brian - My Blog

My car has been in the shop all week, with no word on when it might be repaired. Without a vehicle, I’ve been relying on my feet a lot more – to get to the post office, to work, to my son’s babysitter.

Isaiah 52:7 says “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’”

I didn’t think it was good news when my car broke down. But walking all week has reminded me of the precious weeks I’ve spent in southern Africa, and the beautiful feet I’ve seen there, bringing good news.

Outside Bulawayo Zimbabwe, it’s good news when Pastor James gets on his bike and pedals throughout his community. His feet go from school to school, paying fees for children who can’t afford them after the loss of parents. His feet travel from the community well to the community garden, making plans to strengthen the food and water security for his neighbors.

At the Rock Church of Zimbabwe, it’s good news when children arrive on foot for church on a Sunday morning, confident that the people there know them, love them and will continue to champion the cause of orphaned and vulnerable children.

In the Ndeke community of Zambia, it’s good news when trained, home-based care volunteers walk (or ride newly purchased bikes) to the homes of HIV positive patients who deeply need to know someone cares for them and will faithfully continue to meet their needs.

At the New Life Church in Zambia, it’s good news when a woman, newly trained in tailoring skills, puts her food to the pedal of her brand new sewing machine and begins supporting her family with her hard-earned skills.

At the Free Methodist Church in Bulawayo Zimbabwe, it’s good news when Pastor Fibion and Forgotten Voices USA staff stand on the foundations of a future pre-school, dreaming and planning together for the impact it will have for the children who are the future of the community.

If you find yourself on a walk this week, by choice or by necessity, would you spend some of your time praying for the beautiful feet throughout Zimbabwe and Zambia bringing good news in Jesus’ name to children and families in need.

Today concludes a week of revival meetings and events at the one of our partner churches, the Free Methodist Church in Magwegwe North, Zimbabwe. Throughout the week church and community members have gathered for evening sessions, and all-day sessions on the weekend.

As this blog is being posted, the final revival meetings are in progress. The time and prayer invested in events of this past week have great potential for far-reaching impact in a community that greatly needs to know the love of God.

Pray for Pastor Fibion and others who are actively ministering to their neighbors this week. Pray for special guest speaker Rev. Mkhize. Pray that decisions for Christ made this week will be sustained and encouraged over time and in the midst of struggles and challenges. Pray that people in the community will see the Free Methodist Church as a place where God’s love is genuinely reflected and lived out in practically and spiritually uplifting ways.

In Zambia, Forgotten Voices International has always had a special relationship with the Theological College of Central Africa (TCCA). During the 2nd week of June, graduates from all over Zambia converged at the seminary to attend the Graduate Enrichment Seminar. It was a time of meeting with fellow pastors doing ministry across the nation; it was also a time of getting refreshed and enjoy fellowship with one another and share ministry experiences as they encouraged each other from the Word of God… “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” 1 John 5:13. Here students pose for a group photo.

A week ago, from 27th to 29th June, one of our partners and I attended a workshop in Lusaka on “Hope for The Grieving Children”. This is one of Forgotten Voices’ desire to connect appropriate organizations that can help in equipping Care Givers with appropriate knowledge that will help in attending to orphans under their care. It is more so important to learn how to handle cases of the ever increasing grieving orphans in the local church and our society at large. Most of these children lose their parents from AIDS related illnesses, and at a tender age with a high likelihood of them being infected too. There is so much ignorance about HIV and AIDS in our communities and pastors, such as from our partner churches are well positioned to address these issues if they get the necessary information and tools. Counselling a grieving child is one of the most delicate issues a pastor can ever encounter; so at least we discovered. Pastor Christian Bwalya appreciated the training and is ready to share the knowledge with Care Givers from his church and community around his ministry area. Here you can see him making a presentation during the workshop.

And finally, yesterday, Sunday 3rd July, was another great day for the widows of New Life Christian Centre. Fifteen more widows graduated from their six month tailoring and knitting training each equipped with a machine to start an income generating activity. This was made possible by the partnership Forgotten Voices International has with New Life Christian Centre and ultimately because of your love for the under privileged in our society by donating to this ministry. One of the widows couldn’t hide her joy when she said, “We are so grateful to Forgotten Voices, with these machines our lives are now changed. We will live a more dignified life as we will in a little way be able to fend for our family’s needs, especially putting food on the table”. This may mean very little to many people who can manage three good meals a day, but to this widow, this was a dream come true for her family, especially after losing a husband.

