Highlights

A few of my highlights from the trip in a slideshow video form. Njoy!

Neighbors in need

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything” (1 John 3:16-19)

      I’m now back in the United States. God has blessed us with a safe return journey for us and our luggage. It is a joy to be reunited with family and friends.

      Lately I’ve been reflecting on my call to love others in need, as God loves me. There are so many people in need all around me. In Zambia I saw many in need materially in the village of Chibombo. While there are many in need physically, I also realize that many are in need spiritually all around me, neighbors in need. I wonder: if anyone has ‘spiritual possessions’ (God’s love, truth, life) and sees his brother in need, but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?

      Though I cannot physically see the spiritual realm, I imagine what I would see if I could:  a classmate spiritually burdened such that he struggles to walk; a sister in Christ wounded; another man in hand combat against the enemy, with fire in his eyes and sweat on his brow; another from Tarkington Hall, who is a lost sheep without life…

      I feel often I don’t understand others’ vital needs for Christ: those who are “harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd” (Matt. 9:36) and brethren in Christ who need help in their daily life. Jesus saw others’ needs, felt compassion for them, and was thus compelled into action in love. “When [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). I desire and pray that like Jesus we may see the needs of those around us, that our hearts will break for them, and that then we will lay down our lives in love for God’s glory.

      Fortunately, my neighbors, you, and I have hope for ALL our needs to be met by God in Christ, not according to our effort or good works, but according to His glorious riches of grace. “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) God had pity on us, and He reached out His hand to save us. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) Praise the Lord!

The adventure continues

We missed our flight yesterday. Our adventure here in Zambia continues…

I’m disappointed and long to return home, yet I desire to enjoy and make the most of our time here, of the opportunity and blessing of being here in Zambia.

Pleasant Unity in the Light

07/25/12

 

“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!

It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard,

running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes.

It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion.

For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.”

Psalm 133:1-3

Jon and I are now back in Lusaka. The last few days in Kitwe were bitter-sweet with much joy and laughter as well as the sadness of leaving friends behind. Bible study went well on Thursday and Friday with fruitful discussion. I enjoyed preparing and leading bible study together with Gerald. Another highlight for me was in studying our identity in Christ, looking at many of the names the bible uses to describe us.

Kind of as a farewell event for Jon and me, we had students over to Chapo’s place for fun, bible discussion, and a scrumptious meal with grilled chicken. Gerald, his friend ‘Chips’, his roommate Godfrey, and Shiloh came. I got to facilitate the discussion part which was fun and went well. We looked at how we spend our time during a normal week and how we can live as Christ desires us to in our commitments.

God has been opening my eyes to his call for his people, for me personally to reach out to the lost. I am called to be a fisher of men (Matt. 4:19), Christ’s ambassador to this lost world (2 Cor. 5:17-20). Paul’s words are convicting: “Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone to win as many as possible.” (1 Corinthians 9:19)

In Zambia, God has blessed me with many friendships. When I return to the States, I believe I will most miss the people that I’ve gotten to know here. In Zambia, I have been able to enjoy many good times with friends, like last night talking late in the night catching up the Dan and Aaron. I have been able to see comrades growing and living out their identity in Christ. They are my brothers and sisters in Christ, the light of the world, each a testimony of Christ’s transforming work within them. Below is a bit of what I’ve seen in a few of the many lights of Christ here in Zambia. All of these guys below are solid friends, which have been a joy and blessing for me on this trip. They are many other good friends as well that are not written about below.

A FEW LIGHTS OF CHRIST HERE IN ZAMBIA

Matthews is an oak of righteousness (Isaiah 61:3). He is a young sapling who just came to know Christ at the end of last year, whose growth over this past year and desire to grow shines.

Gerald is a disciple of Jesus: a pupil, a learner and follower of Jesus. He is faithful, available, and teachable. He desires to make disciples of Jesus and is growing in his identity as a disciple-maker. He has been a great friend for me; we have been able to share many memories together which I will cherish, such as once staying on campus for 24 hours, spending the night at his room.

Jon Chen is a shepherd of God’s flock (1 Peter 5:1-4). He is a man of God who I see encouraging and spurring on believers in their walk with the Lord. He is a man who in love lays down his life for his brothers. “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” (1 John 3:16) This past week, in humility Jon allowed me to lead much, which was a great experience for me. It was cool to see him trusting God, by trusting God to work through me.

