Growing in Strength

The "Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again.  He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.  Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.  At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.  All those who heard him were astonished and asked, 'Isn't he the man who raised havoc on Jerusalem among those who call on this name?  And hasn't he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?'  Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah."  ~ Acts 9:18-22

The context of this scripture is the conversion of Saul (Paul).  Paul was a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee (Philippians 3:5).  He knew the scriptures, but, now, for the first time in his life, they were made alive.  He was seeing them from a completely different perspective.  Before conversion, he thought that in the Scriptures he had eternal life (John 5:39).  But now, he realized that the Scriptures were testifying to Christ and that in Christ, he had eternal life.

The light had come on, he was now alive proclaiming it.  But he also had to grow in his newfound knowing of Jesus.  Notice the scripture didn't say that he was growing more and more in knowledge, but in power.  It's also translated strength.  He was becoming more and more powerful or strong in his faith.  I imagine that this verse speaks both to ministering in the power of the Holy Spirit and to growing in strength of relationship with Christ.  It's the latter that I would like to focus on.  He was growing in strength.  Paul had the scriptures all along, but now he had the Christ in the scriptures.

As Paul spent more time with Jesus, he was strengthened for the work to which he was called.  We cannot neglect time with our Savior – time spent basking in His presence, listening to His Holy Spirit, studying His Scriptures with the intent of knowing Him better, worshiping Him through song for who He is and what He has done, and laughing, crying and just talking with him as you process all this life has to throw at you.  For it is this time spent with Him when no one else is watching that strengthens us for the work to which he has called us, mainly confounding the world with the knowledge and beauty of Christ.

Fruit, Not Gifts

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“Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.” ~ Acts 6:3

There are requirements of those you select to lead.  Notice the verse didn’t say select seven men who are gifted in administration or helps, etc. The gifting is never the qualification of those who lead.  Their character, submission to the Lord’s spirit and resulting wisdom that they display are what qualified these men.
True leaders should always be selected primarily by their fruit and then by their giftedness, not the other way around.  All too often, I think about my own ability to lead others and I think that I’m ill-equipped because I’m not a gifted speaker or boisterous leader.  This is not God’s way of thinking, because my ability to lead is not rooted in my gifting but in my consistent walk with the Holy Spirit where the fruit of the Spirit is actively present.
Look at Moses.  He argued with the Lord because he was trying to define his ability to lead others through his gifting instead of through his consistent pursuit of a loving God.  He said "Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." ~Exodus 4:10.
Gifting is important, but it’s not God’s criteria for choosing leaders.  It’s their heart, their character, their displayed wisdom over time, it’s by the fruit of the Spirit and not the gifts of the Spirit.
Lord let my life be a consistent display of your fruit through a life surrendered to your leading!

~ Brent Roberts

President | Africa Freedom Mission

Sharing the Little that You Have

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I'm always blown away by how inviting and sacrificial African families are when you come to visit them in their home.  The other day, we were visiting a family in a nearby village when the father sent the children to fetch a drink for us visitors.  This family lives on a small farm in the bush and makes ends meet through farming, raising pigs/cattle and running a small shop in town.

They're definitely not the type of family that will buy and keep coke around the house for daily consumption.  And here they were, offering the little that they had to us.  To say that I was humbled is an understatement.

It kind of reminds me of this passage from Leviticus 19:

33 “‘When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. 34 The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.

Little Bit of Off-Road

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I'm now in Kijabe, Kenya in the middle of rainy season and I'm already having experiences that remind me of my time in the bush in Zambia.  Yesterday, my friend Will and I were driving to a nearby village and had to use back roads around the side of a mountain.  We were going to visit a good friend of the ministry, Charles.

The road to his village is a single lane, dirt road that has been washed out by the heavy rains.  As you can see from the pictures above, we had quite the adventure on this drive.  As we rounded one corner, we came across a dump truck that had been stuck in the same place for 3 weeks.  We thought that we could make it.  So, I just held my breath and tried to keep the car moving, praying that I wouldn't run into the side of the mountain or the truck. The mud was deep and the space was quite small for passing, but we somehow managed.

