A Transformed Life: John's Story

It was a day just like any other.

Confined to his wheelchair, John sat at the edge of the crowded street, begging in order to survive. Some took pity, and others walked by in disgust, not even daring to lay a finger on his wheelchair. As a disabled person, John had been an outcast for years, rejected by both his family and society.

As the people continued to rush by, many refusing to glance in his direction, one woman slowly approached the place where he was sitting. As he did every day, John called out to her, pleading for food or money. Little did he know that his life was about to change forever.

This woman, as it turned out, had previously worked with OM Zambia and Bethesda Ministries, an organization dedicated to reaching out to the disabled of Africa. After a long conversation, she was able to connect John with Peter Chila, the current leader of Bethesda.

John shares his story

Through the work of OM Zambia that John has now experienced true love and acceptance. As he shared his story, he glowed with a renewed hope and purpose, one that can only come from the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

John now leads a support group in his community, meeting each Friday and sharing encouragement and scripture to people like himself. The work of those at Bethesda has truly transformed his life, providing him with opportunities that are beyond even his wildest imaginations.

"One day during our meeting, Peter came to me and told me that I was included in the team to travel to America," John explained. "I never thought or dreamed that one day I would come to America...I am from a poor family and I am also disabled. I know now that my God is so great and so powerful."

Along with the OM Zambia leadership team, John will be traveling to Minnesota to attend a national wheelchair camp. Throughout his time, he will participate in activities, listen to speakers, and meet others who struggle with similar disabilities.

"I cannot wait to go back home and share with my fellow disabled, making them understand that it is only God who is capable of bringing change into our lives. I want to help others experience exactly what has happened to me."

John truly believes that God has used Bethesda to give him a second chance at life. His deepest desire is to spread the message of healing and compassion to everyone around him, impacting those who are despised and forgotten.

Spotlight: OM Zambia & Bethesda Ministries

Some limp, while others are pushed in wheelchairs, but there is no doubt that each person has a special connection to Bethesda Ministries. It has become a center of opportunity for the destitute and a place of joy for people who once had no hope.

Since it opened in 2009, Bethesda has provided a place of safety and opportunity for the disabled, sharing genuine love and acceptance that many have never experienced. The ministry has grown significantly in just a few years and now offers physical therapy, support groups, and even operations to those with treatable ailments.

OM Zambia started their first school for disabled children
in Kabwe in January 2013.

Their latest achievement has been the addition of a school for disabled children, the first of its kind in Central Zambia. Under the leadership of Peter and Brenda Chila, the ministry has flourished, bringing laughter, love, and freedom to so many.

They currently work daily with fifteen students who suffer from cerebral palsy, epilepsy, Down syndrome, or other unknown diseases. Peter described the desperate needs of the disabled in a culture that casts them aside.

"Bit by bit we are penetrating the community, persevering in prayer. Grace is coming from those people as they see the transformation and healing that is happening," he shared.

Each year, Bethesda holds a Community Disabled Day, inviting those from the area to join together to see and hear what is taking place. The goal of the event is to bring public awareness and a sense of acceptance among the people of Zambia.

Peter, of OM Zambia, helps a young
disabled boy draw

"For years, many parents would hide their disabled children in their homes," Brenda explained, "so for many of these people, it was their first time to fellowship with others."

In just a few years, Bethesda has brought unbelievable change into the community, and the vision continues with their current plans for expansion. Starting a computer-training program, building a physical therapy room, and updating facilities for the mothers are just several projects they anticipate in the future. Additionally, Peter and Brenda hope to build an integrated school where both disabled and able-bodied children can learn together in a encouraging environment.

However, even amidst their numerous responsibilities and daily demands, the Chilas have not lost sight of their true motivation for what they do

"The uniqueness of our ministry is not just about education or buildings, it is about the heart and the calling. You really have to know that you have been called by God," Brenda smiled.

Although every day is a sacrifice, Peter and Brenda have a true heart for those who cannot help themselves. Dismissing cultural expectations and barriers, they are reaching out to the lost and forgotten of Zambia and changing lives for eternity.

Pray for Zambia:

*People with disabilities to be accepted in their communities

*Funds to build the new integrated school

*Empowerment for the affected families

*Funds to pay the teachers' salaries

*Transport money to take the children to surgery

The OM Zambia team shares about what God
is doing at Bethesda.

For more information about OM's work in Zambia and how you can get involved, please click here.

Prayer Plus: 48 Hours of Prayer

"I call on you Lord, and you answer me." (Psalm 17:6)

The prayers of God's people are a powerful force. We can communicate with the Creator of the entire universe. We can stand before the throne of the Lord who holds the keys to eternity. We can speak to the God who has no beginning and no end. We can approach our Father who loves us more than we could ever imagine.

With prayer, we can move mountains.

As the OM team began their 48 hours of prayer, many people were encouraged to pray continually and take part in an intimate time with the Lord. In a world of darkness and sin, only God has the power to change hearts and lives for His glory.

During this special time, a local family requested prayer as they begin their two-year commitment in the Near East.  With the continuing rise of violence and unrest in neighboring Syria and Iraq, the region has experienced a surge of hundreds of thousands of refugees seeking protection. Operation Mobilization has worked closely with local Arab churches to provide food, medical assistance, counseling, and other forms relief to those who are struggling to survive.

Literature distribution in the Near East

However, even amidst the desolation, God is at work in the Near East. Along with their three teenage daughters, the family expressed their desire to bring hope and restoration through Jesus Christ and shared stories of the amazing openness to the gospel.

