Report from BHW Zambia Partnership Facilitators Following Visit

Key person: Isaac Ng’ambi 

Unfortunately, due to a flight delay for a day on our way to Zambia, we only got to visit with Isaac for a couple hours on the only day we were in Kabwe. We have asked him to send us a breakdown of what missionaries receive financial support from Bright Hope World, with some information in regard to their mission field. 

Recent Events

Missionaries

OM are running three discipleship programs per year including a second module called cross-cultural missions.

They have recently commissioned another 20 missionaries which makes the total missionaries trained at OM who are in the field at over 400. The recent missionaries have gone to:

- Jordan  (a former Muslim from Chipata who was evangelized by Lameck)
- Pakistan
- South Sudan
- Chad
- Namibia
- Lake Tanganyika (Zambia)
- Malawi

Zambian churches are still not supporting the missionaries which is an area of concern for Isaac and he doesn’t see how that will change in the future. They continue to brainstorm ideas as to how to support the missionaries through income generation. So far the best method seen is investing in rental properties which creates passive income. Three missionaries have been able to achieve this program. 

Income Generation 

Hanis has built a new block of flats, so far they have built 12 of 20 in the compound, as income generation for OM. The cost was around US$38,000 per unit on average (there are 2 bed and 3 bed units), and the rental is $380 to $540 per month, less some management and running expenses. 

Nakoli School (ZAM25)

The school is currently over enrolled with about 300 pupils, ideally the roll should only be 200. OM only manage the school which is owned by Grace Church Zambia. Grace Church decided that they needed to get government teachers into the school, including a new principal, but Isaac doesn’t think that was such a great idea.

There are still teachers there from the now accredited teachers training courses offered at OM Maplehurst College. 

Grace have been building an extra classroom but currently it is only half built. The new principal really wants to see the facility expand. Currently the school offers up to Grade 6 but they are hoping to expand to Grade 7 soon.

The house rental at Aroha Flats that Bright Hope World funded is still helping to fund the school. The flat has recently been upgraded with better kitchen facilities and tiles meaning the rental has been increased. 

Personal Reports

Simon Bistoni (Chad)

Thank you for your unwavering support in the work that I am doing. In March we had a ReadySetGo training in the capital and it was a success. There was only one guy from our town who participated in the training and he is my mentor coach. I saw the need of doing the same in my town since we did not have a good number who participated in the training. We then organized the same training in our town and it was a success as well. We had 22 participants and 21 of them were committed unto the end of the training. We trained Sunday school teachers and coaches who are going to put this into practice.

After doing the ReadySetGo KidsGames training in our city the ACT Church, which is 120kms from our place and who had also sent one of their members to do the training, called us to help them establish a sports ministry particularly a soccer team which will be for evangelistical purposes. It was only one week after the training and we went there to spend a weekend with them as we established the ministry. On our way we came to a river (Al Moura) which was flooded and people were not allowed to cross in vehicles so we had to cross on foot. The water was dirty and human and animal waste was also in the water. I thought it was the end of the road when I saw the river but felt our mission should not end here and something clicked in me to say we will make it to our final destination (Farchana). I took the courage and risked to cross the river because we were on a mission. It was a matter of urgency. We took off our trousers and shoes and crossed the dirty water for His Name's sake. We arrived in Farchana very tired because all the way it is a bumpy dusty road without bridges as well. We were able to unite with 17 youths from the two churches which are in that area. We were not able to meet with others due to Ramadan which was still continuing up to the 6th of July. During this time of fasting the people from another religion suspend sports and even visiting the grounds because they don't want any disturbances.

Our mission was accomplished and we had to come back to our city (Abéché). We commissioned the coach and gave him some materials to use during his training sessions. We also spoke to the church leaders and they also agreed to support the coach and the ministry spiritually and physically. We managed to mobilize the church to be involved in the great commission through sports as well. Taking the Good News to others is not an easy thing for we have to pay the price for others to be saved. It was really worth it to risk my life and cross the dirty river. 

I will be going to Zambia for the Love Africa missions conference in the first week of August and coming back to Chad on the 9th of August to meet with others for the journey to Cameroon. We will be going with the ship (Logos Hope) visit in Cameroon (Douala) from the 10th to the 20th of August. We have nine other people who are accompanying our team to the ship. We would like their lives to be changed as they witness the ship ministry and to be involved in the Great Commission as well. 

Prayer Requests: 
1) Pray for the participants to be effective in their coaching roles
2) Pray for the preparations and for the journey to the ship in Cameroun in August
3) Pray for those that are going with us to catch the vision and run with it
4) Continue to pray for the House Church in our town and for its growth
5) Pray for the provision of a new laptop for the one I had is down