After this, we came across a Matatu (mini bus) that was stuck in a mud rut.  After performing a 20 point turn and reversing back to the bus, we were able to tow it out.  The ladies in the bus were so thankful.  They had been sitting there for 45 minutes trying everything that they could to get it loose.

It might sound weird, but these are some of the situations that I miss about Africa.  Some days, the simple ride to the next town turns into a great adventure!

Home again! Home again!

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It's been almost 2 & 1/2 years and we're finally getting the opportunity to return home to Zambia!  Take a look at our newsletter and read all about it!

If you would like to support us for this trip, you can do so at: https://marketlifeministries.org/offering/.  Be sure to select Zambia Mission Donation so your gift is counted towards our trip.  All gifts are 100% tax deductible. 

Signing Off, For Now!

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It's bittersweet writing this post, our final post, as we transition from life in Zambia back to the States.  But we are excited to see where He is leading us next.  Please take a minute and read about what's next.  We will miss you Zambia, for now!

To View Our Latest Letter, Click the Picture Above, or

CLICK HERE

(7-year Slide-show)

(The slideshow above is a compilation of pictures 

taken directly from this blog - unedited.)

When We Can't See

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This New Year begins for me with a lot of uncertainty. Right now I don’t know what the future holds. At the end of last year, my husband and I felt a very clear call from God to move our family back to the United States, after almost seven years living and working in Zambia.  When God calls and moves, we will answer and follow. We will make every effort to choose His path. But it’s not always easy. It can be really hard. It can really hurt. Right now, we are jobless and homeless.  In a holding pattern, we are waiting on God to show us which path to take.  Maybe you can relate. Maybe you find it difficult to make resolutions or even plans this New Year because you just can’t see past today.

In this place where I find myself at the start of this new year, all I can do is submit myself, my family, my situation to God and wait. The only resolution I know to make is to live coram Deo (under the gaze of God).

Living coram Deo is to live one’s entire life in the presence of God, under the authority of God, to the glory of God.

To live in the presence of God is to understand that whatever we are doing and wherever we are doing it, we are acting under the gaze of God. God is omnipresent. There is no place so remote that we can escape His penetrating gaze.   ~R.C. Sproul

In Genesis 17:1 “the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, ‘I am God Almighty; Walk before Me, and be blameless.’”

Walk BEFORE Me

This word translated BEFORE is the Hebrew word Paniym, which means in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of.

Coram Deo

If I have envisioned myself walking with God, it has usually been a picture of walking beside Him or even behind Him and following His lead. But when I think of God’s command to walk before Him, the picture changes.

If God were only ever walking ahead of me, leading the way, following would be a pretty straight-forward, easy thing to do. I could do it with my ipod blaring and distractions all around me, because I would just have to follow in His footsteps. He is the Shepherd and His rod and staff guide me. And sometimes our walk is like that.
Walking before Him, on the other hand, takes careful attention. I must be completely tuned in to His voice so that I will hear His leading. I must trust that He is watching my every step and that I am safe under His gaze, even though I cannot see Him with my eyes.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left,

your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying,

“This is the way; walk in it.”  

Isaiah 30:21

This New Year I will focus on listening. I will tune in to the voice of God behind me. I will walk forward trusting in His guidance. I will delight in the fact that His gaze is upon me. I will remember His faithfulness in the past and look to the future with great hope! Living coram Deo!

For You have delivered my soul from death,

Indeed my feet from stumbling,

so that I may walk before God

in the light of the living.

Psalm 56:13

Live Free. Live Loved.

~Kerri

Home Again

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It's hard to believe that we've been home now for just over 2 weeks.  Last Sunday marked the first time we've worshipped together as a family at Columbia Crossroads in nearly 3 years.  After worship, Kerri and I just sat down and looked at each other and just sighed.  We have a lot to process from our time in Zambia and some big decisions to make concerning our future, but just for a moment we sat there and enjoyed being home with our church family. 

This morning, we are hitting the road to visit with some close friends, the Lyles, in Colorado.  Pray for us as we travel.  We'll be making stops in Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma and finally Ft. Collins, Colorado.  It should be an experience!

Not Shutting Out the Goodbyes

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This morning my heart is so full. I made a commitment to myself not to shut out the goodbyes. Not to speed past or ignore them but to really let myself feel it.

