Zambia Report

We are in the process of shifting gears in terms of a new ministry and support raising, but before posting anything on the new ministry, I wanted to give an update on how things unfolded on my most recent trip back to Zambia.


As you recall, the trip had multiple purposes: to move our household goods into storage in Chikankata, prepare Action Zambia for their year-end financial audit, a few other administrative tasks such as switching the ownership on the motorcycle, planning for the new ministry in Chikankata and finally starting the hammer-mill business at Ciyanjano that I had been working on before returning to the States last December.

Well, in terms of getting everything done that I set out to accomplish, the trip was a success! We moved our home the first week I was back in Zambia, started the audit (which was wrapping up when I left) in the third week, changed ownership on the bike (with the help of a Zambian friend Chilito), made significant progress in planning for the new ministry with the Chieftainess and 3 days before I left, opened up the Ciyanjano hammer-mill business with a free day for the community.

I must say that spending 6 weeks away from the family was not easy, but I was thankful for the time that I had to be back in Zambia to get these much needed things completed and to reconnect with our friends and teammates.

Prayers for a family

A friend and supporter, Sam Moore, lost his battle with cancer this past week. Today, was the first that we had heard about it, but we wanted to ask you to lift his wife Rita and the rest of their family up in prayer during this time. Sam was a man who loved life and loved Jesus. He will be missed, but is now enjoying his life after this one with Jesus!

Below is his obituary as posted in the State Newspaper:

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Samuel Edward Moore

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COLUMBIA - Samuel Edward Moore, beloved husband, father and Papa slipped quietly away on May 9, 2011, to be with his heavenly Father. He will be greatly missed by many but left a legacy that will not soon fade from our memories.

Sam was born in Columbus, Ohio, on November 20, 1945, to Russell Arthur and Betty Jane Loudermilk Moore. After serving in the U. S. Army Corp of Engineers, he graduated from Ohio State University. He began his career at Nationwide Insurance in Columbus and later moved to Columbia with his family in 1977. He retired in 2004 as Director of Training and Development with HCS Tricare Division. However, he longed to be among his many co-worker companions at Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC and returned to assist with projects for several years. For the past two years he was honored to be part of the Informatics Corporation of America proposal team in Nashville, TN. He was President of SEMcon, LLC and a Capital Partner with Wallick Investments, LLC.

As a member of Windsor United Methodist Church for 33 years, he served faithfully in many capacities. He leaves behind many friends who will miss his bright smile and warm hugs every Sunday. He also left a special secret for the children who loved "Mr. Sam".

He is survived by his wife, Rita; daughter and son-in-law, Suzanne and Michael Brown of Burlington NC; daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl and James Vanderslice of Taylors; grandchildren, Jacob and Phillip Brown and Emma and Palmer Vanderslice; sister and brother-in-law, Rachel and Larry Nichols of The Plains, OH; brother and sister-in-law, Russell H. and Lyn Moore of Phoenix, AZ; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins all of whom were so special to him. He was predeceased by his brothers, Frank and Don Moore and sisters, Bertha McCollum and Pamela Mascari.

A memorial service for Mr. Moore will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, May13, 2011, at Windsor United Methodist Church, with visitation following in Harbor Hall. Dunbar Funeral Home, Northeast Chapel, is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial gifts be made to Epworth Children's Home, P. O. Box 50466, Columbia SC 29250 or to Windsor United Methodist Church Fowler Scholarship Fund, 9500 Windsor Lake Blvd., Columbia, SC 29223.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com.

Published in The State on May 12, 2011

True Religion

I was reading a book this morning and really encouraged to examine my heart and its motivations. I thought I would share an excerpt that may encourage you today as well.

Blessings

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"Yet a man may both abstain from outward evil and do good, and still have no religion. Further, two persons may do the same good outward act--as feeding of the hungry--and one be religious, while the other is not. This is because one may do the act out of love and the other for the love of praise. Although real religion leads to good works and words, its real nature still lies deeper. Real religion lies in the hidden heart of man.

I say of the heart, because religion does not consist of right opinions or orthodoxy. While such matters are not necessarily outward things, they are not of the heart, but of the understanding. A person may be orthodox in every point, espousing right opinions and zealously defending them; he may think correctly concerning the Trinity, and every other approved doctrine taken from the Scriptures; he may agree with all of the historical creeds, and yet have no religion at all. He may be as orthodox as the devil, and still have no more religion than a pagan. He is indeed a pagan if he is a stranger to the religion of the heart.

This alone is religion as it is truly so-called. This alone is of value in the sight of God. Paul summarized religion in three particulars: righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit"

~ John Wesley

Something Funny

The other night, I was out for coffee with two of my friends here in Zambia (Luke Whitfield and Todd Meyer). On our way home, we stopped to fuel up the car. As we were sitting there and the gas was being pumped, we noticed some Zambians catching these rather large grasshoppers that were attracted to a nearby light. They were catching them for food! Yes, grasshoppers are eaten by many people here.

