Remembering Linda Jones

By Scott Nordstrom

I was saddened last week to receive the news of Linda Jones’ passing. If you are not aware, Linda has been a part of the Noah Ministries (NM) team in Zambia, who we have worked with since 2007 to serve orphaned children.

I wanted to wait for a few days before putting some thoughts to paper. I do realize that Linda has moved-on to higher places so rather than take you through my despair over the last ten plus days, I wanted to give you a glimpse of who Linda was to me and what she meant to us at Global Orphan Relief (GO!).

I first met Mike and Linda Jones in January of 2007. Mike Dee, a GO! board member, and I were in Zambia to figure out how God might use us to serve orphaned children in a more intentional way. We searched the country high and low looking for how we might best serve Zambian children. I am not even sure we knew what we were looking for…

Through a series of distant connections, we had arranged to meet-up with Mike and Linda, and we stayed with them just prior to departing Zambia and heading home.

As it turned-out, we had journeyed so far to meet the Jones’, but in reality, God had sent the Jones’ to us. We needed help. The ‘training wheels’ were not even off our fairly new ministry, and we had much to learn. Mike and Linda had experience with serving orphaned children in Zambia, they understood the local logistics, and even knew of a place in which we could serve. GO! and NM were in the right situation to work together for the betterment of orphaned children in Zambia, and most importantly, I liked Mike and Linda and just knew that their heart was in the right place. In two short days, after God’s leading, Mike and Linda agreed to be our partners in Zambia. This was nothing short of a divine appointment!

What I learned about Linda over fourteen years since was that she was one of God’s special people. Linda was most known for her hospitality, but her gifts went far beyond just that. Linda turned out to be quite the administrator as she managed the multiple children’s homes at two different locations and was instrumental in launching a scholarship initiative in the Southern Province that would be responsible in getting 100’s of orphaned children in school. Linda deeply loved the children we served.

As I was reflecting on our partnership, I figure that I have been blessed to spend a total of about four months during 10 deployments to Zambia with Mike and Linda since our first meeting. During this time, I have gotten to know each of them well, and our discussions covered a wide array of topics. Based on these conversations and their commitment to the Kingdom, their calling was important to them. It was obvious to them back in 1994 that they were to serve in Zambia, so they took their three young daughters and moved to Africa. There are things that our King has asked me to do, and I have been obedient for the most part, but I have wondered if I could do what Mike and Linda have done. Would I be willing?

From my vantage point, their determination has been unwavering. I doubt that Mike and Linda will ever be famous, but I consider them both heroes of the faith and I have been honored to serve with them in Zambia.

Lastly, I think of Linda like a big sister. Now I don’t have a sister, but I imagine that if I did, she’d be like Linda. On several occasions there were events that would happen in the field that would put us on the phone and we would cry together. In conversations in the field, she would share how she missed her family. Not that she was complaining, but the honor of serving in the field was not without its sacrifices, and her family was dear to her. On the flip side, one of the things I remembered most was laughing with Linda. There were stories told multiple times over multiple years, that would cause quite a ruckus. Its just that some stories are so funny that the deserve a retelling a time or two.

Linda will be missed by many, and I imagine that this will really hit me on my next trip to Zambia when she is no longer there. There is much I will miss out on without Linda in Zambia, but our loss is heaven’s gain and we will meet again.

Join me in praying for Mike and the rest of the family during their time of loss. I am so thankful for their willingness to share Linda with the rest of the world. All those who knew her were blessed in the process.

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Global Orphan Relief (GO) has been serving orphaned children since 2005. We have accomplished this work to date through local partners in each country that provides oversight and distribution of care. In June we will serve 3,300 children in DR Congo, India, Pakistan, Kenya, South Sudan, and Zambia within our Home-based Care, Nutrition, and Scholarship Initiatives.

Scott Nordstrom leads GO! today and was a co-founder when we launched in 2005. Scott has been instrumental in deploying 159 volunteers on 24 teams to the mission field, and has personally served in DR Congo, India, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, South Sudan, and Zambia. Scott has also spoke in the United States, as well as, internationally regarding child welfare and matters of faith, hope, and love.

You may send support or other correspondence to Global Orphan Relief, 16352 Prairie Farm Circle, Parker, CO 80134 or you may give also give electronically at Support the Global Orphan Relief Children.

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Global Orphan Relief (GO!) is a Christian relief agency serving vulnerable children and is a recognized U.S. public charity, tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3). All donations to GO!, or any charitable contribution processed through Network For Good Donor Advised Fund, are tax deductible to the extent of the law. If you prefer, you may provide gifts of support by sending via mail to the address above. For your convenience you may also give electronically at our website at GLOBAL ORPHAN RELIEF.

Remembering Linda Jones

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