Surprise

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pb4Xr3AR_ak

This has been something that's been in the works for a few months.  My dad retired today from BlueCross BlueShield, a company he has worked for the last 37 years.  With the help of a few of his friends there, I was able to fly in from Zambia and be the surprise guest speaker for this celebration.  It was such a great opportunity to share with others how proud I am of my daddy!

If you would like to view the video, simply click on the link above.

A little more farming

We had the kids out planting again this past week. This time we're experimenting with a crop known as velvet beans. We're trying to teach the importance of giving back to the land and not just taking all of the time. Velvet beans are a cover crop. That simply means that they produce a bunch of vegetation and cover the land that they are planted in. In addition to covering the ground with organic material, they are also a legume and, thus, put nitrogen back into the soil.

We're trying to show, among other things, the importance of good stewardship. Can't wait to see how their planting will improve the soil in both the land and the hearts that are planting them!

Living Testimony

A few weeks ago, while I was visiting some of our friends on a nearby farm, a minor emergency occurred.  The owner of the farm mixed up the instructions on the deworming medicine for their sheep and accidentally gave them twice the lethal dosage!  To lose these sheep would have a significant financial impact.  It was close to 35 sheep worth near $7,000.  It was an emergency.  But with this emergency, came an opportunity.

As I was getting ready to leave, the wife asked if I would pray for their sheep.  This family is a dear family and I was excited about what God could do to prove his faithfulness to them, even with sheep.  That evening, we gathered in the living room before putting the kids to bed and Caleb said this prayer.  "Lord, let them lose not even one sheep from the poisoning."

The next morning, just after we woke up we sent the husband and wife a text.  We said that we had prayed for them and we prayed specifically that they wouldn't even lose one sheep.  We then asked what the report was.  Within a few minutes, they both replied that, in fact, all of the sheep were doing well and that they hadn't lost one!

Needless to say, they were relieved and we were excited!  It's neat to see that God revealing to them that He cares for the sheep, because he cares for the owners of these sheep even more!

Making New Friends

The other day, while working at our rural ministry centre, I had the opportunity to visit with some new friends in the community.  George (Far-Right) is building a house for one of the headmen and his wife (the couple on the left).  It was really neat seeing how the house was being built, but also having the opportunity to meet some new friends in the community.

The headman lives less than a mile from our rural ministry center and he's trying to get this house constructed before the December rains settle in.  George, the builder, is the same guy who will probably be building the house we are planning on building for Hyrence at our ministry center.  So, it was also a good opportunity to see the quality of work that he does.

Can't wait to get started on this project next April-May!

Awesome Opportunity

Great News!  We’ve just received a matching gift of $15,000 good through the end of this year (December 31^st)!  This means that every dollar donated to our ministry is matched up to $15,000.  Would you consider giving a donation that would double instantly and be a tremendous help to our family and ministry?

To make a donation, go to www.CTEN.org/brentroberts.  All donations are 100% tax deductible.

The Little Reminders

The other day, while shopping recently, I came across this little box.  I know the picture is blurry, but it was a stark reminder of how fragile life is here in Zambia.  While you wouldn't see these so readily available in the States, they are produced in bulk here.  This coffin was about 3 feet in length and was being sold at the same place we buy lime for fertilizing our fields.

Crazy isn't it?  The same place we go to buy supplies for creating a new season of life is the same place a lot of Zambians go to buy the box to place their little loved ones.

Our Loss is Heaven's Gain

Please be praying for this family and many members of our church who are grieving!  Ruth (Far Left) was a member of our church here in Zambia.  Her and her husband Bernie recently moved to Zimbabwe.  We found out this morning that she was in a bus accident and didn't survive.  Ruth loved Jesus and has now entered His rest and for that we are very thankful!

Building Blocks

At our rural ministry center, we are planning on building a house for a local pastor who will be overseeing the property and training people in the community on issues of farming and faith.  So, as we have begun preparations, we had to seek out someone who could make the bricks for his home.

Have you ever wondered how you make bricks for building homes in the African bush?  It's actually a neat process.  As you can see in this picture.  They take a red-clay soil and mold it into bricks and then stack them one on top of the other.  But in the middle of the bricks, they leave an opening.  This opening is for fire.  In order for the bricks to stand the test of time, they must be baked first.

After stacking the bricks and getting the holes ready for fire, they finish it off by covering the outside of the pile with the same mud that they used to mold the bricks.  This is when they are ready for the fire.  They then fill the holes with wood, light the fire and close the openings.  After some time, all of the bricks are baked and ready for building.

Pretty ingenious if you ask me!

Being a Kid Again!

My friend Campbell invited me to go bush pig hunting later this month.  But in order to do that, we have to build a blind in the trees so the pigs won't see us.  Sounds fun huh?

As we were romping through the bush carrying poles, grass, wire and other supplies to build our fort in the trees, I was taken back to my youth.  I still remember, clearly, the times when a bunch of us kids would sneak off into the neighborhood and find an abandoned lot and do something very similar.

O the memories!

On the Fence

Development on our property in Ngangula village has officially begun.  We're not really building anything, just fencing in some of the property so that we can run our Foundations for Farming programs.    

Care of lifestock takes on a whole new meaning in the village.  In our western approach to raising pigs, goats, cattle, etc, we think of them being confined to the property of their respective farmers.  In the Zambian village, the approach is a bit different.  Most rural Zambians believe that cattle, pigs, goats, & chickens should be allowed to roam and graze where they see fit.  Meaning if they want to stroll across your personal property, it is perfectly acceptable.  Just about every day over the past 2 weeks of being out there, I've seen goats chewing on some of our trees and cows leisurely strolling across our already planted FfF plots.

Today, Movet, Lloyd, Baba and I headed out to Ngangula hoping to fence in 2 of the 12 acres that the Chieftainess has given the ministry.  As you can see from the pictures, we had to get creative with pulling the fence and driving the posts into our rocky soil.  But we managed.  Our should I say, we managed 1/4 th of what we set out to do.  So, tomorrow, we'll head back out there hoping to finish a majority of the remaining work!

All We Want for Christmas

Yep, that's me.  In an all too familiar position.  Doing work underneath the car.  At least this time I had some help.  Recently, we have had a lot of issues with our one and only family car.  Last month, we had to spend several thousand dollars rebuilding the front and rear differentials, replacing the radiator, and rewiring everything behind the dash.  Today, I've been busy trying to trace a problem with the fuel line.  Whenever we try to accelerate, the engine is just shutting down.

I never thought I would remove a fuel tank on my car, but to do it twice has been double the pleasure ;- ).  Anyways, after getting all of that work done, we're having new problems and just found out today that the brand new radiator has a big crack in it.  I haven't had the opportunity to show the mechanic who purchased and installed it for us.  I'll do that on Thursday.  The radiator alone was $1,000.  So, it's important that he replaces it for us with no additional costs.

All that to say, we are just asking you to pray for us.  It's been a really frustrating few months as far as the car is concerned and it seems to becoming more and more of a money pit.  I try to do everything I can do on my own to save money, but it just seems like more and more keeps breaking.

The Lord says that we have not because we ask not.  So, would you join us in asking Him, for a newer more reliable car for the Roberts?  Zambia, unlike America and other countries, is landlocked and all vehicles are imported.  On top of this, when vehicles are imported, they are taxed at up to 96% of their value.  So, if you buy a $10,000 used car, it can costs you close to $20,000.  Our current car, (2000 model) we purchased roughly 2 years ago for $23,000 and it has not been that dependable.

So, for the Roberts to get a newer more reliable car we will probably need $35,000 - $40,000.  And we know that God will have to provide, because it's just nowhere in our budget at this time.

Thank you for joining us in this prayer!

Realizing Potential

This year is a big year for our discipleship farming programs.  Last year, we were able to work closely with 5 families which produced about four times the national average in terms of yield.  And those 5 families have learned a little bit more about faith through doing this practical work.  In addition to this, we were able to conduct various field days training many others on the benefits of honoring God in all of life including farming.  It's been encouraging to see some of our friends excited about their faith and excited about their farming.

But this planting season we have been involved in something new, with a slightly larger scope.  This year, two of our guys who we've trained have now been hired as consultants to plant a commercial farm all by hand.  A farmer in the area wants his farm to be used as an example to the Tonga people that you don't need big machines and sophisticated equipment to plant on a large scale.  If you have people and farming hoes, you can plant even at the commercial level.

Campbell is planting 60 acres, 40 with maize and 20 with soy beans all by hand using the principles from Foundations for Farming.  It was awesome seeing our guys Terren and Lloyd directing his staff to take on such a huge endevor.  We can't wait to see some of the impacts that such a project will have on the lives of many of our Tonga friends here in Chikankata.

Happy Sadness

This is always the happiest saddest time of year for us missionaries. Celebrating Thanksgiving and setting up for Christmas while missing our families and friends.

I know we are a week early, but we're really missing some special people back in the States this week.

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season!

Love,
The Roberts

Another Kerri Post

http://calledforsuchatime.com/10-things-africa-is-teaching-me-so-far/

Insightful lessons we've both learned while living in Zambia!  If you get a chance, take a read.

http://calledforsuchatime.com/10-things-africa-is-teaching-me-so-far/

Everyday Boardroom Meeting

As someone who worked in Corporate America for 10 years before coming to Zambia, I know a thing or two about boardroom meetings.  But boardroom meetings take on a different flavor here in Zambia.

Instead of the nice chairs, hardwood tables, whiteboards, overhead projectors and the such, we have a bit of a different setup.  Ours are usually under a tree in 100 degree whether with no comfort to speak of and my attire usually consists of a T-shirt, shorts and riding boots for the motorcycle.

But regardless of the environment and the attire, I really do enjoy them very much.  Probably because of the company we keep!

Zambian Led Field Day

Our goal as missionaries is and will always be to train Tongas to reach Tongas.  It is them, not the white missionaries, who best understand the culture, the struggles and mindset of the people.  And it is them who can best contextualize the gospel so that it is relevant to the people, but still true to its very foundations.

A few weeks ago, we realized a bit of this goal, as three of our guys led a majority of a field day for Foundations for Faming in Mazabuka.  It was awesome to see them not only teaching technique, but addressing the heart issues of their brothers and sisters.  Terren, Lloyd and Movety each brought something different to the table that day, and each did a magnificent job.

Hopefully, we’ll be able to hand this ministry off to them and other guys like them to run with in the future!

One Church, Zambian Led Outreach

The other night, we held a Jesus Film outreach on one of the local maize farms.  Our friends the Greens are busy establishing this farm as one that makes a profit, but also reaches out to the Tonga community at the same time.

It was fun watching our friend Campbell, share with this church his heart to see the Tonga’s thrive in Zambia for the glory of Christ!  And it was also encouraging sharing with the church the idea that there is only one church in Zambia and that the local churches have to be unified in one purpose of proclaiming Christ to the nation.

This was the first outreach that we have had where two churches partnered together to reach a community with the gospel.  It was also the first outreach where we were just the spectators!  And for that we were truly thankful.  One church got the word out and trained leaders for the event while the other church came alongside and provided some leadership with the prayer time afterward.

Truly a step in the right direction for our Jesus Film ministry!

Field Trip

One of the advantages of being surrounded by a bunch of farmers who grow food and livestock is that our kids have a plethora of choices for field trips.  A couple of weeks ago, Kerri and the kids were able to visit one such farm, Simonga.

Mike and Sue Arnold were kind enough to host them for the afternoon and show them the inner-workings of their chicken egg, dairy and hay farm.  And the kids loved it.  All of them got a turn milking a cow, watching how eggs were processed and packaged and then topped the afternoon off by jumping on huge stacks of hay.

