On our past bus trip to Malawi we announced that Greater
Grace Church provided the entertainment on the bus freely; we then proceeded to
show them “Fireproof “ and “Courageous” (The Christian films from Sherwood
Bible Church). Fireproof was very effective. People were overwhelmed with the
story of self-sacrificial love in a marriage. Many asked us for copies of the
films. Our time in Lilongwe was no different, God breathed on our every word.
We met with our brethren there 3 different times: two times outside in front of
the Post Office and the third at one brother Clifford’s house. Each time we
were amazed at people’s hunger for the Word of God. We spoke about Grace not
being just a characteristic of God but encompassing His entire nature.
Livingstone Trip
The other memorable occasion was the arrival of Pr. Scibelli
for his trip here. What was particularly branding was seeing the same Clifford
whose house we had visited a week earlier now visiting us here in Lusaka and experiencing
Body life. Every October we do a men’s leadership conference. This year was
amazing because we brought 30 men (along with my family and the Speedy’s
family) to the 4-month-old Livingstone church. Clifford was sponging all the
life that he could from Pr. Scibelli and the Zambian leaders. All in all, Clifford spent a week and a half
here in Zambia; but the eternal value of the fellowship…priceless.
Church of Livingstone
The 3rd memorable occasion was on a sad note, but
glorious nonetheless. A few weeks ago
we lost a young man and heaven gained him. He had conviction, focus, and divine
love. God brought him home. His father died last year and he followed at only
age 17. The night he died, his last words to his Mom were to keep going
forward, keep attending church, go to the South African conference. He said,
"I will be fine, I am going to see my Dad..." A few minutes later he
stepped into eternity. His name was Zienzo Kunda. His mother and two sisters
who are left behind were full of faith and so strong. The funeral was
incredible; I think it was the most anointed funeral I have ever attended.
Usually Zambian funerals have a lot of commotion involving drinking at the
gravesite and other distractions. There was none of that. Over 400 people
attended, 300 of which were his fellow students. I was amazed at what an impact
his life had, and to us he seemed quiet and shy. I am overwhelmed, what a
precious young man, what a Savior that transforms us.
Lastly, there was an incredible divine appointment, the kind
that you have few times in your life. The world calls them coincidences, but
God has a purpose for them. The other day I was with my family in the local
Supermarket, and from a distance, I saw a man with a Zeke’s Coffee T-shirt
(from Baltimore). I began to walk over to him and introduce myself as a fellow
Baltimore native. Instantly I recognized him and my brain began a deep search
from where we had met each other. Then I remembered, we were in the same
Biology class in Baltimore Community College 10 years ago. Not only were we in
the same class of about 30 people, but we were Lab partners as well. I recalled
even witnessing to him. We exchanged phone numbers and he told me he has been
in Lusaka for 6 years. We must have
past each other a number of times in the last 4 years that we have been here. I
was overwhelmed because a little over a year ago Dave Petersen (a great friend
from Baltimore) also met a fellow classmate that he hadn’t seen for 10 years
while visiting here in Zambia. It also was a few stores over. It seems like
Lusaka is haven for former classmates or even more so, that God is a God of the
miraculous.
Pr Scibelli with Callia and Poema-Oct 12
Pastors/Wives Lunch with Pr Scibelli-Lusaka, Zambia