We went to Livingstone about four hours from our home to be part of an induction service. What is an induction service? We were wondering the same thing when we were asked to be a part. We learned that it is a special service where a church welcomes their new pastor and introduces him to the community. It is a time when the pastor is challenged by others to fulfill his calling.
Wes had been asked to share a brief welcome and challenge to Pastor Golden Kyungupengu on behalf of the Baptist Mission. He had mixed feelings about being a part of this service. On one hand, he was excited to welcome Pastor Golden, a young man we had met when he was a youth, who definitely is called by God. In fact, he is a real answer to pray for the southern province of Zambia where we minister. But, on the other hand, Wes doesn't like to speak to large crowds, and hates to dress up in formal attire--why do you think he loves the bush!
Pastor Golden gave us instructions on Friday that we were supposed to arrive on Saturday morning by 8:30 a.m. to greet the minister who was scheduled to arrive at 9:00. He was not talking about a guest pastor, but a government official who would be the guest of honor for this event. A minister is equivalent to an American senator.
We arrived on time and were ushered in to a small room with other pastors who also had a part in the program. The minister did not arrive on time. This is not unusual here in Zambia. Government officials are expected to make people wait. Just before 10:00 we were told that the minister was on his way and we should form reception line outside. He arrived soon after with his aide, and after greeting him, we went back into the small room where the pastors chatted with him briefly.
Finally, we made our way to the stage behind the minister and took our seats. We would sit here for the next three hours in temperatures that must have reached 110 degrees. I looked over at Wes who was thoroughly miserable in his suit and tie and whispered, "Try not to look so miserable." I felt sorry for him.
The service began with the Zambian national anthem, and I noticed we were being watched as we tried to remember the words. I'm sure those watching us could tell that we were faking some of the words (but not all).
There were some really good choirs, and then the speeches began. Each speaker greeted the minister by name and another government offical who was somewhere in the audience, as well as pastors, etc. etc. I could tell that Wes was getting nervous wondering if he would be the only one to break protocol if he did not greet everyone by name and give their "official" title.
Thankfully, not long before Wes was to speak, the minister called the master of ceremonies over and asked him to please tell the speakers that they could dispense with the protocol that normally is used for greeting. I saw relief wash over Wes' face.
When Wes got up to speak, I said a little prayer for him. He welcomed Pastor Golden and his wife to the southern province, and was presenting a short challenge to him, when suddenly there was a loud crash. Two men had fallen from their chairs in the front row, when one chair broke and fell into the other. Poor Wes, no one listened much after that, but he retained his composure--I was proud of him!
The service finally ended and Wes was able to take off his coat and tie and breathe a sigh of relief. After presenting our gift to the pastor and his wife, we said good-bye and headed for home. The first 40 kilometers was rough, as the road is being repaired, and we had to take a detour on a dirt road for a good distance. The dust was so thick at times that we literally could not see what was in front of us. Even Wes admitted it was a very dangerous situation. We thank the Lord that He led us and that we made it home safely.
Although the day was hot, and we were exhausted, it was another "golden opportunity" to be involved in Zambian culture and share our lives with the people.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
A Sad Week
It has truly been a week of sadness. On Tuesday we went to the funeral in our village, and on Wednesday we received sad news from home. We got a call from my father telling us that my Uncle Menno had passed away. I knew he had been sick, but I really wasn't expecting this news on this day. Why? Because last week we had learned that another uncle had been diagnosed with leukemia and didn't have long to live.
While we were still processing my Uncle Menno's death, the phone rang again. I asked Wes to get it, because I knew in my heart that my Uncle Don had also passed away.
I'm still in shock as I think about the fact that in one day, two of my uncles went to be with the Lord. The good news is that they both had their house in order. If you haven't read my previous post, you need to do so. The sad thing is that they will be missed by so many.
I think of my Aunt Vi who lost both her husband Don and her brother Menno in one day. I can't even imagine her sadness. She's my very special aunt who prays for us all the time, makes us homemade jam to bring back to Zambia, and always makes sure we come for dinner when we are home. Now it is our turn to pray for her.
