RENEW ZAMBIA 2009

Seeds of Hope International

Scott and Sandra mixing concrete for bio-sand filters.

Michaelynn and Julie assembling a bio-sand filter mold.

A young girl in Mapalo getting water from a hole in the ground.

Seeds of Hope has been working in Zambia since 2003. During this time they have provided safe drinking water for over 250,000 people. This has been done by drilling 98 new wells, repairing 242 broken wells, and building and installing 1,850 Bio-sand filters. Working through Zambian nationals, SHIP is pioneering a replicable model for holistic Community Development Resource Centers built on Biblical principles and values. Our vision is that the Resource Centers will have a multipliable impact and that the concept will be adopted and replicated throughout all of Zambia and into other countries in Africa.

During our trip the team was able to spend three days working with SHIP. During this time the team had the opportunity t visit the work that is happening in Mapalo and see hands on what a drill project looks like. They also assisted in the building of Bio-sand filters. They did this by mixing concrete, setting molds, and one over our team members Scott was able to do some welding. A mold that had not been being used was repaired and returned to the production line.

The next day our team went out and installed 10 sand filters bringing clean water to 50 people for the next 30 years. Not only did they install the filters but they also prayed for the families and brought hope to people of the community.

Team Update 05/19/2009

Wow, what a week it has been. I know we have not updated much but getting internet access that works has been challenging. I will try my best to fill you in on everything.

So here we go:

May 14-15 - The kenner team worked with Seeds of Hope building and installing Bio-Sand Filters. It was a great experience for each one of them and God move in great ways.

May 16 - The kenner team put on a one day VBS for 350 children in Mapalo. Yes that is 350! We had planned for 200 but quickly had to readjust. What an awesome time this was.

While all of this was going on Robb Klipp did leadership training for 25 local Vineyard Pastors. And myself along with the Columbus and Boise teams headed to the Kesempa region where we worked with local Vineyard Pastors in the area.

On Sunday Robb, Stephen (Columbus), Dan (Columbus), Shelton (Boise) and myself each went to a different Vineyard church in the Ndola area to do the Sunday teaching. What an awesome time it was we each say God moving in big ways. At the churhc in Twapia where I was three people gave their lives to Christ.

Yesterday we took the 14 hour trek down to Livingstone where we will conclude our trip. Today we will be working with Best Lumbia who is the Regional Overseer for this area.

On behalf of the team we thank you for all your prayers and looking forward to seeing you soon!

Blessings,

Shawn

Wednesday - May 13

On behalf of the team:

Thank you all very much for your continuous prayers and blessings. Our trip so far has been rather overwhelming but we are blessed to know that the overwhelming feelings are that of God showing us what we can do to bring the kingdom to earth. We are currently (as I type) working with Seeds of Hope and making bio-sand filters by hand. We have churned concrete, molded the cast, and even sweat a little. ;) Tomorrow we are going to install the filters we made today in the homes of the Zambians.
We really appreciate your care sent through our blog but please be patient in our response back as we are not capable of internet access very often.
Everyone is well and safe. We are trying to adjust to our new lifestyle and time zone!!!

Until later---

Grace and Peace

Shawn
Robb
Clint
Scott
Sandra
Julie
&
Michaelynn

Trip - Day 1

Michaelynn snuggled up in her Snuggie at the gate in Atlanta. - 3hrs to Depart

The Kenner Vineyard Team ready to deaprt from New Orleans.

THE JOURNEY BEGINS

After all of our preparations it is now time to go. The team will be meeting at the airport at 6:00 A.M. today to head out. The next time you hear from us we will be in Johannesburg, South Africa.

RENEW ZAMBIA TEAM SENDOFF

On May 10th, our team will board a plane here in New Orleans, team up with others from the Vineyard Boise and the Vineyard Church of Columbus in Atlanta, and then journey for more than 35 hours traveling over 9800 miles to Ndola, Zambia. Below you will find an itinerary of their trip. Please check back here for regular updates from the team and continue to pray for them as they seek to see the Kingdom of God fully present in the lives of the people of Zambia.

Sunday - Tuesday, May 10-12

The team will depart New Orleans and arrive in Ndola, Zambia.

Wednesday - Friday, May 13-15

Robb Klipp will perform Leadership Training for 20 lay leaders at the Mapalo Vineyard Christian Fellowship.

The Vineyard Church - Kenner team will work with Seeds of Hope International installing bio-sand filters in the homes of the Mapalo community.

Shawn Rich and the teams from Boise and Columbus will travel to the Kasempa Region of Zambia to connect with the Vineyard Churches in that area and to perform outreaches to the leper village there.

Saturday, May 16

The team will host a children's program (much like a mini-VBS) for 250 children at the Mapalo Vineyard Christian Fellowship. The team will cook for and feed the kids, play games, sing songs, and will have an arts and crafts project for them that conveys the Gospel.

Sunday, May 17

The team will participate in Sunday celebrations in churches across Mapalo.

Robb Klipp and Shawn Rich have been asked to teach at two different churches.

Monday, May 18

The team will travel from Ndola to Livingstone.

Tuesday - Wednesday, May 19-20

The team will connect with local Vineyard pastors in the Lvingstone area and perform outreaches to the community, praying for them and delivering food and cooking oil.

Thursday, May 21

Free Day

Friday - Sunday, May 22-23

The team will travel home.

Meet the May 2009 Team

Back Row: Robb Klipp, Sandra Files. Front Row: Clint Ward, Michaelynn Gacho, Julia Thompson, Scott Muller, and Shawn Rich

"Six weeks ago our team began training for our trip to Zambia, Africa. During this time we have prepared for the outreaches that we will do well in Zambia but more importantly we have prepared mentally and spiritually for our trip. God has been doing some great things in and through each one of us. For some this trip is a first, and for others we are going back to Zambia to see our friends; but for all of us we are going to join God in the work that he is already doing in Zambia. Our desire is that together we would express the realities of the Kingdom of God while bringing heaven here to earth." Shawn Rich

"I hope that my ordinary life and extraordinary love for God can inspire someone else not to lose hope." Michaelynn Gacho

"that my eyes would be opened to serve others in the world" Scott Muller

"God use me where I can be of service to you." Clint Ward

"I can't wait to see how God will use me and though this trip is not for me, I am positive I will come back home a changed person" Julia Thompson

"I want to touch peoples lives through the love of God" Sandra Files

"I am looking forward to returning to Zambia to see all that God has done in the last year." Robb Klipp


"but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I've become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn't just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!"
1Corinthians 9:23 (The Message Bible)

Four Weeks to Departure

It has been a year since The Vineyard Church sent it's first team on a fact finding trip to Zambia, Africa. Since then we have formed a partnership with the Boise Vineyard and the Vineyard Church of Columbus.

Our primary purpose is to establish and enable a self sustaining Vineyard Church Planting movement in Zambia. We will also participate in economic development projects and mercy ministries as secondary objectives in the pursuit of establishing and enabling a Church Planting Movement.

Our hope is to plant communities of hope that express the realities of the Kingdom of God. Churches that are continuing the ministry of Jesus in all of its forms - evangelism, healing, reconciliation, ministry with the poor, economic development, and the pursuit of social justice.

On May 10th we will be sending a team back to Zambia to work along side local pastors performing various training sessions and outreaches across Zambia. We would like to invite you on our journey and hope that you will continue to check this blog to read about all that God is doing in Zambia.

Peace