FAQs
With which Zambian communities do you work the most?
We work in all major villages along the Zambian border with Angola from the Kamenga border to Kaunga Mashi in the north. GWF works in approximately 50 villages. About 40,000 people reside in the area. Does GWF distribute Bibles in native languages to people in the communities? Yes! People speak numerous different languages and dialects in the area. The most universally understood language is SiLozi. We sell or trade SiLozi Bibles wherever we work. Is there a GWF representative constantly at work in each community? Or do you train up leaders from the community to take over once you’ve left? GWF utilises full time employees, part time employees, and volunteer teams and individuals. GWF employs a full time missionary who cares for the village churches. His work entails ongoing visits to equip the leaders, to encourage the members, and to assist with evangelism. GWF also employs a full time boreman who drills the boreholes and installs and maintains the solar panels and pumps. The third full time employee works with the farmers to facilitate the vegetable farming and to promote Farming God's Way. The above team is supported by Zambian ministry partners who assist with interpretation and cultural guidance. These ministry partners receive intensive training to enable them to independently continue the work. To where is my donation allotted? You can elect to apply 100% of your gift to any specific project. Alternatively, you can gift to the general fund that pays for salaries, equipment, and consumables. All monies received are utilised in the field, and the management of the foundation is funded by private donors. With all of the aid that has been sent to African nations, why are there still people with little access to clean water, education, better farming techniques, etc.? While many African nations have received aid, there is still a great need in many rural communities. Because the communities we visit are so remote, there are few organisations that have gone into these communities in order to provide education, relief, and services. Many African nations have large populations, and while some people who live in more urbanised areas receive aid, many who live in rural communities do not; that is why we target these specific communities. Unfortuantely, much of the aid that has been sent to African nations has been squandered due to corruption, or has simply been mismanaged. God's Work Foundation is completely privately funded: each and every donated dollar is used in the field and will not be mismanaged in any way. When I watch the news or read articles online, why do I see so many African people with cell phones, yet I’m told many of them have no access to clean water? That doesn’t make sense. While it can be somewhat confusing, it is important to understand that just because many Africans have access to cell phones does not mean that they all have one. Also, it is important to note that it is far easier to bring radiowaves that weigh nothing than to bring water which weighs a tonne to each community. This article may help in your understanding of why Africa is still in need even when there is access to technology: https://washmatters.wateraid.org/blog/why-can-people-get-access-to-mobile-phones-and-not-safe-water |
Why, with so many other nations in need, did God’s Work Foundation decide to do work in Zambia?
In 2007, Michiel Barnard (founder of God's Work Foundation) felt called to explore whether there is opportunity for him and his team to have evangelistic impact in Western Zambia. He entered the Western Province at the border and stopped in every village he found along the way, asking the people in every village where the local church was. His plan was to continue driving into remote Western Zambia until he found the first village where there was no local church. This village, is Imusho village, the place where he and his team started to evangelise and uplift. The place without a local church. What started out as evangelistic outreaches, quickly evolved into community upliftment trips. As time progressed, Michiel and his team's impact spread to neighbouring villages. Today, more than a decade later, God's Work Foundation has established a base a few kilometers north of Imusho village in an area called Sinjembela. Working from the base, the team of full time employees, volunteers, and partners serve approximately 50 villages. I’d like to visit one of your communities in Zambia. Will it be safe for me? Many tourists go to Zambia to visit one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Victoria Falls. Zambia is also one of Africa’s most stable democratic countries. As long as normal precautions are taken, you should be safe when travelling within the country. I would love to visit a community but am unable to do so. How best can I help? The best and simplest help we could ask for is your prayers. Please pray for our teams, our mission, and the people of Zambia. Please pray for strength, understanding, and a sense of true purpose to be upon each member of our teams. Perhaps the most “hands-on” way that you can help is to donate! As we’ve stated in other pages, we are privately funded so 100% of your donation goes to the field. After you’ve donated, feel free to Like our Facebook page to read all of our updates and see the faces of the people who your generous gift has helped. If I don’t receive a tax receipt for giving to GWF, why should I give? In one short word: Love. We love because Jesus first loved us, and through Him, we are able to show love to people whom we’ve never met. It is the aim of this foundation to be the arms and hands of Jesus as we use your donation to show Zambians Jesus’ love for them in practical and spiritual ways. You can also rest assured that, when you donate your hard-earned money to GWF, every penny of it will be used for others in need, and you will feel all the richer for being a part of the cause. |