We’re celebrating a major milestone in Family Legacy’s vision to provide dignified, high-quality education to vulnerable children in Zambia: Lusaka West Legacy Academy has officially moved to its new, permanent campus!

John Hasse addresses Lusaka West students and guardians.

After 13 years of operating in rented facilities, Lusaka West now stands proudly on Family Legacy-owned land. This move marks a significant step in our long-term vision to own and outfit our school properties to best serve our students and staff.

The new campus opened with a big celebration, attended by President & CEO John Hasse, Country Director Chikondi Phiri, senior leaders, and a proud community.

“As we open the doors today, we promise to honor your investment by providing excellent education that prepares our students not just academically, but practically for life’s opportunities,” Hasse said. 

The Lusaka West acreage pre-construction. The school currently consists of modular buildings, with ample room for growth.

The new campus sits on a spacious 15-acre site and features:

• 17 classrooms and 7 operational spaces
• A modern administration center
• A new ablution block with 25 toilets and showers
• Solar panels and water tanks to support uninterrupted learning
• A brand new trades pavilion (coming soon!)

The school currently serves 449 students and is supported by 28 dedicated staff members.

“This means a lot to us as staff,” Headteacher Mackson Mambalakata said. “We are now in a dignified workspace, and we remain grateful to management for making this possible.”

Lusaka West students walk together to tour the new campus.

Owned buildings like Lusaka West allow us to improve infrastructure when and where we need to. Students are looking forward to the benefits this new campus offers. 

“We have plenty of toilets, and the girls even have showers.” Arnold, a Lusaka West student, said. “I’m looking forward to more developments like a play park and the trades section.”

Others are eager about the potential that lies in the added acreage.

“At the old school, playing football was a challenge,” Joshua, another Lusaka West student, said. “Now, we have enough space for sports and other activities.” 

Lusaka West Legacy Academy is now the 16th of our 18 schools to operate on Family Legacy-owned land. This latest owned Legacy Academy follows Kalikiliki (opened January 2024) and Kanyama and Misisi (opened January 2025). Our transition from rental properties is one more way we are stewarding our resources while improving our students’ learning environment.

We are grateful to our generous community for fueling this transition and to God’s faithfulness to bless our students long-term.

The post Room to Dream: Lusaka West’s New Campus appeared first on Family Legacy Missions International.

The following story was written by a graduate of the Legacy Academy program. 

“My name is Arafat. I am now 22 years old, the middle child in a family of three boys. My early childhood was filled with joy. My parents raised us to know the word of God, believing it to be the greatest shield we could ever carry in this world. But when I was just seven, my life changed forever.

On September 9, 2010, I lost my father.

Everything good seemed to turn upside down. Relatives we thought we could rely on turned away from us, leaving my mother to carry the burden alone. She worked tirelessly to ensure we stayed in school, even when most days felt like an uphill battle.

One afternoon, my mother came home with a spark of hope. She told us about Family Legacy, an organisation supporting vulnerable children like us. Her excitement was contagious, and for the first time in a long while, I felt a deep sense of reassurance. My name was put forward for sponsorship in 2015. That year, I attended Camp Life, though I wasn’t [sponsored]. The following year, my name was finally included on the list of sponsored children, and I began my studies at Chaisa Legacy Academy in Grade 5.

Family Legacy became a constant source of support, academically, spiritually, and emotionally. I worked hard to excel, my mother and God being my greatest motivators. But tragedy struck again on May 5, 2021, when my mother passed away.

Losing her, my strongest encourager, felt like losing the ground beneath my feet. The pain was overwhelming, but the word of God remained my anchor, even on days when hope felt distant. I pressed on.

During my secondary level at North Secondary LA, I was honoured to serve as a senior prefect and later sat for the grade 12 national examinations in 2023. To me, this was proof that God was still fulfilling His promises.

In 2024, I was selected to take a trades course in catering. I completed it with good grades, adding another stepping stone to my journey. At the start of 2025, I moved to Mumbwa, searching for better opportunities. It was a difficult decision to leave my brothers, who had become my closest family, but I believed it was necessary for my future.

Just when my hope was running out, God made a way.

Family Legacy called to tell me I had been chosen to attend the Baylor [programme], which equips young people with work ethics and career skills. That experience renewed my confidence and reminded me that my journey is still unfolding.

