(Submitted photo)
By Mark Ambrogi
For Donna Bryant, her planned departure date of Oct. 23 to Zambia has special meaning.
That’s her youngest son, David Louks’ 12-year anniversary date for joining the U.S. Navy.
“I picked that date to honor his commitment,” Bryant said.
Bryant, who turns 60 in January, will make a big commitment herself to help run a new orphanage in Zambia.
The move will be a big change for Bryant, who was born and raised in Noblesville and has never lived outside of Hamilton County.
Bryant will be living on an 80-acre farm in the bush area outside of Kalulushi in northern Zambia.
“As long as God will use me, I’ll be there,” Bryant said. “I feel called and led there to serve. They do recommend you come back every couple of years to recharge and regroup, and I probably will do.”
The orphanage will be a one-story building that has been remodeled a few times.
“We aren’t even opened yet and we already have three children and the original plan is to get five children age 5 and under,” Bryant said.
There will be another missionary, Connie Jeremias, running the administration side of the orphanage while Bryant will be the operations person. Bryant will be in an efficiency apartment in the building next to the orphanage.
“We have water and electricity, but our neighbors do not,” Bryant said.
Bryant spent four months on an exploratory visit from January to April 2014, helping with cooking and Sunday school classes.
She attends Strawtown Community Church.
“As my sending church, they’ve set up an account for me for those who choose to donate,” Bryant said. “I’m mostly self-funded.”
Noblesville Baptist Church is close associated with the mission where Bryant will be based.
The name of the mission and church Bryant will be working with is Liberty Baptist. The pastor and president is Ackim Mulaisho. The primary missionary is Pastor Dave Barnhouse and his wife Maggie, who are associated with Baptist International Missions, Inc. Barnhouse’s sending church is Harvest Baptist Church in Pennsylvania.
Bryant, who is divorced, has been a school bus driver for Carmel and Westfield and a lunchroom worker at Carmel schools.
She will serve as a substitute bus driver for Westfield until fall break.
“My job is to make sure these kids know what it feels like to be loved,” Bryant said.
Bryant’s other son Brent, 38, lives in Cicero and David, 35, is stationed in Baltimore. Each have four children.
“My younger son is supportive because he’s been all over the world,” Bryant said. “My older son would just as soon I would do something here. We’ve never lived very far apart, but he’s understanding.”
To contribute to Bryant’s mission, the address is Strawtown Community Church Mission Fund, 23803 Couden Ave., Noblesville, Ind., 46060.
