Zambia | 2024 Mission Trip

Church clap and chitenges (traditional African attire for women), soccer and snuggling sleeping babies, discipleship, long dusty roads, and very, very full hearts. Our team of eleven spent seven days in Lusaka, Zambia, serving with two of Woodcreek’s Global Partners. We went to provide spiritual encouragement and resources and returned rejoicing and full of hope. 

EVERY ORPHAN’S HOPE

Our time with EOH (Every Orphan’s Hope) was a Vision Trip – come see what God is doing through EOH and return to Woodcreek as a more impassioned advocate. Y’all know that Seany and I have been foster parents for about three years. We’ve lived firsthand the brokenness that comes from the severing of family, the trauma of loss, and the difficulty working with the government in orphan care. I was absolutely in awe at the intentional system of provision (physical, emotional, spiritual) and longevity that EOH provides for Zambian kiddos. 

We spent four days with EOH seeing all aspects of the organization. There are three primary categories of care for kiddos at EOH. 

• Temporary Care: Homes and Mamas for kids ages 0-5; intended to be a temporary placement while willing family or friends are identified as long-term care givers. This part of EOH cares for about 40 kiddos and is called Bethel.
• New Family: My Father’s House is a beautiful campus with 8 homes and spaces to gather and play (basketball court, soccer field, playground, etc.). Kids between the ages of 5-18 form new families. Each family is comprised of 1 mama (a widow) and 8 children (yes, I did say eight!). These families are permanent. Something really special about EOH is their commitment to care for orphans and widows, as we’re instructed in James 1.27. There is power when, together, the widows and orphans (who have both gone through trauma) get to experience the restoration of family and a future. The Mama’s receive trauma-informed training and mentorship. The kiddos have chaplains who train, care, and counsel them.

“When we first arrived at the family homes, the older students (high school) were hanging back and not interacting. But the moment Dave and I (Frank) engaged them in an activity, they opened up and let us see how friendly, respectful, and fun they were. Conversations sprang to life as they wanted to know us and share who they were, and I was moved by their plans and optimism, which sprung for their solid spiritual foundation.” – Frank Smith, Zambia 2024 Team Member

• Young Adults: There are three homes in Lusaka for recent high-school graduates – two for young men and one for young women. They receive ongoing support and discipleship until they are ready to fully launch. 

Former EOH children, who have successfully launched, all shared that one of the best things about growing up at My Father’s House (EOH) was that they met Jesus there. Jesus is steeped into every part of life at EOH. Children are being rescued from homelessness, brokenness, and spiritual death and darkness and given family, hope, and eternal life.

We spent hours playing chase, dancing, laughing, playing soccer and duck-duck-goose, reading stories, taking pictures, and enjoying being children of God.

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MICHAEL & BERNADETTE BOONE

Worldwide, 95% of pastors have no formal theological training. Michael & Bernadette Boone with Kingdom Global Ministries, focus on training pastors and lay leaders across Zambia (and sub Saharan Africa) in theology and spiritual practice. For three days, we assisted the Boones in hosting a conference for over 40 church leaders from around Zambia and South Africa. 

Michael and Bernadette have a two-pronged approach to training. Michael focuses on providing theological training for senior pastors, while Bernadette equips pastors and lay leaders to reach young adults with the Gospel, creating discipleship programs across Zambia. With a median age of 18 in Zambia, reaching the youth is the most effective way to spread the Gospel. Their shared goal is to empower Zambians to disciple fellow Zambians, continuing the cycle of discipleship.

Our team divided in two, with Frank & Katie accompanying Michael while the rest of the crew joined Bernadette. Frank & Katie taught sessions on godly stewardship and financial planning. Sarah & Bernadette taught sessions on the book of Esther, Creation and Fall and healthy friendships. The team led games, prayed with and counseled ministry leaders and participated in discussions. God moved powerfully (as He does) and we heard great things came from the conference:

“I look at the Word of God differently. It is new. I’m so excited to run with what I’ve learned and teach others also.” 

“What you have taught me (regarding budgeting and goal setting) has changed my life.”

“The time spent providing the pastors with business training was a great success. Their eagerness to have more tools to serve effectively reminded me that Kingdom work often looks different than what we might anticipate.” – Frank Smith, Zambia 2024 Team Member

Pastors said the tools they learned at conferences would enable them to change their lives, the lives of their congregations and the whole community.

One of my highlights was getting to see our people love and serve with sacrificial abandon! Co-leading with Frank Smith was a joy beyond words. A highlight for Frank & I was seeing how well the team worked together to effectively serve EOH and the Boones. It was a rare combination of talents and personalities.” – Connie Smith, Zambia 2024 Team Member

Thank you, Woodcreek, for sending us through prayer and in love. I can’t wait for us all to go.

♥ Sarah Davidson | Women’s Ministry Director

TEAM MEMBERS: Jan Bennett, Katie & Clara Bennett (Jan’s daughter-in-law and granddaughter), Christy Wight, Gilda Janak, Spiwe Dennis, Frank & Connie Smith, Paula & Dave Elendt and me, Sarah Davidson. Also, Barbara Deatherage did a great deal of preparation.