Anyways, as we talked with these guys, we began to hear Luke gagging profusely in the back seat. Luke got the bright idea that he wanted to identify with these Zambians in this endeavor of eating grasshoppers. So, he took one and, on the spot, popped it into his mouth and began to chew. The end result was many tears from me and Todd as we were laughing uncontrollably at Luke's gagging and a puke stain down the side of Todd's car as Luke eventually threw up. Gross, but extremely funny!

Mothering Encouragement

Kerri here. I had a great bit of encouragement from God's word concerning my job as a mother, and I wanted to share it. I'm sure that many of you friends can relate to my feelings and I hope you'll be encouraged by this as well.

Being with my kids 24/7 is an awesome privilege, but also a huge challenge. How often I fear that I am damaging my children when I don't walk in the Spirit, when I sin, when I lose my patience with them. How often I fear that they won't turn out right, that my efforts to lead them to Christ will fail, or that they will grow up to have negative feelings about their childhood. But God's word gave me the most awesome picture that puts those fears to rest. My friend and teammate from Zambia, Karen Singleton, is a mother to 4 grown children and she had often encouraged us younger moms by saying, "remember, girls, He gently leads those who are with young." So, finally I went to find that verse and read it in context. Here's what it says (in NASB):

"Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, in His arms He will gather the Lambs and carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes." Isaiah 40:11

This is an awesome passage talking about how God will restore Israel. But do you see the incredible promises to us as mothers? He gathers the lambs and carries them in His bosom. And He gently leads me - the nursing ewe. I guess I've always had the image in my mind that I was the one responsible for carrying my children. That as I follow Christ, I carry my kids along with me - A tough job that I'm called to do. But as I read this passage I see that in reality He is the one carrying them and loving them. They need not be a burden to me. All I need to do is surrender myself to the Shepherd and follow where He leads. He, the good Shepherd, will not stumble, will not drop His lambs, will not let them down or sin against them. He does not lose His temper, or shout, or slam things, or grumble at them when they whine. He is completely trustworthy and He loves them with a depth that I can't even comprehend. God still gives me the responsibility to "nurse" the young lambs He has entrusted to me. I get to love them and pour my life into them, but I also have the promise that He will carry them and that He holds them close to His heart. As I follow Him and watch Him, I will learn and become more like Him as I nurture my young ones. Cool, huh?

I thank God for leading me, for making me more like Himself as I follow Him, for being a God in whom I can place all my trust, for giving my husband and me the privilege of joining Him in the task of "nursing" our children in His word and His ways. I hope you are encouraged along with me and strengthened as we move to the end of Isaiah 40 and read:

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might, He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait on the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary." Isaiah 40:28-31

Back to Reality

Loveness
It seems like you cannot be here too long before you hear about another death. A few days ago, one of Action Zambia's workers, Mwape's wife (Loveness) died. She had been very sick, but it still was unexpected. Please be in prayer for Mwape and his family. Loveness leaves behind her husband and son.

Update on Warren:
As I wrote about last week, Warren Carr, my host, wrecked my motorcycle and broke both bones in his lower leg. Today, he will be checking into a local clinic for a Thursday morning surgery. They will be fusing the bones back together with metal plates and pins. Please pray for him and his family during this time.

Sometimes you gotta love your country!

Kerri here! Today I had the amazing pleasure of getting my driver's license renewed. Fortunately my license expired while I happened to be here in the States, so I was able to take care of it on time! We all sort-of dread going to the DMV because you never know what kind of wait you might find and how long it might take. This time I was in and out in 20 minutes! 20 minutes! Let me tell you, after having the experience of getting a driver's license in Zambia, I will never, ever complain about the DMV here! Some of our AZ teammates, Kelly and Tricia Huckaby, documented the process not long ago and I thought it was so funny I'd let you read it too! (Check out the Huckablog for regular, hilarious - and often poignant - episodes of daily living in Zambia)

How To Get a Zambian Driver's License in 50 Easy Steps

1. Go to Road Transit Safety Authority (RTSA) on Lumumba.
2. Go to the "Information" desk.
3. Ask for a medical examination form.
4. Go to Makeni clinic.
5. Overpay an unscrupulous doctor.
6. Go to RTSA on Lumumba and be told that they no longer except exams from Makeni andthat you have overpaid.
7. Go back 3 steps.
8. Or skip numbers (4-7) and go to one of the following approved government clinics:

