Our Zambia Missionaries

These are the missionary families who met in Solwezi last week.
Front row: Lorie French, Vicki (foster child of the Bruingtons), Savanna Bruington, Natasha French, Noah Davis, Lane Bruington, and Ruth Siachobe. Back row: David French, Brian Davis, Bryson Davis, Don Boyd, Rita Boyd, True Bruington, Stacy Bruington, David Gregersen, Bart Bruington, and Sondra Davis.

Now here is a little about each family.
David and Lorie French have been in Zambia since October of 2004. They have opened Mapepe Bible College in Lusaka, a school that trains Zambian church leaders. The school operates only a few months a year during the dry season so that the students can continue their farming activities the rest of the year. Mapepe's aim is to prepare the men to be effective church leaders and church planters who do not have to rely on American financial support. David and Lorie have four children. Natasha was with them on this trip while Karen stayed in Lusaka. Their grown sons are in the US.

Brian and Sondra Davis have been missionaries in Africa for over ten years. Sondra was already working in Benin when they married, and Brian joined her there. Next they worked in Cape Town, South Africa, for several years before deciding to begin the new work at Mumena near Solwezi. Their two sons are Noah, age 6, and Bryson, age 3. All of us except the Bruingtons stayed in the Davis home for four days. They were gracious hosts who made us all feel welcome. Brian and Sondra are supported by Hillcrest in Abilene.

Don and Rita Boyd are Sondra's parents. Don retired from the military, and then they came to Africa in the early 90's. Their first stint was here at Namwianga where Don taught at the secondary and also served as education secretary. Next they went to Cape Town and worked with Brian and Sondra there. Two years ago they returned to the states and built a new house in their home town of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. But when the opportunity to help Brian and Sondra (and be with their adorable grandsons) came up, Don and Rita came back to Africa. Their sponsoring congregation is Cedar Hill.

Bart and Stacy Bruington have been working with us at Namwianga while they considered moving to Mumena and the new project there. We hoped they would stay at Namwianga, but we know they are needed in Solwezi as well. Bart and Stacy have been preparing to be self-suppporting missionaries for several years. They arrived in August with their three children. Stacy is a nurse and Bart is one of those MacGuyver types who can fix anything. We will miss them! Ruth Siachobe began working for them at Namwianga and is now helping them in Solwezi as well.

Others who are part of the team but could not be with us are Roy and Kathi Merritt and Sheri Sears.