Cliff Dwellers

There’s something about Zambia that’s hard to put into words.

This was my third trip, and in many ways, it felt like an eternity packed into a moment. So much happened. So much growth. So many reminders of what God is doing—not just through Camp Sonshine in Zambia, but within it.

Expanding the Vision

One of the clearest signs of that this year was seeing the vision grow beyond what we could have imagined.

Four members of our team helped launch a new camp program in Solwezi. They were expecting around 30 campers… and 70 showed up.

Seventy.

It was a powerful reminder that when God is at work, He often does more than we plan or prepare for.

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think…” — Ephesians 3:20 (NASB 1995)

I’ve had the incredible opportunity to walk alongside my dear friend Freedom who went to Solwezi and is actually planning on moving their for 6 months to partner with Pastor Chewe & Melina by serving at their church and continuing Camp Sonshine programming there. I’m so incredibly proud of her – but she may need to get her own blog post soon.

At the same time, in Kitwe, something just as significant was happening. Our Zambian leaders are no longer just helping run camp—they are leading it. Staff meetings, assemblies, the culture of camp… they are owning it.

That’s the dream. To UNLOCK & UNLEASH Kingdom Builders.

Leaders Being Raised

A big part of my role on this trip was simply to be present with our Zambian leaders—to check in, to listen, to problem solve, and to encourage them spiritually.

Those conversations were some of the most meaningful moments of the trip.

There are staff who have been part of Camp Sonshine – Zambia since the beginning. To sit with them and see how they’ve grown—not just in skill, but in heart, in leadership, in ownership of the mission—it’s incredible.

We even recorded two podcast episodes right in the middle of a camp day, something we’ve never done before. Hearing their stories—how their experience coming to Nebraska shaped them, and how they’re now pouring that back into their own communities—was deeply encouraging.

This is what it looks like when leadership multiplies.

Campers Becoming Leaders

One of my favorite parts of coming back for a third year is seeing familiar faces.

We saw past campers again—kids who are now doing well in school, who are growing in confidence, and who are already talking about becoming leaders themselves. At school. At camp. In their communities.

That’s when it really hits you.

This isn’t just a week of camp. It’s a seed.

“I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.” — 1 Corinthians 3:6

And God is growing something here.

In fact, 80 campers decided to follow Jesus during our week of camp and will be entering PLAEP’s Musonda School discipleship class this week! Praise Him!

Building Something That Lasts

This year, we also got to be part of building something tangible.

A member of our mission team—who is incredibly gifted with trade skills—transformed a shipping container (sent from Orphan Grain Train in Nebraska) into a fully functioning library. Doors, windows, a roof—the whole thing.

He worked alongside local guys to make it happen, and we even got to place the very first books inside.

It struck me in a new way how accessible books were for me growing up. Libraries were always just… there.

That’s not the reality for many of these kids.

This library is more than a structure. It’s access. It’s opportunity. It’s a gift that will keep giving long after we’re gone.

A Growing Community

Something new this year that I loved was the intentional investment in staff community outside of camp.

We hosted our first-ever staff social in Zambia – a dream of our local leaders. We set up a volleyball net, shared games, laughed a lot. The local staff taught us games they grew up playing, and we got to introduce a few of our own.

It may seem simple, but it felt significant.

Camp culture isn’t just built during programming—it’s built in relationships. And this trip, we made real strides in strengthening that.

A Moment I’ll Never Forget

There was one moment during the week that I don’t think I’ll ever forget.

One day at lunch, the nshima ran out. The kitchen staff immediately started making more, but it meant a group of older campers had to wait.

I felt bad, so I went over to try and “distract” them. I asked if they could show me how they were drumming with empty plastic water bottles.

What started as a quick moment turned into a 45-minute band session.

We were in the middle, drumming together, while the rest of the group formed a circle around us—singing, dancing, moving in rhythm. The energy. The joy. The life.

It was surreal.

What struck me most was this: they were still hungry.

And yet, the joy on their faces was undeniable. It wasn’t dependent on circumstances.

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” — Nehemiah 8:10

At one point I stepped out, completely worn out, and they just kept going. I walked away, took a video, and a little while later, they were finally eating—still chanting, still dancing, still full of life.

It brought me to tears.

Celebrating God’s Goodness

At the end of the week, our team traveled to Victoria Falls to celebrate.

And what a gift that was.

After many years of drought in Zambia, the falls were completely full—powerful, overwhelming, beautiful. We got to experience God’s creation in such a tangible way. Some of our team even did the bungee jump, and we saw wildlife on a short safari.

It felt like the perfect exhale after a full week.

A reminder that the same God who is moving in hearts is also the One who created all of this.

An Eternity in a Blink

This trip really did feel like an eternity in the blink of an eye.

I wish we had more time. More conversations. More moments with the staff and campers in Kitwe. But I’m also so grateful for what we did get.

Over three years, relationships have deepened. The program has grown. The leadership has strengthened.

And maybe most importantly, the ownership has shifted.

This is no longer something we are bringing.

God is building something here.

And it is a joy to witness.

A Heart of Gratitude

Before we even left for Zambia, our team leader challenged our team with something simple: look for moments to be grateful for.

And now, looking back, I see them everywhere.

I’m grateful for the friends and family back home who were praying for us—covering this trip in ways we could feel even from miles away. I’m grateful for those who supported us financially, helping make this trip possible in the first place. We saw God’s provision and encouragement in so many ways while we were there.

I’m grateful for His mercies that are new every morning.

“The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” — Lamentations 3:22–23 (NASB 1995)

I’m grateful for the simple gifts—the lodging we stayed in, the meals that were not only provided, but delicious. Daily reminders that God cares for both our needs and our joy.

I’m especially grateful for the friendships that have been built over the years. There are people in Zambia who feel like close friends, even though we live thousands of miles apart. Through years of serving together—both there and here in the States—there has been a deep care and mutual encouragement that only God could orchestrate.

And ultimately, I’m grateful for Him—a God who brings together unlikely people from different parts of the world, and uses something as simple as the fun of camp to change lives for His glory.

What a gift it is to be part of that story.