The May, 2025 Update!

The last few months have been incredibly busy since January. We couldn’t be more thankful for what God is doing here in Chipata—from the literacy class and Bible school at Chiyembekezo to the couples seminar and the steady growth of Hope Bible Baptist Church in the city. The work of God is growing and moving forward in Zambia’s Eastern province! What really gets us excited, though, is seeing people grow in their faith and take real steps in following Jesus. That’s what it’s all about! These decisions impact families, strengthen churches, and make a difference in entire communities. The Great Commission isn’t just about gathering a crowd—it’s about lives being changed from the inside out and people seeing the world through a brand-new lens.

2025 has really been a year of building and strengthening foundations—and at the heart of it all is discipleship. Over the past two and a half years, nearly 40 believers have either completed or are currently going through one-on-one or group discipleship through this ministry in the city of Chipata. And we’re not just training pastors—we’re walking alongside dads and moms, young adults, older folks, and even students still in school. Everyone’s growing, and it’s been amazing to watch! 

Many of you know we’ve been working toward securing a two-acre plot of land right in the heart of Chipata—and we’re excited to share that things are still moving in the right direction, though the whole process was delayed when the Ministry of Land’s electronic system was hacked. The idea of putting up a permanent home for this growing body of believers is something we’ve been praying about for a long time.

In early April, our church here in Chipata took up a special offering and gave sacrificially—raising a significant amount toward the land. It’s been encouraging to see everyone step up and take part in something this important. This land truly marks a big step forward as we work to establish a lasting foundation for Hope Bible Baptist Church of Chipata. Please continue to pray that many souls would come to the Savior through the efforts of this church.

And as our team at Hope Zambia continues to grow and move forward, so does the reach of our ministry! It’s been a real joy and privilege to work alongside our Zambian and American brothers and sisters in the faith. Pray for us, pray for our families, and pray for renewed strength as we continue laying foundations in hearts and minds

A Little Letter From Lisa!

While we were setting up for Hope Chipata’s VBS at our property, a man rode up on his bike with a basket full of goods and offered to sell us his “prawns.” Now, after all these years, you’d think I’d be better at picking up on accents—but I was honestly shocked that someone would be selling shrimp from a bike… in a landlocked country! I asked, “Prawns? Like the little fish?” He confidently replied, “Not fish. Prawns. Like the things that grow in the ground.” That’s when it clicked—the classic R/L mix-up! I asked, “Do you mean plants with an L?” And he said, “Yes, there is avocado and mango!” Ha! No shrimp scampi for dinner, but hey—avocado season is here, and that’s a win in my book!

The Let’s Talk Missions Podcast!

Launching Today! We’re thrilled to announce a brand-new series on the Let’s Talk Missions podcast—dropping today at 5 PM EST! Each Tuesday at the same time, we’ll release a fresh episode diving into real conversations about what missions actually looks like on the ground. 

In this opening season, Damon Matacchiera sits down with his close friend and ministry partner, Robert Chirwa, for a candid interview about the state of missions today. Together, they tackle topics like sustainable partnerships, empowerment versus entitlement, the role of the missionary in relation to the local church, and so much more. This isn’t just another missions podcast—we’re pushing past the surface to evaluate what’s working, what’s not, and how we can do better as we proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ at home and around the world. Whether you’re in full-time ministry or just care deeply about the Great Commission, you’ll want to tune in. Subscribe— wherever podcasts are found!