“We eat when we have, we sleep when we don’t.”
Physical health, strength and appearance are of great importance to the poor. This is not for reasons of vanity or compassion for close relatives and friends. Nor is it because of concern for personal “well-being.” It is essentially for economic reasons. The body is a poor person’s main asset, but one with no insurance. If it deteriorates, hunger and destitution hover at the doorstep. These were the desperate conditions that Sons of Thunder first encountered in Zambia upon arrival in 1997, conditions that most Americans today have never seen or experienced.
“Each day there is a funeral in a nearby village because of distance to the hospital.” Musanya, Zambia.
Have you ever asked how God could make a way when there seemed no possible solution? God specializes in showing His power in hopeless situations.
“…for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)
It was God who moved in the hearts of men and women to form the Sons of Thunder ministry. It was God that drew a miracle offering from a small church in Maryland in 1996 to purchase the 10,000 acres in Zambia. And it was the Lord who nudged and called people in both the US and Zambia to serve in this ministry, sometimes in the most incredible ways. God will make a way when there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see. He raises people up to accomplish His plans.
In the 20 years since, God has written a beautiful story through Sons of Thunder that is still unfolding. Today there are five major ministries underway that is transforming the lives of many in Zambia.
Farming God’s Way is a patented agricultural non-till method discovered in Zimbabwe in 1984 which teaches four Bible-based principles to produce bountiful crops. Since adopting these agricultural techniques crop yields have grown significantly at Sons of Thunder enabling surplus to be sold in Livingstone for a profit. Formerly a bushman hunter, Alexander Mubanga came to SOT many years ago and is now its Farm Manager. He is also a registered trainer with Farming God’s Way and the Farm is now used as a training center for farmers from Zambia and other neighboring countries in these techniques. Lesson One in FGW is sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ in this wonderful and portable agricultural ministry.
The Sons of Thunder Medical Clinic was established in 1999 and this past year treated over 23,000 patients and by God’s grace and provision our medical services are free. Sal and Renee Marini have been resident medical missionaries at the Clinic since 2005 and have now trained an efficient medical personnel team of Zambians that also conduct regular medical outreaches to five different villages scattered in the bush. This past December Collin Moonga graduated from Nursing School and returned to SOT as its first Registered Nurse. The Clinic also has an on-site diagnostic lab.
Next door Jessica’s Hope Maternity Ward was built in 2015 and this past year a total of 593 babies were delivered, almost 50 each month. This is a much-needed facility that has inspired locals because they know that they can go to the maternity center and both mother and baby will receive premium care and services. Sal still makes innumerable 24/7 “house calls” in the bush and 111 of those babies were delivered outside of the maternity ward.
The Church is comprised of four active churches scattered over the Farm with four pastors. Combined there are 350-400 local congregants attending regularly. Establishing the Church was the first order of business in 1997 and the Lord raised up pastors who were trained at the Jembo Wesleyan Bible School as well as the Sons of Thunder School of Ministry.
A remarkable Micro Business Community has developed on the Farm, many of which were seeded with startup monies from the ministry that have enabled many Zambians to develop business and trade skills. There are now a dozen profitable “micro” businesses on the Farm that include: an auto mechanic, a seamstress, a small grocery store, a construction company, a woodworker and furniture maker, a young and very gifted artist, an electrician, and a commercial truck driver to name a few.
The Grade School at Sons of Thunder operates as a government licensed and approved Private School for 400 students from grades 1-7. It serves the children of Farm families as well as children from surrounding villages in the bush. This past year our Grade 7 students scored in the 94% pass rate getting District recognition and over the last two years have scored better than their peers nationally.
In all these ministries it is the Lord Jesus Christ who is praised and exalted. Earlier this year we ministered in a number of villages well outside our borders that were pleading for our spiritual and physical support. The Lord has burdened us for these peoples. These villages are comprised of lepers, HIV-infected, elderly, widows, orphans and the destitute. I saw their eyes and outstretched hands seeking the love of Christ. Might you be burdened also? Please pray that God would enable us to minister to them. We need medicines, medical supplies and more vehicles. We covet your prayers and your financial support.