July 2025 Ministry Update
NIGHT OF HOPE 2025
Night of Hope 2025 was such a blessed night full of faith, powerful testimony, and a community coming together to rally around vulnerable children and families in need of the gospel and God’s blessing. We are so thankful that Night of Hope raised over $26,000 in one-time donations and child sponsorships! We are so thankful to all who gave sacrificially and decided to sponsor a child or classroom. These funds change lives and we thank God for how he used this special night to bring people across the world together for His sake.
Pray for Zambia: Flooding, Sickness, and Politics
Views from the Car in daily life here in Zingalume
Zambia experienced heavy rainfalls in the beginning of this year, and as the first few months progressed, experienced so much flooding that many people and children lost their lives just trying to get home from school or work. After such an intense drought last year, the flooding was more intense than what has previously been seen within the city. We also saw rivers seriously contaminated and drinking water compromised for many areas. We are praying for more infrastructure to handle this type of weather within the country itself, and for those who had family that suffered unimaginable loss because of the floods.
There is also a current meningitis outbreak within the country, so we are praying that we as a ministry and our community school would be protected. We are also seeing illness continue to spread and affect our students, staff, and community because of the cold weather we are experiencing during this winter. We are praying that these serious illnesses are stopped in their tracts and that God would keep us safe and healthy as we minister to those in need.
The door of a home of one of our Hands of Hope Trust School children
Last month, the previous president of Zambia (who would have been a 2026 presidential candidate) passed away, and he was honored and laid to rest. While we honor the work he did as president, we are also aware that more uncertainty is at hand. In 2026, a presidential election will be held, and many times there can be unrest, especially within our area of the city. We pray that God would continue to protect all within the ministry and that we would see a peaceful and God-honoring presidential race.
Within Zambia, corruption is a serious problem that we have seen many times within our work as a ministry in dealing with the government. The U.S. ambassador announced in a press conference in May that $50 million has been cut in aid to Zambia for medical supplies and medications because of serious corruption issues following theft due to governmental corruption and lack of response when the issues were asked to be dealt with during the year-long response time given. While there are so many needs within the health sector of Zambia, many individuals were attempting to profit off of the free donations from the U.S. Since then, we have been updated on many efforts of the Zambian government to promote anti-corruption efforts. Please note that this was not in response to the USAID cuts in 2025, as this was begun in 2024.
The U.S. gives $600 million annually in humanitarian aid to Zambia, mostly towards the HIV/AIDS treatment within the country. In January when USAID was frozen for countries like Zambia, we are grateful that a waiver was issued towards the humanitarian support to do with health, so that life-saving medication can still be administered to those in our community who are suffering from these diseases.
Hands of Hope: Daily Life
Students receiving a “little Jesus” from Scripture Union and other fun moments in day-to-day life
We are seeing so much daily hope in what Jesus is offering our children at Hands of Hope. Every day, we serve approximately 450 meals. We are currently seeing 230 children who are oprhaned and extremely vulnerable reading God’s word. They are learning to read, to count, to add and multiply. They are learning about their country and home economics and how to use a computer. So many people caring, donating money and supplies, and praying is displayed every day in our school.
Successful Teacher Insight Trip
We are so thankful for our team of USA teachers who came to Zambia on an insight trip this June from True North Church and Cedar Creek Church! The teachers experienced church in the compound, spent time with church leaders, held a two-day workshop in needed areas of professional development, co-taught and helped in classrooms, and experienced the beauty and culture of Zambia! It was a beautiful time together and we are so grateful for their coming and the kind donations that they left.
Thank you!
Thank you to all who give, pray, and tell others about this ministry. Being a part of Hands of Hope means being an advocate for vulnerable children in Zambia and we are so thankful that you want to be a part of it. Please continue to pray for our family, our leadership, our ministry, and the people that we serve every day. We are blessed to serve them through Christ in us, and we can’t wait to see where God continues to grow this ministry!
