Digging A Footer

As in all construction digging of the footer is critical. It must naturally be deep enough and wide enough to support the structure it will undergird. Even more crucial is the composition of the soil where you are building.

It is like a person who builds a house on a strong foundation laid upon the underlying rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against the house, it stands firm because it is well built. Luke 6:48

Our time in Richmond has been an amazing transformation of soil. We came with the idea that we were somewhat prepared for our two years of missions in Zambia. As each day passes we recognize more and more clearly how ill-prepared we really are.

We have had an intense time of orientation to cross cultural life/ministry. Through the assitance of over 60 presenters God is revealing not only are our ways not His but our ways are not Africa's; and to hope to share Christ with them means we must first understand their lives. Simple things we take for granted like asking directions. They will tell how to get there even if they have no idea because not to tell you would be rude. Or visiting someone who is sick in bed and allowing them to get up and serve you because your relationship with them is more important than their discomfort. Then we considering much more serious matters like teaching Christ is sufficent to meet all of their needs and they don't have to return to the witch-doctor when they become ill, as we swallow a Tylenol for our headache.

God is revealing much to us about ourselves and much about His nature, none more powerful than the fundlement need to hide His Word in our heart and spend time in heart felt prayer. Know that we treasure the time you spend before God on our behalf.

We are praying:

That God will continue to prepare us in every way for our time in Zambia.

That He would bless our time with family, friends, church, and new cowokers as we say goodbye in the coming days.

And that He would begin the necessary relationships with those that will help us faciltate His plan for our time in Africa.