In 2007, ZOE Ministry began implementing our orphan empowerment model in Kenya and then Rwanda.  This model would prove successful beyond anything we had imagined. Since 2007, 11,000 orphans have been reached through the ZOE Orphan Empowerment model.

One of the turning points in my personal understanding of missions occurred in July of 2008.  I had served porridge on the food lines where the children were  lined up belly to back waiting to be fed many times.  However, on this Sunday afternoon in July of ’08, our ZOE team sat down to a meal provided for us by orphans from their very own harvest of food.  No longer would they ever need ZOE to provide them with food.  They were embracing a future of self-reliance filled with dignity and hope.

For some time now it has been clear that this is the direction God has been moving ZOE for all of our work with orphans.  I am so excited to announce that this month we are launching the ZOE Orphan Empowerment model in Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Earlier this month, partners from Zimbabwe and Zambia traveled to Rwanda for a week of extensive training in the empowerment model.  On March 20, 2011, I travel to Zimbabwe and Zambia, accompanying Epiphanie from Rwanda and Reegan from Kenya, as they offer field training and assist in launching these new sites of ministry.

Prayer points:

1. Pray for Epiphanie Mujawimana, African Coordinator, as she leads the next phase of training for our partners.
2. Pray for Reegan Kaberia, Project Manager of the Maua Kenya site, as he assists Epiphanie in the training process.
3. Pray for our new partners in Zimbabwe, “The Simukai Street Orphans Project,” as they begin implementing the ZOE Orphan Empowerment Project. The key players are:
   • Lucy Rigava – Lucy works as a project manager for Simukai and will be offering programmatic oversight of the project.
   • Evans Magumise and Chikonde Nsama –These men are the Social Workers funded by ZOE Ministry who will be working full-time empowering orphans to care for themselves.
4. Pray for our partners in Zambia. We have been in partnership with the Anglican Diocese of Lusaka since 2005.  We are excited to transition with them to the empowerment work.  The key players are:
   • Norah Mayaka – Norah is an employee of the Anglican Diocese and oversees their outreach projects.  She will offer programmatic oversight of the project.
   • Precious Kamukwamba – Precious is the Social Worker funded by ZOE who will be working full-time empowering orphans to care for themselves.
5. Above all, pray for the more than 1,200 orphans we anticipate reaching through these new projects in Zimbabwe and Zambia.

In His Grip,

Greg Jenks
Executive Director, ZOE Ministry

Carry the Light, an ecumenical contemporary gospel concert benefitted ZOE’s programs in Africa. Held on Sunday, September 26 at 3pm and 7pm, the event took place in the Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, Texas.

Carry the Light featured over 300 singers and instrumentalists from various denominations from the Dallas/Fort Worth area who united to form one voice for one great cause – to care for orphaned children in Africa. The event is part of a larger plan to sponsor an entire community, over 1000 orphaned children, through their 3-year journey with ZOE’s Empowerment Project.

For more information, visit www.carrythelight2010.org

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12

Amanda Eckelkamp Batten was just 15 years old in the fall of 2001 when she walked into her pastor’s office to announce her intent to spend the following summer working with AIDS orphans in Africa. Neither Amanda nor her pastor, the Rev. Greg Jenks, had any idea of the chain of events that Amanda’s witness set in motion and resulted in the establishing of ZOE Ministry.

You were just 15 when you responded to God’s call to go to Africa. How did that call come about?

I had previously been on mission trips with my youth group to the Bahamas and Tennessee and discovered that I had a passion for working with children. But even before that, I always had a strong desire and love for Africa. So, my sophomore year when I was told about a mission organization and saw that there was a mission trip to Africa to work with AIDS orphans, I knew that God was calling me to join that specific team. There was never a doubt from the beginning that I was doing what God had called me to do at that particular time in my life. I was determined to overcome any obstacle that was put in my way because I felt so strongly that God had a purpose for me through that opportunity.

What kind of reaction did you get from your parents when you announced to them your desire to go to Africa?

The initial reaction was an absolute NO! They feared the possible dangers that I would encounter while over there, and as a 15 year old they were not comfortable with letting their child head off to the other side of the world for two months with people they had never met.

How did Rev. Jenks respond when you told him that you wanted to spend the summer in Africa?