Although we are so far removed from our families, I remember both of my uncles with fondness. My Uncle Menno owned a small country grocery store when we were kids. He spoiled us with goodies from the store every time we came to visit. He was a big man, with a big heart. My Uncle Don was a quiet and gentle man. I never heard him raise his voice or say an unkind word about anyone. I doubt if anyone could ever say that about me.
Wes and I are reading a book together called, "A Life God Rewards" by Bruce Wilkinson. Have you ever thought about the fact that this life is like a little dot on a page, and eternity is a line that goes on and on forever? Wilkinson says, "Jesus' teaching shows us that what happens inside the dot determines everything that happens on the line." Most of our life happens after our physical death. This is a sobering thought for us who are still living.
Well, two great men are gone, two families are grieving, but in heaven, two men are rejoicing with their Savior and just beginning their life on the line.
While we were still processing my Uncle Menno's death, the phone rang again. I asked Wes to get it, because I knew in my heart that my Uncle Don had also passed away.
I'm still in shock as I think about the fact that in one day, two of my uncles went to be with the Lord. The good news is that they both had their house in order. If you haven't read my previous post, you need to do so. The sad thing is that they will be missed by so many.
I think of my Aunt Vi who lost both her husband Don and her brother Menno in one day. I can't even imagine her sadness. She's my very special aunt who prays for us all the time, makes us homemade jam to bring back to Zambia, and always makes sure we come for dinner when we are home. Now it is our turn to pray for her.
Although we are so far removed from our families, I remember both of my uncles with fondness. My Uncle Menno owned a small country grocery store when we were kids. He spoiled us with goodies from the store every time we came to visit. He was a big man, with a big heart. My Uncle Don was a quiet and gentle man. I never heard him raise his voice or say an unkind word about anyone. I doubt if anyone could ever say that about me.
Wes and I are reading a book together called, "A Life God Rewards" by Bruce Wilkinson. Have you ever thought about the fact that this life is like a little dot on a page, and eternity is a line that goes on and on forever? Wilkinson says, "Jesus' teaching shows us that what happens inside the dot determines everything that happens on the line." Most of our life happens after our physical death. This is a sobering thought for us who are still living.
Well, two great men are gone, two families are grieving, but in heaven, two men are rejoicing with their Savior and just beginning their life on the line.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Get Your House in Order
The sad news came to us that the headmistress (principal) of the main school in our village, had suddenly lost her husband when he did not recover after an asthma attack.
We went to the funeral in our village where hundreds of people had gathered to honor the life of a man who had touched their lives. We learned at the funeral, that he himself had been the head master before his wife, many years back. Both he and his wife had invested in many lives in the community, especially through the avenue of education.
The funeral message was good, but it fell short of the truth. The young pastor talked about how Hezekiah of the Old Testament was told he was going to die, and to get his house in order. The point of the message was, "Get your house in order because you do not know when you are going to die." Sadly, the message focused on works. To get your house in order, the pastor implied that you must make sure you are doing enough good works to ensure you are righteous enough to enter into the Kingdom of God.
I wanted so much to stand up and say, "Yes, faith without works is dead, but it is by grace that we are saved through faith." The Bible plainly tells us that we are not saved by our works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation is a gift of God to all those who confess Him as Lord and believe on His name. (Romans 10:9-10). If we try to work our way to heaven, we will always fall short. (Romans 3:23). We can NEVER do enough good works to deserve God's favor. To get our house in order, we must first put our lives into the hands of the only one who was ever without sin (Jesus). He died that we might have life. We are put right with God (justified), not by our good works which are like filthy rags to Him (Isaiah 64:6) but by faith in His Son Jesus (Romans 5:1).
The message was good, but the most important thing was left out. To get one's house in order, one must first enter into a relationship with God through believing in His Son Jesus. We have all been created by God, but not all have a relationship with Him. John 1:12 tells us that, "Yet to all who received Him (Jesus), to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." It is not the ones that have done enough good works that are children of God, but those who believe in Jesus-- that He died for their sin, rose again (proving that He is God) and are willing to confess Him as their Lord (the master of their life).