1. Kamwala
2. Chilenge
3. Kalingalinga
4. Chawama
5. Kanyama
6. George
7. Mtendere
8. Chipata

1. Make sure this list is current!!
2. Pay k50,000 if you have an ARC.
3. Pay k1000,000 if you do not have an ARC.
4. Make sure you are meeting with one of the doctors who is "qualified" to administer the exam.
5. Take your date stamped medical form and receipt of payment to RTSA on Lumumba.
6. Be sure to bring at least two copies of your: ARC, passport, work permit, and US drivers license.
7. Get in line for Room 1.
8. Be sure to ask around and make sure you are in the right line and that the people who appear to be standing in that line are actually in line.
9. Plan on being here for anywhere from 1 hour to 4 hours.
10. When you reach Room 1, show them your documents and explain that you are seeking aconversion license.
11. You will receive a form for a provisional license.
12. Fill this out.
13. Take this to Data Capturing.
14. Then go to Rooms 2 or 3 for photographing.
15. Try to smile, you're almost halfway there.
16. Go to cashier (room 15 or 26)
17. Pay k63,000
18. Exit RTSA and purchase a King Pie from the cart.
19. Eat pie.
20. Return to the same window after 24 hours to set an appointment with RTSA Ridgeway branch for a competency/conversion test.
21. Pay k47,000 booking fee.
22. On the day of your booking go to RTSA on Lumumba go early!
23. Go to Room 7.
24. Be told to go see Mr. Mwamba across the street.
25. Drive into the black gates where everyone is lined up in their vehicles.
26. Skip the line.
27. Park.
28. Go see Mr. Mwamba in the booth.
29. Arrange for a drive test.
30. Even if RTSA on Lumumba "booked" your test for a certain time, this means nothing, plan on waiting at least a few hours.
31. Pay someone k15,000 to outfit your vehicle with "L" plates for your drive (this may be optional)
32. Pray
33. Do your drive test.
34. If you passed, go back to Mr. Mwamba and give him your paperwork for stamping.
35. Take this paperwork to RTSA on Lumumba after 24 hours.
36. Go to Room 25 and give them your forms.
37. Go to Room 26 and pay k79,000.
38. Exit RTSA
39. Buy a King Pie (Ham and Cheese is nice)
40. Eat pie.
41. In four weeks you can pick your card up at RTSA on Dedan Kimathi Rd.
42. Celebrate.

Please Pray

Our dear friend and my host while I am here in Zambia, Warren Carr, was injured when he was run off the road this afternoon driving my motorcycle. He suffered a broken leg and several cuts and scrapes. He and his wife Vicki are at the hospital now. Please pray for him and his family during this time.

The gods are amongst us

I was at a bible study with some friends when I met a visitor from the UK. John Paul Witt is a missionary working up in Northern Zambia. He told us this story below which I copied from his website. Just thought you might enjoy reading about how the Lord is working here to advance His Kingdom.
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Sometimes you hear a story of God that stops you literally dead in your tracks. This is such a story. This story was told to me by 3 people yesterday at a Life area leaders day.

In October last year in the area of Kamwale, some 30km south of Nchelenge, Northern Zambia and close to the border of the Democratic Republic of Congo, children were mysteriously dying at a school. Nobody knew what was causing the sickness, 17 children in all died. It seemed to be some kind of disease that gave haemorrhaging and violent stomach pain. The disease was fatal.

People in rural Africa, quite rightly believe that mysticism and witchcraft has power and is not load of rubbish. Confronted with this situation, many believed that the chief of the area wanted to gain more power and had bewitched the children, to demonstrate his power. At this a mob rose against the chief, and went to his palace to beat him. There was one other group that the mob rose against and this was the group that my organisation Dignity, had helped Augustine to create for the community. The groups study the Bible, pray and work for the good of the community. They seek to bring together many from different groups and reach out to those who are ostracised. Earlier in 2010, the crime zone of the village had dropped dramatically in response to the conversion to Jesus of many criminals in the area due to the activity of the group.

As people paid more attention to the Life! Group, it caused opposition from church groups that see them as a threat and often they are branded satanists, simply for wanting to help. As such it seemed to some of the people in the village that this “new” groube could be satanic and be causing the deaths at the school.

At that time Jo Hardy who works with Dignity was visiting the area with Augustine, a community activist, as part of a visit to encourage those there. As part of their visit, prayer was held, and I don’t honestly think that Jo was aware of everything that was going on. That’s not a lack of observation, it can be difficult to piece everything together when working through translators.

The bottom line is this. They prayed in the morning, those that died before they prayed were the last children to die of the unidentified deadly disease. No child or adult has died since. People in the area, have literally referred to Augustine, Jo and some of the group as “gods”, when they saw in the days afterwards the answer to prayer. The funny and humbling thing is that Jo does not know anything about it. (maybe she does now)

The very much relieved chief has ordered all his representatives to talk to the group in Kamwale to look at starting groups in many more areas, simply because God has defended His people, His honour, and more than that, stopped the needless death of children from a merciless disease.

3 people told me this story yesterday, and I have checked it more than once. It is true.

This amazing story reminds of one of the greatest leaders in the history of the Church, Paul and his visit to Lystra. “In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. [9] He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed [10] and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk. [11] When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!”
Acts 14:8-11 (TNIV)

The other day a friend said that he would pray that God would show me something noble, something upright, something to encourage me. I think he has and God has answered his
prayer.

I’m very proud to be a servant of the Living God and my mission is to take His freedom, His message and power to everyone, everywhere I can.