Today, I am grateful to God for using Family Legacy to show me kindness and opportunity. My dream is to become a successful businessman, and I plan to study hotel and business management to achieve that goal. Psalm 119:11 has kept me standing, and I am determined to keep soaring higher, no matter what comes my way.”

After attending the Baylor student-led seminar and Excel Beyond job fair, Arafat got a job with Fortune Foods, a restaurant group operating restaurants and franchises in Zambia.

God weaves stories like Arafat’s through sponsorship. Sponsor a child today to be a part of the next story God writes.

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The post Guided by Grace: Arafat’s Journey appeared first on Family Legacy Missions International.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe.” Psalm 107:1–2 

At a young age, Gabriel suffered an injury that left him with untreated wounds, ultimately leading to an infection in his left hip. Although our team found him and quickly sought medical care, the infection had already caused permanent damage to the bone, requiring a hip replacement. Gabriel could run and play with the other kids, but he did so with a limp and significant pain, dreaming of a day when he could be free from it.  

Gabriel and Dr. Brad Guffey before Gabriel’s surgery

The path to healing was not easy, largely because Zambia had no surgeons who performed hip replacements. Family Legacy staff members searched and prayed for opportunities to have the surgery elsewhere. After several years, God revealed His answer to those prayers. At Camp Life 2024, generous supporters Edd and Nina Hendee heard about Gabriel’s need while speaking with Dr. Brad Guffey. They immediately took action, connecting our team with a surgeon in Houston who not only agreed to perform the surgery, but offered to do it at no cost.  

With many of God’s people stepping in to help, including Family Legacy staff, the Hendees, and Andrew and Stacey White (Gabriel’s sponsors), Gabriel arrived in Houston in mid-September for a life-changing surgery that successfully replaced his left hip. As he healed, Gabriel leaned into one of his greatest talents—painting. Not only did it pass the time, but it became a meaningful way for him to share his perspective with others, painting beautiful Zambian sunsets, birds he’s seen, and more.   

From Pain to Painting

Gabriel’s paintings serve as a powerful reminder of the picture God is painting in each of our lives. He redeems us from dark places and gives us a story to tell, so that we can share His goodness and mercy with those around us, as we are called to do in Psalm 107. Gabriel has fully embraced this command after seeing God redeem His life, using countless believers and circumstances to bring healing—spiritually and physically.

Gabriel displaying one of his paintings

Through his paintings—the physical artwork and stories of God’s goodness—Gabriel hopes that believers would continue to invest in the redemptive work God is doing around them. For this reason, Gabriel not only shared his story, but also auctioned 40 of his paintings in Houston on Sunday, November 10, 2024. All proceeds of this event ($44,152.00) went to Family Legacy’s Hill Wellness Center, the very place whose staff members cared for Gabriel and helped him throughout his healing process. He hopes the proceeds of this event will allow others to experience the same life-changing medical care that he received. His humility and overwhelming love toward others have been evident throughout this incredible journey. Click here to donate to the Hill Wellness Center.

May we, like Gabriel, recognize the beauty of God’s redemption stories in our lives. Would we not just recognize them, but also seek to share them, as commanded in Psalm 107, inviting people into the story God continues to write—because He is worthy of all glory and praise.  

To sponsor a child like Gabriel coming from extreme vulnerable circumstances, click here.

The post Gabriel’s Walk: A story of hope, healing, and self-expression appeared first on Family Legacy Missions International.

“I am free to run. I am free to dance.
I am free to live for you. I am free.”

Every Tuesday during Camp Life, American ambassadors hear these lyrics as they pray over the children in their Camp Life groups. They pray for freedom from strongholds, protection from witchcraft, and faith to trust that Jesus is the only way to the Father. Over 300 children every week receive prayer. Many children coming to Camp Life for the first time have never been prayed for, often growing up in homes where syncretism is celebrated.

Danny Lightner, Advisor for Spiritual Development, defines syncretism as “taking our old worldview (before we came to Christ) and combining it with the teaching of the Bible and of Christ.”

