• Zambia is a country located in central, sub-Saharan Africa. It is one of the 10 poorest countries in the world. People there don’t normally live past 45 years. 10% of all babies born don’t live to their 1st birthday.

• Over 15% of Zambians have AIDS. In a country with about 11 million people, there are over 1 million orphans—most of whom lost their parent to AIDS.

• These orphans have overwhelmed the Zambian’s resources to care for them. Many of these children live in orphanages and schools sponsored by Christians around the world, but many more are in squatter’s villages raising themselves and their younger siblings.

Christ’s church is a beacon of hope in this hopeless place. Christian groups from all over the world, and now from within Zambia, are bringing hope and help to these people. One such group inside of Zambia is the Northrise University Initiative.

Northrise is a Zambian University started and run by Zambian Christians with a mission to provide higher education, Bible training, and jobs in a country where these things are otherwise not available.

Here’s where we need your help. Northrise is sponsoring an event in Ndola (the second largest city in Zambia) this summer to minister to children. Dana has been asked to bring her Questions with Answers curriculum to this event and lead the music for the week of June 29th through July 6th.

At the Impact Ndola conference Dana, Andrew, and Isaac will work with local teachers to teach the Questions with Answers songs to their students. These songs will be used to teach basic Bible beliefs to Zambian children at this and future vacation Bible schools, schools, and many local churches. Songs for Saplings was invited because, according to Dr. Moffat Zimba, President of Northrise University, the Zambians in Christ’s church “have been saved, and are now Christians, but they do not yet know what they believe.” The doctrine in the Questions with Answers series will be invaluable in teaching them solid Christian truths.

In addition, James is now working with Northrise Univerity to develop a new university course which will help graduates from Northrise start local, sustainable businesses using the Internet. James is developing the coursework now, and will meet with University staff and graduates to finalize the curricula over the same time that Dana is teaching music.

We have also been invited to Lilongwe, Malawi (a country to the right of Zambia) to work with a group there who is currently using Questions with Answers in their children’s ministry and radio ministry in Africa. To learn more, visit: http://africanbiblecolleges.org/malawi/malawi_Facilities_.php

This is an entirely voluntary project, and we are in the process of fundraising to help cover the costs. Our ability to minister to the children and college students in Zambia depends on your support.

We’ve already raised some money and gotten some free flights using frequent flyer miles and the total amount we are still trying to raise is $7,260. All donations are tax deductible under Northrise, a non-profit 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation, Federal ID. #95-4749034.

Many of you are already familiar with Dana’s music. If you are interested in learning more about Songs for Saplings and the “Questions with Answers” curriculum series, please visit www.songsforsaplings.com

Christ said that on the last day God will say “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did it to me.” With your help we can teach God’s word and provide for the long-term needs of our Zambian brothers and sisters in Christ who need them.