God Sends Encouragement and Lessons

Deaf Ministry Continues

One of our teams walked by a lady in the compound and gave the usual greeting, but the lady did not respond.  This is so unusual that the team sensed that something was wrong.  A neighbor motioned to them that the lady was deaf.  The man called the team back to the lady, and the lady was shocked to find that Ashlyn could communicate with her through sign language.  Again, we find that God puts our team members exactly where they are needed.  Ashlyn accompanied her to her home, where she met the entire family, several of whom were also deaf.  Although American Sign Language is different, there is enough overlap that they were able to communicate.  Ashlyn was able to share the gospel with her by drawing on the ground with a piece of charcoal. Please pray for this family, as there is little to no help for the deaf in Zambia (Ashlyn may just have to move here!).

We work hard to keep our teams together in witnessing situations but one of our teams found themselves witnessing to three people at once, two of whom prayed to receive Christ.

Worship in the Streets

It is encouraging when our teams come upon people who do know Christ.  Today one of our teams came upon a group of ladies that when asked the diagnostic questions, clearly gave testimony that they knew the Lord.  Knowing that the eldest lady would be a leader in her area, the team gave her a bible so that she could lead a Bible study.  Upon receiving the Bible, she was overwhelmed with gratitude and asked if she and the other ladies could sing a song for the team.  They proceeded to sing a worship song in Bimba.  The Lord knows when we need a word of encouragement or a moment of worship.

Lessons Still to be Learned

We learned a lot today, but one of the biggest lessons was that the Western mindset that things need to be done well and in an organized manner is definitely blown away here.  We are the most organized and well-trained team that the Lowe’s have ever worked with.  Yet, when you put 350+ kids in a 20x30 room with no lights or AC, even with the wisest leaders assisting us, the situation can descend into chaos pretty quickly.  We know that kids’ hearts were touched this week, but it was very difficult to wrap things up in the manner in which we desired.  There are many things we wish we could have done and additional resources we wish we’d had at our disposal, but we did the best we could do, and trust that God will cover the situation as only He can do.

Take this...and DOUBLE it!!! Welcome to VBS in Chipata Overspill!

The Sad Reality of Death in the Compound

One of our teams went for a follow-up discipleship appointment and the lady shared she was unexpectedly being called away.  She shared that a neighbor had given birth to twins during the night and both she and the children had passed away.  The team was able to locate some of the family and share the hope found in Christ and pray over the family.  People often ask why the harvest fields are so ripe in Africa.  Although there are many reasons, at the top of the list is the fact that death is a daily part of life.  In America, when we are witnessing and ask a person a question that begins “If you were to die today…” they pass over it quickly as not even being remotely possible.  However, in Africa, this same phrase is taken very seriously because they know death is always nearby.

Prayer Requests

• Team Health
• For the Lord to move in the hearts of the people as the watch the Jesus film
• For the team to rest well in the coming days