Flying into Zambia, you look out and see an incredible variety of green colors (during the wet season). All of the various hues from the trees, bushes and grass are a wonder to behold. I understand the same variety exists during the dry season when all kinds of different shades of brown and tan can be seen. The people of Zambia are as beautiful and vibrant as the colors I saw from the plane. All of the people we met in Zambia are very friendly. We saw lots of smiles and shared many warm handshakes.
Our time in Zambia, Africa found us working with missionaries and pastors in a number of different ways. We started off with a big challenge of organizing the children's ministries container for future use. Our new friend, Amy, heads outreach to children in Zambia. A previous leader left behind all kinds of different things for children but over several years of neglect, the container became an unorganized collection of everything from old college papers to puppets hiding in the corner to balls of dirt. When Amy opened the container for the first time, she quickly closed the door and chose not to revisit the mess again...until we showed up. We helped Amy clear out all of the garbage and keep the things she needs and uses. What was once a dilapidated mess became a powerful tool to reach children and teach children's workers in Zambia.
One of Clear Vision Ministries' main objectives involves encouraging missionaries and pastors. We shared meals with many different missionaries and used the time to encourage them. We helped a missionary family move into a new house, cleaned parts of the house and set-up some of the rooms.
We spent a day with an area pastor, encouraging him, listening to his vision, visiting people and praying with him that God will lead him in reaching his area with God's love and forgiveness. We spent a couple of days training some local pastors and leaders in areas of Bible Study, basic leadership skills and conflict resolution.
We spent some time at the Lusaka Ministry Center to grade some papers, collate a book, re-organize the library and check the computers for a computer network. One of the missionaries created a large database of books, articles and web sites for students and pastors to browse on the network. This will be a great blessing to many pastors and students in Lusaka and beyond.
Our time in Zambia was truly blessed and a new hunger was created to go back to Africa. There are many leaders who need training because the church is growing so fast and new pastors and leaders are desperately needed. We will return to Africa in the future and will be looking for people to go with us.
