Close to the shores of Lake Tanganyika, Zambia, lives Yvonne, a committed member of a local disability group who faces constant and ongoing daily challenges due to a physical disability.
Becoming involved in her local disability group proved to be a lifeline for Yvonne, connecting her with others in similar situations and opening her eyes to new and exciting opportunities. Through this group, she met Kelvin, a disability ambassador, who invited her to take part in a business training programme run in collaboration with Grace Enabled.
Previously, Yvonne ran a business making fritters that provided a small weekly profit. During the training, she gained a much clearer understanding of income and expenditure. With the small loan she received during the training, Yvonne decided to shift her focus to making buns.
She now makes a daily profit of 50-70 Zambian Kwacha ($2.50-$3.50 USD), which Yvonne immediately reinvests back into her business by stocking items in her small shop that people want to buy, making it the go-to business in her community.
Now, Yvonne has financial stability and uses her business to support her children and provide them with the necessary school supplies.
She is currently operating her small business from her yard, but plans to build a shelter for her business. Her dream is to one day have a full-time bakery.
Her enthusiasm is infectious; not only have neighbours been blessed by it, but now her children love to make buns, as Yvonne helps them after they come home from school.
Yvonne has gained a reputation as someone to be looked up to and she has inspired others in her group to take the step of faith that she did.
She is a faithful witness to the love of God in her life as she shares the Word of God with her customers and neighbours through Bible studies, using the Audiobible she received from the disability ministry.
Through the discipleship and training that she has received, God is using Yvonne in powerful ways to bring about change in her community. Her community is not only being fed by delicious homemade buns, but they are also being fed by the bread of life, and that is Jesus.
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Four years ago, the Bullock family left the familiarity and security of life in the UK to serve God cross-culturally in Zambia. OM writer Ivy Chiu spoke to Dan and Ruth about why they took such a bold step, and what life is now like for their young family.
Along the shores of Lake Tanganyika, new Jesus followers were not content to keep the good news to themselves. Instead, they started to share with neighbouring areas.
God prepared Stephanie to train teachers in Zambia through her family legacy and the skills her parents taught her.
“Missions is one way we serve Him,” Tewana said. “We can serve Him wherever He would choose to send us, to children, at home with your family…I would say seek His face so that you will know that you are doing what He wants."
A prayer meeting for children and teenagers in Zambia has had a far-reaching impact on their friends, families and the local community.
Lorrin recently took on the role of children's ministry coordinator for Africa Area. Her own childhood experiences inspired Lorrin to provide a safe space for young people where they can be fed spiritually and physically.
A request for a ball has led to transformation in the lives of girls on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.
A few weeks of showing football matches in 2010 grew into a thriving church and a growing school community.
Generosity is life-changing — an experience Pastor Alan from Zambia has lived and is eager to share with his congregation and beyond.
When Dorothy lost her husband, her world fell apart. Alone and overwhelmed, she continued teaching but felt numb inside. A month later, an unexpected invitation to a teacher’s conference changed everything.
Discipleship through a local disability group helped Chitalu understand that God has a purpose for his life.
The disability team bring the hope of a new wheelchair for Owen who has been isolated from his community for many years as a result of his disability.
