia will plant. As an important aspect of their orphan care ministry, they will also plant a new church. This church will not only serve a crucial role in teaching children and the surrounding community about the gospel of Jesus Christ, it will also form the hub of economic development for the area. This will be the case since the church will teach what the Bible does, namely the importance of work, productivity, and seeing labor and wealth creation as the chief solutions to poverty.
Please be in prayer about this church plant and if you would like to partner with the Zambian Mission Project through financial support, you can do that at zambianmissionproject.org.
By Frank Kovacs
Congratulations Miriam and Isaac Muswala!
I wanted to do a quick post to congratulate the Muswala family on their handsome new addition, Isaac, Jr! He was born on Mar 20, 2023. Isn’t this little guy adorable! I messaged with Isaac, Sr and mom and baby are doing fine. Praise to our great God for the blessing of little Isaac! I pray that God will bless and be with him.
Pastor Isaac is a member of our Zambian ZMP board. If you missed our Jan Newsletter featuring him click HERE to check it out.
Isaac also sent me the little guy’s 1 month picture.
By Frank Kovacs
April 2023 – Update
This is an update sent to us recently in the form of photos. These pics show the progress to-date on our first Orphan House. Sandwell shared that the roof will be put on soon. Also, shown is the great corn crop that Active has grown at the Center along with some photos of Active’s wife serving Sandwell and Isaac lunch. Please, remember to pray for our friends in Zambia. Active, Sandwell and Isaac and their lovely families. Especially pray for Sandwell’s safety as he climbs around on all of those high places. 🙂
Love that Red and Blue, Pastor Isaac!Sandwell is clearly unafraid of heights!Sandwell, Isaac and Active inspecting the maize.Orphan Center maize is doing well!Acitve’s wife serving lunch.
By Frank Kovacs
Feb 2023 – Orphan House Update
On Feb 25, the ZMP-Zambia board traveled to the Orphan Care Center to deliver food to the orphans we support as well as offer a prayer of dedication over the newly started construction of our first orphan care home. The board chairman shared the following with us:
“The Zambian mission project board team met with the orphans at the centre. The meeting started with a prayer, and the gospel was shared with the children. We purchased mealie meal (25 kg bags of corn meal) and sugar for children. Many children die of hunger or get sick of malnutrition because of lack basic food in Zambia during this time. This is because the cost of food and other commodities is higher than expected. Through our partners in the USA, we were able to do something about it. “If you see something, do something about it.”
We also had the privilege to witness the groundbreaking of our new building (First Orphan Home). The contractor is on the site and has started digging the foundation, and they are now putting the footing. About five thousand buiding blocks and 150 bags of cement were purchased and was successfully transported on site. Building sand and quarry dust was also purchased. It is a blessing to witness God’s goodness as we see the commitment and unity that are being exemplified. I was moved and encouragement by the prayer that pastor Isaac offered at the house foundation. I was reminded of how God can answer our prayers when we faithfully seek his help. I am especially grateful to the team for their unwavering commitment to the work at the centre. To those who are working tirelessly to support us in Zambia, please remember that everything is done in faith and for God will never be in vain. Thank you for your continued prayers and support. May the Lord bless you and keep you.
– Sandwell Zgambo”
By Frank Kovacs
Selecting a Site for our First Orphan Care Home
On a recent beautiful sunny Saturday, our Zambian team took a trip out to visit the ZMP Orphan Care Center. Their purpose of their trip was to look for a site to build our first Orphan Care Home (see our plans HERE). As you can see from the photos below, they found a scenic spot with a view of Mount ZMP (our unofficial nickname)! The following Monday, our caretaker, Active began to clear the land where the home will be built. Our plan is to begin construction of the home by the end of Feb. Please, pray for the construction of this new home that God will bless its use for the care and education of Zambian at-risk children and orphans.
Once completed, our Zambian board will select a couple to serve as home parents for the children who will live there. The board will then oversee the care and education of these children and seek to help them to develop into productive members of their community.
