My name is Lazarous Mkandawire, and I am from Zambia.

My story is one of God's grace, faithfulness, and redemption. As a young man, I experienced rejection from my own family. Because of the hardships and emotional abuse I endured, I eventually found myself living on the streets and spending much of my time at Mtendere Market in Lusaka. Those were some of the darkest moments of my life. I knew what it felt like to be hungry, rejected, forgotten, and without hope.

But God had not forgotten me. In the middle of that difficult season, the Lord used a compassionate family to help me. They opened their hearts to me, encouraged me, and gave me hope when I had almost given up. Through God's grace and their kindness, I was given an opportunity that completely changed my life; a scholarship to study Civil Engineering in China. Moving to China was more than an academic journey; it became a spiritual journey. While studying there, the Lord began placing a strong burden on my heart for missions.

At first, I did not fully understand what He was calling me to do. I believed it would be wiser to complete my degree first and then pursue ministry after graduation. As I continued praying, God opened doors for ministry even while I was still a student. Despite the challenges of sharing the Christian faith in China, I started a Christian fellowship at my university. Week after week, students gathered to pray, worship, study God's Word, and encourage one another. By God's grace, what began as a small gathering grew into a fellowship of nearly one hundred people. Watching lives transformed by the Gospel strengthened my conviction that God was calling me into full-time missions.

After graduating, I returned home expecting life to become easier. Instead, I entered another difficult season. The same people who had once supported me began to emotionally distance themselves as I struggled to find employment. Once again, I found myself facing uncertainty and rejection. Yet through every disappointment, one thing became clearer—the voice of God. The call to missions became stronger and stronger.

Unable to ignore His leading any longer, I started a small prayer group where believers could gather to seek God together and encourage one another. Every prayer meeting confirmed what God had already been speaking into my heart for years: He was calling me to dedicate my life completely to His mission.

After much prayer, I made one of the biggest decisions of my life. I chose to leave behind my career plans and answer God's call by joining Youth With A Mission (YWAM) through the Discipleship Training School (DTS). Because I had very little, I sold the few possessions I owned to begin this journey of obedience, trusting that God would provide the rest.

Today, I am stepping forward in faith. My vision is much bigger than myself. Having experienced life on the streets, my heart burns for children and young people who feel forgotten. My dream is to establish ministries that will rescue vulnerable children, disciple them in the Word of God, and equip them with practical skills that will help them build sustainable futures. As an engineer, I desire to teach practical and vocational skills that can create opportunities for employment and self-reliance. As a musician who plays four musical instruments, I also hope to train young people in music, using worship and creativity as tools for discipleship and transformation. My prayer is that they would not only discover careers but also discover Christ.

Another dream God has placed on my heart is to return to China as a missionary. Because I can speak Chinese, I believe God has uniquely prepared me to minister there and to reach people with the Gospel. I also believe He will lead me to other nations as He opens doors, fulfilling His Great Commission wherever He sends me. Jesus commanded us in Matthew 28:19–20: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." This Scripture has become the foundation of my calling.

I cannot accomplish this mission alone. Throughout Scripture, God has always worked through people partnering together. Jesus Himself invited His disciples to join Him in His mission. In the same way, I humbly invite you to become part of what God is doing through my life. Your prayers are just as important as your financial support. Every prayer you pray, every gift you give, and every word of encouragement you offer becomes part of every life that will be touched through this ministry. By partnering with me, you are helping take the Gospel to communities, to vulnerable children, to young people searching for hope, to China, and to the nations wherever God leads. I believe that the same God who rescued me from the streets is able to use my story to bring hope to countless others.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story, for praying with me, and for considering partnering with me in this journey of faith. Together, we can make Christ known to the nations.

May God richly bless you,

Lazarous Mkandawire