A few days ago we said goodbye to our Maz community. How blessed we have been to be taken in and loved in such a way.

Yesterday we said goodbye to our precious Dailes. Literally feels like cutting off a limb. AND I'm so full of joy because we have had these wonderful years together and God has provided for her for ...an amazing future. 

Last night we had the most amazing time of prayer and fellowship with our missionary friends, and I was overwhelmed with gratitude for each of these couples and how they have been a family to us for 7 years here in Zambia. These bonds will be forever! 

So as I get up this morning and get my family ready to get on a plane, I'm signing off with a grateful heart full of thanks for all that God has done and all the amazing people He has used. We do not leave here disillusioned and burned out, but joyful and even more confident that He who began a good work in all of us will be faithful to complete it as we all follow Him. America, here we come.

~Kerri

A Home Coming

Video 1 (The Unveiling):  http://youtu.be/FQTEFKSoBiw
Video 2 (The Tour): http://youtu.be/sXuLqAIMG_w

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As we prepare to return back to the States this coming Friday, we were able to celebrate another home coming of sorts.  Dailes Zimba, a widow with 3 children, has been working for us ever since we landed in Zambia.  She's been there through thick and thin and has been a great source of encouragement to us as we have sought to serve the Zambian people.

She recently shared with Kerri that she had two wishes for her life that she has now seen fulfilled.  One was that all of her children would finish school.  Her youngest, Milton, is in grade 10 now and is scheduled to finish within the next few years.  The second was that she would have a place to call her own.

As Kerri and I thought of ways that we could help Dailes flourish after we left Zambia, we felt like we needed to also help her with finding her own place.  We truly could not have done this without the generous gifts from some of you.  Thank you for helping us bless this dear friend!

Now that she has moved into her new home, we can turn our attention towards our own home coming. We look forward to seeing many of you after we get back and get settled.  Please continue to pray for us as we transition.  Everyone has been fighting one kind of sickness or another and we need to be healthy to board the plane on Friday.  Pray for health and safety in travel.  See you on the other side!

1 month and counting

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Grammy and Mimi arrived yesterday, which has officially kicked off our one month countdown in Zambia. Yesterday, we also said goodbye to Luke who is traveling back to the States for a couple of months. Seeing family come and close friends leave has started to make this move seem all the more real!

We have a lot to do over the next month. Today, Kerri and I began packing and weighing our first few bags. Hopefully we can fit our home into all of the checked luggage that we will be allowed to carry back. It's definitely a faith stretcher to what seems to be starting all over again.

We're also busy trying to finishing up a few things with the ministry and building Dailes' home. All this to say, please continue to pray for us.

Blessing Dailes

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Dailes Zimba has been with us for all 7 years of our time in Zambia.  She has been working for missionaries for the past 10 years.  One of the things that Kerri and I have been praying about is how to help Dailes going forward so that she can be freed up to do what she really loves, which is ministry to other widows and orphans.

As we prayed about it, we felt like it was time to have a place of her own.  Dailes has never had a place to call home.  She has been forced to pay rent and live in areas of Lusaka that were neither safe nor clean.  A few months ago, after deciding to give her her own place, someone graciously donated the funds that have helped us purchase a plot and begin construction.

We have the funds for the foundation, walls and roof.  But need some additional help with the following:

Plumbing - $1,350
Electricity - $900
Cement Floor - $1,470
Plastering - $1,280

Would you consider helping, even on part of one of these items? To make a donation, go to www.cten.org/brentroberts. All donations are 100% tax deductible. If you donate, please message me so I know how to appropriate the funds.

A Boy's Best Friend

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We're sorry for not updating the blog lately. With trying to get ready to leave Zambia and sell our belongings, communication has taken a back seat.

Today was something difficult for our family. We placed our Labrador Aero with another family this afternoon. All of the kids went with us to make sure he would be happy. And he was. Thomas probably had the most difficult time. He asked if Aero could stay at our home for a few more weeks before going.

Pray for our kiddos. They are having to make a lot of sacrifices in order for us to move back to the States. This is home to all of them.

The Final Chapter

Roberts Ministry Update

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To say this update is important would be an understatement.  Please take the time to get caught up on what the Lord is doing in our lives.  Big changes are coming and we need your love, prayers and support now more than ever.  We love you guys!

