Seeing the Forgotten

Mission: To See and Encourage the Forgotten Leaders of Zambia

Where: Mpulungu, Zambia, Africa

In 2011, I had the opportunity to serve with a team of missionaries in Zambia, Africa. Three months were spent serving behind the scenes and watching closely as they worked to share the gospel with the people of Lake Tanganika. This phenomenal team of individuals has shown me a deep love for Jesus and the spread of the gospel around Lake T. They seek to spread the gospel through the following: indigenous church planting, discipleship training, a school for orphans, a mobile clinical boat, prison ministry and so much more. While the work that goes into maintaining so many different ministries is much, the laborers are few. As I watched the missionaries relentlessly work to spread the gospel I noticed some very key things that would change my life forever.

First, the team at the Lake work tirelessly to see the gospel spread and lives changed. Without these people, orphans and prisoners would go hungry and die, remote village people would not have access to basic health care and training, and individuals seeking a deep and personal relationship with the Lord would have no one to walk along side and champion them.

Second, there is a LOT of paper work that happens behind the scenes. A lot of this work requires someone who understands multiple cultures; very few people who have the knowledge and skills to complete all the required behind-the-scenes tasks. Quite often this means many of those with other jobs must take their evenings (often late into the night) to work on all the necessary paperwork and coordination.

Third, everyone loves and remembers the orphans but forgets about those loving on and caring for the orphans. These men and women, serving the Lord by loving the forgotten and unwanted, are often forgotten themselves.

Why: In looking back I have seen the Lord prepare me for just such a time and job as this. Much of my professional background includes finely tuned administrative skills. I have a deep love and appreciation for understanding other cultures and a longing to see and encourage those who often feel forgotten. This is why the Lord has called me to Zambia: to be an encouragement to those serving the Lord there.

How: Over the next two years, I will be partnering with Operation Mobilization (OM) to serve the missionaries of Lake T. OM exists to to minister to the whole person as well as entire communities.  I will personally serve in two ways.  The first is as Personal Assistant to the Field Leader. This simply means I will be working to relieve some of the work-load for the Field Leader Christopher Kasale. In doing so, he will be able to more effectively lead the team ministering   around the Lake.

My second job is Coordinator of Incoming Teams. As such, I will be working with teams seeking to serve the Lord on short-term outreaches. I will be coaching them through the process as they prepare to come to the Lake and then continuing to walk with them as they adjust to life in Zambia. As discipleship and mentoring have always been my passion, I am excited to see the Lord open doors to serve Him in this way at Lake T.

So Now What? Now I find myself daily humbled by the realization that I can’t do this on my own. Living in Zambia, learning a tonal language, even keeping my tiny house clean. I need people to surround me who I can learn from and walk through life together. The Lake T Ministry is such an important part of the work here. Without your prayers and financial support the ministry here can’t move forward. Girls forced into early marriages won’t be rescued, orphans would starve, women would not learn about micro-businesses, human sacrifices and witch-craft would continue to spread the darkness through this village. It is only with the help of Ministry Partners, partnering along-side us, that we can spread the light of the Gospel, giving hope to a lost and dying people. If you are interested in being a part of my Ministry Partners please see below as to the different ways you can be involved. Joining the team takes less than 10 minutes :) 

One Time Donations

One time gifts are always a blessing! They allow for special projects like helping to update the facilities on base (ex: putting in proper glass  windows and/or mosquito  screens on buildings in desperate need of updating; travel for additional training and short holidays)  Below are instructions for how you can give an online donation through Operation Mobilization's website. Just be sure you use my Account Number which is 2286521

1) Visit: http://www.omusa.org/give
2) Select the blue box (Give Through A  Missionary) which will redirect you
3) Simply Type in my last name (Manzo) and you will be directed to the appropriate page

Monthly Giving:

1) Visit: http://www.omusa.org/automated-giving

2) In the comment section: make sure to put my name and account number:

                    Jenifer Manzo; Account Number: 2286521

If you have any questions please call 800-899-0432. They will help you with anything you need. 

Private Donations and Prayer Support

email me at Jenifer.Manzo@om.org

Physical Donations:

We are working to put together a container that will ship from the USA. This would be filled with supplies to help our different ministries such as the Orphan School. If you are interested in partnering with us email me at Jenifer.Manzo@om.org

Contact Information:

If you have any questions or would like to request a break-down of my budget please feel free to call or email me: Jen.Manzo@om.org 

423-838-5571

Thank you for helping spread the gospel through Zambia and encouraging the missionaries doing the work of the Lord in Mpulungu.