Finding Purpose…

It’s been a marvelous few days here in Mongu, Zambia. It’s been great to be back in Zambia, to say the least, and wonderful to see old friends. We’ve particularly enjoyed spending time with our host pastor and his wife, Yuyi and Mercy. Percy Muleba and we have enjoyed warm hospitality and comfortable lodging, not to mention moderate temperatures in the 80’s due to the almost daily rain. The area is lush and green!

Our students from five area churches have been focused and faithful, a pleasure to teach. Our focus has been on “Discovering My Life Purpose” as a follow-up to “Discovering My S.H.A.P.E. for Ministry” which we taught here in 2019. Our class members are all leaders in New Vine Ministry which is focused on ministry to youth (ages 14-35) in area churches.

On Sunday, Abby and I enjoyed preaching in two different churches, Abby at the Vineyard Church and I at the Christian Community Church (CCC). (See my latest Instagram post to hear the CCC choir @dougvinez.) Following worship, Abby taught a seminar on the Christian response to verbal, non-verbal, emotional, and physical abuse. She did a fabulous job.

Our final training session in Mongu is today, and our students will be writing their own life purpose statement. We’ll conclude by discussing how they can explore the life purpose of New Vine Ministry after we leave. It’s always difficult for students here to focus on themselves in the context of this strongly communal culture, so we would appreciate your prayers to this end.

Tomorrow, we leave for Senanga, about an hour's drive away, where we will meet with Pastor Titus and his wife, Kahilu, both of whom are former students, to plan future training in Shangombo. Some of you might recall that Kahilu gave birth to a son during a previous training, and that he was subsequently named Dougie! We will meet, as well, with a local Bishop who wants to explore future training opportunities for his churches.

As always, thanks for praying for us, writing to us, encouraging us, and supporting us. And, remember, where we go, you go!

Our students have been awesome!

This shy little Girl we passed along the road was holding a “Victoria & Secret” bag.