In August, 2008, Karen and I participated in a mission trip to the Global Samaritans Orphanage in Zambia, Africa. Our mission was to work with the orphanage and to help share the Gospel in the surrounding villages. During that 2 week mission trip we witnessed the impact of that team and began to appreciate the value of mission work. As soon as we stepped off the plane, it became clear that God was compelling us both to take a new direction in our lives. Each day of that trip was a vindication that we were right where God wanted us to be. For Karen and myself, it was truly a "life-changing" experience.
During our stay, we also learned that GSO was in need of a couple to live permanently at the orphanage - to assist visiting mission teams and to further the
3-point mission statement of Global Samaritans Orphanage.
3-point mission statement of Global Samaritans Orphanage.
Following our 2008 trip we contacted GSO and expressed our interest in their organization - that we would like to be considered as the full time couple for the orphanage. Within a few weeks we were invited for the summer of 2009.
This past summer we spent 3 months working at the orphanage and assisting mission teams. We had the best summer of our lives. Karen worked with the GSO children - tutoring the young students to improve their literacy skills and teaching a typing class to the upper grades.
The children in the orphanage are truly blessed and consistently rank in the upper percentiles against their Zambian counterparts. The work of GSO is having a very positive impact in the region.
The children in the orphanage are truly blessed and consistently rank in the upper percentiles against their Zambian counterparts. The work of GSO is having a very positive impact in the region.
My job was to work with the older boys exposing them to possible vocations they could pursue when they are old enough to leave the orphanage - with the goal of finding a means to support thier future families. The boys enjoyed this time and formed themselves a club.
When asked to give their new "CLUB" a name,
they came came up with "ART CLUB".
The biggest project for the summer was to build a cross for the Church on the GSO compound. They were allowed to take a tour of Redwood Timber - a saw mill about an hour away - who donated the materials. This was the first time they had seen power equipment. The aim of Redwood Timber was to attract future workers - two of the boys showed great interest.
This close relationship with the children and staff of GSO resulted in a great family bond. They worked along side of us in the Bush where we worked with villagers and pastors ... and assisted the mission teams who came there to share the Gospel in that region.
By the end of the summer Global Samaritans confirmed God’s call and invited us back on a full time basis.
WE ACCEPTED!!
The task now is to prepare for our next step. In 2008, I sold my business and we have liquidated most of our personal belongings. We are here for a short season to raise our support and further prepare ourselves to return full time. Our plan is to depart in late May.
Please, pray for us as we make this transition! Our return depends on raising support as we will be in Full TIme ministry. To learn how you can help be a part of this new experience, go to the SUPPORT PAGE.
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