In February 2023 the Quillmans responded to an email that Anita had sent, requesting more information from them that she could pass along to our church, to get a better understanding of their work in Zambia. It was obvious from the beginning that God was at work in their ministry there in the rural villages west of Livingstone, as they communicated more of the activities and events they were walking through there.
God was sowing seeds in the hearts of Anita and Phil as to how He might have something more for them to do “out there” in His harvest field. Through a medical missions trip that Anita took to Tanzania in October 2023, she began to understand more concretely how life was for people in that part of the world, especially for the kids.
In May 2024, Phil and Anita visited Mickeal and Sharon Quillman in Zambia, sharing life with them and their church community for 2 weeks. It was there, in walking with friends, sharing the simple and hard things of life, and hearing their struggles and their joys, and especially coming to understand the needs of new mothers, that Anita’s heart began to yearn to help.
She felt compelled to contribute in a tangible way, and realized that her crochet skills could play a meaningful part. Initially she was inspired to create cozy little hoodie jackets for their babies, and more recently she started to assemble kits containing a complete set of newborn clothing along with some medical supplies.
In October 2024, Anita returned to Zambia to visit the Quillmans, and to teach crochet lessons with women in the villages and in Livingstone as well. It was a great success! Anita, along with Sharon taught 40 ladies to crochet. They shared devotional times and many friendships were established. Quill even helped us wind up yarn.
Our partners in the field make it all possible.
The Quillmans provide for a wonderful homebase in Zambia. They had all the arrangements made for Anita to share the crochet lessons in small groups at a number of locations. They provided transportation to the villages and for all the contacts needed to bring the project to success.
The Quillmans also have relationships with families at church and in their villages where pregnant moms are soon to be in need of the Baby Blessing Kits. They provide the critical link to getting the kits that have been assembled to the individuals for whom they are intended. They speak some of the local languages and also have a good relationship with translators who speak English and other languages fluently.
Since many of the crochet students don’t speak English it’s important to have a good translator. Lackson is a gifted translator, and is Quill’s assistant at the church. He and his family love the Lord and are working with the Quillmans in the church planting efforts there. They are also Anita’s adopted family.
Our partners back at home also play a critical role in this work of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ – by praying, giving financially, and even going too.
As Romans 10:15 says, “And how are they to preach unless they are sent?”
Baby Blessing Kits 