Long-time Oakdale member, Nora Jones served for two years as a missionary in Zambia. She ministered at the Village of Hope orphanage and helped teach at the School of Hope—located less than 2 hours north of the capital city of Lusaka. Zambia is an English speaking Christian country. More than 13 years ago, Benedict and Kathleen Schwartz established the Village of Hope as a home for Zambian orphans. Today the Village is thriving. 110 orphans live there. They are loved and cared for and get a quality Christian education with other local children at the School of Hope. Learn more about the Village of Hope at their website: https://www.akclivillageofhope.com.
In March 2019, Oakdale Church members Maja and David Lehnus and their daughter, Clare, went to visit Nora at the Village of Hope in Zambia. While visiting, they were assigned a house of orphans who they spent time with every evening. These very special children will be in their hearts forever. Clare was very popular with the children at the School of Hope. All members of the Lehnus Family worked on an array of projects that put their unique skills to good use. The Village of Hope is a very special place.
Oakdale was planning to send a mission team to Zambia in June 2020. The trip has tentatively been postponed to June 2021. This is a unique opportunity to really make a difference in the lives of Zambian orphans and to grow a Christians. As soon as we can confirm the trip, we will be collecting much needed supplies and financial support for the participant.
To learn more, contact Marti English or Mary Johnson.