New Adventures for 2023
Click through the above to learn more about the importance of water wells!
Happy JULY to you! It has been awhile since I have updated you on what has been happening at The Zambia Project, as well as in our lives, so I am excited to finally tell you all about it!
CHANGING SEASONS
These past few months have been a whirlwind, and packed full of brand new adventures and experiences! For example, my position with The Zambia Project is changing, I am excited to transition out of part of my role in finances, and into a new season of working with the child sponsorship team!
I spent this past week in Rogers, Arkansas with the incredible Mackie family, (more about them below!), training for this new opportunity, and I truly could not be more excited for what is to come! While I will still be deeply involved in the bookkeeping of our U.S. procedures, I am so excited for my team member, Megan, to take over the South African side of this! She is outstanding, and already knocking it out of the park!
I can’t wait to tell you all about this incredible opportunity as we continue moving forward!
828 CHURCH MISSION TRIP
Our team of 21 from 828 Church (as well as Texas and Arkansas) travelled to Zambia and South Africa last month, and, as always, it was an incredible experience! My trip looked very different to the rest of our team, (more details below if you haven’t already heard the big news!), as I stayed in South Africa for the three weeks of our adventure.
The majority of my time was spent in George with our incredible parters at Hope Church George. When I tell you that they absolutely spoiled me with love, kindness, and hospitality, I would still be selling them far too short! I had the absolute best time catching up with old friends, making new friends, and spending incredible time with many of my Zambia Project coworkers; many of which I only get to communicate with over email. It was amazing how at home I felt the entire time, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity to explore, grow, and deepen these beautiful relationships!
Getting to hang out in George, one of the most beautiful places in the world, was obviously SUCH a sacrifice; however, the one obstacle was that this meant that Caleb and I would be separated for this time period, despite planning to go on this mission together for the first time as a married couple. Thankfully the grace of God was extremely real, and He had amazing appointments for both of us; me in George, and Caleb in Zambia.
While I was at Hope Church, Caleb and the team spent their time, first in Livingstone, Zambia to pick up groceries and prepare for their travels, and then onto Mongu, where the Village of Hope base and the rest of The Zambia Project team is stationed. The team toured this incredible facility, and got a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes of Hope Art, the Village of Hope School, Homes, Medical Center, Champions Club clinic (OT program), Save a Life Centre (for malnourishment), as well as the sustainability projects, radio station, Hope Church Mongu, and MORE! God is really moving through this team and their efforts, and it was easy to see that everyone had been deeply inspired by the work that had been done.
With a few overnight stops to see our friends at Trail Missions, the team then ventured to their outreach assignment in Beshe. Caleb was somehow able to find cell phone service during their times there, (seriously, so thankful!), so he was able to update me on the impactful fire services, showings of The Jesus Film, programs for men, women, and children, leadership trainings, and even how a snake interrupted church service on Sunday! They spent their days encouraging the local villages and churches, and heard powerful stories of how God had moved in this area! Including, but definitely not limited to, the local witch doctor saw the unmatched power of healing that spread throughout the area, and decided he also wanted this power (aka he wanted Jesus)! His life was dramatically changed, and now he is considered a father to the local church, and many lives have been changed because of his testimony.
On the way out of Zambia, the team of course stopped at Victoria Falls, and then finally made their way to George, where I joined them for the remainder of the trip. We spent the weekend learning from the amazing Hope Church team, and seeing the incredible work they are doing at Hope Church Parkdene. We even had the chance to be a part of a prayer walk in Parkdene, and a children’s program that was so much fun! On Sunday, our team spent the four church services serving in various ministry areas. They had the opportunity to continue to learn more about this outstanding church, and many took these ideas home to implement in our local churches!
After hard goodbyes to our friends in George, our team ventured to Kruger National Park for some tourist time, where we got to see some of God’s amazing creation! Not only did we see giraffes, zebras, elephants, warthogs, kudu, and impala, but some of our team even got to see a leopard and a group of three lionesses walking along the road. What a treat, and the best way to end this epic trip!
To read more of the details of the trip, I recommend checking out the blog that followed our amazing team and their journeys!
Check out this testimonial of the incredible time our team had in Beshe!
NEW TERM FOR VOH SCHOOL
The amazing children of the Village of Hope School started their new term in May, and could not be more excited about it! All of the students received new backpacks, bottles and lunch boxes and all of the Secondary School (high school) children also got their very own Bible thanks to donations from generous supporters!
BIBLE TRANSLATION WORKSHOPS
The first and second Bible Translation Workshops for the year have taken place, and were a HUGE success. The teams from the different languages are together, checking the drafts, ensuring accuracy and improving the quality.
We are so grateful that we get to make the Word of God accessible to people. Help us by donating towards a bible here!
HOPE CHURCH IS COMING TO THE STATES
After 13 years in Zambia, some of our amazing misisonary friends, Matt & Savannah Mackie (and their adorable boys), are planting a Hope Church in the United States! God has called them to Northwest Arkansas, where they hope to launch in February of 2024! The church will continue to be extremely connected with the mission and vision of The Zambia Project, and look forward to someday sending missions teams every year to Zambia, training up future missionaries, and continuing to be an influential voice for The Zambia Project in the USA. We are so excited for this next-level family!
FUNDRAISING
God continues to be faithful is in providing more monthly partners, even in some of the most surprising places and people! Thank you to each one of you for being obedient to this crazy call; I am truly humbled and SO grateful!
I will continue to work on fundraising for my monthly budget goal each month, so lots of prayer would be appreciated! If you are not already a monthly partner, you can click here to learn more, or fill out the form below if you would be interested in chatting more!
OH HEY, SOME BIG NEWS!
In case you have not heard, the Knautz family is growing! Caleb and I are very excited to welcome a baby GIRL this coming November! Please pray for her continued health, for our journey as new parents, and also for our cats who have absolutely no idea what is about to hit them.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Please pray for…
Our growing family!
The transition of roles for myself and the rest of the team!
The continued progress of the Hope Church Kids building!
Hope FM that is LIVE and broadcasting to thousands of people in Western Zambia, as they continue to share the Good News!
Our missionaries in Zambia as they continue to raise funds and do AMAZING things to love people and tell them about Jesus!
My fundraising needs, as I continue to work towards fully depending on this income!