Rev. Jenks understood my reasons for wanting to go, but he was hesitant at the same time since he understood as a father himself what my parents would have been feeling. However, once I got the permission from my parents to go, Rev. Jenks was thrilled and in the months leading up to the trip supported me through prayer and bible study.

How did you manage to convince your parents to allow you to go?

I persistently approached my parents about the opportunity every day, particularly around the dinner table. After dinner every night my father and I would have debates about the pros (my arguments) and cons (my father’s arguments) of going to Africa and every night the answer would still be no. This went on every day for months until one night at the dinner table I finally broke my father down when I told him that he may be my earthly father, but my heavenly father was telling me to go. At this my father told me that if I could convince my mother to let me go then I could go. However, only saying that because he thought my mother would never give in, he was flabbergasted when my mother said yes! So, with both a yes from my father and a yes from my mother, I was off to Africa!

What do you remember most from your time in Africa?

The thing I remember the most from my time in Africa is when we got to fit the orphans for shoes so that they could go to school. Because a child has to have a uniform, shoes, school dues, and school supplies in order to attend school in many villages, the children were ecstatic that they would be able to attend school again since many of them could not afford a new pair when their feet grew. The excitement was comparable to a child waking up on Christmas to open their new toys under the tree. However, the children in Africa were ecstatic over receiving a pair of shoes to go to school in rather than a new toy that would quickly be replaced with a bigger and better one soon after. The joy on their faces meant the world to me and changed me forever. It is still one of the happiest moments of my life. It was a lesson on what truly is important in life.

How did your time in Africa shape you as a follower of Christ?

Africa forever changed me as a person and as a follower of Christ. I felt God’s presence every step on my journey and was strengthened by his continual support through the highs and lows of the trip. While attending church services with the local people, I became aware of God’s power, might, and overflowing love for all of his children. Worshipping in a crowded little building with no air circulation or the ability to understand what was being preached or sung, I encountered God in the most powerful way that I ever had.

ZOE Ministry is feeding nearly 20,000 children daily and has ministered to well over 10,000 through the Giving Hope Empowerment Ministry. How does it feel to know that you played a major role in inspiring the launching of this work?

It feels amazing that I have been a part of such an awesome, inspiring, and effective ministry. Although it was solely Rev. Jenks who spearheaded this ministry and helped change the world for good in the name of God, I am humbled and honored that I helped play a role in the initiation of such an amazing ministry which lives out what it means to be a Christian.

ZOE partners often ask, “whatever happened to that 15 year old girl?” Update us on what is happening in your life nearly 8 years after spending that summer in Zambia.

Since my summer in Africa I have graduated from Campbell University in North Carolina where I studied Religion and Philosophy as well as from Emory University in Georgia where I received my Master of Theological Studies from Candler School of Theology. I married my high school sweetheart, Mark, who currently is attending Candler for his Master of Divinity degree and working in higher education student services. I hope to eventually receive a PhD and teach Old Testament at the undergraduate level while also staying active in mission work. I have also served as a Youth Coordinator at a church in North Carolina and I am currently teaching online religion courses at Campbell University. I currently live in Atlanta, Georgia while my husband finishes his degree, and I am learning what it feels like to not be in school for the first time since I was five.

ZOE Ministry is pleased to support a new opportunity offered through Bidzirk, an online distributor based in South Carolina.  ZOE invites you to support the work of a group of Rwandan orphans who have made handmade Christmas cards, beautiful woven baskets, and jewelry. The items are available for purchase through the Partnering with Africa online store.

ZOE is pleased to support this new opportunity offered through Bidzirk because:

• It is in keeping with the Giving Hope Methodology which allows children who have been trained and empowered by Giving Hope to provide for themselves and their families independent of ZOE’s oversight so that ZOE Ministry may reach out to new families of orphans in need of Hope.
• This project is made possible by the work of a ZOE volunteer who faithfully envisioned such an opportunity for children in our program and for people in the United States who want to purchase their beautiful products.
• ZOE will follow and support this new working relationship between Bidzirk and orphans in Rwanda over the next year.

In keeping with Giving Hope principles, ZOE Ministry will not receive any revenue from these items purchased for Fair Trade prices.