Really thankful for some of the opportunities that the African bush offers!

National Cooperation

Recently, Luke and I went to Lusaka for a meeting.  It was a meeting with Ben and Cat Frampton the Foundations for Farming representatives in Zambia.  The purpose of the meeting was to bring together some of the ministries that are using Foundations for Farming as a way of teaching and discipleship.  The hope is to be able to work together to have a greater impact across the nation of Zambia.

As we met, we talked about a yearly gathering where ideas, struggles and victories could be shared and we talked about having regional training centers where those interested in Foundations for Faming could come for more in-depth training.  It looks like our little-ole ministry here in Chikankata could be one of those training facilities for ministries working in Southern Zambia to come for training.

Exciting Stuff!

Lwindi Ceremony

(Click HERE to view a short video of the Event)

A few weeks ago, we were invited by Chieftainess Mwenda to the Lwindi Ceremony.  This is the Tonga ceremony for Thanksgiving.  They have it before the planting and harvesting season every year.

The event was much bigger that I even expected.  They had sponsors show up with banners and stands selling drinks and food.  And they had special guests from government arrive, including the DC for Chikankata (basically like a mayor).  He shared a few minutes as well as the Chieftainess.

We were able to watch some tribal dancing and listen to local music..  We also got to meet some new faces around where we live and minister.

I’m so thankful that the Chieftainess thought of inviting us as we experienced a new part of the culture that, before, we were unaware of.

Vet Visit?

So, our car has been in the shop now for 7+ weeks, but life still goes on without it.  One such task that had to be accomplished in the car's absence was getting our chocolate lab pup "Boomer" to the vet for his 2nd line of vaccines.  What does a boy do when he can't throw his dog in the back of the car to take him to the vet?

You guessed it.  He puts him in a backpack, ties it tight enough to keep him in, but loose enough not to strangle him and rides his motorbike.  Boomer didn't appreciate the ride as much as his owner.  When I got back home, he wouldn't come to me for a few minutes.  I think he was afraid that I'd put him back in the bag and back on the motorcycle.

Meet Peter

Peter is a new friend of ours.  I first met Peter through the farm owner, my friend Campbell.  Campbell is doing something quite unusual for a commercial farmer here.  He's planting 60 acres of maize by hand.  That's right, no machinery!  And Peter is the guy that will be supervising all of the workers performing this large task.

In addition to being a supervisor, Peter pastors a small congregation at a church located on the farm.  He has pastored this church for many, many years.  And it's refreshing to see his zeal for this church and for the gospel.  That's why I'm writing this post.  We have decided to partner with Peter in two specific projects over the next 2 months.

Later this month, his church will be coordinating a Jesus Film outreach at the church for the local Tongas.  We will be assisting them in training the leadership team that will do this outreach as well as setting up the equipment for the film.  We're excited to see how God will use this film through this local church to reach this community.

We're also excited about the opportunity that we have through Peter to do a demonstration plot and discipleship program this planting season using Foundations for Farming.  Peter will be planting a demonstration plot on the border of the farm and working with a few locals to plant their own plot.  Peter is super excited about the project, as are we.  We'll definitely have to post another update as things progress!

Called For Such A Time

My wife was recently invited, along with 4 other lovely ladies, to share her life experiences in faith on a new blog. Check it out if you get a chance!

Here's a link to her first post (Called to Believe):  http://calledforsuchatime.com/called-to-believe/!

Break Every Chain

Yesterday afternoon, we had the privilege of attending a pastor's conference in the bush.  Luke was invited by one of the pastors that we work with to share.  It was a pretty lively conference attended by guys that even drove in from Lusaka.  But it wasn't the conference that was the most impactful part of our day.  It was a time of prayer that we had afterward.

After the conference, we were told about a young woman (Yvonne), who had gone mad.  She lived in a house less than 100 yards from the church.  She had become so violent that she was being chained to a pole in her house to keep her from harming herself or others.   

In the West, we're more prone to see a person like this and say that she has some disease or mental disorder.  And I'm not saying that some people have real disorders and real diseases.  But I'm telling you that some people are also possessed and she was possessed.  

Based on what we learned from the family yesterday, it actually started several years ago when her, her mother and her brother were all bewitched by some of her family.  She had done something to offend some of her relatives.  So, at the funeral of her grandfather, they put a charm that the witchdoctor had given them in with the body.  Shortly after, both her, her brother and her mother all went mad!

And if this story wasn't believable, we also noticed some other evidence in the writings she had made on the wall inside of her house.  Yvonne, who had no idea what a pentagram was, had engraved one on the wall just above where she sat.  When we asked the grandmother if she knew what the symbol meant, she had not clue.

Because of her state, we didn't know what to expect when we (Me, Luke & 3 other Zambian Pastors) walked into the house.  We knew that we had Christ's authority, but we just didn't know how she would react.  As we walked through the low-hanging door and our eyes were able to adjust to the dark room, we saw Yvonne sitting there.  And as we walked in, she just started weeping.  

I wish we could say that we prayed, she shook violently and then sat up clear-minded and speaking coherently.  But she didn't.  As we prayed for her, she actually became extremely relaxed to the point where we had to gently lay her over on some bedding nearby.  When we asked the grandmother if this was usual, she said that it wasn't.  So, I believe that Friday was a first step.  I believe that God wants to set this woman and her family free from the Satanic oppression that they are facing.  

Would you believe with me?  Would you please pray for Yvonne and her family?  We will be going back to this village in the next few months to show the Jesus Film at the church.  We're planning on visiting with her again then.  Please pray that her physical and spiritual chains are broken and that this young woman will be freed to live a full life in Jesus!

Needing a Little Reminder

"You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life."

If I'm honest, I'm a person who is much more comfortable with concepts and ideas, with doctrines and theologies.  I'm an introvert by nature.  Kind of an oxymoron - an introverted missionary, huh?.  I'm a processor.  I love to strategize, connect the dots, figure things out.  But with relationships, I a novice.  I struggle.  I'm comfortable with sharing surfacy things, with shooting the breeze about sports, but exposing the inner-man is something I'm not good at.  I struggle with intimacy.

As I was on Lake Kariba, one of the biggest things that God impressed upon me was that Jesus is a not a book, he's not a bunch of rules, or a bunch of good deeds (caring for orphans, the needy, etc.).  He's not some theological concept or sound docrine either.  Jesus is a person.  And my highest calling in life is to experience Him in a personal and intimate relationship and share that experience with others!  I knew this in my head, but I just needed a little reminder that this reality needs to sink down to my heart.  Maybe my reminder can be yours today as well!

Jesus desperately wants you to experience Him today!  Will you?

Like a Radio

As we shared from God's word with the community, I had something happen to me that hasn't ever happened before.  As I looked around the crowd, there was a young man who I sensed was deeply hurting.  I didn't see anything physically that would make me think he was hurting.  I just sensed it in my heart.  And the more that I looked at him, the more I actually felt his pain.  At one point, I actually felt the pain so much that I was literally crying myself. As all men do, I pride myself in not crying.  So, I knew God was trying to show me something. 

As I sat there I prayed about the best way to handle the situation.  I didn't want to embarrass him by addressing him in front of the group.  So, when we were done, I just shared with the group that God had shown me that someone in the group had been hurt deeply and that God wanted to bring emotional and Spiritual healing.  

When we asked if that word that I received was for someone, he came forward. He was set free that day and I was encouraged!  Encouraged, because it was confirmation that the word the Lord gave me for this young man was, in fact, from him and not just something I drummed up on my head.

