Loads of Love Zambia
Church Construction and Ministry Work Highlights
Hello to all of our faithful supporters. Our board and 2026 team would like to thank all of you for your prayers, financial support, and encouragement. God gave us protection and guidance on our mission to Zambia in May and we had an incredible time. We were extremely busy, as usual, but every day we saw God at work as we built, taught, organized, planned, and connected with people.
The four guys on the team, Mike Stull, DJ Oliphant. Rashaun Reaume, and Nathaniel Krogman, worked tirelessly alongside the Zambian construction workers on the new church in Mufulira. Despite the intense heat, they served joyfully each day. Along the way, they formed meaningful friendships with both the construction workers and the many children who gathered around the construction site daily. When we arrived, the foundation of the church had been poured, so the team and Zambian workers started building the walls of the church. The construction workers have continued to build with the materials we purchased before we left. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we were able to buy all the bricks, mortar and roofing supplies.
Our biggest challenge on this trip was the major change in the stability of the kwatcha, the Zambian currency. We are usually able to get 20 kwatcha per Canadian dollar, but due to the climbing price of copper, we were only able to get 13 kwatcha per Canadian dollar. Despite the stronger kwatcha, prices are not dropping. In fact, many things are going up in price. This is making life even harder for most Zambians who are already living in poverty. This also means that, although we had enough money to build the church building, put in the door frames, and window frames with bars for protection, we didn’t have enough money to buy the 4 outside doors, 4 inside doors, and the glass for the windows. To purchase all of these, we need another $3 500 Canadian.
The most essential part of this outstanding list is the 4 outside doors, since, without these, the church full of roofing supplies cannot be secured, and the pastor is presently sleeping at the job site to protect from theft. To only purchase the 4 outside doors which would secure the church so the pastor could begin to sleep at home with his family again, it costs $800. If you would like to help us put in the doors, to purchase the inside doors and the glass, we would be so grateful for your support.
Penny Stull did an absolutely amazing job organizing the storage room. Before she arrived, it was chaotic, and no one really knew where anything was. This made it very difficult to assemble maternity bundles in a way that ensured each mother received every item she needed. Penny created an organized system by labeling and numbering everything, developing a computer tracking program, and teaching our team on the ground how to properly assemble and track the maternity bundles. Her hard work will make an incredible difference in helping vital supplies reach those who need them most, while also helping us identify when certain items need to be restocked.
Cindy was such a blessing as she taught women in both Mufulira and Kitwe new skills. Watching her not only teach practical skills, but also pour love, encouragement, and compassion into each woman she worked with, was truly inspiring. She quickly built deep relationships and made a tremendous impact on the women she served. Her absence will be deeply felt by the women that she served.
I am so proud of this team of seven. It is not easy to make a lasting impact in just two weeks, but this team truly did. It was beautiful to see God glorified day after day.
As our team shared with the youth at Maranatha about mental health and gave their personal testimonies—speaking about the saving grace of Jesus Christ and the transformation He has brought to their lives—it was incredible to witness several young people dedicate their lives to Jesus.
Two of these young people had been closely supported by our staff for quite some time, so it was especially meaningful for our team on the ground to see the fruit of their faithful labour.
On our final day in Zambia, we held a mental health conference for the adults in Mufulira. At the conclusion of the conference, the pastor of the church currently being built expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Loads of Love Zambia. He shared that, because of financial challenges in their country and specifically their community, it would normally take twenty years to build a church like this. He said that this building is a miracle for their very poor community. In fact, they are starting a Christian school in the building, even as it continues to be built.
Before we left, the Canadian team, the Zambian church members, and the construction workers all knelt together on the concrete slab, surrounded by partially built walls. Together we worshipped and prayed, and the presence of God was overwhelming. I truly believe that everyone who experienced that final Sunday will never be the same. It was a moment none of us will ever forget.
Thank you for helping us build this house of God for those that could never do it themselves, apart from a miracle. Thank you for being a part of that miracle!
If you would like to contribute towards finishing the church in Mufulira, or the ongoing ministry of Loads of Love Zambia, all gifts are tax receipted by Loads of Love. Cheques to Loads of Love are welcome. Please write Zambia on the memo line.15 Prince St. N., Chatham, ON, N7M 4J5
To e-transfer, send to loadsoflovechatham@gmail.com In the memo box, please write Zambia.
Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter. We appreciate you all. None of this would be possible without you.
Crystal Krogman-Loads of Love Zambia
and the Loads of Love Zambia Board and 2026 team
The four guys on the team, Mike Stull, DJ Oliphant. Rashaun Reaume, and Nathaniel Krogman, worked tirelessly alongside the Zambian construction workers on the new church in Mufulira. Despite the intense heat, they served joyfully each day. Along the way, they formed meaningful friendships with both the construction workers and the many children who gathered around the construction site daily. When we arrived, the foundation of the church had been poured, so the team and Zambian workers started building the walls of the church. The construction workers have continued to build with the materials we purchased before we left. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we were able to buy all the bricks, mortar and roofing supplies.
Our biggest challenge on this trip was the major change in the stability of the kwatcha, the Zambian currency. We are usually able to get 20 kwatcha per Canadian dollar, but due to the climbing price of copper, we were only able to get 13 kwatcha per Canadian dollar. Despite the stronger kwatcha, prices are not dropping. In fact, many things are going up in price. This is making life even harder for most Zambians who are already living in poverty. This also means that, although we had enough money to build the church building, put in the door frames, and window frames with bars for protection, we didn’t have enough money to buy the 4 outside doors, 4 inside doors, and the glass for the windows. To purchase all of these, we need another $3 500 Canadian.
The most essential part of this outstanding list is the 4 outside doors, since, without these, the church full of roofing supplies cannot be secured, and the pastor is presently sleeping at the job site to protect from theft. To only purchase the 4 outside doors which would secure the church so the pastor could begin to sleep at home with his family again, it costs $800. If you would like to help us put in the doors, to purchase the inside doors and the glass, we would be so grateful for your support.
Penny Stull did an absolutely amazing job organizing the storage room. Before she arrived, it was chaotic, and no one really knew where anything was. This made it very difficult to assemble maternity bundles in a way that ensured each mother received every item she needed. Penny created an organized system by labeling and numbering everything, developing a computer tracking program, and teaching our team on the ground how to properly assemble and track the maternity bundles. Her hard work will make an incredible difference in helping vital supplies reach those who need them most, while also helping us identify when certain items need to be restocked.
Cindy was such a blessing as she taught women in both Mufulira and Kitwe new skills. Watching her not only teach practical skills, but also pour love, encouragement, and compassion into each woman she worked with, was truly inspiring. She quickly built deep relationships and made a tremendous impact on the women she served. Her absence will be deeply felt by the women that she served.
I am so proud of this team of seven. It is not easy to make a lasting impact in just two weeks, but this team truly did. It was beautiful to see God glorified day after day.
As our team shared with the youth at Maranatha about mental health and gave their personal testimonies—speaking about the saving grace of Jesus Christ and the transformation He has brought to their lives—it was incredible to witness several young people dedicate their lives to Jesus.
Two of these young people had been closely supported by our staff for quite some time, so it was especially meaningful for our team on the ground to see the fruit of their faithful labour.
On our final day in Zambia, we held a mental health conference for the adults in Mufulira. At the conclusion of the conference, the pastor of the church currently being built expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Loads of Love Zambia. He shared that, because of financial challenges in their country and specifically their community, it would normally take twenty years to build a church like this. He said that this building is a miracle for their very poor community. In fact, they are starting a Christian school in the building, even as it continues to be built.
Before we left, the Canadian team, the Zambian church members, and the construction workers all knelt together on the concrete slab, surrounded by partially built walls. Together we worshipped and prayed, and the presence of God was overwhelming. I truly believe that everyone who experienced that final Sunday will never be the same. It was a moment none of us will ever forget.
Thank you for helping us build this house of God for those that could never do it themselves, apart from a miracle. Thank you for being a part of that miracle!
If you would like to contribute towards finishing the church in Mufulira, or the ongoing ministry of Loads of Love Zambia, all gifts are tax receipted by Loads of Love. Cheques to Loads of Love are welcome. Please write Zambia on the memo line.15 Prince St. N., Chatham, ON, N7M 4J5
To e-transfer, send to loadsoflovechatham@gmail.com In the memo box, please write Zambia.
Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter. We appreciate you all. None of this would be possible without you.
Crystal Krogman-Loads of Love Zambia
and the Loads of Love Zambia Board and 2026 team