“This Is Real!”

We had been discussing the impact guilt, shame, and fear have on all of us and how our wounds reflect our deep need for a Wounded Savior, and for genuine and healing relationships with other Christians. In other words, we’re all wounded. We all struggle with guilt, shame, and fear, and we all need Jesus and one another so that we can walk in the freedom of the Gospel and become the men and women the Lord has created us to be. At a pause in the training, Martinet, bowed his head, sighed deeply, and said, “This is real.”

One of our hopes for this trip was that our “boot camp” for training trainers would be a success. Percy, Abby, and I had agreed earlier this year that three of our former Zambian students were great candidates to multiply our training: Titus Njamba Biemba, Martinet Kabutu Ilukena, and Pelekelo Chitoka. In addition, at the boot camp, we wanted to launch our Virtual Learning Project by recording video of the training with the new equipment supplied by your gifts and a matching grant by the JM Charitable Foundation. A new team member and friend, Nathan Kondowe, would join us to handle the camera and absorb our training, as well.

This morning, we will begin our second week of training with them on the heels of what can only be described as a remarkable first week. This “experiment” has deepened our relationships, strengthened our students’ grasp of our training manual, and deepened our intimacy with the Lord. The video recording has worked beautifully, and Nathan has done a fabulous job. Last night, after a quiet day, we were served our dinner by our amazing hosts at the Sioma Country Lodge around a bonfire on the white sand beach of the Zambezi River. After dinner, we sang, danced, and laughed together before tumbling into bed!

Abby has taught “The Foundation of Pastoral Care: Being, Becoming and Doing” and “The Wounded Healer.” I have taught “Understanding Guilt, Shame, and Fear.” This week, Abby will continue with “Family and Church Systems” and I will teach “Understanding the Bible.” This Weekend, our students will each teach a section of the material so that we can coach them up.

Please pray for us that our boot camp finishes strong, that the video recording continues to go well, and that the Holy Spirit continues to build us as a strong team so that our training can be multiplied in Western Province and beyond! And, remember, when we go, you go!

UPDATES: Should you wish to support Percy’s Virtual Learning Project, checks may be sent to: JM Charitable Foundation, 450 Pine Road, Davidson, NC 28036 (memo: Muleba VLP). Regrettably, online giving is not possible. For every dollar you send, the foundation will match it with two dollars!

As always, Abby and I also welcome your financial partnership and you can give online at: www.DougandAbby.org/give.

Namibia has tightened their COVID restrictions on lodges which means we will not be going there this trip which is very disappointing. Still, disappointment, His appointment! After our boot camp here in Sioma, we will be returning to Livingstone where we will continue our training and video recording. This means that our Zambia visa which limits us to ninety days in country per calendar year will expire a bit sooner than our currently scheduled flights home, so we will be changing our tickets and coming home a week or so earlier than we had planned. We’ll keep you posted!

Martinet and Pelekelo spend a few minutes Reflecting on the banks of the Zambezi RiVer.

This Sunset over the zambezi river was spectacular!

It is our privilege to train and learn from our friends and cOlleagues Martinet, Titus, and Pelekelo (l to r).