Shower's of Blessings
Unbelievably September has come and gone. Amazingly we have been in Zambia for four months. This month proved to be much different than our first three. We have always managed to stay extremely busy since arriving. September brought showers of God’s blessings.
Late in the evening of August 31st Jeff Wallace and Kevin Traughber arrived in Lusaka bringing not only their smiling faces but a plane load of blessings from home. We found some extra clothes, loads of Hamburger Helper, candy, tools, and a variety of niceties; even more we were blessed with cards of support, pictures of family and friends, birthday gifts for Cyndi, and even a video of our church singing Happy Birthday to her. She was moved to tears as we felt the love through the faces of our supporters at home.
We felt since we hit the ground running, no less should be expected of Jeff and Kevin. We began at 6:00 am the next morning, meeting with the Strategy Facilitator for Zambia to share the ministry and goals of the mission family. We left Saturday for Isoka where we have been working since arriving. On the way we worship at the small Baptist Church located on Kalwe Farm which was the family farm of the Moffats’, David Livingstone’s in-laws. Jeff was given the opportunity to preach. Our time in Isoka went quickly as we were able to paint the outside of the home, teach a workshop for local pastors, and meet many of our new friends.
We made it back to Lusaka in time for Jeff and Kevin to teach again, this time at the Baptist Seminary with Chaplains from the Zambia Police and Military; and visit an orphanage. We actually went shopping for groceries for the children compliments of the Friendship Baptist Church Bible School Offering. We ended up with a truck load of meal, oil, rice, and meat. Oh yeah and 20 life chickens, white ones, they are the best. The next day we picked our son Chad up from the airport. He has spent the last 2 years in North Africa and is returning to the States.
The five of us departed for Livingston to take in Victoria Falls and a Game Park. After two packed days of travel and sights we preceded to the home of some colleagues Wes and Laurie Wilcox. Jeff and Kevin not only had the chance to catch the vision of their ministry to over 1,000,000 of the Tonga tribe but capably ministered to the Wilcoxs’ who like most missionaries welcome time to spend with people from home.
We returned to Lusaka long enough for Jeff and Kevin to catch a plan back to their families and friends and Chad, Cyndi, and I headed for a couple of days of family time spent in the bush at a lodge within South Luawangu Game Park. The three of us not only had a chance to just be together again but also saw the awesome hand of God in His creation. We sat face to face with Lions who had just killed dinner, Elephants, Giraffes, Hippos, Impala, Buffalos, and just hordes of animals and the beauty of “The Real Africa”.
After returning to Lusaka once again we made another 10 hour dash to Isoka to lay floor tiles and coordinate the moving of a neighboring latrine which is contaminating our new bore hole (Well for you city folks). Then it was back to Lusaka to send Chad off to Tanzania to visit his sister Whitney for a few days before he continues to the states.
We find ourselves now in Lusaka waiting. The Presidential election has just taken place and we must allow time for the votes to be tabulated and winners announced. Anytime elections occur in places like Africa there is always a chance of unrest. I share that not that you would be concerned for our well being; we are perfectly safe and trust in the sovereignty of our Lord; rather in an attempt as always to give you a clear picture of what a world outside your normal day might look like.
Africa is a place of miracles. The country is beautiful, the animals amazing, sights like Victoria Falls are something to behold, but it is equally a land of people. Many of whom walk in darkness, many who have never had the opportunity to accept or reject the saving grace of Jesus Christ. In many ways it is hard for us in the West to imagine how that is even possible, with the means we have to communicate in this day. Believe me it is so. Their world is different from yours and mine, for the next few moments I ask you to consider that. How would your life be different if you had never had that chance; to make your own choice when presented truth?
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise… not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
1 John 5:12
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
We thank you for continuing to pray for the work of the mission family here in Zambia. Our goal is to plant 10,000 churches.
We thank Jeff and Kevin for coming and their families for sharing them.
We thank God we had the opportunity to choose Jesus and that God has allowed us the chance to share light with those who live in darkness.