Landed and Swamped

Packing our Home in Lusaka

Our Belongings Loaded into the Truck

The Truck the Next Morning

Unloading Our Belongings in Chikankata

I arrived in Zambia early Saturday morning and haven't stopped since. I've now been here over 108 hours and have only spent 12 of them sleeping. But we're finally moved! Monday night, we loaded a 17 meter truck bed with our entire home and drove to Chikankata. The driver was hesitant to drive at night because of thieves. Apparently, there was a stretch of road where some trucks drive really slow because of the steepness of the hills. It is here where bands of thieves will jump on board and take what they can. As we drove through this area, I was praying for extra power for the truck. I figured that if we didn't go slow enough for them to get on the truck, that we would be okay. Well, not only did we have enough speed, but we didn't see a sign of any thieves. We arrived safely in Chikankata (at 11:30 pm) after a short 2 hour trip.

Yesterday was a busy day as well. We had to unload the truck and put our belongings into storage - some into a room of the house we will be renting and the rest into a shipping container that us and the Whitfields are sharing.

The Roberts and Whitfields' Shipping Container

Moving the Shipping Container (Zambian Style)

Preparing the Foundation for the Container

We also had to offload the shipping container from a different truck that had delivered it the night before. This was a fun process. Being in Zambia and in the bush, crane operators and fork lifts are not available. So, we had to be creative. The farmer, whose houses we will be renting, had a loading dock nearby. So, we used one of his tractors to pull the shipping container from off the truck and then used this same tractor to drag the container about 1/4 mile to its final resting place. Once there, we used an adapter on the tractor to lift the container (one side at a time) so we could place supports underneath. After it was in place and on its temporary supports, we poured cement pillars under each of the corners. We will go back after they dry and lower the container on to these more permanent supports.

All this to say, even though it was not the best of conditions for a move, God was faithful. We are now moved out of our old home and beginning to move into the new one. Thank you for all of your prayers during this transition.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

On Thursday at 3:00 pm, I will be boarding a plane to return to Zambia for 2 months. I'm really excited to be going back to Zambia, but, at the same time, know that I am going to miss Kerri and the kids. Would you please be in prayer for our family over the next several weeks?

Please pray:

• For safety in Travel
• That I will be able to move our belongings 2 hours south to our new home in Chikankata
• For unhurried times with the Lord for both Kerri and me
• For our children, that they would be obedient and helpful in my absence
• That I would finish Strong with Action Zambia Ministries

Thank you!

That's not a Rat! This is a Rat!

Posted by our Director yesterday. All I can say is "that is one HUGE rat!"

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Some of you may have seen the rat that was killed in our backyard a couple months ago. It was rather large and I thought the gardener was a little crazy to suggest that there were larger rats yet…that is, until yesterday! Our gardener trapped it with his patented paint can method. We measured this rat to be 80cm from tip of tail to the tip of the nose that’s over 30 inches!! Half of the length was the tail and half the body.

Last November when I first saw this type of rat (Cane Rat) I freaked out and told Tim it was the size of a cat. He didn’t believe me. I told him it was as big as Tristan…again, he thought I was exagerating. At the time Tristan was two months old. Well…here’s the proof!

Hurrying to Process

This is a recent posting by one of our friends in Zambia.

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I never know quite what to expect when I go teach my three days a week Bible class. Sometimes, I go, I teach, I go home and its pretty normal. Other times, memories happen. Like, today, for example. I got there a bit early and we were talking about homework. My pastors aren’t super faithful about doing homework and I get frustrated about it at times. But, today I got a little perspective of the kind of “excuses” a pastor might have. Patson told me a story about what happened Monday night. This is a recent posting by one of our friends in Zambia.

Around 11pm, a women across the street from him starting yelling for help. Her nine year old son was not feeling well. Sadly, as Patson hurried over there and tried to get a taxi for her son, he died. Seriously. Patson thinks it may have been a double dose of medicine, one from the pharmacy and then one from the clinic, a lack of communication, and a lack of life, just like that. He wasn’t feeling well during the day. He dies at night. Patson, at midnight, took the body to the mortuary at the hospital, via taxi, with a few other guys. He gave some money to the taxi driver who was going to wait for them. The taxi driver didn’t wait. So, at 2:00 am, Patson and a few guys walked from the hospital back home. Probably a good 25 minute drive during the day turned out to be a two hour walk in the middle of the night. He told me that at the beginning of class. O.K., now teach. We talked about the book of Hebrews. I think it went o.k.

So, I gave Patson a ride home today. It is always such a significant time. Every time with Patson is significant. He starts telling me about his pastor’s fellowship meeting he goes to on Monday nights. The pastors switch off in preaching and the pastor who preached went way long and went here and there and didn’t have a point, according to Patson. Every since Patson took the preaching class I taught, he said, “I understand better how to preach and when people are not explaining the Bible right and how they should preach. I went up to him after and said that you need to put you in the message.” One of the five points of preaching that I taught is making sure that the message you preach affects you first. But I like how Patson put it: “You need to put you in the message.”

