It’s A Wrap!

Our last week in Zambia went by quickly, punctuated by four evenings of training at House of Kings Church which is led by our pastor friends, Innocent and Ossy. We gave them a crash course on Understanding the Bible, and particularly on how to think logically and critically while making use of the awesome learning aids available to us. The students were wonderful and we enjoyed encouraging them very much.

As we reflect back on our second trip to Zambia this year, and our twenty-seventh overall, a few things stand out to us. First, it was an intense trip, good but intense. We were tired when we got home. The intensity was due to the travel and pace we kept, but it was also due to the new opportunities which opened wide to us. We clearly now have an open door with the Khwe school teachers and students in Chetto, Namibia. We also have an open door to work closely with the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) at their theological college and in all the provinces of Zambia, training pastors, pastors’ spouses, and house prayer leaders. And, the door remains wide open to complete our four phase training with the Mumbwa pastors. All of this is exciting!

Second, the CCAP’s offer to license and ordain Abby was, in retrospect, an historic offer. As we understand it, Abby is the first licensed, and will be the first ordained, non-African in the CCAP, and the first white, as well. Why does this matter to us? Well, because we’ve always held a vision of mission that is a two-way street, a mutual ministry between our African friends and us. Abby has submitted herself to the mission and leadership of the CCAP and this only seems fitting given the unfolding shape of God’s call on her life. This is exciting, as well!

Third, our partnership with Percy Muleba continued to deepen on this trip. We have mutually committed to a 2030 vision which means that our focus on Zambia and Namibia will continue at least until then, but gradually transition through the years to an active Zambia/USA focus. Our hope is that the Biblical Worship Training Centre’s (BWTC) mission to the U.S. will mature over the next seven years. Right now, it consists of Percy’s visits and his training of leaders here, which is great. Our hope is that, over time, Percy will begin bringing teams of Zambians to the U.S. to train us, and, who knows, maybe one day have a mission center here staffed by Zambian missionaries to the U.S. Now, wouldn’t that be exciting?

Anyway, these are just a few thoughts as we look back on our 2023 trips. We remain forever grateful for your financial and prayer support, not to mention the personal encouragement so many of you give us. Without you, there would be no mission to Zambia and Namibia. And, never forget that where we go you go!

Pastors innocent and ossy (l) and students from the house of kings in livingstone, zambia

Thought we’d share Just a few more chobe national park photos!