And…We’re Off!

Imagine our delight when Zambia opened up again last fall. Three months later, we’re poised to fly to Zambia for a four week visit. Our tickets are purchased, our travel insurance is intact, our bags are packed (mostly!), and our hearts are ready.

Still, there is one hurdle. We must pass a COVID test on Monday (results Wednesday), so that we can fly out on Thursday. It’s such a strange feeling…WE PASSED! SO, OFF WE GO!

Zambia, for its part, has not been particularly hard hit by COVID, which is great. But, the lockdown has taken its toll. The Kwacha, Zambia’s currency, has lost about 50% of its value compared to the USD since 2019. Good for us as we travel, but very tough on our Zambian friends. Worldwide, it is estimated that the lockdown will result in 150,000,000 more deaths do to starvation, etc. Sometimes, the cure can be far worse than the disease, it seems.

We can’t wait to see and train with our dear friend and GTN colleague, Percy Muleba, who eagerly awaits our visit. Although our visit will be shorter than usual, we will still connect with representatives from eight student groups, train two students groups, meet with former students and friends, and preach and teach. Our agenda looks like this:

January 14-17: Travel to Livingstone, Zambia

January 17-20: Rest and connect with friends and students.

January 20-26: Travel to Mongu, Zambia where Abby and I will train youth leaders representing several different churches on “Discovering My Ministry.” Abby will preach to 200+ youth on “Gender Based Violence.”

January 27-28: Travel to Senanga, Zambia where we will meet with Pastor Titus and his wife, Kahilu, to renew our friendship and plan future training in Shangombo, Zambia. We will also meet with the Bishop of our former student, Reagan, to discuss future training.

January 29-31: Travel to Katima Mulilo, Namibia provided we pass the COVID test at the border. We will meet with Pastors Yumba and Jack to discuss future training, plus renew old friendships, and likely preach at Believers Fellowship.

February 1-9: Travel to Livingstone, Zambia with a stop on the way in Mwandi to visit our dear friend (and Percy’s mother) Gertrude. We will do Phase 1 training for a week with several young evangelists (Doug - “Our Common Creation, Problem, and Solution” and “Understanding the Bible”; Abby - “Wounded Healer” and “Family Systems”), connect with former and potential students, travel to Musokotwane village to preach and/or train, and do whatever else the Lord has in mind.

February 10-11: Travel home.

While we are with Percy, we will also strategize and plan the rest of 2021. We’ll keep you posted!

Typically, in Zambia and Namibia the internet is spotty, but we will try to post blogs while we’re away. Check back every few days. We’ll do our best!

Also, it’s sometimes easier to do a quick Instagram post so you can follow me there @dougvinez.

As always, when we go you go, too! Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and financial support. Please keep our kids and grandkids in your prayer, as well. Thanks!

We can wait to see our dear friend, Percy Muleba, again and reuNite our traiNing team!