Anyway, we talked about doing a preaching seminar for a few pastors in his compound as we drove through his compound. . And then I get to his street and there are huge puddles covering the entire road, and people waiting at the community water station and then I see a crowd of women near Patson’s house gathering for the child who died. And, I am just overwhelmed, trying to smile for the 20 kids that are in the road yelling “Mzungu” and waving to me. Everything was a bit in slow motion. I drove home, slowly, through the poorest place you’ll never visit, listening to some slow, somber worship music, taking it all in. It is a different world, here. And, my processing is this blog, so please forgive if the grammar isn’t right and it doesn’t quite make sense. I’m not sure what does make sense these days. And then tomorrow, I start again. I need to hurry up and process because another day is coming.

Steve Allen

ACTION Zambia

The Details of Our Move

(Our Rental Home in Chikankata - Ready in November 2011!)

It's in the mail, but we also thought we would include it on our blog. Below is a link to our March newsletter giving all of the details of our move to Chikankata, Zambia. It is rather lenghtly (3 pages), but we wanted to make sure we covered as much as we could. Please take the time to read it and get caught up with how the Lord is leading us to this new work in Zambia!

Click Here to view our March 2011 Newsletter.

Foundations for Farming

Below is a post from Luke Whitfield on Foundations for Farming (a.k.a. Farming God's Way). When we return to Zambia, Luke and I will be trying to implement this program in Chikankata. So, I thought you might find his write-up about an international conference he attended in Zimbabwe interesting.

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Dear Friends,

It has been a while since our last update and so we wanted to take a few moments to fill you in with what has been going on in our lives. I, Luke, specifically would like to share about a recent trip I took to Zimbabwe to attend a week long seminar to be trained in conservation farming with a Christian ministry called Foundations for Farming. It was an amazing experience to be a part of a group that represented 16 countries including places like India, Mexico, Ukraine, Sudan and many more. One of the coolest stories was that of a very tall man name Michael from Southern Sudan. Michael shared about his dream to take what he had learned and begin teaching school children in Southern Sudan so that through the younger generation his people’s future might be a bit brighter.

I want to start by sharing some statistics. Over the past 50 years it is estimated that close to 2.3 trillion USD has been pumped into Africa in the form of aid. Africa also possesses 30% of the world’s natural resources. Sub Saharan Africa (where we are) has a great climate, bountiful rainfall, fertile soils and plenty of people to work the land. Despite these facts Africa’s total Gross Domestic Product only represents 1.3% of the world’s total. Poverty continues to grip the vast majority of the continent’s peoples resulting in Africa’s population growth exceeding agricultural production. Bottom line, Africa continues to be the hungriest and most malnourished continent on the planet.

Foundations for Farming is all about seeing Africans go from being the world’s beggars to becoming a blessing to the nations. Since the vast majority of Africa’s population are small scale farmers the vision is to teach productive farming techniques to these individuals with the net result being the production of enough food for families as well as extra income to aid in the development of economic growth. At the heart of this vision is a focus on achieving these outcomes through a heart change of the people. Based upon a Biblical perspective promoting stewardship with what God has given them the course encourages participants to farm on time, at a high standard, no wastage and most importantly with joy! This is a very simple explanation of what Foundation for Farming is all about and we would encourage you to take a second and learn more about this amazing and revolutionary ministry by visiting their website at: www.foundationsforfarming.org .

So why are we sharing all this with you? As we detailed in our February update, 2012 will see some major changes in our ministry focus. Upon our return to Zambia in January of 2012 we will be moving down to the rural area of Chikankata to begin full time work assisting the chief of that area in expanding the Kingdom of God amongst her people. As we have planned for this shift one of the unanswered questions has been what would be the best way to enter into the community and gain the trust of the Tonga people. After my trip to Zimbabwe we feel like Foundations for Farming is God’s answer to that question. Our hope is that as we are able to train the people of Chikankata to be more productive and profitable in agriculture a door will be opened to share Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We will be sharing many more of the details surrounding this shift in the months to come and are excited about this open door God has provided us with to reach the lost in Chikankata. Again thanks for your continued support and prayers. We love and miss you all dearly and are looking forward to reconnecting upon our return to the States in July 2011.

Blessings

Luke (for the fam)

Follow-Up Blog Post

We had almost completed our next mailing when the software on our computer blew up. We have ordered a software update and should be receiving it soon. So, once we receive this update, we will send our newsletter detailing everything that is happening as we transition our lives and ministry to Chikankata, Zambia. But until then, we wanted to provide some follow-up to our last email/blog post.

Answering a Common Question:

Since we sent our last email/blog post, several people have asked us the same question: Should we continue to support you through Action International Ministries? The answer is yes. We are currently missionaries with Action International Ministries. We are in the process of switching to another sending agency, but we have committed to ACTION Zambia to finish out this current term with them. In due time, we will share with you about the new sending agency and give you all the information you will need to change over your support.

Why the Switch:

ACTION Zambia is a wonderful ministry that has and continues to make significant impacts for the Kingdom in Lusaka. We have a tremendous amount of love and respect for ACTION Zambia and the men and women serving in this ministry. We are not leaving ACTION because we are upset or discontent with their ministry or because of any broken relationships. We are stepping away because ACTION’s philosophy of and approach to ministry in the city wasn’t a good fit for the ministry to which we see the Lord calling us in rural Chikankata. Again, shortly, we will be sharing with you all of the details, but we just didn’t want you to wonder about what was happening on that front.

Save the Date:

We want to be available to answer all of your questions. On June 26^th, 2011, shortly after Brent returns from a 2-month trip to Zambia, we will be hosting a gathering at our home church (Columbia Crossroads Church – St. Andrews Campus). We want the opportunity to share with you about our move to Chikankata, Zambia, and the ministry going forward. We will provide dessert and coffee, show a brief video, and then have a time for questions and answers. Our hope is to share all that God has done to call us in this new direction as well as to answer any questions that you might have concerning our new ministry in Chikankata. We will send out an official invitation as the date approaches!

Thank you:

Thank you again for being patient with us during this move. We cannot express just how much your love, encouragement & support mean to us.

Let's Reach A Kingdom

If you are receiving this post via email, CLICK HERE to view the video.

I've written about Chikankata in the past, but I wanted the opportunity to share this short 3 minute video with you. This is an interview of of a local chieftainess where she is discussing the spiritual and physical needs of her people. There are a couple of reasons why we are sharing this video with you. One being, we want you to hear from a Zambian chief, who loves Jesus, as she shares about the needs of the people that God has placed under her care. The other is because of a calling that we feel the Lord has given our family as it relates to this southern chiefdom in Zambia.

Just to refresh your memory, Chikankata is a 100 sq/km Tonga speaking chiefdom located about 2 hours south of Lusaka. In this part of Zambia, there are little to no evangelical churches and few Christian believers. Some of the villages in this area have had no exposure to the gospel in over 40 years! The people live in fear and bondage to witchcraft and animism, most live in abject poverty, HIV/AIDS still affects nearly 20% of the population and children die every day from preventable illness.

When we return to Zambia, we will be moving to Chikankata. We, and the Whitfield Family (Pictured Above), have felt God calling us to go to Chikankata to live and work full-time. We will be leaving the city and getting a taste of the country life. The ministry that we have been involved in over the past 2+ years will be changing as well. There are many things that the Lord has done to confirm His leading and we are excited for what the future holds! Our desire is to see Zambians, some for the first time in their lives, have the opportunity to know and love Jesus, for churches to be established and strengthened, and for the needs of the poor and vulnerable to be met.

Very soon we will be sharing all of the details with you, but we wanted to make this announcement so that you are aware that changes are in the works. Please be patient with us and in prayer for our family as we transition our life and ministry in Zambia.

Not Your Normal Baby Dedication

This past Sunday our home church, Columbia Crossroads, had a baby dedication. For those of you who don't know, all of our children have been dedicated at our church - all but one, Thomas. Needless to say, he was by far the biggest child dedicated on this baby dedication Sunday. We are deeply grateful to be able to dedicate our 5th child to the Lord and ourselves to raising him up to know and love Jesus.

Family Pics

We recently had the opportunity to take some family photos. A friend of ours, Lindsay Alexander, came to Columbia to help us get some shots of the children and the family. Just in time for prayer cards and other important communications : ). Anyways, if you're ever interested in having some photos made of you or your family, we highly recommend her work.

You can see some of her galaries at: http://www.lindsayalexanderphotography.com/

Above are the pictures that she took of our family at Riverfront Park. If you are receiving this post via email, you will need to visit our website to view the pictures: www.RobertsinZambia.Blogspot.Com.

Got Me Day (Friday)

This post serves two purposes. One, being that we are completely done with the adoption/immigration process. Thomas is officially a Roberts and officially a U.S. Citizen!!! Yayyyy!!!! Thank you to everyone who has prayed for our family and for Thomas during this process. We are so thankful with how things came together once we arrived in the States.

The other purpose of this post is to share about why tomorrow is a very special day in the life of the Roberts family. Tomorrow marks the 1 year anniversary that Thomas came into our family. Kerri and I were talking about it this afternoon. It just doesn't seem like its been that long since he joined us. It's been difficult at times and fun at times, and we are so thankful that God chose to make Thomas a part of this family.

Fear Not

A Post from the Allens:
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We Allen's had a busy day today watching three extra little ladies of some friends of ours who were moving. We had a blast playing spoons and making projects. But, that isn't what I want to blog about. Today I went with my friend Luke to pray for one of our pastors in our program. Patson's wife Patricia had been suffering with some pretty intense stomach pain for a while. So, we went to their house way back in the compound and into the church/school that he built. After finding out from Patricia what was wrong, Luke began to ask some questions. He asked if there was fear she was struggling with and then begin asking about dreams. He uncovered a lot of struggles going on in her life that were both physical and spiritual. The Holy Spirit gave him insight into situations that were more than just physical and she was so surprised that he could know things that he or she did not know. (Often here in Zambia, physical pain is a result of something going on spiritually. Maybe that is even the case in America as well. It is always good to think spiritually in these times, at least that is what I learned/am learning.)

Then Luke said, "Before we pray, I feel like the Spirit is saying that there is one more person in your family who is also struggling with fear and who also has problem with nightmares. Patson and Patrica looked at each other and both said together at the same time, "Joyce." So, they brought her in to the room. Joyce, a pretty little 10 year old, was understandably shy and nervous. Luke kneeled beside her and began to tell her that she was in God's hands and that no one could do anything to touch her because God would protect her. Right then, I had this sense that we shouldn't just assume that she was a Christian. So, I stopped Luke mid-sentence and said, "Do you want to make sure she is a Christian?" He stopped and said, "Yes, good point." We looked to Patson and said, "Is she a Christian? Are you seeing any fruit of the Spirit to signify that she is?" They both said, "No. She is not a Christian." Luke came back to sit by me and said, "Why don't you help her Steve to become a Christian." I was instantly reluctant because I didn't want to take Patson's place as both father and pastor. But, Patson said something like, "No, Steve, one thing you don't know is Zambian pastors don't know how to do this very well." In essence, what he was saying was that they knew how to pastor other people's children, but no their own.

Well first of all, that was a huge insight and helped me in terms of thinking on how to help this cultural issue with pastors and their own families that I had no idea about. But, secondly, I had a chance not just to lead her to Christ, but to help model how to do that for Patson. I asked for the Spirit to help me and I was given the amazing privilege to lead her into a relationship with Christ through her father as a translator. It was awkward, not really cultural and with words I have learned over the years. It was what it was. But, she prayed the prayer and even better, we were able to encourage her in her life. I saw something of a picture of her teaching one day in this classroom we were in. We prayed over her future as well. Anyway, that was amazing and we hadn't even prayed for Patricia yet. So, Luke wanted the whole family in so he brought them in and they all held hands. Then Luke and I prayed for her, for her stomach and her teeth that had been hurting. And guess what, her stomach pain was healed! I know this was real because she said her tooth still hurt. Sometimes when we pray for Zambians we wonder if they are telling the truth. If they are just trying to make us feel good after we pray... Well, in this case, we could see it. Not only was just healed from stomach pain, but I am confident that her dreams and fears were dealt with as well. Anyway, it was a really blessed hour we spent there... (Note: I just got a text from Patson that Patricia is free from the pain and Joyce slept through the night.)

Please continue to pray for Patson and Patricia who are on the leading edge of community development through their church and community school. Truly, a light on a hill!

God's Word Daily

In life, there always seem to be those people who God places in your life at just the right time and my life is no different. There are a handful of people, who I can point to, that have really played a key part in shaping who I am today. One of these people is Brad Bird. Now, hear me when I say that I'm not trying to idolize this man. He's a man just like me, but he is a man who has continually allowed the Lord to use him in the lives of others through his gift of teaching. And he's also a man whose life has mirrored what he has tried to impart to others.

Kerri and I met Brad and his wife Melissa over 13 years ago while attending a local church's college ministry. During this time, Brad made it a point to invest in my life through discipleship. He and Melissa were there to counsel Kerri and I through our engagement. He was the pastor who officiated our wedding ceremony. He was and is a person who I have always felt like I could be myself with, someone who was fun to be around, a good friend. We've spent countless hours on the golf course trying to beat each other and enjoyed ribbing each other whenever USC played Tennessee (Well, he did most of the ribbing). He and Melissa were there when Kerri and I went through a really rough patch in our marriage. In fact, he was the first person I talked to about it. He and Melissa have been there through the hard times and they've been there through the good times. Honestly, I cannot express to you just how much Brad & Melissa's friendship and Brad's teaching have changed both Kerri and my lives.

Brad is a gifted teacher who has an unswerving desire to "see the saints revived through the power of the Word." Recently, through his ministry, Brad released a daily video devotional. For 5 days a week, you can have a 5-7 minute devotional sent straight to your inbox. These devotionals are expository in nature (meaning they center on going through the Bible by book by chapter and letting the Word speak for itself). There is a small cost involved, but it is well worth it.

Brad is currently the head teaching pastor for Columbia Crossroads Church downtown campus. He is also the president & founder of Market Life Ministries. If you would be interested in finding out more information on how to receive his daily devotionals, you can visit: www.DailyVideoDevotional.com. If you would like to learn more about his ministry to the marketplace you can visit: www.marketlifeministries.com.

We know how much his teaching has affected our lives and thought it might have a similar impact on yours.

Rejoice in the Wife of Your Youth

Two years ago today, I was in a hospital emergency room watching my wife lose function in her arms and legs. I was scared out or my mind not knowing what was going on. Knowing it was serious, but not knowing just how serious. I still remember sneaking away from the room to cry - sneaking away so she couldn't see the fear in my face. I remember the fear of possibly losing the person who has and will forever mean the most to me (apart from Christ).

