Christian Zambian Orphanage

Orphanage

It is not possible to walk by the chicken wire gates that enclose the play area for the kids without one of them shouting out a question, or beckoning you to come over and play. Walking around the fencing and into the yard, you will find Faith running up to you, followed by Meshak, Wilson, and Steven. They seem to gain speed as they approach, and when they are about three feet in front of you, they stretch their arms to the sky and throw themselves, as if hoping to force you to the ground. Questions abound, and the excitement of the gathering is usually an open invitation to the others, previously unaware that a visitor is in their midst. Before long, Wilson breaks out into a chorus of "Yes Lord, Yes Lord, Yes, Yes, Lord, Amen," holding up his air guitar and grinning ear to ear as he strums. Minutes later, all the children have surrounded you and are climbing all over you as if you were a jungle gym.

This isn’t exactly what you expected; you thought you would be tearing up at this point, or at least forcing yourself to muster up half a smile, but somehow you are overwhelmed with joy. You thought this part of your week would be unbearable, but instead you can’t get enough. Everyday you find it more and more difficult to walk by and not join them for another round of "Trading My Sorrows." You thought that because it is called an orphanage, all you would see would be hollow stares and despondent faces. Instead you have found a generation of children that are being raised up to be strong men and women of God; children who have spiritual parents and friends who love them. These children radiate with a heavenly light that is unable to be hidden and is generally contagious.

This orphanage is fulfilling the needs in the lives of many Zambian children. We have nearly completed a new orphanage facility and will be expanding our service in this ministry to another 50 to 60 infants. Sons of Thunder has been the home for many orphans. Currently, the orphanage has forty children ranging in ages from three weeks to four years. In addition to the directors of this program, thirty other staff members assist in the operation and maintenance of this facility. Children in the surrounding area are often brought to the orphanage by their parents, relatives, and friends due to their inability to provide for these children. The number of orphans in Zambia is estimated to be around 1.1 million. The Government is incapable of giving priority to this dilemma due to the poor economic success of the country, and because of the lack of existing programs to care for the orphaned, the need is great.

Our Goal: To provide a home and family with lots of love where the children can be brought up in the love and knowledge of Jesus Christ, who said “suffer the little children to come unto me”.

Our Need: Cost per child is $50 per month (some of these children have AIDS and special nutritional needs) --another missionary for our new facility --other missionaries to direct orphanages in Congo and Kasama and other expansions

How You Can Help: Pray always…get on our e-mail prayer list so when the children are sick or have a need we can get the request to you quickly. --Contribute and support a child, or partial support or children. --Come to Africa with a work team and give the children personal love and care. Support a child for $50 a month

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