“In the context of Zambia, there are people who believe in the traditional teaching of ancestor worship and witch doctors to seek healing,” Lightner said. “When they come to Christ, they know Jesus is the answer for their sins, yet they combine it with the teachings of their culture. Syncretism is marrying two conflicting worldviews. It is believing Jesus needs to forgive your sins but is not sufficient for everything you need. There has to be a surrender of the old way and recognition that all they need is fully in Christ.”

God’s Freedom at Camp Life

At Camp Life, children learn that Jesus is all sufficient and the only hope for healing, freedom, and deliverance. Each week, they sing in faith that they are free, declaring the truth of the Gospel amidst darkness. Each week, ambassadors pray against the strongholds that the children come against and invite God’s Spirit to change the hearts, minds, and attitudes of those who were once in bondage. Each week, God shows up.

Josephine, a child from Mtendere, experienced freedom from fear through the power of these prayers. At the start of her Camp Life week, she believed God was not with her whenever she was afraid. However, through prayer and faith in the Camp Life theme verse of Joshua 1:9 to “be strong and courageous,” she was able to leave Camp with a renewed freedom from fear of witchcraft, saying:

“He sees me and knows me, so I am not afraid.” -Josephine, vulnerable child from Mtendere Community

Blessing attended Camp Life when freedom seemed impossible. Living as an albino in her community led to trauma merely because of the color of her skin. However, at Camp Life, she was seen not for her skin color, but rather as an image bearer of Christ. A week after camp, God further answered prayers for freedom and healing when Blessing temporarily moved to the Tree of Life. While she stays here, she will have a place to learn freely and be empowered by the staff to become all God has created her to be until she can safely return home.

By God’s grace, Family Legacy is transforming the lives of hundreds of students like Josephine and Blessing. Camp Life, the Tree of Life, and Legacy Academies are all instruments He is using to change eternities. By empowering children in prayer, education, and discipleship, hundreds of children walk in the freedom of Christ in their God-given identities.

The post Empowered for Freedom appeared first on Family Legacy Missions International.

A Sponsor and a Partner Reunite

In 2012, Stephanie Beard attended a Family Legacy event hosted by her neighbor and felt an immediate connection to the work of the organization. This complemented her heart for missions, inspiring her to begin sponsoring a young boy named Messah.

By 2015, Stephanie’s husband, Brian, felt a strong desire to meet Messah in person.

Jacqueline and Stephanie in 2016

By 2016, Stephanie, Brian, and their three children were traveling to Zambia for their first Camp Life.

During this journey, Stephanie met Jacqueline, a Zambian partner whose vibrant energy and infectious enthusiasm made a lasting impression. Together, they were able to create unforgettable memories, their spirits lifting the group and each other. Stephanie recounts that trip as “extremely emotional and life-changing”—at the time, she had yet to learn just how much that would be true.

Fast forward to 2024, Stephanie and her family were on their latest Camp Life trip with Family Legacy. On the second day, they visited the Chainda community in Lusaka, where many of the children who attend Camp Life live. This visit provided a powerful glimpse into the daily realities faced by these children. As part of their tour, they visited the Family Legacy Academy in the community to learn about the children’s education in detail.

One moment stood out to Stephanie during the tour: she entered a classroom where mothers of the Academy’s children were being taught to read and write in English through scripture. After an insightful explanation from the instructor, Brian felt compelled to offer words of encouragement to the mothers, and Stephanie followed with a prayer. While praying, she turned to thank the instructor and asked her name. To her astonishment, the instructor was none other than Jacqueline! The two women immediately recognized each other, embracing with tears of joy and gratitude for the reunion.

Jacqueline and Stephanie in 2024

This encounter uncovered the incredible journey Jacqueline lived since their last meeting. After the 2016 trip, Family Legacy hired Jacqueline, recognizing her potential and passion with children. She began working at the Family Legacy Academy in Chainda, initially teaching Discipleship before moving on to teach English and literacy to the mothers of the students. Jacqueline and her husband had even established a church in their community that many Family Legacy students attend, further extending her impact on the community.

Jacqueline’s influence on Stephanie has been profound and lasting, mirroring the broader mission of Family Legacy—to bring people together and change lives. This journey of connection and transformation underscores the powerful bonds and the impact God fosters through Family Legacy in Zambia and beyond. Through His goodness, the organization continues to see ripples of hope and change in countless lives; not just in the sponsored students, but the faithful men and women who pour into them.

