Love each other – John 15:17

by Global Ministries | published on Oct 10, 2014

Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation is a Pan African center offering peace and conflict transformation studies, women’s leadership development, workshops on issues such as gender-based violence, and diploma courses for Zambian students in social work and community development.

I connect my young students with mentors and projects so that they may practice what they are learning in the classroom. Zambia is one of the poorest countries in the world, yet we find amazing examples of people loving their neighbors:

Caroline, who accepts frightened children found on the streets, takes them into her home, and by faith and hard work finds a way to feed, clothe, and enroll these orphans in school.

Oliver, who reaches out to troubled HIV+ teens struggling to find meaning in life and hope for the future, counseling and praying with them, helping them find inner resources.

Evelyn, who organizes young widows into cooperative groups to engage in mutual aid and self-help projects so they can care for their children and help other widows in the community.

God, help us listen to the promptings of the Spirit and discern how we are meant to be creating wholeness in our corner of the world. Amen.

Ann Weaver Nichols, member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and First Congregational UCC in Tucson, Arizona, is a mission volunteer teaching social work and consulting with community projects in Kitwe, Zambia at the Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation.