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)