Luke and I have been able to see a whole new side of Lusaka in the past couple months! Luke is training to run a marathon and I am running a half marathon In August! We have been running the back roads of our neighborhood which is situated right in the middle of Lusaka. It has made us appreciate our vehicle very much as the roads are quite rocky and busy! Nothing like dodging mini buses to wake me up on my 6am runs!!



It has been so neat to set a long term goal and work toward it with our team mates. There are 6 of us from Action Zambia that have signed up to run. The race is being held on the boarder of Zambia and Zimbabwe, where Victoria Falls divides the two countries (6 hours south of Lusaka). The race is August 29th and we are using this opportunity to raise money for our church retreat center Ciyanjano! This center is a long term goal at Action Zambia and we are asking that you consider sponsoring us to run this race from which all the proceeds will go toward the current building projects. We have 5 chalets that are under construction, toilets, covered meeting area, a football field and dreams of a playground and much more.




Ciyanjano in Nyanja means “fellowship”! Our goal for Ciyanjano is to be able to provide churches a facility for them to hold camps, conferences and a getaway from the city at a cost that is not cost prohibitive to even the most impoverish churches here in Zambia. We want them to develop their friendships with each other but most of all with their Savior! There is such a need for a development like this and we have many churches that have been using our facility although the building is not complete!

Ciyanjano is only 15 minutes outside of Lusaka and so many of the poor in this society have never been given access to a facility like this located in such close proximity to their homes . Schools have their breaks during the months of December, April and August and many churches have camps for the kids during this time. A large majority of these children cannot afford to go because of the traveling and boarding expenses. Ciyanjano is the answer to this problem and for just a small cost churches will never have to turn away another child.



We are so excited about all that God is doing and going to do through this retreat center! We hope you can catch the vision of Ciyanjano and the huge benefit it will be to so many of our brothers and sisters in Christ here in Lusaka and surrounding villages!

If you would be interested in partnering with Action Zambia and the Ciyanjano Retreat Centre by sponsoring either Luke or I you have a couple different options available to you. Please check out the race website: www.kilometersforkids.info/ where you can opt to donate online or you can print out the attached brochure and snail mail your donations in that way (Action International’s mailing address is displayed on the brochure). All donations are of course tax deductable through Action International Ministries (please disregard the disclosure on the brochure about 80% of donations being tax deductable as this only applies to runners coming over from the US, any donation given in our names will be 100% tax deductable). For more information about the Ciyanjano Retreat Centre and opportunities to get involved you can visit the official website at: www.ciyanjano.org/ .



Please pray for our endurance and perseverance as we have 7 more weeks of training! We look forward to hearing from you! Thank you!



Elise for the Whitfield’s!

June Update

Dear Friends

We just wanted to write a quick update informing you of what has been going on with our family over the past few weeks. Winter is in full swing here which means lots of dust and somewhat cooler temps (mid 60’s usually – not really what we from the Midwest associate with winter).

On the adoption front things continue to move forward with Chichi. We have recently submitted our paper work to officially request we be allowed to bring Chichi into our family permanently. While the Zambian side of the adoption process is soon ending, the most time consuming and demanding aspect, the US side of things, will begin shortly. Please pray with us that God would give us favor during this time as there is much that will have to be done. Our most pressing concern is trying to accomplish completing a US recognized home study while living and adopting abroad. This needs to be done before we can apply for a travel documents for Chichi. It is rare in Zambia to be able to get a US certificed homestudy completed while living overseas. Since we did not complete this while we were in the States (not knowing we were going to adopt) it could mean that we will have to remain in Zambia an extra year. So it is possible that we would not come home next year but rather in 2012 for our next furlough. We trust God is working in all of this and fully expect His favor to quicken this process (would you stand in faith with us?).

