The Master Builder

I can hear the rain splattering on the brown stone just outside the open window. The wind is stirring the trees as if to shake the weight of the new rain from its leaves like a wet dog dries itself. To the west it is dark; I can hardly make out the landscape of the usual mountainous stone around the edge of the lake. To the east, over the hills of town I can still see the light of the sun reflected in the white clouds. It brings to mind the contrast of the world, the place, we call home for now.

I think of another place, one I have always referred to as home. It is a place of family, of friends, of memories and dreams. It is a place of comfort and familiarity. My mind often goes there now more than normal. Something about this time of the year draws my attention to consider more than on most days what has transpired there today, what will happen tomorrow; even a creeping longing for the familiar.

But this place is not unlike the contrast I see in the sky. There is a certain darkness looming, really everyday. Not the sky, for most days it shines gloriously. The darkness I speak of is all about us; spiritual darkness. I read some statistics today that were written in 2001; they staggered me like a sudden jolt on an amusement park ride.

Some 1.7 billion people still do not have access to the gospel. If you could tell one person per second it would take 54 years to share the gospel with them. In addition, another 2.9 billion have had some degree of access but never had access to a clear understanding of it. Today, at least 4.6 billion people deserve the opportunity to have a clear understanding of what happened some 2000 years ago.

Christmas is certainly a time of celebration for those of us who know Jesus as our Savior. The sad reality is, for much of the world it is just another day held together with an empty life. What might God say to us about these 4.6 billion souls?

This gift from God is not ours to keep like a tie or new pair of shoes. It is more like the lumens from a lantern. It may be my lantern but I can’t keep the light all to myself, all who are near benefit from its glow. It is meant to be shared. Remember the view to the east, the light of the sun reflecting on the white clouds; a reminder that Light will always penetrate the darkness.

1 Peter 2:9 … for you are a chosen people. You are a kingdom of priest, God’s holy nation, his very own possession. This is so you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

Our prayer is: may we all know the gift of Light, walk in the Light, and share the Light with those in darkness.

John 8:12 Jesus said to the people, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

May God pour out His rich blessings on you and those you love this Christmas as we all share the Light
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Thank you for remembering us.

A Structure Without Blueprints

We met him unexpectedly. It was Saturday again and we had just arrived at Dambilo for our weekly teaching time. We noticed him immediately in his navy blazer, tie, and of course the bright yellow flip-flops drew our focus to him. He was collecting an assortment of seats (stools, and tree limbs) and organizing them under the tree where we meet. As we introduced ourselves we quickly knew God was at work once again. We learned he left the village at 7 that morning and walked about 4 hours to meet us. But how did you know we would be here, we don’t even know where your village is. “I just heard Baptist missionaries were coming here every Saturday, and then he said maybe it was God who brought us together.”

His name is Alex. He began a Baptist church several years ago at the urging of another man. He had planned to start another church, not evangelical, but decided on the Baptist name instead. He has a rather large attendance of somewhere around 70+, and a new church building. Unfortunately he has yet to receive Christ as his personal Savior. The only ones in the church who have been baptized have come from another church background. They have little or no idea what a Baptist even believes. Most of their beliefs have come from a mixing pot of the 6 or so churches this man has belonged to during his life.

We were able to find and meet with Alex and several of those attending the church on Friday. They sang several songs for us and there exists an obvious hunger to know God. We agreed we will begin teaching with them on Saturday mornings prior to our visit at Dambilo. Alex appears quite humble and possesses a spirit to learn. One other exciting aspect is that the three groups are close enough to one another that they could help support each other through an association.

Another aspect of this story is that some months ago two men traveled in from this village to Siavonga Baptist Church. They requested the church come and assist them. The pastor met with the area churches and made plans for a group to do a mission trip to Nshoongo. They later invited us to travel with them. As time approached for the trip the days were cut from 5 to 3 because there was not sufficient money. Unfortunately at the last minute the entire trip was canceled because they were concerned the truck they planned to use would not make it due to some rain and the condition of the roads. So when we went on Friday we took the pastor with us. He had an opportunity to see, for what appeared to be the first time, the number of villages that exist and no evangelical churches. We believe his heart was burdened about what the existing churches can do to help reach the rural area.

The reality is, it is not easy for these churches to reach beyond their own immediate area. They simply don’t have a lot of resources. That statement leads me to the opportunity to thank you for your support. Southern Baptist missionaries, over 5000, are supported through the co-operative effort of Southern Baptist and the Lottie Moon Christmas offering. The money given not only provides for missionary housing, food, and essentials for daily life; but provides vehicles and the means to reach hard to reach people and places. Just this week we had to purchase new tires for our truck to help us get in during the rains. It is because of the part many at home play that missionaries around the world are able to share the Gospel story. Thank you again on behalf of all of our colleagues for the difference you make. If you are considering a gift for someone at this special time of the year consider an offering to some type of mission work which honors our Lord.

