By Chileshe Chunda of Lusaka, Zambia 

So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.

(shared as part of the International Leaders Meeting, June 2025)

I was born into a family of two children, my brother and I. Our lives took a difficult turn when we lost our father, Patrick Chunda, at a very young age. I have only known him through the stories others have told me. My mother, Catherine Mambwe, was left to raise us alone.

After my father’s death, much of what he owned was taken by his relatives, and we were left with very little. We moved from a stable home to a small two-room house, sharing space with relatives. I still remember sleeping in one room with my mother and sisters, while the boys slept in the sitting room, which doubled as our kitchen. Life was hard. But through it all, I saw God’s hand. In time, we moved into a three-bedroom house, a miracle I never imagined. We finally had enough space, and I witnessed how God lifts God’s people. As my mother often says, “Patience pays. God’s time is the best time.”

Growing up in Community of Christ, I was shaped by the church’s Enduring Principles, especially the belief in the Worth of All Persons. No matter someone’s background, struggles, or status—we all have worth. That truth remained with me.

After finishing school in 2011, I spent a gap year volunteering for World Service Corps. It opened my eyes to the beauty of the community and the power of people working together in love. I later trained as a teacher, graduating in 2015. In 2017, I started teaching at Just Primary School, but low pay and limited opportunities made life difficult. I applied for government jobs three times, but each time I was not picked.

In 2020, God blessed me with a son. Rain. His birth was both a joy and a new chapter. Though my relationship with his father didn’t work, we made a peaceful decision to co-parent in a non-violent and loving way for our son’s well-being. However, Rain’s frequent sicknesses often took us in and out of hospitals. That experience stirred something in me. Watching the nurses care for him with compassion gave me a new calling. I wanted to serve like that, too.

So in 2022, I applied for a scholarship with Health Ed Connect, and in 2023, I began nursing school. It was a fulfilling journey. I’ve grown so much, not just in knowledge, but in my heart for service. My dream now is to give the kind of care and love I once received.

In November 2024, I was called to serve as a youth leader in our church. Working with young people has been a blessing. We meet every Saturday for fellowship, games, and music. We clean the church compound together and build each other up. Though we face challenges, especially a lack of musical instruments, our spirit is strong. We remind each other that, despite life’s trials, we are not alone. We are a community. We are Christ’s hands and feet.

My mission is born from struggle, faith, and hope. From losing my father, to living in poverty, to raising a son as a single mother, to following God’s call into nursing and youth ministry, God has been faithful. I’ve learned that:

• Every person has worth.
• God’s time is perfect.
• Service is a holy calling.
• Together, we are stronger.

This is not just my story; it is a testimony of God’s mercy, the strength of community, and the call to serve. I am living my mission every day, and I pray to continue doing so, wherever God leads me, I will go.

Prayer Phrase

“For in him all things…were created…” (Colossians 1:16).

The International Community

Find (or imagine) a globe or map of the world. Look at all the nations and find a country other than your own. Notice the geographic distance between your homeland and this one. Picture a person living there. Pray for this person. Sense God’s love connecting you just as the oceans connect the continents. Thank God for the spiritual connection you have with all of God’s people around the globe. Ask a blessing on the church as a community sharing Christ’s peace, drawing all into the family of God.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.