The post A Journey of Connection Years in the Making appeared first on Family Legacy Missions International.

The Nurse who Lives to Serve

Praise M. always dreamed of being a professional football player; admiring legends like Samuel Eto’o who played the same position he does. His eye for the goal is unquestionable, attracting attention from various local football clubs looking to acquire a prolific striker. The grand dream of playing in front of the Anfield faithful would provoke his imagination, wondering what it would be like to put on the colors of his favorite football team. This is a man who is not afraid of dreaming big and wears his heart on his sleeve. With the passage of time and an unexpected experience, his ambition to score goals turned into an ambition to save people’s lives. 

“I had just boarded a bus to attend a football trial in another city and sat next to a sickly man who was clearly struggling. My heart went out to him, and during the journey, I had the opportunity to provide some care for his needs. I felt so fulfilled doing that and wondered if this might be something I would enjoy doing long term and if this is what God was calling me to do. Not so long after that, the opportunity to study nursing presented itself, and I felt compelled to take it.” 

Just over a year ago, he joined the vibrant roster of Hill Wellness Center staff and instantly fit into the work culture. This is a place he feels he belongs. 

“I have the best colleagues I have ever had. This is by far the best team I have worked with. We are always ready to achieve great things. I am never worried about overcoming challenges because of the immense trust we have in each other’s friendship and competence.”

It doesn’t take long to notice a sincere relationship with God that motivates his pursuits. As he clearly expresses his purpose in life, a sincere expression of conviction is unmistakable. 

“I am confident that my purpose in life is to serve God by serving others. That is why I am amazed at how Family Legacy’s mission and mine are perfectly aligned. I am here to serve and believe there is nothing more important I could be doing with my life.”

The post From Scoring Goals to Saving Lives appeared first on Family Legacy Missions International.

Two Girls Pursuit of Transformation 

Broad smiles, elegant poise and confident charisma, these attributes describe two teenage girls who make an immediate impression. Tabitha M. and Jane K. are two sixteen-year-old girls in the 9th grade; enrolled as students at Secondary East Legacy Academy. This is their first time sitting down for an official interview, but rather than the usual nerves often seen in these moments, an attitude of calm and readiness sets the ambiance for what was about to be an intriguing conversation. 

Lennox: “Well, let’s begin with you telling me what your hobbies are in life.”

Tabitha: “I enjoy spending time with my friends and reading. I’m not really into sports like a lot of people. I really like folktales and novels and recently read an extended version of ‘Beauty and the Beast’, which I really enjoyed.”

Lennox: “You mentioned spending time with your friends. Would you mind telling me a little bit about who your friends are?”

Tabitha: “Jane, who is sitting right next to me, is one of my closest friends. That said, I honestly don’t have many friends, and I like to keep it that way because I want to be careful in choosing my circle of influence. I know that I’m a young girl, which might make me susceptible to being influenced to do things I will regret. So, I must be wise and careful about who I want to be friends with. I love Jane because she is very educated, entertaining and knows how to put a smile on my face.”

Lennox: “And Jane, would you like to tell me about your hobbies and interests?”

Jane: “I really love singing and spending time with friends. Gospel music is what I usually listen to, and right now, I’m enjoying a song titled “Yours” by my favorite artist named GUC.”

Lennox: “When you imagine what you would like to achieve in life, what things come to mind?”

Tabitha: “Success, a beautiful family and wealth. I would love to start my own business and put a lot of effort into that. I would also love to have a good family that I’m really close to. I want to give them the best of my time and attention and not get lost in other things I will be pursuing. In doing so, I want to change my family’s story.”

Lennox: “Touching on that, would you be open to sharing your family’s story and as you attempt to redeem it, what are you hoping it will sound like?”

Tabitha: “Right now, things aren’t really going well. My father passed away, so I only have my mother, and she’s not stable financially, so I’m just trying to change her story and mine as well. By being a good, responsible and hard-working person, I believe I can have a wholesome family so that my own children won’t have to go through what I have.” 

Jane: “Much like what Tabitha said, I would like to be a business lady and attain success with a great family. I also want to do something to change my family because right now it’s also not in good shape. I also only have a mother, but I have never been able to stay with her because she is a serious alcoholic who still struggles. I stay with my sister, who never had the opportunity to finish school but works very hard to look after me and my siblings.”