The Kids

Elise's birthday

A couple of weeks ago there was an evangelist by the name of Christopher Ilam here conducting two week long crusades in Lusaka. We were asked by a good friend to come and be a part of what was going on. In the three plus years we have been here we have seen nothing like it. Over twenty thousand people showed up each night for the weeklong event and we were so impressed how this great man of God worked through the local church during the outreach. Time was even taken one night to bring all of the local pastors in this specific area up on stage to be introduced so that those that had made a decision could be plugged in to local congregations. This was so refreshing as follow up with those that have made confessions of faith is a rare occurrence with most crusades. Our family (all seven of us) was able to attend at least one of the nights and the kids reveled in seeing so many enjoying the presence of God. The highlight for us as parents occurred one evening when testimonies were being given by those who had been miraculously touched by God. A little boy, who all of his life had relied on crutches, threw them down on the stage and began to run around……to which Macie and Emma exclaimed God is sooooo amazing…….how true!

Our Future Evangelist

Some of you may remember that Luke has been involved over the past two years with helping to facilitate a discipleship course called 2:7. This course was designed by Navigators Ministry in the States. 2:7 is a yearlong curriculum that focuses on equipping participants with the proper tools to facilitate groups within their own churches upon their graduation from the program. This past week Brent Roberts (fellow missionary) and Luke were invited to participate in the graduation ceremony of the first church to successfully have a new group of students complete the entire program. The twenty some individuals, who were from different area churches, were given the charge to go and start their own groups making disciples of all men. Please pray for these dear brothers and sisters as they soon will begin teaching their own discipleship group equipping saints to be “fishers of men”



Well that is it for now……we have included some links to videos of both the graduation as well as the crusade……..we also threw in some relevant pictures. We continue to praise God for your faithful prayers and support and are always mindful that our work would never be possible without your involvement. Thanks for just being you……may God continue to prosper all that He has called us to accomplish here in Zambia……and may the name of Jesus Christ be glorified above all! We love and miss you!

To view the videos click on the following links:
2:7 Graduation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETSRhGeBwCs

Lusaka Crusade: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAelvoDqL_c

His Servants
The Whitfields <><

whitfield ciyanjano video

Here is a short video detailing the progress that is being made at Action Zambia's Ciyanjano Retreat Centre. This is a property outside of Lusaka being developed to served the local impoverished Church here in Zambia.

God is moving in the hospitals!

Hello~ Family and Friends

After sharing with my teammate, Karen Singleton she encouraged me to let others know about my visit with Luke to the Kalingaliga clinic. Yesterday (tue) I went with Luke to pray for the sick at the clinic. This is a weekly visit for Luke, but a first for me at this particular clinic. Pastor Jere's daughter Prisca also came with us to pray and translate. Pastor Jere and Prisca come weekly, but he was unable to come this time.

Anyways, it was such a touching experience as we prayed for each person laying in the three different wards. It was neat to see the smiles and responses of the people around us. Each person warmly welcomed us and our prayers for healing. Family members asked for prayer for new jobs, family problems and you could just see the desperation on their faces, longing for some kind of hope.

In the childrens ward it was hard for me to watch this sweet little 10mon old baby, Samson suffer from open sores all over his body, and hear horrible coughing from two other little babies with pneumonia. You could tell the mothers of these babies were weary and fearful.

Luke shared in such a simple way about our hope in Christ and I was amazed to watch the Holy Spirit move in these peoples hearts. We did not see any immediate healing physically, but we did experience spiritual healing. There was a man so sick and in so much pain who said He would definitely go to hell if he was to die in this clinic. Laying on his side and sweating badly from the pain in his back, Moses expressed to us that He didnt even know if he wanted to live or if God could ever forgive him. It broke my heart as I listened. After talking more with Luke, he did accept Christ into his Heart and you could see the peace on his face after praying. We gave him a New Testament and our phone numbers so we could hook him up with a good church near his home once he is able to leave the clinic.

Another lady that sticks out to me from my visit is Florence. She is not a patient, but a middleclass working woman, that watches Luke and the Zambian pastors week after week come and pray for the sick. Florence works at the front desk of the clinic and is more of a manager you could say. As we were getting ready to leave, she asked to talk to me. I was surprised but didnt think that much about it. She expressed that she wanted to go to our church and understand more about God. She had never been to church before and was very curious. After sharing the Gospel with her and telling her about the free gift of salvation she told us that she thought that she would definitely go to hell if she died today. She quickly admitted her need for God and told us what a bad person she was. I prayed with her and I told her that the angels in heaven are having a big party. What a miracle! You could see joy just spilling out of her! The Holy Spirit was prodding at her heart and she responded! PRAISE GOD!

