Zambia Hunt

Justina Kasongo was an only child. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Malaika, died when she was a little girl, leaving her in a difficult situation. In 2004, Justina (also known as Tina) heard about a place called Faith Children’s Village and decided to escape her circumstances. Early one morning, she set off to find it. She walked from Chimwemwe, through the city of Kitwe, out to Riverside Extension, where she jumped into one of the little leaky boats that ferried people across the Kafue River. She then walked the trails another couple hours out to Kakolo, asking for directions along the way. Late in the afternoon, Tina arrived at the Village and asked to become part of the FCV Family. She was warmly received.

Justina’s journey to Christ began when she moved to Faith Children’s Village. She started attending Faith Baptist Church of Kakolo with all her new brothers and sisters. One Sunday morning during Junior Church, the pastor’s wife, Mrs. Mwanisa, taught how a person like Justina is born with sin and that the consequence of sin is death. She explained that one must repent of sin, or they would go to hell and spend eternity there. This lesson spoke deeply to Justina. She knew that she was a sinner who needed Christ’s forgiveness. That day, she turned to Christ, crying out and asking Him for forgiveness. She resolved at that moment that Jesus would rule her heart from that day forward, and her life changed.

During her teen years, Justina began serving in two ministries at her church, singing in the choir and ushering. In 2013, she completed secondary school at Helen Kaunda High School in Kitwe. For the next two years, she worked at Faith Baptist Church School in Riverside, Kitwe, as an Assistant Teacher to raise money for college. For as long as she could remember, Justina had wanted to be a teacher. Her time at Faith Baptist Church School confirmed this desire, and she longed to become a teacher dedicated to Christ-centered education. She wanted to use her passion for teaching, and the opportunity to influence children, and steward that for the gospel.

In 2016, Justina applied and was accepted at Central Africa Baptist University (CABU) in the Primary Teachers Education Program. She was excited because she knew that CABU would equip her to become a Christ-centered primary school teacher. During her time at CABU, Justina not only learned to teach but also learned biblical values that would benefit her in her personal life as a Christian and as a teacher. She mentioned how privileged she felt to study surrounded by fellow Christians who held her accountable and mentored her in her walk with Christ.

After graduating, Justina expressed her gratitude to God for allowing her to serve Christ as a primary school teacher. She was determined to seize every opportunity to reach out to the lost in her classroom with the gospel of Jesus Christ. She was hired as a primary school teacher at Lifesong School for Orphans in Chipata Compound, Kitwe.

Last Saturday, I had the honor of speaking at her wedding to Longa Zimba. Longa was saved and serves at Faith Baptist Church in Wausikile. As part of the celebration, the children’s choir from FCV provided special music, and one song was a tribute to God’s Grace in Tina’s life.

The purpose statement of Faith Children’s Village was seen in living color last Saturday. That purpose states that Faith Children’s Village exists, To lead children into a relationship with Jesus Christ and disciple them to be Christ-like in actions and attitudes while equipping each child with life skills that will enable them to become productive Christian citizens.

It is a privilege to serve Jesus Christ, and a joy to see the gospel change lives, lives like Tina! Pray that Tina and Longa will go on to faithfully serve the Lord together!

If you would like to sponsor a child at Faith Children’s Village here is the link to the online donation page. On behalf of the new children in need of sponsorship, Thank You!

Portions adapted from Justina’s own testimony, you can read that here.