Tell us a little about your family...
We are Wayne, Gemma, Keziah (7) and Reuben (4). For the past 11 years Wayne has been serving as the Minister of Loughton Baptist Church. Gemma is a primary school teacher and the one who holds things together and makes Wayne’s life work!. Keziah is in year 2 at school and Reuben attends the LBC preschool and will be starting school in September 2016.
What inspired you to come to Zambia to spend time with the Beyond Ourselves team?
As a Baptist Minister Wayne is entitled to a three month sabbatical every seven years. A sabbatical is an opportunity to do something different from his normal day to day ministry, including time to enjoy the 3 r’s - rest, relax and read. As we have spent the last year telling our Church it’s not a holiday but does incur a slower pace of life for 3 months!
Having spent 4 months in South America as part of a gap year aged 18 Gemma was always keen to take part in overseas mission again but Wayne being a bit insect/snake/spider phobic was not sure! Wayne chatted to Melissa & Dan’s Pastor and felt something change in his heart and suggested Zambia as a place to spend some of the sabbatical. After much prayer, long lunches with Jodie and many many many emails to Melissa and Dan God seemed to be opening the door to Zambia for us!
So we packed our bags and off we went.
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| Only 2 cases were for us...the rest were full of things for Beyond Ourselves...honest! |
What are your first impressions of Zambia and Beyond Ourselves?
We instantly fell in love with Zambia. We love the people and the way of life…it seems far less hectic than back in the UK. We also love the sun…even though its Zambia’s cold season our British skin is enjoying the heat!
The Beyond Ourselves team gave us a great welcome and we instantly felt at home and as if we had been here for ages! The Zambian people are very friendly and have welcomed us into their country with warmth and love.
It has been really great to see the work that Beyond Ouselves do here in Zambia and we have been struck by how they are seeking to empower the Zambian people.
What are Keziah and Reuben’s enjoying most about being in Zambia?
Keziah – I like singing and playing with the babies at the orphanage. I like seeing the schools.
Reuben – I like Spur (the restaurant with the play area!)
So what have you been doing in Zambia?
Wayne has preached in the Pentecostal Church at Janna school. We had a great welcome here and Wayne is excited he can now add ‘international speaker’ to his CV! He will also be preaching at Ndola Christian Fellowship.
Gemma has been leading some phonics intervention groups in Kapumpe school.
As a family we have been visiting an orphanage helping the 2 house mamas entertain the 7 babies!
On top of this we have be enjoying living life with our new friends including hosting an afternoon tea party for the Queens Birthday!
Oh yes and Wayne has been reading books to feed his soul! Along with lots of family time playing Uno!
We have been welcomed into people’s lives and this has been a very humbling experience. We want to thank everyone who has made our adventure a truly memorable and remarkable experience and one that we will never forget.
The Beyond Ourselves team gave us a great welcome and we instantly felt at home and as if we had been here for ages! The Zambian people are very friendly and have welcomed us into their country with warmth and love.
It has been really great to see the work that Beyond Ouselves do here in Zambia and we have been struck by how they are seeking to empower the Zambian people.
What are Keziah and Reuben’s enjoying most about being in Zambia?
Keziah – I like singing and playing with the babies at the orphanage. I like seeing the schools.
Reuben – I like Spur (the restaurant with the play area!)
So what have you been doing in Zambia?
Wayne has preached in the Pentecostal Church at Janna school. We had a great welcome here and Wayne is excited he can now add ‘international speaker’ to his CV! He will also be preaching at Ndola Christian Fellowship.
Gemma has been leading some phonics intervention groups in Kapumpe school.
As a family we have been visiting an orphanage helping the 2 house mamas entertain the 7 babies!
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| Baby Grace spending time with The Dulsons |
On top of this we have be enjoying living life with our new friends including hosting an afternoon tea party for the Queens Birthday!
Oh yes and Wayne has been reading books to feed his soul! Along with lots of family time playing Uno!
We have been welcomed into people’s lives and this has been a very humbling experience. We want to thank everyone who has made our adventure a truly memorable and remarkable experience and one that we will never forget.
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