Lackson Matolokoshi
Growing Up - Isaiah 6:8 (NIV)
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Who shall I send? And whom will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Lackson grew up in Liketo village in central Zambia. When he was five years old, his father died and due to continued abuse by his relatives Lackson ran away at the age of ten. He lived by himself until he was nineteen, when he met and married Mary.

By the time he was twenty-eight, Lackson was searching for truth. He found it in a Christian tract called ‘Do you want to be my friend?’. Lackson gave his life to Jesus Christ and Mary soon followed.

The Seed Planted - 1 Corinthians 3:7 - 8 (NIV)
So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.
Lackson moved to Monkey Fountain with his family in 1991 to work with MMM International as a house servant. Befriending the community around him, Lackson’s heart became burdened for them as he learnt of their physical and spiritual suffering. As there was no existing church in the area, Lackson set about planting a church - Grace and Truth Baptist - where he still attends today.

Soon after, he realised that there were many Zambians who could not read the Bible, as they had never been to school. The seed was planted in his heart to somehow help the large number of adults who he believed should have the opportunity to receive an education.

The Work Beginning - Zechariah 4:10 (NLT)
Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin...

As more and more adults turned up to receive a basic education at Grace and Truth Baptist, one problem became evident; Children throughout the community were also coming to take part because very few had the resources and finances to attend government schools in the area. Soon the children were learning faster than the adults and so Lackson had to separate them - children in the morning and adults in the evening. Hence in January 2000, the work began through a small community school at Grace and Truth Baptist Church.

Mark Holstein
Voicing the Work - Matthew 19:21 - 22 (NIV)
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

After visiting Zambia on two previous occasions, Mark returned in 2001, being burdened for the children living in extreme poverty. He could associate with them by playing soccer with them, singing with them and trying to teach them, but he dreamed of doing so much more for these dear children. Being convicted by the verse to sell everything and give to the poor, Mark knew that he could sacrifice much more for them. Not really knowing what to do, Mark trusted the Lord to show him and he was led to Lackson. After seeing what Lackson was doing Mark committed himself to raise funds to grow this ministry. From this Mark has seen God’s amazing love and provision.

Reid Anderton
Building the Work - Psalm 82:3 - 4 (NIV)
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

After working with MMM International in Zambia previously, Reid returned in 2002 with two friends, Brad Hartland and Greg Jansen. With Psalm 82 on his heart, Reid believed that God would lead him to partner with a Zambian national who was already working with disadvantaged children - street children. Unbeknown to him, Lackson, who Reid had met on previous visits, had started working with these beautiful children. Lackson had five of them living with his family in his small mud brick home on the grounds of MMM. Seeing a poor servant doing all that he could with the little that he had was inspiring and after hearing the dreams Lackson had and the vision to help these children further, Reid committed to do what he could to help, not realising that this ministry would consume a big part of his life.

Choosing the name  
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
...but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

In 2003, Lackson dreamt of an eagle flying high above the earth. After sharing this dream with a missionary at MMM International, she excitedly said that she had just read Isaiah 40:31 and thus the name Eagles Wings was chosen.

Officially Founded
On the 29th December 2003, after the Board of Directors was established, Eagles Wings was officially registered as an association with the Zambian government.

Many more individuals, churches and partners have been instrumental in turning one man’s original vision into reality ‘more than he could have ever dreamed or imagined’. Many sacrifices have been made along the way and through tears and toil Eagles Wings exists today because people believed it to be possible.

God has truly grown the work into something special and many disadvantaged children today have hope because of His great love.