Chapo is a leader and a father of his family, many students at Copperbelt University, as well as people at Lighthouse church. He serves in love. I’ll miss his unique sense of humor, which often brought us joy.

Aaron is my brother in Zambian terms and in Christ. It has been neat to see him growing on this trip. I see him growing in a heart for people, in love and service, such as in asking us questions about our lives and cooking breakfast for the men of the Bachelor pad this morning.

Dan is an ambassador and student of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I cherish Dan’s openness and good, deep questions.

THE LIGHT

God is light; God is love. He has been the main character of our story here. It is a story of his love, his grace shown upon us, regardless of our iniquities: tis not a story of our greatness but of his great love lavished upon us and others through us. He has blessed us with so many blessings on this trip, such as the joy of living together as brothers in unity and of his light shining through us. “Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:16-17) Praise the LORD!

The unexpected, yet again

Each day things occur that I do not expect... Things that make life beautiful, adventurous... that make life difficult and challenge me to trust God... that give joy to the soul... that add color to life. Life without the unexpected? A strange thing to think about...

Yesterday afternoon, throwing around the Frisbee with Gerald...
Last night, another dinner under candle light, enjoying interesting stories and laughs with Jon and Chapo, watching Jon play with the candle and its flame...
Today, I got to cook Nshima twice, to play two guitars when visiting some friends, and to go door to door with Gerald, talking and meeting new people and inviting them to bible study.
These are a few of the unexpected blessings that have come my way.


This week with students on break we planned having bible study discussions with those who are interested and available on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday with Gerald in his room. Tuesday, we planned, and then we informed and invited friends and contacts we had met. Today on Wednesday, no one showed up to bible study, even though several said they would come and we followed up with many people. This then lead to the door to door, which was fun. It seems strange / weird to me that not one came... It reminds Jon and I of the very real spiritual war we fight in, our need for God, to trust in Him, the LORD OF LORDS, the source of victory ultimately.
That no one came to bible study was / is disappointing, yet at the same time we have hope and trust in the Lord. I believe the day was still fruitful with good times and conversations with Gerald and others. A day with unexpected blessings, not according to our plan.
Today when we went door to door, many said they would come tomorrow (Thursday) for bible study; tomorrow we shall see what happens, as yet another day of unexpected blessings unfolds.

Thank you for your prayers and support!
Continue to pray for us, as Jon, Aaron, Dan, and I continue to labor here in Zambia.

A CBU Dream

CBU ADVENTURES

Each day has been an adventure at CBU. The unexpected occurs; we meet new people; our discussions lead us along interesting paths; the Spirit of God moves, giving us opportunities, guiding us, and supplying our needs. They have been a challenge and a joy, with many good times with a variety of students. In particular, we have established good friendships with guys in several rooms that we often visited.

Our times at CBU have been a combination of planned and improve, of casual conversations about life and spiritual discussions digging into the word together. At times we’ve been asked many difficult questions about a variety of topics, such as miracles, homosexuality, speaking in tongues, prophesy, the trinity, and life after death. Questions like these reveal just how little I know in the grand scheme of things. During our times here, I’ve been realizing my dependence on God and need to trust in Him. In Christ I have all I will ever need (Phil. 4:19), while apart from Him, no one will.

THE VISION OF DISCIPLESHIP

My eyes are widening to the vision of discipleship, the vision that Jesus demonstrated. I desire to be a disciple (a learner and a follower) of Jesus, as well as help others therein. At CBU, instead of just feeding students with the truth, we have also strived to discuss the truth with them and teach them how to learn: how to study the scriptures, how to grow in Christ (such as with the Wheel illustration), how to grow in prayer…  Our hope is that students can learn to learn, grow regardless of us, and teach others how to grow and then others. An illustration I’ve heard before is as follows: Feed a man fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Teach a man to teach others to fish, and you feed generations. A CBU dream of Jon and Chapo and Bryce this is.

FRIENDS AND ALLIES

Here are pictures of some of the good friends that we have met here. Our prayer and desire is for them to continue to grow and bear fruit for God’s glory. 

Philippians 1:2-11: “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus ….  And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.”

Some guys from the Wednesday bible study, A206. Bryce, Evans, Kolezi, Ephraim, Jon

Wednesday study

 

Matthews, a first-year student in business that I got to connect with. He came to know Christ at the end of last year. It is exciting to see his growth thus far and desire to grow more.