But today, a week before our 12th anniversary, I'm still waking up to my beautiful and vibrant bride. And I love her more now than I ever have in the past. A lot of times we learn the most through trials and this trial was no exception. This one event has truly opened up God's word to me in a new light. There is a verse in Proverbs 5:18: "May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth." This verse has taken on so much more meaning in my life. Today, I thank God for this gift He has given me and rejoice again in the love of my life.

May you also rejoice in the wife / husband of your youth!

1st Snow Ever!!

In Zambia, it doesn't, hasn't and will never snow. So, needless to say, this was the first time Thomas has ever seen the cold white powder. On Christmas day, we traveled to visit Kerri's brother and sister-in-law (Matt & April) in Knoxville. As we drove up, it started snowing in Spartanburg, but started sticking to the ground and roads in Ashville.

By the time we got to Knoxville, a few inches were already on the ground. And by the next morning, the children were raring to go outside and play. Aside from Thomas, it was also the first time Ellie and Maddie had an opportunity to play in the snow as well.

It was a good visit and we had a great time spending time with the Grimsley family. The only downside to the visit is that we had to cut it a little bit short because Matt got a stomach virus and we decided to "run for the hills" and hope that we were not exposed to the virus.

It's good to be home

It's good to be home. Here's a quick snippet of our children singing with the Brocks and Ballentines during church on Sunday. We sure have missed our friends and family and are so thankful to be home to see them again. We'll enjoy it even if it is only for a short time.

God sure is good!

If you are receiving this post via email, you can view the video at www.RobertsinZambia.Blogspot.com or CLICK HERE.

The Cat is Out of the Bag

Well, the cat is officially out of the bag! The last post about missing family during the holidays was a hoax. A few months ago, Kerri and I decided that we would come home for a surprise visit in December. The primary reason was to finish Thomas's adoption stateside, but it was an added benefit to get to see our family and friends over Christmas. Please forgive us for all of the lies. We've been telling everyone, including our families that we would be home in May, but we knew all along that we were flying home in early December.

Above is a video that we put together from all of the surprise visits we have made over the past few days. It started with showing up at my parents front door and ended at Kerri's mom's church Sunday evening. That surprise was by far the best. We had the music minister play a video from us in front of the whole church. She thought it was just a video wishing her a Merry Christmas from Zambia, but near the end of the video, we told her that we had one more surprise. At that point, the video started showing pictures from our trip home with Thomas looking at our plane. Finally, we all walked into the church and stood behind her until she realized that we were there!

It's been a blast seeing our friends and family again and we're so thankful to be home for the holidays. We hope you have a wonderful Christmas.

Many Blessings!

P.S. If you are receiving this post via email, you can view the video by CLICKING HERE.

It's Beginning to Look a Little Like Christmas

Well, Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is on the way. And in the Roberts house, it's beginning to look a little like Christmas. So far we have hung the stockings, not over the chimney, because we don't have one, but over the window facing the back yard. When our children were born, Mimi (Kerri's Mom) made each of them a stocking for Christmas. Thanks to the postal service, Thomas just received his and boy was he excited.

Now on to putting up our 3 foot tree and celebrating Christmas in 100 degree weather. No white Christmas here. Christmas just isn't the same without being around those you love : (. But we are happy knowing that we are here serving the One for whom we celebrate this special holiday. Blessings to you all this Christmas season.

A Zambian Worship Set

Sunday, two weeks ago, we had a great time of worship. So, we thought we would share some of it with you. This video is a condensed version of the worship service (about 7 minutes). Kerri is singing with the worship team on one of the songs. CLICK HERE to view the video.

Oops!

Thomas had his first big breakage playing football. He was in the back yard trying to kick the football over the house into the front yard. Needless to say, he missed! He put a whole straight through the girls window. This is the second window I have had to replace in the past 3 months. Caleb broke the other one.

I guess these boys are trying to give their daddy practice at being a window repair man. I must say that this is one of the easier fixes here in Zambia. You measure the window, drive to the glass shop in town, they cut it to the size you specify, you take it back home, you chip out the old glass and window putty and then put the new one in. Voila! Just like new.

Put that on my list of things I never knew a missionary did while serving on the field in another country.

Year-End Giving???

Are you planning on a project or ministry to give a one-time gift to this holiday season? Are you looking to do some year-end tax deductible giving? Well, please consider your favorite missionaries in Zambia, Africa. : ) Year-end gifts are a very helpful way to support missionaries and the work that they are doing overseas and we are no exception. We welcome your love & encouragment through financial gifts.

If you would be interested in making a donation, you can do so by sending a check to Action International Ministries at P.O. Box 398, Mountlake Terrace , WA, 98043-0398. Please specify that the donation is for Brent & Kerri Roberts.

You can also make a donation online. Simply CLICK HERE and you will be routed to our online donation page at www.Actionintl.org.