We love because He first loved us. We are compelled by the love of Christ. Such are the scriptures we can use to describe the service of the teams in Zambia.
Africa Freedom Mission’s president and I have been friends now for over 10 years. So, a few years ago, when he contacted me about having teams come and work with us in Zambia, I was excited.
One of the teams that he sent recently visited the Children's Cancer Hospital here in Lusaka. This is the only cancer hospital in all of Zambia. So, there are quite a few children from around the country who are here receiving treatment. Over the years, I’ve been touched by many of these teams’ willingness to visit these children, and this team was no different.
As we stood outside getting prepared to go in, the hospital staff came to debrief the team on how they were to conduct themselves once they were allowed inside. The words, "show them love and don't breakdown," were echoed several times. Nothing can really prepare you to enter this ward. Many of the children have visible signs of their struggle against such a terrible disease. Some of the children are nearing the end of that struggle. So, it is a very difficult place to do ministry.
When we went inside, I was amazed by the passion and compassion the team displayed as they ministered to the children and their parents. They truly shared Jesus’s love for the children as they went bed to bed. Sometimes it was a hug, or a simple little game and sometimes it was a simple word of encouragement. They would spend a few intentional minutes with them, making sure to share the gospel, but also being sure to make them feel special and loved by God.
While there, they also spent time talking with and ministering to the parents. Many of these parents travel from far away to seek care for their children. They leave home and family in search for a cure or any help that they can find. In these hopeless situations, it’s hard to know what to say, but the team did a wonderful job of just loving them in the moment. Many of the parents were extremely thankful. And while they often didn’t have the words to express their gratitude, I saw it when they nodded their heads with tears in their eyes to say thank you.
I have seen, over and over, how these teams that come to serve with us bring a presence and ministry that provides spiritual healing to the children and parents in this hospital. It is because of Christ in them! It has been such a blessing and encouragement to them as well as our team as we seek to share the love of Jesus with our friends here in Zambia.
As I sit here sharing these few thoughts, I am thankful. Thankful for the friendships that teams bring. Thankful for the opportunities they have provided us to share in the ministry of the Church together. Thankful for the lives that have been changed by their sacrifice. I’m also excited. I’m excited about the future. I’m excited to how the Lord will use this partnership to reach many here in Zambia for Jesus.
If you are considering serving with Africa Freedom Mission, my encouragement to you would be to go ahead and apply! And if you are trying to figure out where to serve, I might be biased, but Zambia would be an amazing place to minister, to experience all that the Lord has for you, and to develop some friendships along the way that will last a lifetime!
~ Alex Mwilambwe, AFM - Zambia Partner
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Alex Mwilambwe was formerly the National Director of Awana Zambia and now works for Global Children’s Network. He lives on the outskirts of Lusaka in a community called Chalala with his wife Liseli and their family. Alex is on leadership with Lusaka South Baptist Church.