In 1968, the Smith Springs congregation began supporting the work of Roy Merritt in Kalomo, Zambia at the Namwianga Mission.  At that time, Roy taught in the secondary school and often had students who couldn’t afford some of their basic needs, such as shoes.  Marjorie Charlton saw this need and began a program at church to collect money in the children’s classes to send to Roy’s boys who needed shoes.

As the need arose, Roy’s work at Namwianga changed and grew.  He taught many in Africa through Bible correspondence courses, and made long trips into the bush to preach for small congregations.  As the first of the students graduated from George Benson College, Roy helped the young professional preachers to locate villages in remote areas of Zambia where they would teach and preach for three years.  His yearly rounds of those churches took its toll on the trucks he drove, but were a great encouragement to the young congregations.

When Roy married Kathi in the late 1980’s, his role at Namwianga again changed.  Kathi had long been an active caregiver for the increasing orphan population, and now Roy has joined with her in this service.  Currently, Roy and Kathi manage the Haven Orphanage on the Namwianga Mission.  All of the children’s homes at the Haven have been named for people who have long had a heart for the children of Zambia.  The Merritt’s live in Eric’s house, which primarily houses the older children, at least until the other houses become too full and “the cup runs over.”  The remainder of the orphanage is called the Haven, three houses for the younger children.  Eleanor’s House is for the infants and currently also houses the sick children many of whom are HIV positive.  Kelly’s House is the toddler house and is a lively home with approximately 24 toddlers in residence.  The third house, Marjorie’s House, is named in honor of Marjorie Charlton who kept this important work before our church for so many years.  Marjorie’s House is very near completion, and, when it is finished, will be the new home for the sick children.  There they will receive special care in the two intensive care nurseries and the additional rooms for those whose illnesses are not as critical.

We were privileged to help organize the fund raising for the building of Marjorie’s House, and even more privileged to send a group to Namwianga this past summer to help paint murals on the walls of the new house which will be ready for use in September..  The time spent seeing, first hand, the work that Roy and Kathi do was well spent and the group came home with the assurance that the children living at the Haven are loved and are being taught about the love of God.