Lennox: “Wow, I appreciate you both sharing that with me. When you think about the future, is university something you think about and have plans for?”

Tabitha: “Yes, it is! I look forward to the experience of meeting new people and growing in a different way. I hope to study something science-related because it’s something I’m really enjoying learning in class now, and I believe I could do great things with it.” 

Jane: “When I go to University, I want to study medicine because I would like to become a physiotherapist. That’s really my ambition. I also hope that my experience there will help me grow spiritually as well.”

Lennox: “That all sounds very exciting, and I hope you realize all that you dream of. A moment ago, you spoke of growing spiritually. Do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ? And if so, could you describe it to me?”

Jane: “I have a relationship with Christ. Sometimes it shakes, and other times it’s stable, but it exists. I really want to deepen my intimate relationship with Him. I think that means doing all things with God, submitting to what He commands and looking up to Him.”

Tabitha: “There was a time when I didn’t even want to talk about God because I felt like He neglected me. I didn’t want to know Him or hear the mention of His name, but now that’s completely changed. I want to learn more about Him; I want to worship Him and have Him as my partner and friend.”

Lennox: “Having said that, what does it mean for you to have Jesus as a Savior?”

Tabitha: “I know that when He is my Savior, He will always be here with me, He will save me from all kinds of trouble. He will be a friend to me and sort of like a guardian angel. 

Lennox: “Let me just make sure you understand this correctly: According to Romans 3:23, everyone has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. A few chapters later, we come across the first part of Romans 6:23, which speaks of sin as deserving of death. That means that our sin puts us in a state of hostility with God, who would be right and just to pour His wrath on us. That is terrible and devastating news. However, the second part of Romans 6:23 tells us about the gift of salvation given to us because Jesus took the punishment we deserved and gave us His righteousness so that we could have a good relationship with God. We aren’t made right with God because of what we do or say but only by putting our trust in what He has done and accomplished in His death and resurrection. As we place our faith in Him, we turn from our sin and live for Him. Does that make sense?

Tabitha and Jane: “Yes, it does!”

Lennox: “This is the final question I have for both of you: How can people be praying for you as they read your story?”

Tabitha: “After hearing what you’ve had to say, I really want to develop a strong relationship with God because if I’m honest it hasn’t been good or very strong. That’s the one thing I want people to pray for.”

Jane: “I also want people to pray that I have a stong relationship with God and that I will understand what His word says a lot better. I will also ask that people pray for my mother. I would love to know what it feels like to stay with her and enjoy her love and care.”

The post Changing Our Family’s Story appeared first on Family Legacy Missions International.

Expressions of a Mother’s Love

Florence Miti grew up in a loving home that gave her the opportunity to attend a reputable school, and she aspired to become a teacher. That all changed when her father passed away, and she was forced to move to a different city to live with extended family. These drastic changes in her life impeded her academic progression, and she was forced to drop out of school. 

Currently, she lives in Ngombe with her husband and children.

“It is a strange mix of anticipation and anxiety when I think about my children being on a path I am familiar with but had to let go of. The fact that they are in school right now is something I am so grateful for, and I would hate to see anything get in the way of that.”

For Florence, a large part of her daily routine involves waking up early to get the children ready for school, making sure uniforms are washed, dried and ironed and preparing food for when the children return from school. She is an actively involved parent at the Ngombe Legacy Academy school and is determined to do her part in raising her children to become responsible, hardworking and God-fearing people. 

“I may not have much, but I always give my children the best that I have. I want to see them succeed and become respected people in the community. I can’t say I have specific things I would want them to become when they are older, but I just want them to put God first in everything and be able to take care of themselves well. I would be satisfied if my children had a bright future.”

In Zambia, about only 55% of children who start school graduate. Although Florence is part of this statistic, she is determined to ensure that the misfortune of dropping out of school will not persist with her family. 

“One day I will go back to school to finish my education. I want to see my children do well in life, but I realize that I too can rise above the misfortune of the past and set an example for them on how to be resilient in hopes of a bright future. So, I am motivated and certain that there is a better future for my family and I.”

