Team Zambia 2016- Day Five Thursday

Day Five Thursday

MISSING TRANSLATORS

One of the main themes we live by in missions is…”don’t worry, things will not go as planned.” This morning we loaded up the bus for hut-to-hut evangelism in the village and stopped at the Ten Mile Market to pick up our translators. But, instead of 4 translators- there was only one. Somehow, there was a mixup in communication and our translators were not where they were supposed to be. So, it was off to share Jesus with five teams but only 2 translators. We decided that our team would use this opportunity to prayer walk the village. However, we kept meeting people and greeting them with the only phrase we really know: “muly bwangi” and giving them invite cards to the new church that will begin in the village Sunday. Then, we met a 16 year old girl that greeted us in perfect english. She was standing in front of her home with her entire family. She proceeded to translate for us to share the gospel and eventually her sister Mesha and her mother Susan both trusted Jesus.

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN REYNOLDS

As a young Catholic Altar Boy, John Reynolds never imagined he would be walking the streets of a village in Africa sharing Christ from hut-to-hut. He says: “I just can’t believe how respectful and open the people here really are. They always take time to listen to the gospel, no matter what they are doing.” John took advantage of the 12 hours of training offered for this trip and while he has been sharing bits and pieces of the gospel story, today he shared the entire presentation!

DEEP THOUGHTS FROM ZAC AUSTIN

I’ve always known I am supposed to minister. Whether it’s been in a full time student ministry position or on a trip like this. I can feel the love of Christ compelling me to tell others about God. I honestly feel like this trip has opened so many doors for me to share Christ freely but I’ve also noticed it’s having a huge impact on my own heart. It’s like I am wrestling with God with what that ministry in the future would look like. All I know is that I am open to anything and God WILL show me the way.

SUFFERING FOR JESUS?

When I was first felt that God was calling our church to Church Planting in Africa, I said to God- “ok no matter how bad it gets- I am willing to go.” I pictured us staying in mud huts in the villages fighting off mosquitos! Instead, I have to say that the accommodations and the food God has provided for every trip have always been wonderful. We are staying at the Baptist Guest House of Lusaka that affords clean sheets and towels and even hot showers! (when the power stays on long enough to heat it). And the food? All our team keeps saying each evening is WoW! In varying multiples we have had the following for dinner so far: grilled fish, beef stew, rice, baked potato, pan fried chicken, pork chops, rape, spinach, eggplant, pinto and lima beans, pumpkin leaves, collard greens and Nshema. (pronounced “ in shema”) Nshema is to Zambia what rice is to China. There is never a meal without it. It is cornmeal that is cooked similarly to grits but then it is cooked much longer to a dough-like consistency so that it can be picked up and eaten with your hands. The only drawback is that instead of losing weight on a mission trip- you may just come home with a few extra pounds. Thank you Lord for our wonderful cook Chongo!

ABIGAIL- OUR 13 YEAR OLD VETERAN

Abigail Flores was on our team last year with her dad Wayne. According to her mom, Kay, Abigail has waited for this trip all year long. And although she is a veteran at sharing Christ here, it seemed like she had a really tough time the first couple of days just getting started. We prayed for boldness and today she just launched out a couple of times walking a few steps away from her team to venture out on her own. God gave her some ladies that spoke good English and she was able to pray with one of them regarding some needs in her family and one of them prayed to receive Christ with the help of Caleb.

LYDIA’S PERSPECTIVE- RENEWED

“I am shocked by the lack of middle aged to older people in this place. The average life expectancy for a male they tell me is 46! That has really reminded me of what a blessing it is from the Lord to be able to live this long and see my kids and grandchild. Especially, when I think back to being age 19 and being diagnosed with leukemia. At that time I honestly didn’t think I would live to be 30. God gave me a peace about it either way and I will never stop thanking him for allowing me to see my kids come to this  point and for allowing me to share Jesus in Africa. 

PLEASE PRAY

• for our vbs parents programme- that we would reach many of the parents
• continued safety and health of the team
• renewed energy as we hit the wall- the homestretch of the trip
• that the people of the village will come to the services at the new church we are planting this Sunday- 
• that many more will give their lives to Christ tomorrow in our last day of hut-to-hut evangelism