We invite you to support this Working Group as they begin this endeavor and use the small business skills learned through Giving Hope. Visit the Partnering with Africa online store to see pictures of the beautiful handmade Christmas cards, woven baskets, and jewelry.

Learn more about ZOE’s Giving Hope Empowerment Program.

“We need to live out our faith in such a way that we’re not loving with words or tongue, but we’re loving in actions and in truth.”

Epiphanie Mujawimana is the founder and director of ZOE’s Giving Hope Empowerment Project.  Under her successful leadership, ZOE Ministry has been appointed to two key leadership posts in the Nyaruguru District in the Southern Province of Rwanda:

Chair of the Economic Development Committee.

This committee includes all non-governmental development organizations (NGOs) working in areas such as orphans and vulnerable children, food security, and the empowerment of women.  As chair of this committee, ZOE will help train other NGO’s in best practices for economic development.

Vice-Chair of the Joint Forum of NGOs and Government Services in the District.

ZOE looks forward to continued partnership with organizations in the Nyaruguru District who are committed to transforming the lives of orphans.

Read more about Epiphanie Mujawimana.

Reegan Kaberia

Reegan Kaberia, Project Manager of the Giving Hope Empowerment Project through the Maua Methodist Hospital in Kenya, has been named chair of the Constituency Development Fund.

This strong voluntary committee is comprised of key leaders and representatives from their large area. The committee meets monthly to plan for the development activities for their whole district which includes: construction and maintenance of roads, hospitals, schools, bridges, environment conservation, education scholarships, HIV/AIDS awareness, community capacity building, water supplies, and priorities that arise from development committees within their district.

The National CDF board receives 2.5% of the National gross income which is distributed from the treasury to the District Committee.  This is an honor and a blessing as Reegan will continue to keep the needs of orphans and vulnerable children a top priority and focus within this area of service.

Arthur Jones traveled last summer on a ZOE mission workteam to Kenya.

“Changing your point of view can change your entire mindset. And that is as true of global missions as it is of the mission of a single congregation,” writes Rev. Andrew Thompson in a recent posting on the United Methodist Portal website. Thompson was reflecting on an interview with ZOE’s Interim Director of Church Relations, Rev. Arthur Jones. Read the article: GEN-X RISING: Churches need a missional mindset on the UM Portal site.

ZOE has received a grant of $80,000 from UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) to extend our relief efforts to those suffering in Zimbabwe.

“A severe food shortage and cholera epidemic combined with the world’s highest inflation of more than 2,000,000 percent has created one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world today.”
Read more on the UMCOR website.

• The UN has estimated that 4,000,000 people could be out of food by January.
• The Cholera outbreak is further devastating Zimbabwe. The World Health Organization said a total of 15,219 cases had been reported as of December 9, with 774 reported deaths. Some health activists say that the toll is probably in the thousands.
• The World Health Organization has warned that 60,000 could become infected with Cholera.
• Prices are now doubling every 24 hours. A loaf of bread can cost as much as half a month’s salary.
• Some of the schools we support have ceased to function. However, the children still come and are fed there. See ZOE’s Food Relief.

A Commitment from The United Methodist Church

In the midst of an extremely difficult situation, the partnership of UMCOR and ZOE reflects the commitment of The United Methodist Church to reach out to the most vulnerable people in the world. Through the support of UMCOR, ZOE will extend its reach, distributing over 430 tons of food this month.

Help ZOE continue to Give Hope.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord; plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Giving Hope Empowerment Project Founder Epiphanie Mujawimana and ZOE Ministry Founder Greg Jenks met with Governor Ndayisaba of the Southern Province of Rwanda.

After expressing appreciation for their work, the Governor invited ZOE to expand throughout his district. There are an estimated 13,000 additional child-headed families of orphans in the Governor’s province. ZOE Ministry could train staff and be ready to begin offering help and empowerment to these additional children in only six months.

Epiphanie Mujawimana, Giving Hope Founder; Greg Jenks, ZOE Ministry Founder; Governor Ndayisaba, Southern Province of Rwanda

Please join us as we pray that God will raise up the funding we need to answer our call of making God’s promise in Jeremiah 29:11 a living reality for those children in need. We trust that the Stories of Hope from the children already within our program has given you a picture of what hope looks like.