He calls her mom.

He doesn’t understand why his father left him as a baby or why his mother rejected him, Okarche resident Delinda Barnett said. Francis has lived most of

Francis has lived most of his life at Lusungu Children’s Home in Chingola, Zambia, and, when Barnett visits, he tells her: “You really are my mom.”

Barnett first met Francis six years ago when she took her first trip to the African continent, which has unexpectedly become her heart’s second home.

Since that first visit, Barnett’s love for the children has drawn her back to Zambia four times, most recently in October, bearing a bounty of donations from the Kingfisher area and surrounding communities. In the many photos Barnett

In the many photos Barnett returns with, usually Francis is standing by his “mom’s” side.

“I have seen him grow from an angry, confused, hurting boy into a young man who struggled with school and didn’t get along with others,” Barnett said.

“After he turned 18, he left for a boarding school this fall, which is a common transition in Zambia.” Francis is just one of many

Francis is just one of many orphans found on the streets of Zambia, without a home or anyone to love them, Barnett added.

Another young boy, Samuel, was rescued as he crawled in the dirt on the side of the road, malnourished and unable to understand or speak for an extended period of time, she said. Eventually his first words were from the song, “Bless the Lord, oh my soul.”

With extreme poverty, prevalence of HIV/AIDS and other cultural issues, Barnett said there is a great need to minister to the country’s young vulnerable population.

After opening their home to orphans who started showing up at their door, Bishop Caddie Ngambi and his wife Rodah established Lusungu Children’s Home to accommodate the growing number of orphaned children, Barnett said.

Located on approximately 12 acres, the non-denominational, Bible-based organization now serves more than 100 children from infants through teenagers.

“Having been orphans themselves, the Ngambis are generous, loving and humble servants with the heart of Christ,” Barnett added.

“Most of the financial support they receive for daily operations comes from a nonprofit formed in the United States known as Mercy Kids Africa, but special projects, such as those supported by Kingfisher County residents, are primarily funded from outside sources.”

On her first visit, as Barnett spent time playing with the children, reading books, praying and sharing devotionals, she was also making mental notes of the many basic things they were lacking.

“That’s when I decided even some of the things we dispose of could change their lives,” Barnett said.

Back home, Barnett began preparations to acquire and fill a shipping container with everything from building materials, sewing machines, a welder and garden tiller, to beds, clothing, medical supplies and more.

It wasn’t long before people were calling her eager to donate, she said.

Soon, Barnett returned to Africa and met a shipping container at the port loaded with goods provided through the generosity of Kingfisher County residents and others throughout the state.

An unexpected battle ensued with corrupt government officials attempting to divert the donated goods for their own uses, but after a month-long struggle, the much needed supplies were released and made their way to the children’s home.

Barnett spent another month with the children and then returned home… but not for long.

On her third trip in 2018, she was not only accompanied by more supplies, but a group of women prepared to teach and minister to the children.

The team included her daughter, Chelsea Barnett, who had first traveled to the orphanage in 2013 and encouraged her mother to come two years later, Sharon McElwain, Gail McPherson and Kingfisher County OSU Extension Educator Lindy (Hoel) Peterman.

As she returned to the children’s home, Barnett said the group witnessed the impact of the county’s generosity everywhere.

The welder and building materials had been used to erect a pavilion with picnic tables underneath and beds were being slept in, bicycles ridden, clothes worn as well as a multitude of other improvements.

“The kids were no longer sleeping on the floor or sitting in the dirt while eating their meals,” Barnett said.

“They now eat every meal at picnic tables under the pavilion and sleep in a bed with a blanket and their own pillow,” she added.

As a first-time visitor to the country, Peterman described their arrival at the orphanage:

“When we first pulled up the kids were running and happily screaming as they followed the bus,” she said.

“The first thing they did was wrap an African fabric around us as a skirt and the welcoming ceremony commenced with dancing, singing, playing musical instruments and lots of kids hugging us.