Forgotten Voices has made a difference in many underprivileged people’s lives of Southern Africa. Your donations has seen more and more children go back to school, widows empowered and local church pastors receive vital information to better handle some of the complex issues of their ministry. Your continued support to FVI is always very much appreciated. These two girls you see in the picture, dream to one day be nurses in our country. These dreams were almost extinguished were it not for your donations. Please, don’t grow weary of doing good, the Lord sees what you are doing and will definitely reward you for it …“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them” Hebrews 6: 10

Your fellow srevant in God’s ministry,

Remmy Hamapande.

Program Director, Zambia.

On June 17th, a quiet park in Guilderland, New York was invaded. Invaded by drum sets and guitars and musicians of all types. All for a cause, to help children orphaned by AIDS in Zambia and Zimbabwe. And it was a rousing success.

Here is Jonathan, the fearless leader of Nerve Ministries which puts on Nervosity. And next to him one of the emcees, Keegan, full of hair and beard. They led the students to put money on the stage to see pickle juice poured on a head or to see someone eat spam ice cream. The whole night talking the teenagers there into giving money, all for the purpose of helping Forgotten Voices.

Another big part of the night is the mural that they create to take around Albany, New York and share about their church and what they are doing to help the fatherless, the widow.  Any students that want can help to bring the mural to life. Yours truly even added a thumbprint to the well. Here I am pictured with the art director of the mural, Tony.

Over 750 students were there for the battle of the bands. They bought food and paid to see crazy stunts done by some crazy students passionately sold out to Jesus to help those hurting in Zambia and Zimbabwe. It was a privilege and a pleasure to be a part of such a wonderful evening.

Thank you so much for your prayer and support and please take a moment to think about how you can use your voice to change your world.  Please pray for us and assist us in our effort to shepherd hope from darkness.

Matt Kirkley, Director of Student Relations

Each month we receive prayer and praise updates from the churches with whom we partner across Zimbabwe and Zambia. Below are just a few of those updates. We hope you’ll take some time to pray about these requests and praises, and remember the work of our church projects in Africa. You can learn more about the projects featured here by visitingwww.forgottenvoices.org/our-projects/project-profiles

Kawama Evangelical Church of Zambia “Echoes of Mercy” Ministry, Ndola

Pray for a Layness, a sixteen year old girl whose father has passed away.  Her father’s passing has severely reduced the family income resulting in significant hardship for Layness and her mother.  Ask that God would provide the necessary financial support for Layness to remain in school.

Pray for the peace of mind needed in uncertain times as many children in the community face precarious circumstances as their loved ones and guardians face death.

Praise God that He richly blessed the church garden with an abundant crop that produced about 400 pounds of maize!  Praise God for the generosity of the church members who gave liberally of their time to pick, shell, and pack this harvest.

Vineyard Feeding Program Twapia, Ndola

Pray that God would cause local officials to rule favorably on an application the community has submitted set up a brick-making machine.  Ask that God would use this machine to generate sufficient revenue to cover school fees and food supplements for vulnerable children.

Praise God that many children are returning to school with the necessary supplies to advance their education!  Praise God for the hope which these supplies and uniforms have instilled in the young students.

Hope Chapel Church, Ndola

Pray that God will supply the church with married couples and mature leaders who desire to befriend orphans, vulnerable children, and widows living in the local community.

Praise God for a successful and well organized four-day youth conference held at the church!  This event has lead to an increase in youth group attendance.

Praise God for His gracious provision in the life of Justine, a twelfth grader who was nearly forced to leave school.  Lacking the requisite funds and family support, Justine was facing an uncertain future.  The church has manage to satisfy Justine’s school debts, pay his ongoing school fees, and supply him with a daily meal and a place to sleep.

Praise God for youth pastor Aaron who is a constant source of light to many children in his role as a community school teacher and church administrator!

Free Methodist Church Project, Ndola

Pray for a young orphan named Boniface who will soon be without a place to live when his guardian moves to a different part of Zambia.  Ask that God would provide Boniface with a safe, steady place to live so that he may complete his studies in the twelfth grade.

Praise God that the church held a successful Good News club that increased the number of children regularly attending church activities!

Praise God that four children who were suffering from malnutrition are now receiving supplementary milk which has drastically improved their physical condition!