I tried to add some pistures but doesn't seem to be working. May be soon.
Late in the evening of August 31st Jeff Wallace and Kevin Traughber arrived in Lusaka bringing not only their smiling faces but a plane load of blessings from home. We found some extra clothes, loads of Hamburger Helper, candy, tools, and a variety of niceties; even more we were blessed with cards of support, pictures of family and friends, birthday gifts for Cyndi, and even a video of our church singing Happy Birthday to her. She was moved to tears as we felt the love through the faces of our supporters at home.
We felt since we hit the ground running, no less should be expected of Jeff and Kevin. We began at 6:00 am the next morning, meeting with the Strategy Facilitator for Zambia to share the ministry and goals of the mission family. We left Saturday for Isoka where we have been working since arriving. On the way we worship at the small Baptist Church located on Kalwe Farm which was the family farm of the Moffats’, David Livingstone’s in-laws. Jeff was given the opportunity to preach. Our time in Isoka went quickly as we were able to paint the outside of the home, teach a workshop for local pastors, and meet many of our new friends.
We made it back to Lusaka in time for Jeff and Kevin to teach again, this time at the Baptist Seminary with Chaplains from the Zambia Police and Military; and visit an orphanage. We actually went shopping for groceries for the children compliments of the Friendship Baptist Church Bible School Offering. We ended up with a truck load of meal, oil, rice, and meat. Oh yeah and 20 life chickens, white ones, they are the best. The next day we picked our son Chad up from the airport. He has spent the last 2 years in North Africa and is returning to the States.
The five of us departed for Livingston to take in Victoria Falls and a Game Park. After two packed days of travel and sights we preceded to the home of some colleagues Wes and Laurie Wilcox. Jeff and Kevin not only had the chance to catch the vision of their ministry to over 1,000,000 of the Tonga tribe but capably ministered to the Wilcoxs’ who like most missionaries welcome time to spend with people from home.
We returned to Lusaka long enough for Jeff and Kevin to catch a plan back to their families and friends and Chad, Cyndi, and I headed for a couple of days of family time spent in the bush at a lodge within South Luawangu Game Park. The three of us not only had a chance to just be together again but also saw the awesome hand of God in His creation. We sat face to face with Lions who had just killed dinner, Elephants, Giraffes, Hippos, Impala, Buffalos, and just hordes of animals and the beauty of “The Real Africa”.
After returning to Lusaka once again we made another 10 hour dash to Isoka to lay floor tiles and coordinate the moving of a neighboring latrine which is contaminating our new bore hole (Well for you city folks). Then it was back to Lusaka to send Chad off to Tanzania to visit his sister Whitney for a few days before he continues to the states.
We find ourselves now in Lusaka waiting. The Presidential election has just taken place and we must allow time for the votes to be tabulated and winners announced. Anytime elections occur in places like Africa there is always a chance of unrest. I share that not that you would be concerned for our well being; we are perfectly safe and trust in the sovereignty of our Lord; rather in an attempt as always to give you a clear picture of what a world outside your normal day might look like.
Africa is a place of miracles. The country is beautiful, the animals amazing, sights like Victoria Falls are something to behold, but it is equally a land of people. Many of whom walk in darkness, many who have never had the opportunity to accept or reject the saving grace of Jesus Christ. In many ways it is hard for us in the West to imagine how that is even possible, with the means we have to communicate in this day. Believe me it is so. Their world is different from yours and mine, for the next few moments I ask you to consider that. How would your life be different if you had never had that chance; to make your own choice when presented truth?
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise… not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
1 John 5:12
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
We thank you for continuing to pray for the work of the mission family here in Zambia. Our goal is to plant 10,000 churches.
We thank Jeff and Kevin for coming and their families for sharing them.
We thank God we had the opportunity to choose Jesus and that God has allowed us the chance to share light with those who live in darkness.
I tried to add some pistures but doesn't seem to be working. May be soon.
posted by Tommy and Cyndi at 10:53 PM
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