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.

Sandwell giving a tour of the new orphan care home.

Isaac passing out drinks to the children.

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.

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.

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 and October 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.

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.

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.

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. 🙂

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”

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.

Plans for our first orphan care home

We are excited to announce the plans for building our first orphan care home in Zambia. This will not be an orphanage but more like a foster care home. The orphans that will live here will be cared for by a parenting couple.

Our Zambian board chairman, Sandwell Zgambo shared the following with us:

“The plan is to have at least 8 orphans in the house and a family to stay with them. The children would use four bedrooms and the family would use two bedrooms from other side. This will be game changer for the community in which they are currently domiciled. The vulnerable children would have a place to call home and sleep without worrying about the rains coming in the house at midnight. Or about the provision of food for the next day. God is good. Thank you to the USA board for making it possible for us to start working on this.”

The site for construction has been selected and clearing of the land will begin on Jan 30. Construction of the home is scheduled to begin by the end of February. According to Sandwell, “The total cost estimate is $24 000, this includes paying the contractor for building the walls of the house, building materials, roofing sheets, timber, doors and windows, and transportation for building materials.”

How Covid 19 Impacted Zambian Children

Covid -19 caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2 has caused a global pandemic. Zambia recorded the first case of COVID-19 on 19 March 2020. As of 6th June, Zambia is at a crucial stage with 100,278 coronavirus cases, 5 deaths and 338 recoveries. Zambia is among the many countries that have been affected by Corona Virus which has claimed lives in many countries around the world and orphans have not been spared from the impact of the pandemic.

Most poor people, especially the vulnerable live on less that a 1$ per day and Covid 19 has just worsened the situation. The education for more than 4.4 million children and adolescents has been disrupted –this potentially reversing progress made in attaining high quality primary and secondary education. Children’s way of living is also not the same, resulting in unprecedented stress among many.

Orphans, vulnerable children and widows are the most affected people in the community. As the Coronavirus pandemic takes a financial toll, some families cannot feed their children. Covid-19 has left families in Zambia without food, soap and other essential basic needs such as medical bills etc. which are essential for human survival. The loss of business and employment opportunities due to Covid 19 has caused panic and uncertainty that only God can heal.

How you can help

With your support and prayers we can supply

  • school uniforms
  • food
  • school books
  • pay tuition fees

for many Zambian orphans.

Pray for many poor hosting families who are down financially because of the effects of Covid-19. We depend on well-wishers to feed and clothe the children in need.

Thank you.

Sandwell Zgambo

Chair, ZMP-Zambia