The OM Near East team currently consists of 80 adults with over 12 new recruits joining in August and September. Although they will be leaving many familiar things behind, the family is deeply committed to following God wherever He should choose to lead them.

They originally discovered OM through short-term mission trips, however it wasn't long before they began to sense God's prompting to become even more involved in the organization. Now, through pastoral care, counseling, and leading worship, they anticipate the ways that God will use them to reach many people in a region that desperately needs the gospel.

"Rejoice always, pray with out ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Prayer Plus: International Perspectives

For the first time in nearly a decade, Operation Mobilization's international board of executives visited the Atlanta-based office. During the weekly prayer meeting, they addressed staff and volunteers, each taking a few moments to share the work that God is doing around the world.

South Africa Field Leader, Peter Tarantal

Leaders from Mozambique, France, and South Africa recounted numerous life-changing experiences that they had witnessed through interactions with the locals. They told about evangelism, missionary training, and voiced genuine gratitude for OM's faithful partnership. As they endeavor to take the gospel to the ends of the world, they each agreed that their work would not be possible without the prayer and support of those in the United States. Though the journey is often wrought with difficulty, they are beginning to see many people respond to the gospel and experience the saving power of Jesus Christ in their lives.

Staff and volunteers gather to pray for the leadership
team and their ministry around the world.

CEO of the Ships Ministry, Peter Nicoll, inspired the audience as he shared stories from over 40 years of ongoing global impact. He described the recent experience of welcoming nearly 46,000 Japanese onboard to provide encouragement and share the hope of the gospel. Through literature distribution and evangelism, the ships have aided in mobilizing local churches and taking the scripture to places that would be otherwise unreachable. The ministry continues to expand rapidly, with the Logos Hope being the only OM project that had raised $10 million dollars of funding nearly two years before they needed it. As God is continues to do amazing things through OM's ship ministry, Nicoll urges fellow believers to pray, believing that that the ministry is truly propelled by the prayers of God's people.

International Director, Lawrence Tong

International Director, Lawrence Tong expressed his visions for OM as the organization embarks on a 24-month journey towards restructuring. The goal of this transition, he explained, is not to be better or perfect, but instead to release, equip, and empower thousands more people to missions. As he shared from Genesis 13, Tong's awe-inspiring passion and heart for missions shone through. With over two million people who have never heard the gospel, Tong's vision is to dare to trust God for things so big that they are bound to fail without His help. During this time of change, his desire is that OM would be completely available and ready to take action in any way that God should choose. As Tong so perfectly described, "Let us be the coin in God's pocket to use in any way that he pleases." Tong believes that as OM continues to grow, God will use the organization in extraordinary ways to claim the entire earth for His kingdom. 

From Internship to Asia

As an International Affairs student at Kennesaw State University with absolutely no interest in diplomacy, many may have wondered if Blake chose the right major. However, Blake explains that he selected the major because of his desire to be involved globally, even if it was not through the typical career path. Believing that God would show him how to best use the degree, he continued in his studies and began to seek opportunities that might provide some direction.

Blake (OM USA Intern)

Through both prayer and networking, he was able to connect with a friend who was involved in Operation Mobilization. This interaction opened the door for a meeting with OM executives and eventually an internship, an opportunity that he had never originally expected.

As a part of Operation Mobilization's pilot internship program, Blake was able to obtain approval through his university for nine hours of related studies college credit. Working in the Global Connections office, his days involved a variety of unique tasks with the central focus being on research. He explained that since missionaries are increasingly required to possess specific trades or skills, his research focused on finding marketplace opportunities for their involvement around the world. Throughout the duration of his internship, he was also heavily involved with his university, raising awareness and excitement for missions.

As the final component of his internship, Blake agreed to participate in a summer mission trip. The goal was that this cultural immersion would solidify everything he had learned and provide him with an opportunity to experience OM's impact firsthand. The location of his trip was originally kept a secret so that he would focus on the "why", not necessarily the "where." By going to an unknown location, his supervisors believed that he would be able to focus on what the Lord truly wanted him to do and not become distracted by the practical aspects of the trip.

However, through a series of circumstances, the information was accidentally leaked, informing him that his destination was Southeast Asia. "The Lord must have wanted me to know," he laughed, "[Southeast Asia] is a hard place to be, but OM has been very successful there."

Although not certain about the specifics, he explained that he would meet up with a church planting team in the area. In addition to planting new churches, he hopes to participate in urban ministry, street evangelism, and hiking to remote villages to share the gospel.

"It's really relational ministry - to discuss with them how they are, who they are, the desires of their heart, and to be a good impression for Christians and Americans."

Spending a summer abroad will be a truly life changing experience, and he believes that his time interning at Operation Mobilization has prepared him for any challenges he might face.

He explained that his time spent in the office environment gave him a glimpse into how a healthy workplace community should function. Combined with OM's strong collective vision, this well-rounded experience could be applied later to both Christian and secular organizations. Blake shared that the balance of both vocational and spiritual emphasis was perhaps the most unique aspect of the internship.

"Learning scripture and theology in addition to the office work that I do has just grown me so much in my faith. The more I know about Christ, the more confident I am to do things for Him," he explained. "I have appreciated hearing the stories and interacting with the diverse group of people working here. You have an opportunity to serve the Lord in a fun environment where you can delight in what you are doing and know that the work is directly correlated with kingdom visions overseas."

Although his time at the office may have drawn to a close, he says that his experience at OM has set him on a journey that will lead him to places he could have never imagined. As he embarks on his newest mission, Blake is confident that the Lord will guide and direct his steps, both for the upcoming summer and adventures in the future.