Jon, Situmbeko, Bryce, Gerald, Blessings, Matthews

Picture of before we left for National Conference

Jon Chen walking towards CBU

     Gerald, a fourth year student in Wildlife management, who is a part of the Thursday bible study (A306) and that I've gotten to connect with, such as during national conference (this picture), when we were roommates. I'm glad and excited that he is staying at CBU over the break this next week!

LIGHTHOUSE YOUTH GROUP

Last Sunday (7/8/12) in the afternoon, Jon and I got to lead the youth group time. It was an honor for us to have this opportunity to lead and share. About 20 people came, with varying ages though most around our age I would guess. We as a group divided into smaller groups; each group was given a bible story to act out silently, after which the audience would try to guess the story. We then also discussed the topic of prayer and the acronym “A.C.T.S” (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication) in talking about different elements of prayer. The LORD answered our prayers and blessed the event. It was fun, went well, and people shared that they learned! Praise the LORD!

OUTLOOK

                These past two weeks students at CBU have been taking their end of term exams. This next week is their break (between terms/trimesters), so many students that we have connected with have left for break, yet some remain. We will be concentrating on these students, as well as perhaps meeting new students. On Saturday (7/21/12) we’re thinking about having an extended time together with students at Chapo’s place, in the word, in fellowship, and as a farewell for Jon and I. Sunday (7/22) Jon and I will get to lead the Lighthouse Christian Church youth group again, over the topic of prayer. Then, Monday (7/23) the plan is for Jon and I to return to Lusaka to spend the last few days with the rest of our team and friends there before flying out of Lusaka on Friday (7/27). It has been an amazing trip thus far, and we hope to make the most of these last few weeks.

Lusaka and back again

This past week I have been able to have many good times of learning and fellowship, on our journey to Lusaka and back again. It was great to be able to see and interact again with Aaron, Dan, Nathan, Sam, Abel, and others from Lusaka. On Saturday morning (6/30) I got to Skype with my family and talk to Luke Hall on the phone which was great! Then, we drove down from Kitwe to join for the Navigator’s national Conference, which was outside of Lusaka in a rural natural environment, at a small university called Chreso University. I did not have any particular duties at the conference, so I got to soak in the conference like the students. Eddie Broussard, Navigator staff from the United States, traveled to Zambia and spoke at the conference; he was a good, energetic speaker. The theme was “Renewing our commitment to the Lordship of Christ and to community.” I gained a greater understanding of the name of Jesus as “Lord”: master, yet also the one with power and authority over all, the “Lord of peace” (2 Thess. 3:16), the Lord over all. Even though I still struggle and fall in weakness, Jesus is all-powerful, and I can trust in Him and find victory.

On Tuesday, many of us got to watch and cheer on Aaron as he played basketball with the UNZA Pacers in an intense, fast-tempo game. Aaron played with heart and character. It is neat to see Aaron growing and shining in Jesus on this trip, such as in reaching out to and connecting with his basketball teammates. Aaron is leading a 4-week bible study over Colossians with the basketball team; they just had their first meeting on Wednesday (7/4), and 6 fellow basketball players came, along with Nathan and Dan joining. It sounded like the first study went well, and it is encouraging to see many come. Praise the Lord for this opportunity and how He is at work through it!

On July 4^th, our team renewed our visas. In the evening, we hosted a joint 4^th of July celebration and birthday party for Jon Chen and Kafula, at the Bachelor Pad (the Nav. office place where Aaron, Dan, and Nathan are staying). We prepared an American meal of hot dogs, burgers (w/ Dan’s recipe of BBQ sauce in the meat), beans, potato salad, watermelon, ice cream, and cake (which Kakoma made and brought). It was a fun, late night.

Jon Chen and I have returned now to Kitwe to continue to do the Lord’s work here with Chapo, having hope since Jesus is our Lord, “the head over every power and authority” (Col. 2:10), our Savior of love, and He is with us. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Seeds planted on Copperbelt soil

