Mary’s Fresh Start | An Update from Zambia
What an end (and beginning) to a year! We are so humbled and grateful for your partnership. Because of your support, we are planning to expand our campus to reach 3 times as many young mothers in Zambia. We receive many urgent requests seeking help for pregnant teens. And soon, we will have the capacity to be able to help. Praise God!
As always, don’t forget to check out the encouraging story and prayer requests below.
—Kharis House Team
Mary* and her sister were living as orphans.
Their father had never been present in their lives, and their mother left them so she could follow another man. They had no choice but to fend for themselves at 11 and 12 years old in a shanty shack in their Zambian village.
But without a guardian who could pay rent, their home was leased to someone else. A neighboring family had pity and invited the two sisters to stay with them. But as soon as the neighbor discovered Mary was pregnant, Mary was asked to leave. Mary’s sister stayed, but the family couldn’t afford to pay for a pregnancy and another mouth to feed.
This is how Mary found herself walking alone on a red, dirt road, in search of the police.
She was ready to report the abuse that found her pregnant.
An older gentleman saw her walking and offered to help her find the police. But after the reports were filed, the police had nowhere for her to stay, and social welfare had no families willing to care for her. So Mary still found herself alone and scared.
The older gentleman had compassion for her. He invited her to come to his home, but once they arrived, his wife refused to help care for Mary and demanded that she leave as soon as possible. Now, Mary was unwanted by her father, mother, neighbors, social welfare, and even by those who tried to help.
But God intervened!
Right when she was sure no one wanted her, our team at Kharis House worked speedily to take Mary in in less than a week. The other girls welcomed her, showing her around campus and teaching her to make her bed and use a shower and toilet. They helped her put away her things and gave her new maternity clothes to wear.
At Lifesong, we stand by a 4-part pledge to the children we serve. The second part of the pledge affirms our commitment to providing holistic care to orphaned and vulnerable children so they don’t lack food, clothing, medical care, and shelter.
Be taught the Gospel and how to live as a follower of Jesus Christ
Not want for food, clothing, medical care, or shelter
Receive a quality education to provide a foundation for their future
Experience continued love and support while transitioning into adult living
That night at dinner, Mary sat, looking from her plate to everyone around her and then, back to her plate. One of the mentors asked if she was alright. Mary responded—
“How much of this food can I eat? Do I need to save some for dinner tomorrow?”
When Mary discovered she would have three meals and two healthy snacks each day, she fell to her knees on the floor and praised God for saving her life.
This is a picture of what the orphaned and vulnerable children and young mothers we serve experience when they are finally seen, known, and loved and all of their needs are met.
Though Mary has experienced great loss in life, she now has the opportunity to start fresh, relearning her true value in Christ.
*Names have been changed to protect the identities of the children we serve.
Pray for Zambia
- Praise God that Mary and her baby are receiving the care they need.
- Praise God for those who had compassion and tried to help Mary. Pray they would be blessed.
- Praise God for the lives of young mothers being transformed when they come to our team.
- Praise God that the transportation bus our team has been waiting to receive for two years was finally delivered.
- Pray for the expansion of our campus so that more girls in need of support can be reached.
Join our prayer team to receive monthly prayer requests & praises from across our ministry.
Will you help vulnerable young mothers and their babies in Zambia experience the hope of the Gospel?
When you give to Lifesong, you show orphaned and vulnerable children they are seen, known, and loved through Gospel-centered holistic care. Thanks to TMG Foundation, 100% of your gift goes directly to helping orphaned and vulnerable children.