We ask you consider joining us as we pray that God’s Spirit would lead us in loving, teaching, and encouraging these three villages, Chuulu, Dambilo, and Nshoongo, and the lives they represent.

2 Thes. 3:1
Finally dear brothers and sisters, I ask you pray for us. Pray first that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes…

The Hidden Decay

Many times as we remodel things in the states we stumble on the unknown, the hidden. Sometimes we pull back a peace of paneling or maybe a sheet of drywall and discover termites; eating away at the structure from within. The decay causes weakening that is not obvious to the eye. Interestingly termites are huge here in Zambia. This time of year a light bulb is used to attract them, they will often fall into a small pool of waiting water below. Then trapped, the wings are removed and they are fried to a distinct crunch and consumed.

As we traveled in late from another day of stories our friend Victor began to share a story of his own. Not to long ago there was a particular lady who attended the small church Victor belongs to. This lady also happened to be a generous giver to the church, a rare thing in their culture. Sadly she had experienced the death of several of her young children. The church often met with her to console and affirm her in her times of grief. She happened to be the second wife of a local, rather prominent, businessman. When I say second understand he is still married to the first as well; again not uncommon in their culture. One headman, we meet with, has eleven wives.

Similar to the decay from within caused by termites this woman had her own decay that was not obvious to the eye. Finally overcome with grief and conviction she acknowledged to the church that her children had not died of natural causes but in fact had been “handed over” as human scarifies in the common practice of witchcraft. She even confessed that during their previous trips to console her she was in fact laughing at them on the inside. After her confession she did leave her relationship with the man.

Remember this was a person on the higher end of the social and economic scale in a town; not just someone from the village with little exposure to the developed world.

Witchcraft abounds in this country. It is used to sustain a business, as a means of vengeance, even to kill people who have seemingly betrayed you. Sadly the law even recognizes it and cases like this are rarely if ever prosecuted.

Should you be tempted to think it is not real or somehow explainable as a matter of physics or something similar, don’t. It is real, powerful, and evil. Tragically it is also the way of life.

Let me parallel this story with another short one. Just Saturday we returned to Dambilo to find our friend Petro had been bitten by a deadly Black Mamba on Sunday. Dambilo is a two and a half hour drive from Siavonga, if you have a vehicle. It is about a two or three hour walk to the nearest clinic in Chaanga, if you can walk. Petro, about 35 and a newly professed Christian, lives in the same village as his father. His father is son to Hachibozal. Hachibozal, tradition holds was one of the greatest witch doctors southern Zambia knew. Individuals would travel 1000 or more kilometers to seek his aid. When a witch doctor passes he leaves his spirit, or power, with the one he chooses. Hachibozal chose Petro’s father. Consider Petro’s dilemma. It was not explained to me what all transpired but I was told he took some medicine of some kind. He appears to be healing. Just the week before one of the father’s wives asked me what would happen to a medicine man that chose Christ. By the way, Petro’s father is the headman with eleven wives.

Would you consider praying for those whose lives have come to a crossroads, of a life steeped in tradition of spirits, and a heart change by the One True God?

And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in Him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, and how deep His love really is. Eph. 3:17-18

Building Always Holds Surprises

Whether it is homes or swing sets. I have always found the unexpected anytime I undertook another project to assemble something. Recently has proven no exception.

Friday we traveled once again the two and a half hour, 50 kilometer trek, through the bush, washouts, and river beds to Chuulu. Actually arriving a few minutes early we were well pleased with our progress. With a start time of 14 hours (2:00) we began to announce we had arrived; gathering under the shade of a large tree, in a dry, barren maize field, seeking protection from a scorching sun. Some 45 minutes or so later we had begun to sing some simple songs awaiting the arrival of a few more promising faces; Jesus Loves Me, Deep and Wide, This Little Light of Mine. Remember few of them understand English and we don’t claim to be singers, but they loved our awkwardness. By now there was a group of about sixty people. Finally with a go ahead to begin, my plan was to tell the story of Noah and the judgment of man with the flood, drawing attention to God’s provision of the Ark for the righteous man. We would then look at the story of Nicodemus in John and God’s provision of Christ. Something happened in the midst, my direction went awry and by the time we had finished 21 people felt led to accept Christ as personal Lord and Savior. I share this with all humility recognizing what happened occurred in spite of me.

You see this is not at all how we had envisioned things would transpire. We had imagined starting with just a few of half-interested listeners who really were present out of respect for their culture because a guest was in their village; thinking that after meeting some time hopefully some might bring a friend to join us. Possibly after an element of trust had been established we might approach the idea of forming a church.

