DECEMBER 2024 Letter LIVING WELL

I (Donna) am writing this letter in first person because it is about my personal journey. Some of you know my story – many of you don’t. My life changed 25 years ago. And I am so grateful and THANKFUL!

Even though I was in vocational ministry and considered myself a devout Christian, I had only a cursory interest in foreign missions. I thought mission work was important but wasn’t interested in going on a mission trip – to anywhere, much less to Africa.

Through my role at Scope Ministries, I met an African ministry leader in 1999. He told his story about the Rwanda genocide and his call to train Christian leaders. He asked us to bring a team of women to Kenya to teach Be Transformed to women leaders. God spoke to my heart in a very compelling way. I KNEW He wanted me to go to Kenya. 

Donna with Translator

But He showed me His sufficiency. The experience was eye opening! I saw the great need for training among African Christians. I couldn’t wait to get back and share with Ed, all my friends and supporters!

As part of the Scope team, we went to Amsterdam 2000 to serve with the Billy Graham Association in the area of marriage and family. We saw 12,000 Christian leaders from all over the world gathered in one place. We decided it was the closest to heaven we would ever see on earth. God gave us a passion to train more African leaders. 

Donna & Ed 2002 Tanzania

Ed and I lead a team to east Africa in 2002 to train pastors and church leaders on marriage and marriage ministry. We then began making yearly mission trips to Africa. 

Ed & Donna Wisdom School 2012

In January 2012, we were in Zambia following up with pastors on marriage ministry. At that time, our host introduced us to a school in a slum of a slum that was about to close. Another ministry had started it but they were pulling out of Zambia. After seeing that school and the great need, God spoke to our hearts to support and develop Wisdom Christian School. 

We had no training, no background, no experience with schools. We have learned that if we follow His direction, we may take a path that is beyond our imagination!

Through many supporters, God has provided above and beyond our dreams. WCS is a beacon of hope in that slum of a slum outside Ndola, Zambia.

I can’t begin to explain all of the joy in my heart that God has given me since I took that step of faith 25 years ago! I share a part of my personal journey to let you know that God can do an amazing work in and through anyone! He did it for me and for Ed – He can do it for you! Have faith and do not fear what He has for you!

In February 2020, Ed and I went to a status of semi-retirement. We are not counseling but we spend several hours a week working with Living Well and supporting Wisdom Christian School. We have been able to put 100% of donations for WCS directly to that work. We have always had enough donations to LIVING WELL to support our limited salaries and overhead.

But those donations are now less than what we need. We ask for your prayers and support for LIVING WELL. We want to avoid taking administrative fees from the donations to WISDOM Christian School.

Please let us know how you are doing. THANK YOU again for your continued prayers, support, and encouragement. We could not do what we do without YOU!

Our love in Christ,

Donna and Ed Edwards

The water that I will give him

will become in him

a well of water springing up to eternal life. 

John 4:14b 

LIVING WELL is a life source, not a life style.

AUGUST 2024 Letter LIVING WELL

Consider the gripping narrative of this tumultuous election year, filled with twists and turns that keep the nation on edge. From an assassination attempt to an unexpected dropout, the political landscape is more unpredictable than ever – dropping Americans onto an emotional rollercoaster.

Amidst the chaos, a powerful question emerges:
   Where do we truly place our trust?

While the turmoil continues, it's important to remember that true hope and trust can be found in a source beyond politics. As we navigate through these challenging times, let's turn to the one constant we can rely on - our faith in Our Lord and Our Savior. In a world of shifting allegiances and questionable promises - trust in the ultimate source of hope and stability during these turbulent times.

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans.

    Psalm 118:8

Zambia continues to feel the effects of extreme drought. Almost half of their maize crops (their staple food) was lost. Their president declared a national disaster. The drought continues to affect their power supply. And their inflation rate passed 15% in July. This is their dry season; rainy season does not begin until November. Please pray for the Lord to open the heavens and relieve their drought.

For the staff and students at WISDOM Christian School, water is still available and lunches are still prepared 4 days/week for their 600 STUDENTS – THANKS to the support of many faithful Christians!

Please let us know how you are doing. We are no longer taking counseling appointments, but continually minister to and support WISDOM Christian School. THANK YOU again for your continued prayers, support, and encouragement. 

We could not do what we do without YOU!

Our love in Christ,

Donna and Ed Edwards

P.S. Please pray for our country, for the drought in Zambia, and for the students and staff at WCS.

The water that I will give him

will become in him

a well of water springing up to eternal life. 

John 4:14b 

LIVING WELL is a life source, not a life style.

APRIL 2024 Letter

“Once in a lifetime experience!”

“Phenomenal!”

“Spectacular!”

These comments were a few of the many uttered by those who saw the full eclipse.

One of the most interesting were those who expressed the event as a spiritual experience. 

When their surroundings suddenly go dark in the middle of the day, they know that they have encountered a circumstance that humans could not design or create! They know that the eclipse is a manifestation greater than themselves! It created awe and wonder of the heavens! The heavens displayed God’s glory. We know who inspired that awe and wonder!

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Psalm 19:1

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made
their starry host by the breath of His mouth. Psalm 33:6

Since we started our part-time work in 2020, we have tried to do a newsletter quarterly. We should have put a letter out in February but instead, Ed had surgery on his left knee. He had his right knee replaced last year. He is still working on recovery, going to PT regularly and exercises at home. He has made great progress, but we have been preoccupied as we adjust our roles and our schedule for a while. Our most urgent prayer request for both of us is for our health.

Zambia is experiencing an extreme drought right now – resulting in water shortages, power shortages (their main source is hydroelectric), shortage of cornmeal (their main staple), and higher prices. Power shortages are managed with blackout periods every day; usually only 8 hours of power are available daily.

In the slum area around WISDOM Christian School, families are in poverty - no financial cushion creates extreme hardship when necessities are scarce. Please pray for the Lord to open the heavens and relieve their drought.

Please let us know how you are doing. We are no longer taking counseling appointments, but continually minister to and support WISDOM Christian School. THANK YOU again for your continued prayers, support, and encouragement. We could not do what we do without YOU!

Our love in Christ,

Donna and Ed Edwards

P.S. Please pray for our health, for the drought in Zambia, and for the students and staff at WCS.

The water that I will give him

will become in him

a well of water springing up to eternal life. 

John 4:14b 

LIVING WELL is a life source, not a life style.