Greetings from Zambia

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Just like that the year 2024 went by and now we are onto 2025. It is amazing to me how quickly the time passes. Just like many of you we ushered in the new year and remembered God's perfect gift to the world...Jesus Christ. Each year brings new challenges, adventures, revelations, and opportunities of growth. 
In Titus chapter 3 I was reminded of God's unconditional love that is expressed towards us. God's love for us is not based on any conditions. He desires our relationship, our trust, our faith, our obedience. So often I get performance minded. I pray that I will continue to rest in God's love for me and that His peace can abound in my heart and mind no matter the circumstances. 

Titus 3:4-7

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

In 1 Peter 4: 10-11 it says:  

10 God’s gifts of grace come in many forms. Each of you has received a gift in order to serve others. You should use it faithfully. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do it as one speaking God’s words. If anyone serves, they should do it with the strength God provides. Then in all things God will be praised through Jesus Christ. Glory and power belong to him for ever and ever. Amen.

I have been reading in 1 Peter and this passage has been one I have pondered on this last week. In what ways am I using my gifts of grace to serve others? Am I speaking the truth? Am I serving in God's strength or my own? As I reflect and anticipate the year, I pray that I would not rely on myself but that my trust in Him would grow. As the needs here are ever present. It is so important to rely on His strength to bring me through. 

We want to extend our thanks and gratitude for all the ways you have partnered with our family and made it possible for us to serve in Zambia. We are beyond grateful for your prayers, love, support and encouragement. We want to give a few praise reports and ways that you can continue praying with us. 

Praise Points

  • The food relief program is still going. There were just over 100 families in our surrounding area that were blessed on January 2nd, with a 25kg bag of ground maize and seeds (cowpeas, tomato, and rape/kale) that they can plant in their gardens and eventually eat. Thank you for your support as you helped make it possible for us to give to these families. Please continue to pray for this program as we desire to help those who are in the greatest need.
  • The people have planted their maize. It was on the verge of drying up, but God sent a rain that revived many of the people's maize. We are thankful for the rain that has fallen and pray that it will continue throughout the growing season.


  • We have currently raised 56% of the $18,000 that we need to purchase this Landrover. This vehicle is built for the 4x4 roads we have to drive weekly to get supplies for the farm and orphanage. It is an automatic which is EXTREMELY rare, and it has the capacity to haul our family around. Please pray and consider giving as we believe it would be a great blessing to the ministry. 

  • Nate has begun a Bible Study going through the Firm Foundations curriculum in a nearby village. Please keep Nate in prayer as he faithfully brings the Word of God to the people. We are to be obedient in sharing the Word of God, but we trust that God will move in the hearts of the people and turn them towards Himself. Unfortunately, many people mix traditional ancestral worship with Christianity to appease the spirits. So please be in prayer that these strong bonds can be broken, and the people can be set free from fear. 


  • The Zambian school year begins January 13th. The school-aged children got to visit some of their relatives for a few weeks while they were on their holiday break. Many of now returned and are getting ready for school. Melanie will be busy training and working alongside the preschool teachers as they prepare for the new school year. 
  • We currently have 6 babies at the orphanage and 13 school aged children. We are blessed to be able to love and care for them all. They are all growing and changing so much as many have hit growth spurts. Our children love their time with their friends, and don't want to waste any opportunities to play while they are on their Holiday break. 
  • This last year we had 3 toddlers that were successfully transferred back to their families, and 1 more this month.  There were 5 babies that joined us this year due to the losses of their mothers. On December 11th, we had a tiny preemie weighing only 4.4 lbs. come into our care. We are so grateful that all of these babies are healthy and doing well. 



               


Prayer Points:

  •  Jako had back surgery on Monday, Oct 14th. The surgery was successful and has relieved back pain, but he still has a long road to recovery as the muscles need to be strengthened. 

  • As we mentioned earlier, there are many experiencing hunger right now. Please be praying for the ministry as we continue to discern the situations and circumstances around us. 

  • We also are still in the process of fundraising for a vehicle. We still have more to raise, so please consider giving towards this need. Here's a link to the website where you can give. Select Nathan in the drop-down box. Thanks everyone for your love and support.


What do we do in Zambia

 1. Discipleship

              2. Community School

                       3. Community Orphanage

 

Read our blog: nathanandmelaniesweerin.blogspot.com

To financially partner with us:

Write a check to: Faith Assembly of God. Write (Zambia) in memo line, and send it to:

5112 Lafayette Rd. Elk Run Heights, IA 50707

Online Giving: www.faithassemblyerh.com

Click on Tithe and follow these steps---To designate funds to us, switch from Tithe to Nate Sweerin in the drop-down window.

Contact Information

E-mail: nmsweerin@hotmail.com                       Nate’s WhatsApp: +260-95-591-6920

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