In February 2026, the Kalewa Ladies Club in Ndola, Zambia, organized a Valentine’s Day event called “Our Men, Our Heroes” to honor their husbands in the military. Over 300 people attended the event that not only celebrated the service of the soldiers in the field, but also honored the important role of the wives in the home.

Over ten years ago, Mark Kaoma, AFCI Zambia National Director, and his wife, Esther, provided marriage counseling to a young couple. Mark later had the privilege of officiating and blessing their marriage. The wife is a member of the Kalewa Ladies Club and when they needed a speaker for their Valentine’s Day event, she knew whom to ask.

Mark gave a brief message on the theme of “Our Men, Our Heroes.” Speaking to the soldiers and their wives, Mark shared a series of perspectives on Biblical marriage and partnership.

Mark said, “Marriage answers the deep human need for identity, acceptance, and home. Every person longs for a place where they are fully accepted. Marriage is meant to be that place. In a military environment, soldiers may feel they belong to their unit – but emotionally, their true belonging must remain in the home. A spouse should never feel like an outsider competing with duty, rank, or assignment.”

He went on to explain:

  • A soldier faces external battles; the home must not become another battlefield.
  • Marriage is not a contract of convenience, it is a covenant of commitment before God.
  • Just as a soldier makes sacrifices for the nation, a spouse sacrifices for the marriage.
  • Marriage is not two individuals who are trying to survive life, it is a team assigned by God to win together.

Speaking to the husbands, Mark closed the meeting by saying,

“Being a hero is not about medals, but about faithful endurance – not everyone will get a medal, but you can be faithful and endure to the end. Be heroes at home, not only in uniform. A hero must be faithful in marriage, gentle at home, and responsible with authority.

“In the same way, now husbands must acknowledge your wife’s burden as she carries the home while you carry the nation. The husbands must say the same thing to their wives: Our Women, Our Heroes.”

AFCI Zambia has had other opportunities to minister to the soldiers and their families in the past; however, this was the first time they were able to participate in a Valentine’s Day event.

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