Going to Zambia is always one of the highlights of our year. Many of you know that we lived in Zambia for a few years when the kids were little— 14 years ago—but the country and its beautiful people still have our hearts. We truly love getting to invest in and reconnect with our friends, even if it’s only for a few weeks each year.

Our first week with Anita Held and Embrace the Grace Ministry was incredible. We were able to participate in two eye clinics, help distribute mobility carts, and show the movie David to a youth ministry group in Dumbwa. We also helped with children’s ministry, a feeding program, and a women’s health clinic. Miesha and Titus even attended youth ministry with Anita’s daughter, Bella, at a venue with a gorgeous view of the mist from the waterfall and there were elephants roaming in the bush below. On top of all that, we had a wonderful time together doing a few fun, touristy activities.

Anita’s husband died in an accident in 2020 so she was so appreciative that Dan could fix a few things around her house, and we enjoyed hours and hours of life-giving, soul-healing conversations. We feel like we were able to help many people, pray for those facing serious challenges, and encourage and support several ministries and churches. Anita put together several videos from our time together, which are posted on our social media if you’d like to see more ministry moments and photos.

One of the biggest highlights for all of us was seeing Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwe side. We took a quick day trip across the border into Zimbabwe and loved every minute. Both sides are breathtakingly beautiful, but the Zimbabwe side has even more water and it seemed like there were rainbows around every corner. Locals call the falls Mosi oa Tunya, meaning “the smoke that thunders,” and Anita named her children’s ministry Lipelo ze Tunya, meaning “hearts that thunder”—we love it!  Both Miesha and Titus shared that helping with Anita’s children’s ministry program on Saturday was one of their biggest highlights of the trip. 

Dan and I enjoyed it all, but the eye clinics and mobility cart distributions were especially meaningful. Almost 200 people came through the two eye clinics. We ran a simple test eye test, then gave them with readers that fit their vision needs. Many people were instantly given back the gift of reading—and several told us they are so excited to read their Bibles again. As we prayed with people, most were already believers, but were facing significant challenges with health, food security, finances, and relationships. It was a joy to pray for them, encourage them, and stand with them.

At the mobility cart distribution, we sat with clients and asked about their lives, families, and how they became disabled. Some had accidents, one person was born without legs, and another had a snake bite that led to an amputation when he was just four years old. We met a little person with severe physical challenges, several who were born with conditions, and one remarkable woman who shared that at 13 she suffered a compound fracture—and at age 48 the bone was still sticking out of her leg. She said she simply lives with the pain, but she had a family and even several grandchildren.

As we walked into the room, many people were seated on the ground—crutches, canes, and a few wheelchairs were present. Several depended on others to carry them from place to place. But when the carts were distributed, the atmosphere shifted immediately. You could feel the hope in the room as people were lifted up—sometimes literally— and given the ability to move themselves with greater freedom. The smiles were huge. Anita even had them cart race once they got the hang of steering. The man who lost his leg from the snake bite won the race, but everyone who received a cart had a massive win and watching someone’s life change so dramatically was truly inspiring.  We’re grateful we could be there to help in even a small way.

We loved seeing the Stumbeko family again and little Janell (my namesake!) is doing very well.  It was fun hearing the village news and how everyone is doing.