I heard something recently which I think really applies to this story and be an encouragement to all of us.  Think of a radio.  Music is always playing from a radio station.  It doesn't stop.  But we cannot hear the music unless we have our radios turned on and are tuned into the right station.  The Spirit of God is much like this.  If you're a Christian the Holy Spirit lives inside you.  And he's not a quiet spirit.  He is speaking all the time.  Sometimes it's just that our radios aren't turned on (we're not available to Him) or that we're tuned into the wrong frequency.

But that's not God's desire.  He wants us to be switched on and tuned into Him!  He wants to speak to us more and more.  Don't you want to hear him?

Lion Kill

About the lions, while we were on Lake Kariba, we parked the boat in one of Zimbabwe's national parks at Elephant Point.  We decided to take a walk in the bush, just to explore.  As we were getting close to where the shore ended and the bush started, Bruce heard something that sounded like a hippo in the near distance.  So, he pulled out his Binoculars and when he did, he saw a pride of 11 lions (adults and cubs) about 200 yards away.  His demeanor quickly change.  He told everyone to slowly walk back to the boat without turning our backs to the lions.

So, we slowly walked back to the boat hoping not to peak their interest.  When we got back to the boat, and knew we were safe, we rode around to where they were.  The lions were on the shore of the lake eating something, but it took us a few minutes to figure out what.  Eventually, we saw a foot stick out of the pile of hungry lions and determined that tt was a baby hippo.  That's only the second time since being here that I've witnessed lions just after a kill.

As we sat there watching them fight over this baby hippo, we knew we had been pretty safe during the experience, because they wouldn't have left a kill to bother with people.  But, earlier, as we were walking back to the boat, I wasn't a happy camper ; ).

I'm Jealous

Yesterday afternoon, Kerri, Elise and Avery boarded a plane to head to Johannesburg, South Africa.  They, along with another friend who's already down there, will be attending a worship conference.  The church that originally planted Mazabuka Community Church invited them down a few months back.

As a missionary, am I allowed to say that I'm jealous?  Jealous for the worship that they will be experiencing and yes jealous for 1st world civilization (restaurants, good roads, etc.).  They will return on Monday, but I'm super excited for the opportunity that they have to build relationships, learn more about worship and just have fun!

Does It Still Happen?

I know this is a touchy subject in some Christian circles and seen as craziness by those who are not Christians, but I'll share on it anyways.

The past two weeks were truly an amazing time of ministry.  Firstly, God did a lot to soften this hard heart of mine.  If I'm honest, I think that I was getting a little burned out.  And I'll share a little about that in a later post, but I wanted to process on blog, some other things that God impressed upon me on this trip.  The following story is coming from me, a Christian who traditionally is more reformed in my theology, who believes in the demonic, but if I'm honest, equates much more of this world's and my problems/ailments to cause and effect or a battle against our sin-filled human desires.

So, without further adue...

This past week, in the fishing village of Nakatundu, while we were sharing and teaching, I noticed a young man in the back who had been there the previous year.  In fact, God had done a lot in his life during that trip.  So, I was eager to find out how he had been doing.  But when I looked at him, he wouldn't make eye contact and quickly disappeared after the first visit.  During our second visit, we asked if anyone needed prayer and he was one of the last to come forward, still having a somber look on his face.  I asked him how he had been doing and how we could pray for him and the only thing that he said was that he had a pain in his chest.  I sensed something was not quite right with him, but didn't know what it was, until we prayed.

As my friend Shaun and I layed our hands on his chest to pray for him, I experienced something that I haven't experienced before.  His chest began to move underneath the skin, like something was trapped and was trying to escape.  And it wasn't the type of movement that a person could do on their own.  This thing was literally crawling and jumping underneath the skin.  I've seen people opressed and possessed by demons before, but have never had one manifest as I was praying for someone.  Well, this demon was manifesting.

