Meet Owen, a 20-year-old young man living with his parents and four siblings in Zambia.
Owen’s early days were very much like any other child's, but as he grew, his family noticed he had difficulty expressing himself verbally and some other developmental delays. At the age of five, Owen seriously injured his leg, requiring surgery and seven months in the hospital.
Despite rehabilitation, Owen never walked again and, as a result, never attended school.
While he can use his arms to feed himself, Owen needs help with his personal care, a responsibility shared between his male relatives.
Life for Owen is one of considerable isolation. Without a wheelchair, he is left at home alone whenever his family needs to go out.
Communication continues to be a challenge, as Owen uses simple hand gestures to express himself. Other children rarely come to play with him, and opportunities for him to leave the house are almost non-existent. His family, including his mother, have come to accept his disability, but still holds onto hope for improvement one day. This hope has inspired his brother to pursue a career as a doctor, as he wants to help others in similar situations.
The disability team first encountered Owen as they were walking through his community and saw him sitting outside his house. They were invited to sit down with the family to find out more about Owen. Building trust through relationships has been the key for the small team serving in this rural location and the team has since invited Owen’s mother to join the local parent support group and Bible study groups. She hasn’t attended yet, but they are hopeful that she will one day.
During their visit, the team took measurements for a wheelchair — something that could change Owen’s life dramatically. Once the wheelchair arrives, some pathways around the house will need levelling to make the toilet area and road accessible, finally giving Owen the chance to venture outside more easily.
For now, the team's focus is on supporting the family, encouraging Owen’s mother to become involved with local groups and ensuring Owen feels included and cared for. When the wheelchair arrives, the team is looking forward to seeing Owen’s world expand, showing not only Owen, but also his whole family, the love and compassion of Jesus, evident through the body of Christ.
Share On Your Socials
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.
Through the support of her local disability group, Yvonne was empowered through business skills training, providing a more sustainable means for her to support her family.
Discipleship through a local disability group helped Chitalu understand that God has a purpose for his life.
