I promised to write on our blog more, and I want to keep that promise.
We just finished working with an amazing team from Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri. The pastor and his family have a ministry called “Wells of Joy” which focuses on ministering to God’s servants. And that is exactly what this team did. They came to Zambia and ministered to about 50 church leaders and wives and to us and several other missionaries. It was an awesome time of teaching, preaching, and encouraging through testimonies and music. You can read more details on the Wells of Joy blog: http://www.wellsofjoy.com/blog.htm
Before the team came, we were really wondering if the leaders would come—RSVP is not really understood here. We were wondering if the Wells of Joy team would go home disappointed. Why do we worry when we serve such a BIG God! The week before the conference, the Lord just kept pointing us to passages of scripture that talked about faith. Together we decided that we were going to believe that good things were going to happen. Not only did good things happen, but “great” things happened. This was the first time in our eleven years in working in the southern province of Zambia, that almost all our church leaders came together, were encouraged and strengthened, and had opportunity to really get to know one another and find out what was happening in other places of the southern province. We were really excited to see that they got together on their own during one of the breaks to make plans for working together in the future. Our goal is to work ourselves out of a job, and that is what we saw happening. God is up to some great things and we are so privileged to be a part of what He is doing.
After the conference, when we sat with the team, we were encouraged by the Pastor, Hosea Bileyu, to include “margin” in our lives. I think he could see that this is not something we have much of. And so, we did just that. Instead of going to Lusaka to say good-bye to the team, we bid them adieu from our home. This was hard to do, but it was a good thing. We desperately needed the rest.
My 52nd birthday was on Saturday, and Wes asked me what I wanted to do. I said, “Just stay home.” Although Wes didn’t think that this was a very good birthday present, it was the best one for this time. He spoiled me! He washed clothes, helped clean up the house, baked a cake, made homemade ice cream, and cooked a great supper of baked chicken, corn and Stove Top. It was awesome!
I think I like this new idea of margin. Thanks Hosea for the tip, and thanks to the whole team for a great week of encouraging our leaders and us!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
God's Word Will Never Return Void
Our last few months have been so busy with teams from the states partnering with us in various ministries. Our first team from FBC Clanton, Alabama camped in the middle of the bush, in a camping area prepared for us by our Zambian brothers and sisters. They even built us a bush toilet (down wind). We had an awesome time teaching, playing, singing, dancing and fellowshipping with the believers from the Mpanza church, who also had a campsite next to us. We ended the week with the Jesus Film, and new believers were added to the church.
Our second team from Wynne Baptist Church, Wynne, Arkansas camped on the shores of Lake Kariba in an area known as Sinazongwe. This team worked alongside us and two small groups of Zambian believers in doing evangelism, Bible storying, and teaching new believers. Two new Bible study groups were started, which means we have lots of work ahead of us.
God did great things through both of these teams, but I have to tell you the story of how God worked through this last team. It is a story that began one year ago:
One year ago, this same team, with a few different faces, came to do prayer walking, survey work, and evangelism in the Sinazongwe area. For us, it was a brand new area, and we were looking to see where God might be at work in bringing people to Himself and starting new churches.
As the team walked the streets of Sinazongwe, they talked to many people, shared the good news, gave out tracts, and prayed for people. They saw very few people accept Christ during the actual week of their ministry, although two new Bible study groups were planted from this ministry.
One member of the team, Cathy, talked to a young lady on the street who said she was a prostitute. She did not accept Christ, but was given a booklet to read. On the front of the booklet was the question, “If you died today, do you know for sure that you would go to heaven.” Cathy went home burdened for this young lady, and throughout the year prayed for her and asked others to pray as well.
On the third day of ministry, one year later, part of our group went to the town of Sinazeze to do evangelism with the Bible study group there. Just before reaching the town, the truck broke down. We walked to town and divided up into groups, going out into the villages evangelizing with the Bible study group.
After a few hours, we met back in town and found out that the truck was still broken down. While we waited for transportation to pick us up and carry us back to camp, we went into the shops and invited people to come to a Jesus Film Crusade we would be having on the weekend.
When we came to the end of the shops, we stood around talking to some people while we waited for our ride. One of our Zambian translators came to me and said, “There is a woman across the street that says you must come and see her. She wants to know why you are here.” This made me a little nervous, but I crossed the road with a few other members of the team.
The young lady that met us began questioning us. She said she worked with the town council and wanted to know who we were, what we were doing, and warned us not to be giving out things and make promises that we would not keep. I assured here that we were not here to give out things accept for the good news of Jesus. Then I reached in my pocket and said, “Well there is one thing we are giving out, and it is this little booklet.” When I handed it to her I said, “On the front it asks a question, ‘If you died today do you know for sure that you would go to heaven.”
She looked at me and said, “You asked me that same question last year. You don’t remember me, do you? I met you in Sinazongwe in front of the shops and you asked me this same question.” I had to admit I did not remember her.
I then asked her, “Well, what was your answer last year?” to which she replied, “No, I do not know if I will go to heaven.”
