A Weekend with the Grandchildren

This past weekend, Abby and I had the pleasure of training our “grandchildren!” At least that’s how Percy described his Biblical Worship Training Centre (BWTC) team. In other words, if Percy is our “son,” then these are his children and, thus, our grandchildren. It’s a very Zambian way of looking at the world, and Abby and I like it a lot. As our ministry has multiplied over the years, we’ve more and more come to see it as an extended family of indigenous missionaries. And for this, we are profoundly grateful.

Nathan and Natasha generously opened their home for this retreat and their hospitality was warm and gracious. Also attending were pastors Cliff and Esau, and Esau’s wife, Miriam, along with Nana, and Thabo. Cliff’s wife and Nana’s husband were unable to attend due to illness. And, of course, Percy Muleba was there and we were delighted that his wife, Muyunda, with their new daughter, Mwendebai, was able to join us on the last day.

Percy asked us to integrate three of our trainings in one “Boot Camp” weekend, Understanding Guilt, Shame and Fear, The Wounded Healer, and Praying Psalms of Lament. It worked beautifully. Our grandchildren were open, fully engaged, enthusiastic, and thoughtful. Our times of worship and prayer were wonderful. Every member of the team is gifted musically so you can imagine what that was like. Finally, the small group format facilitated relationship building, and preparing and sharing meals only added to this.

Some of their take-aways were, and I’m paraphrasing: I’m reading Genesis 1-3 now with new eyes…I’m seeing the cross even more clearly now…I’m recognizing that everyone struggles with guilt, shame, and fear and God lovingly meets our needs…As we lament in our woundedness, God hears us…I’m beginning to realize how my past has deeply affected me.

We can’t wait to see how our weekend together feasting on God’s Word will strengthen our BWTC grandchildren’s walk with Jesus, not to mention what the Lord will accomplish through them in the coming years. We have every confidence in their love for Jesus, gifted worship leadership, and profound desire to spread sound biblical training. And, we have every confidence that Jesus holds them in the palm of his hand.

Please continue to pray for us. We begin eight days of training in Musokotwane (9am-noon) beginning on Saturday, and five days of training in Livingstone (5-7pm) beginning on Monday. It will be a very full eight days.

And, remember…Where we go you go!

L to R: Percy, Nana, Nathan, muyunda and mwendebai, miriam, cliff, natasha, esau, thabo, and abby