We are
excited to share some good news about the next chapter in our lives. As many of
you know, we served with the IMB (International Mission Board of the Southern
Baptist) from 2007-2009 in Lusaka, Zambia as missionaries in management and
logistics of the Baptist Guest House.
After returning to the States, God began to show us where to serve in
various ministries locally, nationally and internationally. However, there was an ever-present nudge at
our hearts when we thought about our life and ministry in Zambia. Our short time in Zambia was a blessing, a
treat, an honor, a (good) challenge.
Zambia is humbling, invigorating, and peaceful. The culture intrigues, the landscape
embraces, and the people welcome. It’s
no wonder we felt at home so quickly, and why we could not refuse the Holy
Spirit leading us to return to Zambia again.
God
has opened the door for us to join a wonderful ministry in Mapanza, Zambia
called New Day Orphanage. We will be
working at New Day as their Volunteer Coordinators to recruit short-term
volunteers to serve alongside of us.
During the off-season we will help the other missionaries with jobs
around the orphanage including, but not limited to, teaching, cooking, ministry
in the nearby villages, training staff, managing the guesthouse, and
fundraising. Our middle son, Coby, has
been accepted for 9th grade into Rift Valley Academy (RVA) in
Kenya. He will move into his dorm August
30th. Our oldest son, Austin,
will continue his senior year at Walhalla High School graduating in June
2014. And our youngest daughter, Kelsey,
will continue her 7th grade year school in Walhalla as well. In the meantime, Ricky & Niki will have
to balance their time between the USA and Africa over the next several
months. Our family requests prayers for
this upcoming journey as we make the transition to live in Zambia full-time.
The vision of New
Day Orphanage is to give Zambian orphans hope for the future by providing a
home where they can feel loved, be adequately provided for, learn about Jesus from
a young age, receive a quality education, and learn the good things of their
culture. One of the beautiful things about New Day is their focus on community.
It is their hope that these young people will grow up to know Jesus and have a
passion to reach their own nation for Christ. It is our privilege to spend time
with them and much of our free time in the housing compounds and villages of
Zambia—being where the people are, learning from them and encouraging them when
we can.
We will join
seven American missionaries living and working on campus at New Day, as well as
eight Zambian staff workers who are full-time employees at New Day, including
teachers, social workers and house mothers.
There are currently 16 bana ba luyando (Children of Love) living at New
Day whom we will get to share life, love and Jesus with, but the vision is to
see hundreds of orphans with a life transformation. There are 66 acres that at the present time consists
of 4 staff houses, a guest house, a kitchen/dining facility, a school (in
progress), a library, 2 orphan houses, a grinding mill and a small store.
GIVE New Day was started and is maintained by the generosity of
people like you. Your gifts allow New Day to focus on ministering to orphans
and the surrounding community. New Day is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit.
PRAY Please pray specifically for New Day Orphanage that the Lord
guide our steps and grant us favor with all those involved.
GO Projects are always ongoing, and we use volunteer teams in
strategic ways to achieve New Day’s vision.
CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW--QUALITY EDUCATION--ZAMBIAN CULTURE
International Address:
Box 630260
Choma, Zambia
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