Zambia Recap Part 12

Thursday was my very favorite day of Camp LIFE.  All week we had been practicing sharing the gospel with the Evangecube, and we would finally be able to see the kids in action.

We got on busses and traveled to their slum neighborhood, Kanyama.  As I've stated before, Kanyama is known for its extensive witchcraft practice, and a handful of my guys have been directly affected in the form of repeated visions and nightmares.  Kanyama, like many of the other slum neighborhoods, is literally everything outside of the city infrastructure.  I knew we were entering the slum when the pavement ended, and we had to swerve all over the road to avoid potholes that could swallow a car.  The structures closest to the "road" were more stable buildings; concrete block, bars on windows, locked doors, and roofs.  No grass anywhere, but at least the buildings would keep the occupants safe.

We unloaded at the Kanyama 2 CRC (the safe house closest to my kids), and the guys all gathered around to hear their instructions.  We had brought a neat surprise for the guys; in addition to sharing the gospel, these kids who have nothing in this world were going to be able to bless 3 families with a bag of Mealie Meal, a bottle of cooking oil, and a bag of sugar.  The gift was easily a month's income for anyone in that neighborhood!

The symbolism here was that these orphans, whom the general population saw as a burden, were going to be blessing those who show them no care.  I'll let you dig out the symbolism there on your own.

Loaded up with our gifts and Evangecubes we set out into the community.  I found myself following the kids between buildings, then shacks, as we continued to dive deeper in.  The further we walked away from the main thoroughfare the more desperate the situations of the residents.

My guys approached a woman sitting in front of her home and asked her if they could share what they had been learning at camp.  She obliged and offered myself, my evangelist, and apostle a small stool to sit on.  In a mix of Nyanja and English they shared with this mother of 2 the gospel of Jesus Christ.  She shared with our guys that she was a Christian but that life was very difficult.  Our gift to her was a blessing from God, and she praised Him for it.  How amazing to see orphans acting as agents of the Father's blessing!

After we prayed for her and she thanked us, we pressed further in to find the next family to bless.

We want to meet you

I feel the need to pause and thank everyone who reads this blog, especially those who have committed to help support and pray for us.  Whether you are a new visitor or a regular reader, we'd love to know who you are so we can personally thank you.

If you haven't already, please visit the "sign up for our newsletter" link and leave your information.  Thank you for walking with us as we follow the Lord!!

Zambia Recap Part 11

By Wednesday, we all were getting much more comfortable with each other.  The kids were opening up with us and were thirsty for the gospel.  While Patrick and I spent time with each child individually, Heavy was teaching the boys the evangelism tool Evangecube.

They got it so quickly.  They learned the gospel in both English and Nyanja and were excited to share it with their neighbors.  They would be excited about Thursday's activity, but we couldn't tell them about it yet.

I spent time with Isaac that day, and I saw the healing of the Lord personified.  Isaac lost both of his parents a number of years ago and now lives with his sister.  He is 16 and she is 18.  He helps her sell charcoal on the street and so badly wishes to be in school.  When asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, he said "Uncle T, I want to be a man of God."  Amazing that a young man could have nothing, and yet have everything in Christ.  We are called as Christians to follow the example of Christ and preach the gospel while meeting the needs of the less fortunate.  When I look back at scripture I'm reminded that Jesus did not just forgive sins, but he also provided for physical needs.  We are called to do the same:

The Final Judgment

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,  you did it to me.’

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Matthew 25:31-46

I reference this verse not to guilt trip anyone, but rather to prompt you to check yourself.  We don't serve to get grace; grace by definistion is unearned favor.  We serve because we've been shown grace.

Today, Isaac is well fed and will be attending classes at a Lifeway Christian Academy.  Thanks to the generous commitment of Trey and Brittney Simeone, Isaac is experiencing what the Lord intended for him.

Zambia Recap Part 10

The sermon progression for camp was the acronym J O Y, representing Jesus, Others, You.  The first two days focused on who Jesus was and is.  We focused on His perfect life and the ultimate sacrifice he made, not just dying a gruesome death on a cross, but also the outpouring of God's wrath onto the person of Christ to atone for every time we haven't been obedient to God's instruction.  I have to think they were able to connect in the smallest sense with this concept of wrath on the one who disobeys based on the stories they would tell me about their home lives.

Each day I had about 20 minutes with each kid to find out where they are at in life.  Over time I began to see patterns in their answers based on my line of questioning.  Asking them what they are most afraid of usually brough responses ranging from repeat nightmares, to paternal beatings, to neighbors and family members who practiced witchcraft.  When asked about their home-life, rarely did one comment about both parents.  They all spoke of school and how they would do anything to be able to attend.