“It was really cool. I’ve never experienced that kind of welcome before.”

After the welcoming ceremony, Peterman said, they had a short devotion and prayer.

One of the goals was to teach the children how to sew, she said, so they could make their own clothes and possibly use the skill as a future means of providing income.

With the sewing machines that were provided in the shipping container, Peterman taught the children how to read a pattern, figure out what size they were, the basics of sewing and helped them make skorts for the girls and shorts for the boys.

The team of women also helped serve meals and led devotionals and prayer sessions while they were there.

As much as the children are blessed, Barnett said the blessings circle back around into the hearts of those who offer their time, love and financial means.

“I’m reminded,” she said, of Second Corinthians 9:11, “‘You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.’” “For me personally, my

“For me personally, my life completely changed,” Peterman said.

“I went to Africa not as a Christian, but came back as a Christian.”

Improving the living conditions and ministering to the childrens’ needs is very important, but sharing the love of Christ is also a vital aspect, she said.

After returning to Okarche, Barnett was already planning the next trip which was to happen in 2020, but didn’t due to the pandemic.

The border remained closed until a narrow window opened up in October of 2021 for a return trip.

Barnett quickly made arrangements and soon she and McElwain and another volunteer were surrounded by a swarm of hugs, smiles and cheers as they arrived at the children’s home.

“They are so precious and sweet; they live in extreme poverty and appreciate every tiny thing,” Barnett said.

“There were many happy tears and long hugs, joy going from one face to the next.”

Again, the women were able to see the extent donated materials had benefited the children, as a dormitory had recently been renovated after a damaging fire as well as other changes, Barnett said.

Barnett and McElwain carried with them eight suitcases of donated clothes, shoes and medication for the children as well as supplies of washable feminine pads made by a group of local women, which Barnett and McElwain also spent time teaching the children how to make.

One of the highlights of the trip for the children, Barnett said, was a trip to a water park where they had sub sandwiches, cheeseburgers and cookies.

Barnett and McElwain also had the opportunity to share their Christian faith while being interviewed on Bishop Ngambi’s radio broadcast, an episode which continues to be rebroadcast, she said.

With great appreciation for all the good that has come from local residents’ generosity over the past six years, Barnett said there is still much more that needs to be done.

Barely back from her most recent trip, Barnett is working to fill another shipping container with materials to construct a fence around the property and provisions for a medical clinic, as well as other needs.

On the 12-acre property, the children help with a large garden and animals which provide a significant portion of their sustenance, but without a fence to protect their land, people are encroaching on their property and stealing from them, Barnett said.

“A fence is badly needed to protect the children and keep people from stealing animals and produce…their livelihood,” she said.

A medical clinic would also be a huge benefit to the community, Barnett said, and an opportunity has arisen in which the government will provide a doctor if a building with the necessary equipment is available.

With the Ngambi’s daughter, Adonai, having recently graduated from nursing school, she would also be an integral part of that ministry.

With only limited medical care available, Barnett said many of the children suffer, such as Justina who has been severely incapacitated by sickle cell anemia and another girl who collapsed recently with serious health issues.

God has done many things and made a huge impact on many lives, Barnett said.

“It has changed my life forever,” she added.

Everyone was a bit concerned about Francis in his new surroundings at boarding school, Barnett said, and it wasn’t long before Bishop Ngambi got a call from the school.

It was a message of hope and success.

Francis was doing well in his classes, working hard and not only that, but was changing the whole atmosphere of the place by holding Bible studies and praying with the other kids, Barnett said.

“Francis is a tiny picture of how these kids are doing,” she said.

“The children come from broken situations, with scars and hurts and when they leave the orphanage they accomplish things in the world and are helping people to know the Lord.

“That’s why this is something I can commit to as it’s changing so many lives… not just lives there, but lives here have been changed too.”

For more information, contact Delinda Barnett at (405) 684-3108.