We feel God has been at work in these hearts for some time. They want a church now! Naturally we have concern that it is for the proper reason and that it is sound as it emerges. That means among other things a need for continued discipleship, identifying Godly leadership, understanding the beliefs and ordinances of the church.

We pray for patience, God’s timing, and leadership of the Holy Spirit.

We ask you pray for the hearts of those in Chuulu and Dambilo for understanding of a personnel relationship with Christ.

That during the rains we will still be able to reach their villages for sharing and the example of faithfulness.

We also seek to continue to be amazed by what God wants to accomplish.

For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made us understand that this light is the brightness of the Glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. But this precious treasure-this light and power that now shine within us-is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies.

Forming The Blocks

Here in Zambia most of the homes are made from blocks. Some are similar to what we call blocks in the states made from cement, sand, and small stones. Many however are made from mud, stacked, insulated over the outside with addition mud, and then fired from within to give them strength. Regardless of the type they are made with great effort one block at a time. When an adequate amount of time has allowed them to season they will be used for some type of structure; possibly a home, maybe a shop, or sometimes even a church.

We find ourselves trying to form the blocks.

Last time I shared with you our efforts to lay a foundation with Victor’s assistance. We are blessed to have him escorting us and teaching us. He has not only translated Tonga but has led us into two areas to try and begin some work.

The first is a place called Chuulu; there are three small villages clustered together, one of them Victor’s cousin is the headman. One of the others claims one of the Chief’s representatives as a resident. Apparently about two years ago some Baptist passed through the area doing some door to door evangelism and shared something called the Jesus film. They were only there a short time and nothing really resulted. These people want a church in their community, there are no churches. They live near a much larger group of villages which as well have no Baptist churches. Our goal at this point is to meet with them and help them understand what church is and what will be needed to sustain one. Naturally we hope one is begun but in an appropriate effective way. For now we will disciple them sharing stories and the love of Christ.

The second place is called Dambwi. Again Victor has an Uncle who is the headman. He is in his eighties, has eleven wives and about sixty children. He is also a medicine man. Dambwi is about 5 kilometers off the dirt road then another 2 kilometer walk in. On our first visit I asked how many white men had been to their village, he said we were the first. There is one traditional church (basically a cult) that currently meets in this village. Again there are several other large villages close by so the opportunity to reach more exists.

We feel a little like we too are forming bricks. As we meet with them, try and teach them, and model for them what it means to be a born again Christian placing our faith in Christ to rescue us. We pray these bricks will be fired and seasoned to sustain any difficulties that come their way. That they might break free from the negative influences that bind them. Things like witchcraft, cultural traditions, and the lies of satan.

Matuba on the other hand is a different story. It is the village we encountered in May asking if we would return for them. They have since decided we should not continue to visit them. There is concern by many of them that we bring evil rather than good. It breaks our heart. We continue to pray for them, as we pass by, that God will soften their hearts and bring someone there to share the truth of Christ.

Thank you for sustaining us with your prayers. We continue to pray and ask you to join us.

Colossians 4:3-4 and pray for us, that God may open a door for our message so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ… pray that I may proclaim it clearly as I should. Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Laying a Foundation

I think I may have used this title before, but those of you who know something about building know the foundation is crucial. I could not think of a more appropriate way to frame this update.

We have been in Siavonga for a week now. The first several days we were just trying to get where we are staying set up and livable. We have been to several local government offices to announce our presences and explain why they will be seeing us around town (normal procedure).

We spent a good deal of time trying to prepare ourselves spiritually through prayer and study.

What I really want to share with you is a meeting we had on Friday with a man we have previously written about. You may remember the name Victor. We met Victor several months ago at the motel we stay at while in Siavonga. He is engaged to Orlanda who is a manager at the motel. You may also remember we ran across Victor in the bush one day biking his way to visit his cousin some 40 kilometers out of Siavonga. He was alone and had a flat tire. It was hot and he had nothing to drink. As we pulled up I realized I knew this man but failed to recognize him because of where we found him. I never expected to run across him in that location. Interestingly he was about 500 meters from the place we were going. He accompanied us and gave us great encouragement in some difficult circumstances.

As Cyndi and I talked later we both felt strongly God had but him in our path for some reason. One of our desires is to invest in both of their lives in hopes of helping them have a Godly marriage, which is uncommon in their culture. We decided we need to meet with Victor about the possibility of him assisting us with language, meeting people, maybe doing some translating and even traveling with us into the bush. We really had no idea how he might respond to any of our suggestions. We set up a meeting and almost had an interview as we asked him to share with us some things about his spiritual life.