Thank you,
Brent & Kerri

Overloaded

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Today marks the beginning of a 3-day worship outreach in Ngangula. We have over 20 friends from Lusaka joining our Love Africa team. Pray for us!

Above is a picture of my car. Wouldn't have believed I could fit 20 mattresses on and in it! We were quite the site driving through the bush to the village.

Little Brenty

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In the Zambian culture it is common for parents to honor others who they love and respect by naming their children after them. This afternoon, we found out that one of our workers was doing that for us.

Lloyd has been working for us for the past 2+ years. His wife Mutinta has been part of Kerri and Elise's monthly discipleship and has also helped us out in many occasions here on the farm. Both are very special to us!

Yesterday, Mutinta gave birth to their second child and son. She had been staying with her parents near the clinic the last week just to make sure she would have access to doctors when the time came. Lloyd, on the other hand, stayed here at the farm awaiting word on the safe delivery.

So, this morning after we knew that the baby had come, we expected Lloyd to be on his way to see his new son. Instead, he was back at work. Imagine!

Well, it didn't last long. I told him to get ready and we headed to where Mutinta was staying. As we walked into the small house, we found Mutinta and the baby resting. We didn't stay too long because Lloyd needed to get some things for her and the baby, but it was great having this tiny moment to visit with baby and family.

Then, as we were driving back to the market, Lloyd asked me a question. He said "Do you want to know the name?" I guess I should have asked when we were in the home, but I forgot. He then told me that he and Mutinta decided beforehand that if the baby was a girl that they planned on naming her Kerri, but if he were a boy, they were going to name him Brent!

I can honestly say that I never thought that there would be a little Zambian boy in the middle of the African bush named after me. But I am deeply honored by this act of love and respect.

This is Totally Our Experience

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Saw this and had to share.  This describes us to a "T."  Thought you would enjoy!

Habibi

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One thing I love about Zambia is the exposure we get to different cultures. Case in point. This is one of our friends at a local grocery store. He's a Muslim from Lebanon. Whenever we see each other we greet by calling each other Habibi, which is Lebanese for friend.

Here in Zambia we have a variety of friends from a variety of backgrounds. We have friends who are Afrikaans, British, Indian, Belgiun, and other parts of the world.

I'm so thankful for it too as it allows our kids such great opportunities to grow in their love and understanding for different people around the world.

In Home Visit

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This evening just after dinner, we received a call from one of our workers. A little girl in the community fell and hit her head splitting the scalp. Kerri was Dr. Kerri tonight.

It's nice to see our friends here are so trusting of us. I hope the little we do speaks Jesus to them in a real and refreshing way!

All Locked Up

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This past week, I had a new first in Zambia. One of the street boys that we've been working with was arrested for stealing a phone. It wasn't the first time I've had to deal with theft, but it was the first time that I had to visit a 13 year old child in a Zambian prison.

The day before, while Michael was shopping with Luke at the grocery store, a drunk police man came up from behind and grabbed him. When Luke objected to the treatment Michael was receiving, the person identified himself as a police officer, threw him in a cab and took him to the police station. Luke went down there to get the full story, but it was clear that Michael was going to have to stay the night.

That's when I came into the picture. I was already planning a trip into town. So, my morning plans were altered a bit to include trying to help this boy. When I arrived at the police station that morning, they allowed me to go back and check on Michael. I didn't know what to expect. It turns out that they have a single room with an iron gate that was locked with a huge padlock. I wish I could show you a picture, but they don't let us take pictures at the station.

But it was quite overwhelming seeing this small child crammed in with 30 other prisoners in a room of about 100 square feet. As I stood there all I could think to ask him was if he was ok. As he answered, the tears began to flow. This boy was scared.

Without making the story too long, I was able to track down the woman who had filed the charges and we were able to work out a solution that kept Michael out of prison and get him some much needed help.

So, pray for him. Pray for wisdom for myself and others in the church that disciple Michael. Pray that he will let us invest in him in a way that encourages him towards a faith in and love for Jesus! And pray for us as we seek to minister to his family. He comes from a really tough family life, but God can change it!