Death is always an opportunity for the living to look at their lives. Is your house in order? Have you entered into a relationship with God through His Son Jesus? If you have not, read Romans 10:9-10 and 13. You can also email us at wilcox@zamnet.zm and we can share more with you. If you are already a child of God, are you living the godly life that you have been called to live? Perhaps you need to get your house in order in other ways, by living the life God intended for you.
We went to the funeral in our village where hundreds of people had gathered to honor the life of a man who had touched their lives. We learned at the funeral, that he himself had been the head master before his wife, many years back. Both he and his wife had invested in many lives in the community, especially through the avenue of education.
The funeral message was good, but it fell short of the truth. The young pastor talked about how Hezekiah of the Old Testament was told he was going to die, and to get his house in order. The point of the message was, "Get your house in order because you do not know when you are going to die." Sadly, the message focused on works. To get your house in order, the pastor implied that you must make sure you are doing enough good works to ensure you are righteous enough to enter into the Kingdom of God.
I wanted so much to stand up and say, "Yes, faith without works is dead, but it is by grace that we are saved through faith." The Bible plainly tells us that we are not saved by our works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation is a gift of God to all those who confess Him as Lord and believe on His name. (Romans 10:9-10). If we try to work our way to heaven, we will always fall short. (Romans 3:23). We can NEVER do enough good works to deserve God's favor. To get our house in order, we must first put our lives into the hands of the only one who was ever without sin (Jesus). He died that we might have life. We are put right with God (justified), not by our good works which are like filthy rags to Him (Isaiah 64:6) but by faith in His Son Jesus (Romans 5:1).
The message was good, but the most important thing was left out. To get one's house in order, one must first enter into a relationship with God through believing in His Son Jesus. We have all been created by God, but not all have a relationship with Him. John 1:12 tells us that, "Yet to all who received Him (Jesus), to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." It is not the ones that have done enough good works that are children of God, but those who believe in Jesus-- that He died for their sin, rose again (proving that He is God) and are willing to confess Him as their Lord (the master of their life).
Death is always an opportunity for the living to look at their lives. Is your house in order? Have you entered into a relationship with God through His Son Jesus? If you have not, read Romans 10:9-10 and 13. You can also email us at wilcox@zamnet.zm and we can share more with you. If you are already a child of God, are you living the godly life that you have been called to live? Perhaps you need to get your house in order in other ways, by living the life God intended for you.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
A Time for Everything
Last August a pastor friend from America, who visited us in Zambia, told us we needed margin. He saw that we were tired, working too hard, and needed some down time. When he returned to the states he sent us a book titled, "Margin." We got the message.
Well, there is a time for everything, and coming home to America has provided us with that much needed margin. We've had a great time being with family, and thoroughly enjoyed the cold and the snow. I know, we are crazy, but you would understand if you lived in Africa.
It has been a great holiday, although we really didn't do much. I guess that is what made it so great--we actually relaxed. We slept in if we wanted to, stayed in our pajamas 
til noon sometimes, watched football and almost every Hallmark Christmas story there was, caught up on the news, played games, and just hung out with family. We shopped, but not as much as we usually do, and we only ate out a few times--imagine that! Don't worry, we had plenty of good food--mom's fudge and cookies, turkey and dressing, and bagels with cream cheese nearly every morning.
til noon sometimes, watched football and almost every Hallmark Christmas story there was, caught up on the news, played games, and just hung out with family. We shopped, but not as much as we usually do, and we only ate out a few times--imagine that! Don't worry, we had plenty of good food--mom's fudge and cookies, turkey and dressing, and bagels with cream cheese nearly every morning.Well, there is a time for
every thing, and now it is time for us to return to Zambia. We are excited about what the new year holds. We look forward to getting back and seeing our friends and family in Zambia. We look forward to getting back to work and seeing more of what great things God will do this year. We feel rested. We have had enough margin for awhile. May God give each of you a blessed New Year!
every thing, and now it is time for us to return to Zambia. We are excited about what the new year holds. We look forward to getting back and seeing our friends and family in Zambia. We look forward to getting back to work and seeing more of what great things God will do this year. We feel rested. We have had enough margin for awhile. May God give each of you a blessed New Year!
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