Friday, June 29, 2012

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)…

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