In a world that doesn’t always value motherhood, time, attention and care must be given to those who are raising children in the way they should go. Florence aspires to be a mother who her children can look up to and honor. 

“It doesn’t make me happy that I am not always able to support my children the way I would like, but I am deeply grateful for all the support I receive in helping me raise my children the right way. Raising children is not easy, but I love it and pray that one day my children will be able to say I was a good mother who loved and supported them to the best of my ability. 

I just want to say thank you to those who have helped me and my children over the years.”

The post Only the Best for My Child appeared first on Family Legacy Missions International.

A Homage to the Hill Wellness Center

The scenes initially appear to mimic a medical drama on television, but this one is void of props, million-dollar cameras and actors with makeup. This is real life without the aid of scripts, cuts and filters. This is a story of real events, in real-time, about the real successes of true heroes. 

“Brad… this is serious. We have never seen anything like this before.” Rumors of a pending global pandemic involving a virus were looming, but a call like this made it all the more real. “Do what you can to ensure the safety of the children’s village and put things in place to provide care for those who may get sick. This was a familiar voice that for years had been one of optimism and encouragement, but this time, an unmistakable tone of concern and uncertainty seemed to color the bright rooms of the Wellness Center with an uninviting shade of gray. After an awkward moment of silence, the only thing that could be muttered as a response was, “Thank you for this information Lloyd, we will do what we can. Keep me updated on any developments.”

Fifteen months after that call, the precautions and protocols put in place to mitigate a possible crisis proved to be a difference-maker at the Hill Wellness center. Having largely avoided the first two waves of the sweeping Coronavirus, Zambia was hit hard by the third wave, which spread quickly and infected more people than the previous waves together in a matter of days. The first two waves of the virus drastically slowed down most of Family Legacy’s programs, but the third one was more devastating, affecting both staff members and children in the programs. Family Legacy’s flagship program, Camp Life, was called off for the second year running, and a frantic attempt to get sponsorships for hundreds of children secured. The pending pandemic had finally arrived in full force within Zambian borders,  the gates of Legacy Academy schools’, and in the Tree of Life Children’s Village. 

The staff at the Hill Wellness Center were ready for this outbreak and worked long hours to ensure children were tested and treated.

 At a time when most people were staying home and employing all preventive measures against catching the virus, the staff at the wellness center were on the frontlines, risking their health to be a helping hand to those in need. Beyond caring for the children, the Hill Wellness Center prioritized providing testing and care for guardians and caretakers. This proved successful with curbed infection rates and wholesome recoveries that made an impression on a national scale. 

The Hill Wellness Center exists to serve, and everyone who has experienced their care will testify to the wonderful service they provide. The vibrant and unified culture that defines this team is hard to miss as widened smiles, laughter and confidence seem baked into the walls. This is a team of heroes; worthy of admiration and applause. 

The post True Heroes Wear Scrubs appeared first on Family Legacy Missions International.

A Library Designed to Build Staff Members

Decision-making, problem-solving, team management and the provision of direction are just a few things that are required of leaders. To be an effective leader, the acquisition of information and ideas are of utmost necessity. John Adams, the second president of the United States of America, made commentary on the necessity of reading by saying, “How can any man judge unless his mind has been opened and enlarged by reading?” A century and a half later, the 33rd president of the USA, Harry S. Truman said, “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” It appears that the most successful leaders both past and present attribute a great part of their success to an unquenchable quest for knowledge. Good leaders are learners who read. 

In a thoughtful attempt to produce distinguished leaders, the staff development team at Family Legacy has launched a leadership library to invest in the growth of staff members. 

“This year one of the goals for the Staff Development and Training department was to open a Leadership Library at the Ibex office. The Leadership Library was launched in the hope that it would grow our staff personally and professionally. Staff can check out titles and read independently or for those titles that we have more than one copy of, they can check out a set of books and do a book study with their colleagues. Currently, the Leadership Library has 33 different titles. The titles range in topics from how to be a better manager, growing as a Christian and classroom management. Our plan is to continue adding new titles to the Leadership Library each year.” —Heather Henry, Staff Development and Training Program Manager

Those who give themselves to this initiative have the potential to be leaders with an informed conviction toward Truth and fruitfulness.

The post Leaders are Readers appeared first on Family Legacy Missions International.