Meet the Hamelrycks!

Let me present the Hamelrycks. In God’s sovereignty, the Hamelrycks made their first visit to Zambia 5 months after we made ours. They are from Maryland, here to stay for 4 years, and have 10 children. In the following article you can get to know them better.



For Mr. Hamelryck, living in Africa has always been a lifelong dream. His grandfather, Paul, was a missionary to the Congo in the 1940’s. His father was born there. When his grandfather died, his grandmother moved back to the states. She used to tell him stories of Africa. In1987 he came to Africa for four months.




Mr. and Mrs. Hamelryck had said that as each child completed their senior year, they would bring them to Africa. So, when Gabrielle completed her’s, Mr. Hamelryck brought her to the Village of Hope in October 2008. While here, he decided to move and bring his whole family. In March Mrs. Hamelryck came with her husband, and in July everyone came.



As Harrison puts it, they do every thing from watching movies to putting out brush fires. Cole says they still do all the daily functions – eat, sleep, school – but they take as much time as they can in the day to get to know the people. He likes sitting out by the container and visiting with the workers. They all agree that they love playing with the children, especially Chipi, Izzy, Martin, Shane, and Nola. Nola has excelled in a game that the children taught her that is similar to jacks. Mrs. Hamelryck explained to me that her primary role is to be a wife and mother. Besides that, she feels drawn to help the women, especially the housemothers with child rearing. Mr. Hamelryck feels God leading him to disciple the men, and has started a twice-a-week meeting for the workers, where he teaches them about construction and how to take care of their tools.



Over all, the Hamelryck family likes it here. Of course, they miss their friends and family. Gaberielle especially, as she is the eldest and is in college. When I asked if anyone missed the States, most of them said “no!,” but a few of them did confess to missing it a little. They say it has been difficult leaving just about everything behind, but as Mrs. Hamelryck said, it has taught them contentment.



When I asked them to describe their house, they all said it is busy, loud, and fun. People love to step in and visit at any time of day. There is always a group of children outside their door, waiting for someone to come and play. They are never idle, and always have work to do. Whether it is washing dishes, unpacking, or painting, they are always busy. Harrison admits he will be glad when the paint job in the girl’s bathroom is finished. It has taken them over a month to paint orange and white polka dots on the walls!



Just as God called our family to the Villages of Hope, so He called the Hamelryck family. They are learning many things, and among them is contentment.
Phillipians 4:11 “… For I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.”