And the way it was happening was in such a way that the young man we were praying for could not have been faking it!  It wasn't happening before we laid our hands on him.  Immediately, when we laid our hands on him, it happened and continued for a short time.  Then, through the authority that we have in Jesus, Shaun and I told it to leave this young man and it did.  The movement stopped and the pain in his chest went away!  We didn't scream or struggle against it (as you see happen in some movies).  We just said in a quiet and calm voice to leave.

As I stood there processing what had just happened, God reinforced a truth that I had known for many years:  It was as if God himself was telling me, again, that I am His son, a son of the King!  And, as such, I carry His authority.  He has literally given me authority in this world.  Not because of anything of myself, but because of Jesus in me!

He was also showing me that a lot of the problems that I would chalk up to the explainable, might be caused more by the unexplainable or the demonic.  Now, don't hear what I'm not saying.  I'm not saying that all sickness, disease, hardships, etc, are caused by the demonic.  I'm just saying that maybe more of them can be attributed to the demonic than I admit.

And if that's true, how does that change how I minister to people?  How does it change my dependence on the Holy Spirit to get to the root causes of problems instead of just dealing with the surface?

I try to imagine what the solution would have been if this same young man came to me in the States and said he was suffering from chest pains.  What would I have done?  Would I have even dared to pray for him first before offering advice?  Would I attribute the cause of his issues to the natural or at least consider that they might be attributed to the supernatural?

These are just some of the kinds of questions that God has me asking myself from this experience.  Maybe He's asking you some of the same?

A Wonderful 10 Days

Lake Kariba 2013

The past 10 days have been so refreshing.  I cannot tell you how much I needed to get away, to be encouraged and built up and to just spend some time sharing God's love with our Tonga friends on Lake Kariba.

I'll be blogging shortly with some of the experiences/insights from the trip (walking up on a pride of 11 lions eating a hippo and hurriedly walking back to the boat so as not to be desert, hearing God confirm his love for me through some of my friends on the trip, seeing God show up and change many lives, etc.), but I won't share all of them right now.  I just wanted to take the opportunity to quickly post some pictures of our time on the lake.

Additional link for slideshow: CLICK HERE

Kids on Outreach

I really liked my job in the States, but there is one (of many) distinct advantages to my job here in Zambia. My children get to join me! Yesterday, the boys and I went out for a little practice on the trails on the motorbikes. We had an awesome time just exploring and finding some of the more out of the way villages around us.

Now, all we have to do is learn to speak Tonga conversationally and we'll be set.

Ready for Our First Official Team

Team Bunk House

Tomorrow marks the end and the beginning.  The end to development and the beginning to giving others vision for how they can impact Zambia for the gospel!  Many, many thanks to Luke Whitfield.  He's been amazing throughout the whole development.  As you will see from the pictures, a lot of these realities sprang from his creative brain.

Inside Team Bunk House - Sleeps 12

We hope to use this facility for the benefit of visiting teams from the west, but we also envision using it to host retreats and intensive training sessions with some of our Tonga friends.

Shower House

Tomorrow we pick up our first official team from Dallas, Texas.  They work for a ministry called Empower Dreams and specialize in partnering with overseas ministries like ours to further the work of the Church.

Inside Shower House - 6 Showers & 4 Toilets

There will be 10 ladies and gentlemen on the team and will be serving with us in ministry for the next week.  We're excited to finally see what we've been working on for so long, be put to use.

Covered Outdoor Eating Area

Pizza oven and Grill

Fire Pit

Over the next week we have an extremely busy schedule.  We'll be visiting our rural ministry center, reaching out to widows and orphans, running kids camps and other things.  Our hope is that this week, we can dream together of how to best reach a nation!

Stateside Reunions

To view this video, CLICK HERE

We're very fortunate to have a strong support structure of churches who love God and love people.  While Kerri was back, she was able to catch up with our friends from some of these churches.  The above video is of her singing "Bless the Lord" at Northeast Presbyterian Church.