A young Zambian believer who was standing with me said to her, “Why don’t you know, you’ve had a year to read the book. Why haven’t you responded?” I can’t remember what she said, but I asked her, “What is your answer this year?”
She replied, “I still don’t know, and I haven’t responded because I have some hidden sins that I need to get rid of first. I am an adulteress (prostitute).”
Seeing a table and chairs nearby, we sat down together. I then explained that she did not have to wait until she quit sinning before accepting Christ. I explained that if she would give her life to Christ, He would help her to put away her sinful life. This young lady was ready to give her life to Christ, and right there with two men at the next table watching and listening while they drank their beers, this young woman accepted Christ .
By now you have probably figured out that this was Precious, the same young lady that Cathy had witnessed to the previous year. Wow, what a great God we serve. He is at work in the hearts of people even we do not see it. It may take a year, or longer, but His Word will never return void! I can’t wait till next year to meet others whose lives were touched by the ministry of this team this year.
Our second team from Wynne Baptist Church, Wynne, Arkansas camped on the shores of Lake Kariba in an area known as Sinazongwe. This team worked alongside us and two small groups of Zambian believers in doing evangelism, Bible storying, and teaching new believers. Two new Bible study groups were started, which means we have lots of work ahead of us.
God did great things through both of these teams, but I have to tell you the story of how God worked through this last team. It is a story that began one year ago:
One year ago, this same team, with a few different faces, came to do prayer walking, survey work, and evangelism in the Sinazongwe area. For us, it was a brand new area, and we were looking to see where God might be at work in bringing people to Himself and starting new churches.
As the team walked the streets of Sinazongwe, they talked to many people, shared the good news, gave out tracts, and prayed for people. They saw very few people accept Christ during the actual week of their ministry, although two new Bible study groups were planted from this ministry.
One member of the team, Cathy, talked to a young lady on the street who said she was a prostitute. She did not accept Christ, but was given a booklet to read. On the front of the booklet was the question, “If you died today, do you know for sure that you would go to heaven.” Cathy went home burdened for this young lady, and throughout the year prayed for her and asked others to pray as well.
On the third day of ministry, one year later, part of our group went to the town of Sinazeze to do evangelism with the Bible study group there. Just before reaching the town, the truck broke down. We walked to town and divided up into groups, going out into the villages evangelizing with the Bible study group.
After a few hours, we met back in town and found out that the truck was still broken down. While we waited for transportation to pick us up and carry us back to camp, we went into the shops and invited people to come to a Jesus Film Crusade we would be having on the weekend.
When we came to the end of the shops, we stood around talking to some people while we waited for our ride. One of our Zambian translators came to me and said, “There is a woman across the street that says you must come and see her. She wants to know why you are here.” This made me a little nervous, but I crossed the road with a few other members of the team.
The young lady that met us began questioning us. She said she worked with the town council and wanted to know who we were, what we were doing, and warned us not to be giving out things and make promises that we would not keep. I assured here that we were not here to give out things accept for the good news of Jesus. Then I reached in my pocket and said, “Well there is one thing we are giving out, and it is this little booklet.” When I handed it to her I said, “On the front it asks a question, ‘If you died today do you know for sure that you would go to heaven.”
She looked at me and said, “You asked me that same question last year. You don’t remember me, do you? I met you in Sinazongwe in front of the shops and you asked me this same question.” I had to admit I did not remember her.
I then asked her, “Well, what was your answer last year?” to which she replied, “No, I do not know if I will go to heaven.”
A young Zambian believer who was standing with me said to her, “Why don’t you know, you’ve had a year to read the book. Why haven’t you responded?” I can’t remember what she said, but I asked her, “What is your answer this year?”
She replied, “I still don’t know, and I haven’t responded because I have some hidden sins that I need to get rid of first. I am an adulteress (prostitute).”
Seeing a table and chairs nearby, we sat down together. I then explained that she did not have to wait until she quit sinning before accepting Christ. I explained that if she would give her life to Christ, He would help her to put away her sinful life. This young lady was ready to give her life to Christ, and right there with two men at the next table watching and listening while they drank their beers, this young woman accepted Christ .
By now you have probably figured out that this was Precious, the same young lady that Cathy had witnessed to the previous year. Wow, what a great God we serve. He is at work in the hearts of people even we do not see it. It may take a year, or longer, but His Word will never return void! I can’t wait till next year to meet others whose lives were touched by the ministry of this team this year.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
A Zambian Valentine’s Day
Okay, I know we haven’t written in a long time; we hope you haven’t given up on us. We have had phone problems off and on since Christmas, which means we have had email problems since we still use the old-fashioned dial up. Now that our phone seems to be working, we will try again to blog. Let us begin by telling you about our Zambian Valentine’s Day party.
We often have parties for the youth from our church on special occasions, because we meet with them weekly for Bible study. However, for Valentine’s Day we decided to do something special for the adults of our church in Gwembe. Although Zambians have Valentine’s Day on their calendar, in the rural areas very few celebrate it or really know what it’s about.
