road or river?

Our ministry took us to a bush church on Sunday. It hadnt rained all week so I thought the roads would be in good enough shape. However, Saturday night we did receive some pretty heavy rains. On the way to church we were in 4 wheel drive almost the entire time and still were sliding all over the road as if we were driving in blizzard conditions. There were even a few close calls between my vehicle and bicycles on the side of the road. We made it to church and had a great time... however, just about the time church finished up a new storm came through and dumped on us. I knew there was no way we could go back the same way we came.

I was told there was a different way we could use that was "better". In fact, the road was less soupy than before but pretty much was like driving in a river! Ministry during the rainy season certainly brings with it some real adventures!

Deaf Ministry of Chipata

We have our friend Jimmy Tsoukalas staying with us. We received him from the airport a few days back and have been busy ever since. Jimmy is a missionary to the deaf and wanted to visit Chipata with the idea of possibly coming to minister to the deaf community of the Eastern Province. It has been a great learning experience for me as I get to see first hand the needs of the Deaf community. 

Sunday we visited a small Deaf Church of about 25 - Jimmy had the opportunity of preaching and although there were some differences in signs, the people really enjoyed. The next day we met with the pastor. The pastor told us he was HIV positive. I was thankful that this pastor in spite of his sickness was continuing to minister. It can be easy to make excuses when we are sick but this man is continuing to run his race no matter the obstacles before him. Praise the LORD!

On Tuesday, we went to Magwero School of the Deaf. This is another opportunity as the school is one of the oldest schools for the deaf in Zambia. There are over 150+ kids that attend the school and one teacher said there were about 30 late for reporting likely because of lack of school fees. 

Please pray for Jimmy as he seeks to know God's will in all of this!

Deaf Church of Chipata

Jimmy Teaching

 

Road Risks

En route to Lusaka this afternoon we came across a major road accident roughly 10 km from the Luangwa bridge. I am not sure there is a time in recent memory we didnt see a wreck over this 550 km stretch. Today we came around a corner and noticed a line of vehicles which quickly indicated a recent accident had occurred. When we finally inched up near to the site of the collision, one large truck was standing erect while others were bent around it. We noticed an SUV inching its way under the erect truck trying to pass by... although it finally made it, it seemed a bit too risky for my liking. 

I surveyed our surroundings and decided it was safer to engage 4-wheel drive and bypass the whole thing off road than to go under a teetering truck. Thankfully we made it through unscratched. It again highlights the very real dangers of simply driving in Zambia. Please continue praying for us.

my neighbor

This is what my neighbor does for a living. All day... everyday. From around 7 am until up to around 6 pm.

running

I recently preached a message from Hebrews 12:1-2 on "running the race". Although the service was not very well attended, those at Church did seem to be encouraged. I gave testimony about a 5k that I ran years ago and when I finished the race I realized I really was not all that tired. At first I just assumed it was because I was in top shape but when I really stopped to think about it, I realized I was not all that tired because I didnt run all that hard. My time was good. I placed well. But I knew I could have done better. 

For many of us, the same is true spiritually. We are doing ok. We are moving forward. But, for many of us, we really could do better. I hope I dont get to the end of my spiritual run and know I could have done more...no more walking, I want to RUN!