This particular Sunday was her last in the States and turned out to be a really special time.  Many of you don't know, but Kerri was struggling with some wierd health issues while she was home.  She had high blood pressure, high platelette counts, diziness and fatigue.  She had multiple tests, but no conclusive diagnosis was made.  So, Pastor Crow and some of the other leaders from Northeast Presbyterian gathered and had a time of prayer for Kerri.

As a husband, who was on the other side of the planet, I am extremely thankful for them encouraging her and me in this way.  And I'm so thankful that their prayers on our behalf were answered.  From this past Sunday, until now, all of the symptoms that had been there for the previous 2+ weeks are gone.  Thank you Pastor Crow, Manny and the many others who loved on my wife this past Sunday through your prayers!  And thank you for your partnership in our lives and ministry in Zambia!

Stuck

I'm on my way up to Lusaka to pick Kerri up from the airport and thought I would give you a view of road work Zambian Style. Most of the major roads here are only 2 lanes. So, when they decide to make improvements, it means that someone has to cut a path through the bush.

For some reason, I'm at a standstill. Well let me modify that statement. I just had a friend pass going the other way who told me it's going to be a long wait, because up ahead on my side of the road, there's a car broken down.

It sure is hot today. I guess I should have stopped for a coke or something before taking this detour.

It's Not About Me

Being home for a bit is always nice. Wonderful time spent catching up with family and friends, sharing great food, and enjoying all the conveniences that home offers for just a little while. It’s refreshing! One of the most special times is being at home with our church family. We are blessed to have a sending church that feels like family – that truly loves us and cares for us. Here is where our spiritual roots grew deep, where we learned the value of community, where our hearts learned to be transparent. Here is where we were when God began to pull away the scales from our eyes, to teach us who we are in Him, and where He showed us that our “yes, Lord” would take us to Zambia. Here are those who prayed for us, prepared us, walked with us, sent us.

Last Sunday I was able to be at our home church, to help lead in worship, to give a ministry update, to be honored and held and prayed over by those who send and pray and hold the ropes for us every day. It was a soothing balm to my soul. And I appreciate it deeply. AND I really struggle with being “honored”. I always feel like it’s wrong for me to be standing up in front of a crowd being honored for my “yes, Lord”. There’s nothing special about me. It’s not about me. I know that my church is not really honoring me but glorifying God in me. They know we are still broken, still struggling, still learning, still growing, still reaching. Still and always.

But there are those that have said to me over the years, “I could never do what you have done.” My heart’s cry is yes you could. Because it’s not you. It’s not me. Even the willingness to say yes comes from Him. (That’s another blog for another day) Living overseas doesn’t equal spiritual superiority. I know people all over the world, in all walks of life, who are saying “yes, Lord” everyday, and they are doing things that are much more difficult than working in Africa.

I got passionately stirred up in my heart about all those people I know. That THEY should be standing up being honored before the church. They should be the ones being held and wept over and prayed for. Is the church holding the ropes for these people like they do for us?

Then came Monday and I ran into a friend. A friend who told me the story of a guy he works with - a guy who is brand new to this faith, and he had attended my home church for the first time on Sunday. And as he watched this family love me, rejoice with me, weep and pray over me, God revealed Himself to this guy. And he saw for the first time how God loves His children and how He wants His people to love each other. He saw a community he wanted to be a part of. And God whispered, “See, Kerri, you’re right, it isn’t about you.” Thank you Lord.

We're Connected

One month to go and we're almost ready for our first full team! This past week, we connected the water supply to the shower house. As you can see from the picture, we had to "make a plan" to get it done, but it was a success.

Now to install the hot water heater, toilets, roofing and lighting and we'll almost be done. I just hope we can finish before our friends from Empower Dreams arrive!

Community Fun

Once a year here in Mazabuka the commercial farming community does motorbike ride from one of the local farms through the bush down to Lake Kariba. The ride is about 120 miles through mountains, jungle and rivers. It definitely is a fun way to meet your neighbors and spend a few days.

The big three kids and I are making a mini vacation out of it. Too bad my bum doesn't feel like it will be ready for the ride back Monday.