As we sat outside overlooking Lake Karibe an amazing story began to unfold before us. Victor shared with us he had gone to church as a young boy. He grew up very poor, no shoes and tattered clothes. In his youth choir he was ridiculed by a young lady who didn’t want to stand near him and three of his friends afraid she might catch lice. He stopped going to church.

While he was in the 10th grade he began to drink Chibuku (local Beer). He drank almost ever day. That continued until he was in the 12th grade when after encouragement from friends he began to slow the frequency. He began to sense God speaking to him suggesting he need Christ in his life. He thought it senseless for a single man, with no job, or house to receive Christ and decided he should wait. He continued to sense conviction but again decide he should wait and should first attend college. He even reached a point of claiming the story of the thief on the cross with Jesus. The Bible said he would be with Jesus in paradise and he was on his death bed; that would work for Victor. Sometime later he got into a fight with his older brother over something silly. Victor doesn’t even remember what the fight was about. His brother picked up an axe handle and smashed it over Victor’s head. Victor thought he was dead. He even sensed being escorted to hell, passing all his family and friends crying for him as they were going to Heaven. He remembers people sobbing thinking he was in fact dead. He somehow touched his leg and thought he felt some sensation. He did it again and began to regain consciousness. He rose to his feet and began running exclaiming he was alive. He feels God gave him a second chance, and shortly there-after was Born Again as he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior.

Victor went on the share with us God has given him a heart for sharing Christ with his Tonga Tribe in the rural areas we are hoping to work in. He again thought he would have to wait. He does not have the logistical means at this point in life to live his dream. Interestingly we have the logistical means but don’t know the language.

So what do you think? Was it coincidence we met Victor on that hot day with a flat tire or does God work in that way? Is it possible there is a plan for each of our lives put into place by the Creator of the universe? Have we become so busy or preoccupied with our own agendas we miss it?

It is not yet fully revealed all that God may have in store for this relationship but I am confident it will be glorious. Saturday as the three of us went out telling stories three young women withstood the opposing comments to make a decision to accept Christ.

We ask you pray God would continue to make clear where He is at work and how we should participate.

Pray that we can cast a vision to Victor and through Victor that Zambians will catch and understand their responsibility in starting churches that will sustain themselves.

Reaching Into Tonga Land

First please accept my apology for taken several months to update this. My reasons are multifold. Primarily, I hit a slump. Over the last several months our building work had really transitioned into more of a maintenance role. Our desire to be more directly engaged in ministry with national Zambians hit some snags to say the least. Any way, after much prayer and many conversations some doors have begun to open. Yesterday we came to Siavonga for what at this point seems to be a temporary arrangement, but we are here. We will come and go at least over the next several months as we attempt to complete a flat in Lusaka and a few other small construction jobs.

We have asked the pastor of the central Baptist church in Siavonga to assist us in forming an evangelism team (church planting team) made up primarily of the leadership of several other local churches. We will try to help train them and encourage them of the call God makes for churches to reach outside their walls and help others develop a body of believers. This is a new endeavor for us to say the least. I ask you to consider joining us in prayer:

1) For the preparations of an initial meeting to help cast some vision and stir the hearts of those willing to participate
2) That we might walk in the Spirit towards those places that God is already at work and that we might join Him in what He wants to accomplish
3) That God would begin to soften the hearts of Tongas in the rural villages who have never heard the love Jesus has for them and that they might not perish prior to that opportunity.

Currently we have several possible areas to work in. One is a village we found in the spring. We were asked at that initial visit if we would come back for them. On our follow up visit we met some resistance. Some believed we were Satanist. Others were more receptive.

Another area is about 60 kilometers down the lake only accessible by boat. Logistically that is a problem because we don’t have a boat. We hope to rent one on occasion. There are 3 villages near each other and there was another missionary who worked in that area about 5 years ago. From what we can tell at this point nothing has sustained.

We were told a few days ago there have been two people coming in from the bush asking that a Baptist church be started in their village. Our desire is to find them. We have been told by some that much of the area we will try and reach will be inaccessible by vehicle when the rains come. We of course pray for good rains, it is necessary. We have considered trying to acquire a 4wheeler.

One of our struggles is the temptation to scratch the surface in as many areas as time allows, but we are concerned that would not last. We are praying we can have the fortitude to go deep in a few strategic places and in key people.

We know this challenge, as all, is not about us but what God desires.

It is clearer now than in any point in our lives, God desires to use His children to reconcile lost and dying people to Himself. Thank you for being a part of our lives as we witness God “Building Beyond the Horizon”.

II Corinthians 5: 17-19
... this means that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun! All this newness of life is from God, who brought us back to himself through what Christ did. And God has given us the task of reconciling people to Him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. This is the wonderful message He has given us to tell others.