We put up the few decorations we had for Valentine’s Day, baked up some biscuits (scones in Zambia) in the shape of hearts, made a strawberry cake, popcorn, and of course a red drink, and prepared some games. We had no idea how many would come. In Zambia, even if you ask the people to RSVP, you would never have an accurate count. We just prayed that we wouldn’t have too many or too few. The Lord answered our prayers, and we had 16 adults arrive for the party.
We started out with a game called, “I Have Never” in which each person has to stand in the middle of a circle and think of something they have never done that they think everyone else has done. In America we might say something like, “I have never been to Red Lobster.” Here it was things like, “I have never eaten a field mouse” or “I have never tasted lion.”
The next activity was writing a fill-in the blank love story together. We went around the room and I asked each person to help us fill in the blanks. Although they did not know why I wanted adjectives, verbs, people, places and things, they were very ready to help. When we read the completed story, they laughed and laughed. Zambians have difficult lives, so it was great to see them laughing so much.
Our final indoor game was a simplified version of “Family Feud.” Instead of families, we divided into teams. We had polled one of our Zambian friends for the answers. Just to give you an idea of the questions, “Name the top 5 gifts that Zambian women want to receive on special occasions?” The answers were similar to answers we might hear from American women, but one stuck out to me—cell phones. In this day and age, to have a cell phone in Zambia is to have status.
The final game, Hillbilly Golf, was played outside; it was a great hit. We had two teams, red and blue. Each team won a game, so there were no losers.
We ended the party with food and a short Bible study on God’s awesome love. Just as it was pouring down rain during the Bible study, so Wes explained that God pours out His awesome love on us who have chosen to believe in His Son Jesus. “Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” I John 3:3.
As we ended the party, we gave each participant a button to wear on their lapel that said, “I am loved.” You would think we had given them a million dollars. It was a great Valentine's Day in Zambia!
We often have parties for the youth from our church on special occasions, because we meet with them weekly for Bible study. However, for Valentine’s Day we decided to do something special for the adults of our church in Gwembe. Although Zambians have Valentine’s Day on their calendar, in the rural areas very few celebrate it or really know what it’s about.
We put up the few decorations we had for Valentine’s Day, baked up some biscuits (scones in Zambia) in the shape of hearts, made a strawberry cake, popcorn, and of course a red drink, and prepared some games. We had no idea how many would come. In Zambia, even if you ask the people to RSVP, you would never have an accurate count. We just prayed that we wouldn’t have too many or too few. The Lord answered our prayers, and we had 16 adults arrive for the party.
We started out with a game called, “I Have Never” in which each person has to stand in the middle of a circle and think of something they have never done that they think everyone else has done. In America we might say something like, “I have never been to Red Lobster.” Here it was things like, “I have never eaten a field mouse” or “I have never tasted lion.”
The next activity was writing a fill-in the blank love story together. We went around the room and I asked each person to help us fill in the blanks. Although they did not know why I wanted adjectives, verbs, people, places and things, they were very ready to help. When we read the completed story, they laughed and laughed. Zambians have difficult lives, so it was great to see them laughing so much.
Our final indoor game was a simplified version of “Family Feud.” Instead of families, we divided into teams. We had polled one of our Zambian friends for the answers. Just to give you an idea of the questions, “Name the top 5 gifts that Zambian women want to receive on special occasions?” The answers were similar to answers we might hear from American women, but one stuck out to me—cell phones. In this day and age, to have a cell phone in Zambia is to have status.
The final game, Hillbilly Golf, was played outside; it was a great hit. We had two teams, red and blue. Each team won a game, so there were no losers.
We ended the party with food and a short Bible study on God’s awesome love. Just as it was pouring down rain during the Bible study, so Wes explained that God pours out His awesome love on us who have chosen to believe in His Son Jesus. “Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” I John 3:3.
As we ended the party, we gave each participant a button to wear on their lapel that said, “I am loved.” You would think we had given them a million dollars. It was a great Valentine's Day in Zambia!
Friday, January 2, 2009
The Rolling Truck
Recently we were on our way to a Bible study about two hours from our home when we happened upon an accident. A tractor-trailer had gone off the road and hit a tree, possibly due to the rains. Two other trucks had stopped to help and as we went around the first truck, we had to stop behind the second truck which was not completely off the road. Another tractor trailer was coming in the opposite lane, so Wes was waiting for this truck to go by so he could go around the parked truck safely. Suddenly I noticed that the parked truck was backing up straight toward us. Wes didn’t seem to notice so I said (of course in a very calm voice), “Wes, that truck is coming straight at us!” Wes, hooted his hooter (the Zambian term for honking your horn), and assumed the truck would stop. When it kept coming closer and closer, I said (once again very calmly), “Wes, you have to do something; it is still coming straight at us!” Wes made a quick decision to squeeze between the truck coming in the opposite lane and the truck that was backing up toward us. There was just enough room to pass through, and when we got up to where we could see the cab of the truck on our left, we noticed that there was no driver! We continued on down the road praying that the people standing on the road would see the truck backing toward them. We also said a prayer of thanksgiving, realizing that the Lord had truly protected us from a bad situation. Sometimes God allows us to “see” His protection, but how many times does He protect us from dangers we never know!
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