What better gift do we have to give away than the Gospel!!!!!! It is alive and gives hope to those that are hurting and hopeless and I am so privilaged to be a part of that this week.

There are so many that God is able to touch because there is a man who is willing to reach out to the unlovely in an unlovely place! God has given Luke a gift to talk with people and a deep compassion for this outreach to the sick. I was so humbled as I watched him interact in the midst of what would be so uncomfortable to most of us.................disease, smells, pain, and talking with total strangers! Please continue to pray for this ministry. Not only that God would continue to heal the sick spiritually and physically, but also protection for Luke and the pastors that go and pray for these sick and often contagious patients.

I wanted to share this as a testamony to God's Almightly power! I hope this can encouraged you to share the gift that you have to those hurting around you! Step out and share today!!

God Bless,

Elise for the Whitfields!!!

visit our blog: www.whitfieldwateringhole.blogspot.com

Skype id: taziona6

Flooding update II

Dear Friends

In light of the email we sent out earlier in the week, this news report will give you a better idea of the situation. By the way the four short words I say was totally a case of being in the right place at the right time (and also being the only muzungu (white man) in the camp). Keep praying for the previously mentioned outreach Action Zambia is organizing through local pastors in hopes of serving the residents of this tent city.

You can click on the link in order to view the news report: http://www.africanews.com/site/Lusaka_after_the_floods/list_messages/31057

Happy Easter and remember Maranatha (He has risen!!!)

His Servants

Elise and Luke Whitfield <><

Cholera ~Evacuation Update

Dear Friends

Just a quick note asking you to pray for a situation here in Zambia affecting hundreds of local families. Ever year the rains (which should be ending here shortly) cause at least some bit of local flooding usually in the same areas of town. Because development of info structure, such as drainage, is severely impeded drainage of rain water is left to the powers of the sun. This fact coupled with poor sanitation and the overflowing pit latrines consistently produces limited outbreaks of Cholera as well as forces the mandatory evacuation of those living in low lying areas. As if life is not hard enough for most Zambia some have to contend annually with the reality that they may affect adversely by such conditions.

This year the rains have not been as heavy but nonetheless we have recently seen increases of both those affected with Cholera as well as families being moved to tent cities until the waters have receded. As hospital visitation ministry has continue to visit area clinics we have witness the growth of quarantine areas that some clinics have set up in order to accommodate those infected with Cholera. These quarantines are often made of nothing more than 2" x 2" timbers with plastic sheets attached to form a barrier. They are often outdoors and patients are cared to as the understaffed medical team can find opportunity. At one particular clinic in the local compound of Kanyama we have watched as what was once a small 20' x 20' enclosure has been enlarged a couple of times to now encompassed much of the clinic's outdoor space. The actually number of those infected is a tightly held secret but one thing is for sure, the number grow each week we visit.

Along with Cholera the rains have also brought the evacuation of somewhere around 260 local families. Some of these families have given reports that their houses have water in them up to the ceiling trusses. The government has set up a tent city at the national football stadium with can currently accommodate 247 family (just over 1000 people capacity), some sleeping up to 10 people per tent. Action Zambia went out last week to meet with the Red Cross, who are running the camp, to inquire about opportunities to serve those who now called this temporary city their place of residence. It is the hope of Action Zambia that we might provide some physical and more importantly Spiritual aid to these people that have lost what little they had. There are preliminary plans to gather support from the local pastors involved in Action Pastors College and encourage them as congregations to gather supplies (washrags as well as antibacterial soaps) as well as organize a church service for the residents.









I know in light of tragedies such as Haiti and Chile the need of the situation in Lusaka seems like a drop in the ocean but to these families it is just as real and the weather forecast is calling for more rain. Please pray for these dear souls as well as Action Zambia that we would be able to hear what God is wanting us to accomplish through this opportunity before us.

Remember the greatest gift you can give is prayer and which is endless and free. Could not do any of this without you.