One of the most impactful stories was from Hatson, the second blessing time I conducted.  Hatson's father died in 2000 and his mother had passed away in January.  His shoes didn't fit, so his heel hung out the top, and his left hand was disfigured from birth, leaving only 2 fingers.  From the way he cried on my shoulder, it was apparent that he hadn't had someone to open up to and feel safe with in a long time.  Hatson lives with his grandmother who cannot work, and his biggest fear is what will happen to him if she dies.  His fear is validated by the rest of his family disowning him, and refusing to care for him now or in the future.

Hatson is a perfect example of a life Family Legacy is working to restore.  Through the blessings of God, Hatson is now sponsored by Kevin and Lori Smith, and he is receiving 3 meals a day.  He is being discipled by Godly men who look out for his well being, and he is receiving medical treatment.  Through Family Legacy, those who have been blessed by God are able to comfort the physical needs of Hatson.  Hatson sees the sponsorship as a blessing from God, and proof that God has not forgotten him in his time of need.  This is what God meant when He told Abram that he would be blessed to be a blessing.

Please pray today for Hatson's safety, nurishment, health, and spiritual development.  Pray that the Lord will graciously lift the veil and show His face to Hatson.  Pray for peace that passes all understanding.  Amen.

Zambia Recap Part 9

I was standing with my apostle Heavy, and I saw a load of hollering kids beating the sides of the big blue bus through the open windows.  As it slows to a stop the kids stream out with nervous excitement.  It was obvious that they were thrilled to be there, but their guards were definitely up.  We settled into a little football (thats soccer for us Americans) and those walls started coming down quickly.  It was apparent that they were feeling me out in the same way I was them.  They'd kick the ball and look toward me for approval.  If I would laugh, they would stare for a split second then join in.  It didn't take long for us to settle in.

The tough part was not knowing exactly what to do at any given second.  In America we are "time" people, not "event" people.  Almost every American has a clock on their person in some form or fashion at this any every moment; watches, phones, etc.  So we're wired to expect to know eveything that needs to happen and in what order it will.

Most of the rest of the world isn't wired that way.

That being said, I knew I would need to take a lot of initiative and just get to know them.  We went around and had all 15 guys introduce themseves.  Some spoke a little English, although most were very hesitant.  Heavy was terrific in helping me relate with them.  I would realize later in the week that most of them spoke a decent amount of English, they were just embarassed to try it around me.  I would probably be the same exact way in their shoes.

After a big group teaching time and some football we were ready to wrap up the first day.

I didn't really realize how exhausted I was until I jumped in the shower after that first day.  My adrenaline was up all day, the sun was pounding on us, and oh yeah...the air is as thin as Denver.  Sweet.

It was obvious to everyone the weight of what we had begun as we were all sitting around at dinner.  Not a lot of ruckus or joking around, just a real awareness of our task at hand.

I laid in bed that night reflecting on the day, and praying for my guys.  I was burdened for them as I thought about where they were.  Were they fed when they got home?  What is "home" to them?  Were they sleeping on the street that night?  Were they safe?  Did they feel safe?  On and on as I laid awake.

During blessing times over the next 4 days I would learn the tragic realities of those thoughts.

Zambia Recap Part 8

Did anyone see where October went?

I guess I missed it somehow...

Either way I'm hoping my fingers can keep up with my brain because I've been reinvigorated/reenergized by what our great God has been doing in Amanda and I!!  I've got really exciting news about Zambia, but you're just going to have to wait until I wrap up the stories from camp.

I'm not going to lie, part of the delay in this stage has been trying to wrap my brain around how to share adequately with you the feelings and encounters we had over there.  While we were "fully there" with our attention, there is still a slight haze that surrounds our memories, kind of like the dizziness you encounter after a long run (which for me is about one flight of stairs).

We stepped off the counselor shuttle bus early on the Monday morning and there was literally a haze over everything.  As our eyes adjusted we noticed the Zambian leaders praying and worshipping, oblivious of our presence.  We joined in the worship as best we could, still reeling from the excitement/nerves of the task we would soon be engaged in.  I quickly found Heavy, my apostle, and hung close to him.  He told me Patrick was getting some of the kids because he was the Discipleship Leader for the slum my kids were from.  While we waited I enjoyed an hour or so of conversation with Heavy as I tryed to anticipate what I would soon be faced with.  We discussed the age at which our guys would be engaging in sexual relationships.  We discussed what school was like for them, and if they were likely attending on a regular basis.  We discussed what families are like in Zambia.  The conversation continuously pointed me back to a common denominator: this is the devil's playground.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

John 10:10

It was obvious that Satan had been oppressing these people for lifetimes before I met them.  There was an almost noticeable feeling of discord.  There was no peace.  I knew that my job as an ambassador of Christ would be to show these children a savior who loved them enough to die in their place.  What a weighty task.

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

How can I help them understand?  Will they get it?  What analogies will translate?  Will they like me?  Will they feel safe with me?  Will I be able to... Stopped mid-thought, my kids' bus pulled up and spilled.