From Zambia to Malawi to Namibia. Our family's faith adventures in Southern central Africa.
September 13, 2009
Trip to Tanzania - April 2009
After being in Lusaka, Zambia, Chris and Jediah took a trip to Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania and to Zanzibar.
Why sit we here until we die?
In 2 Kings 7 God gives an incredible story of 4 lepers who are in the impossible situation of being surrounded by the enemy without food on the verge of death. They asked themselves the question, “Why sit we here until we die,” and then they walked into enemy territory either to their death or any good graces of their enemies. What they found was far greater; God had driven their enemies away for them to take the spoil. This is a lot like our lives. Everyday we venture into enemy territory with precious seed, but we find that the battle is already won and we just walk in a path prepared before us by God.
We feel that God has spoken to us to go back on the mission field after three years of being back in Baltimore. With two new team members, our two daughters, we are planning to return to Zambia with a goal to encourage the body there and visit surrounding countries for possible sites for future churches.
This past April I had the privilege of attending the first four-year graduation of Greater Grace Bible College of Zambia. My heart was stirred with seeing how God has motivated the Zambian believers; seven of them were ordained and two were sent out on the mission field. One church in Lusaka has become six. God has truly watered thirsty souls.
I also saw the great need and openness of the entire Southern central Region of Africa. Jediah Tanguay and I (on the same trip) visited Dar-es-Salam in Tanzania and for five days found a multitude of open hearts. Seeing this, my heart yearns to see the countries of Malawi and Botswana, to see what God will do when we arrive. Zambia is a Key Starting point because it borders all of these countries; we see that it can be a training center for the Whole Region.
This is the vision: establish Churches, start Bible Schools, open Christian Schools, and make Disciples. It seems too great for us, but look at what God has done already. We look at our own situation and say, “How is this possible with two children and a house?” But then we open our eyes in faith and ask different questions like “Is anything too hard for God?” and “Hasn’t God said it, will He not do it?” We believe God that He will provide the means for us to move back to Zambia this fall.
Please pray for God’s leading, open hearts, hungry disciples, traveling safety, health of the children, and proper housing.
God Bless You, Pr Chris