His Servant

Luke (for the fam) <><

visit our blog: www.whitfieldwateringhole.blogspot.com

Skype id: taziona6

March Update

Dear Friends March 2010

Well it is hard to believe that two months have already transpired this year and yet we have seen God do so much during that period. Our family continues to mesh together as our adoption of Chichi continues to move forward and we learn to live with one more in our midst. We would be lying if we suggested that it has been easy and we expect there will be some wrinkles to iron out in the future but the joy of watching one that was lost revel in being found is indescribable. We look forward to celebrating as a family Chichi’s 4th birthday on March 15th.



Elise and the kids have struggled a bit to get back into the groove of home schooling after our long vacation break earlier this year but they always seem to get it together eventually. Elise has become such an example to our family of perseverance and determination – she truly is the glue the Lord uses to keep our family together.

Elise and I have also begun to train to run a marathon this August in Zimbabwe. We will be running (Lord willing, hah) with other members from our AZ team in hopes of raising funds to go toward the development of Action Zambia’s Ciyanjano Enrichment Centre (church campsite). If you are interested in learning more or considering coming to run yourself you can find out more at our newly created Race Blog Page: http://www.kilometersforkids.info/

Ministry has, as expected, really picked up this last month for me. The building of the Ciyanjano Retreat Centre has pick up pace and we currently are in the midst of building the first five bunk house foundations. These bunk houses will have the capacity to sleep up to 50 people per campsite. It has been so encouraging to hear the excitement of the local body of Believers as they watch this unprecedented facility take shape. Keep praying that God would raise up the necessary funds and be looking for a more detailed web site about Ciyanjano in the near future. For now you can find more info about the Ciyanjano Centre by following the link to AZ’s website: http://www.actionzambia.org/ministry-areas/ciyanjano-christian-enrichment-centre/

Hospital Visitation Ministry has gotten back underway after a couple of months break. Many of the same local Action Zambia pastors who participated last year are back with the addition of a few new faces. We continue to go into four different area clinics over the course of the week and spend roughly and hour and a half praying for the multitudes of sick that exists here in Lusaka. From these visits more and more stories are emerging about the blessings God has bestowed upon these patients during our time with them. I want to close by sharing a testimony of a young woman who since our visit with her one Tuesday in the clinic has seen God do amazing things in her life. This young woman has since started to attend the church of Action Zambia pastor Anderson Jere who shared this encouraging note with me. Pastor Jere writes in his own words:



Dear Brother Luke

I greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I want just to share with you , a testimony of how our ministry (hospital visitation) is doing in the lives of many patients we minister to. On several occasions I have received phone calls from a number of them confessing that the Good Lord has done wonders in one way or another after ministering and praying for them.

One of them is Ruth. If you can remember very well, we ministered to this lady at Kalingalinga Clinic sometime back in mid November 2009. This lady told us that she had given up serving the Lord because God was not answering her prayers. But after helping her with the Word of God she confessed and promised that she will go back to church. Towards the end of February 2010, Ruth called me, and she thanked God saying that if only it was not for the prayers and words of encouragement she received from us, she could have killed herself because she had no option left but to commit suicide. I assured Ruth that I was always praying for her since we last met, and she further told me that she was still going through a number of problems. Her father, who is an elder in one of the church denominations, is a satanist and he once raped her and he is trying everything possible so that he can make her join in his satanic activities and this has brought great problems on her life and health.

After hearing this I was very touched and invited her to our church, and on Sunday 28th February 2010 she came. I ministered to her and together with some church leaders held some prayers with her and them she felt free and shared her story, it was a moving testimony.

Brother Luke, the ministry is impacting a number of souls, even those we don’t meet or hear from them after the visit. I only wish I was in full time ministry so that I could have enough time to minister to such souls. Pray for Ruth and also pray for me so that God can give me the means to sustain my family so that I can commit all my time to ministry work. May God bless us all.

Pastor Anderson Jere




As we constantly remind you, be encouraged and glorify the Lord for He has used and is using our partnership in ways we will never know until we get there! Could not do it without you, thanks for your faithfulness!

His Servant

Luke (for the fam) <>