This first week at Kitwe, we have been able to get oriented to this new environment, begin to build friendships, and plant seeds. We arrived on Sunday night. Monday, we got oriented, did laundry, took a walk around the area… Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, Jon Chen and I went to CBU (Copperbelt University) to connect with students, particularly the men who are involved in the Wednesday and Thursday bible studies, though others as well. Also, we joined for the Wednesday and Thursday men’s bible studies. I met with students on Friday as well, while Jon Chen and Chapo prepared for the Navigators National conference. It has been so neat to see the Holy Spirit move and bless us with opportunities and conversations. “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8) The wind blows indeed… Here’s one example: one day, Jon and I were planning on seeing if we could meet and talk with some of the guys who go to the Wednesday or Thursday bible study. As we were on our way and right outside of the first room we were going to visit, we encountered Gershom, who we had met the day before. Gershom is a friend of some of the Nav. bible study guys; he lives several doors down the hall from them. We started talking to him, he invited us to his room, we met his roommates, and we ended up talking to them for 1 and a half to two hours about a variety of spiritual topics! We were able to dig into the word together with men who we had just met (or met the day before). That afternoon we only met with one of the guys we planned to, yet we were blessed with fruitful discussion with others we didn’t plan to… Also, we’ve been blessed with words to say, such as when Jon Chen explained truths using an illustration of a frog / tadpole that came to mind on the spot.

It has been great having my friend Jon Chen with me at Kitwe… Jon Chen… friend that I can have fun and talk with… teammate who I can work together with… a more mature man, a great man of God who can teach me much, who I can observe and learn from…

This first week we planted seeds: seeds of truth, seeds of friendship… seeds that we plan to follow up on and that we hope will grow and produce much fruit… As Paul said, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” (1 Corinthians 3:6-7) Ultimately, it’s God who moves hearts, God performs miracles, not us. Praise the LORD! He is moving, transforming, even in just these past several days. This morning we leave early for National conference in Lusaka. 4 students from CBU (Copperbelt University) are going with us to National conference! Blessings, Matthews, Gerald, and Situmbeko. I’m excited for National conference, to continue to learn, to see the Lord moving, as well as see Aaron, Nathan, Dan, and other friends from Lusaka that I haven’t seen in a while.

PRAYER

Our desire and prayer is for the LORD to build up leaders and laborers to reach out and love the people of UNVZA, Ridgeway, and CBU long after we are gone. As Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field“(Matthew 9:37-38).

I know for me, it is a challenge to reach out and love people, such as these students I am beginning to meet. I desire boldness to love. May Aaron, Jon Chen, Dan, Nathan, I, and our brothers in Christ speak God’s word with great boldness, as we strive to love the people we interact with (Acts 4:29-30, Ephesians 6:19-20).

Thank you for your prayers and support! “Your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

A new phase...

     On Sunday (6/24), Todd and Silas left to begin their journey back to the USA, while Jon Chen and I left to go to Kitwe (a city in Zambia) and Nathan, Aaron, and Dan stayed at Lusaka to minister to UNZA and Ridgeway students. It was sad to say good-bye to our team-mates and Zambian friends at Lusaka, yet encouraging knowing we will see some of them this week at the Navigators Zambian National Conference at Lusaka, Zambia. A new phase of our journey begins…

     I’m excited and nervous for this new phase. Jon Chen and I are living with Chapo, his wife Sarah, their son Tamanda who is about 15 months old, as well as Sophie who is a senior in high school), Mukubesa who is a freshman in high school desiring to become a pilot, and Jack who is 25 attending college. It is interesting and different living and adapting to this new family environment. Chapo and his family have been great hosts. Chapo is the Copperbelt University (CBU) Navigators’ director. It was cool and encouraging to hear from Chapo how the ministry has been growing. Chapo and his family journeyed up here last August (2011) to rebirth the Navigators ministry here, which was non-existent for several years. Chapo first began by getting to know some students, meeting with them one-on-one, and discipling them. Then, as the next school year began this April (2012), 11 navigators (Ridgeway University students, Abel, Ngambo…) came on a mission trip up to Kitwe for 4 days. They aided the ministry: evangelizing, talking to students, creating contacts… Chapo then started following up with the contacts, and now the CBU Navs have two guys’ bible studies and one girl’s bible study! God is moving. Praise the LORD! 

     Jon and I will be aiding Chapo joining the LORD in his work here for most of the five weeks (as well as going and helping with National Conference at Lusaka this coming weekend). We plan to begin by building friendships, meeting, and talking with the students. 

     A praise. It was encouraging to realize and see God is answering my past blog post prayer request for fruitful fellowship and unity in many ways… This past week our team grew closer together, such as through “Man Chair.” In my quiet time earlier this week, starting in Colossians 3, God directing me to learning more about the unity he desires us to have in Christ. “Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all” (Col 3:11). I’ve been blessed with solid conversations and times together with Jon Chen already this first week here at Kitwe. I desire to walk in the light, to openly share what’s on my hearts with others, to live in unity, specifically with Jon Chen as we will be together these next many weeks: a difficult endeavor for me… yet rewarding (when successful)…