Excitement turned to fear for Irene, a nurse from Lake Tanganyika, Zambia, when, following a healthy pregnancy, there were significant complications during the birth of her first child. Lubomba was rushed to the intensive care unit, placed on oxygen and battled to survive those first days of her life. Unable to see her baby, Irene feared what the future might hold for her new daughter.
Much to Irene's relief, Lubomba was discharged the following week. However, as a trained nurse who was very aware of the ages and stages of child development, Irene noticed that her baby was not meeting her developmental milestones. When she was not sitting at nine months old, Lubomba was referred to the government hospital in Lusaka, the capital city, where she was given medication and began physiotherapy exercises.
Lubomba was provided with a standing frame and a specialised chair to support her while standing and sitting, but she made very little progress. With a child who was unable to walk or talk, Irene did not know where to turn. When she went to the hospital, she met other parents of children with similar difficulties and knew that she was not alone, but at home, Irene felt both lonely and isolated from the world around her.
On one of Lubomba’s visits to the district physiotherapist, Irene learnt about the parent support groups that were being established through OM for parents of children with disabilities. Irene joined the parent support group and, through OM’s relationship with Beit Cure hospital in Lusaka, Lubomba received a wheelchair, a life-altering assistive device which could open up many opportunities for her.
Through the parent support group, Irene no longer feels alone and is growing in her relationship with the Lord. Lubomba continues with physiotherapy and Irene is looking for a speech therapist to explore ways to help her daughter communicate with the world around her. Through the group, she has registered with the Zambia Association of Persons with Disabilities, and Irene now receives some financial assistance to help care for her daughter.
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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.
Nine years ago, Pippa (32) left her home in the UK and joined in with what God was doing among Buddhist communities in the Himalayas. Through challenges, doubts and crisis, prayer has been her unshakable foundation.
For teens Grace and Sophia, sharing Christ's love with those who don't know Him is what they are used to.
When the Esaus left their small Canadian town 52 years ago, they expected to be teaching at a Bible school. God however had other plans.
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.
Aneli, a Mexican physiotherapist, gave up her comfortable home, job, and being close to family to use her professional skills to reach out to special needs people in Albania. Her plans seem to come to a halt with the coronavirus pandemic, however, until God opens the door for her to share His love in a beautiful, unplanned way.
Through trials and troubles, Alan and Vicki experienced God's love and peace, sharing it with others wherever they go.
When Patrick prayed for the Lord to lead him to one person whom he could further train and equip, Samuel was not the obvious choice.
Igor undergoes transformation in his life before God can use him to serve the people he used to hate in the Cacausus region.
“Life with God is an adventure, and do you trust Him enough to say 'Yes!' to that adventure?” When Jenna Montgomery heard a conference speaker say that, it was the final confirmation that she needed to step out. “God wanted me to use my professional skills to invest in something eternal,” she said in an interview with OM Journalist Nicky Andrews.
A young lady finds a way to engage more in the society and share God’s love with those who have never experienced it.
