Chillaxin' Ndola

Today we traveled to Mapalo Vineyard church and worked with Pastor Francis. We spent some time with about 50 children whom many are orphans. We really connected with 12 year old boy, who held his 1 year old brother the entire time – even playing football. We learned that both his parents died of AIDS and that he was now raising his baby brother (which is common in Zambia). Our hope is that during this time the children would experience protection, love, and security, and would have the opportunity to experience life as children should. We played football (soccer), jumped rope, made cross necklaces, sang songs, and did our skit of the 3 soils. We were also given a tour of the pastor’s future home. It was interesting to watch the men form bricks out of clay, and begin to form foundations of buildings. “It was very encouraging to see Pastor Francis in the process of moving into the community that he was serving so that he could be more available to care for the people that he serves.

Next, we traveled to an IT technical school and ministered to college students. They had a building on campus dedicated to ministry. There were about 50 college students at the service. The service began with student lead worship – two songs in Bemba, two songs in English. I (Michelle) could feel the passion that the students had for Christ. Shawn then taught on Philippians 4 on living your life by loving other people, focusing on your purpose, and being passionate about your purpose. We then ended the service with Jon leading worship and praying for many of the students for their upcoming final exams and their purpose in life. I felt like I was back in the states sitting at one of the services at my college’s ministry building. This experience is teaching me how much people have in common, regardless if you are a different color, have a different culture, speak a different language, or live 9,000 miles across the earth. God made us all the same, and we should learn how to love one another all the same.

Pastor Damas’s church does a regular weekly program called Student Impact to reach out the students of the college. There are 7-10 college age leaders in his church that do teachings and outreaches to the college. It was encouraging to hear Pastor Damas have such a passion for the young adults in the Ndola area, and his desire to raise them up as leaders. A young adult leader is very counter-cultural since the elders are placed in leadership positions because of their age.

“It’s great to see how passionate the young people are about their education and their willingness to receive prayer for their lives.” – Rich

p.s. Scott secures his store with skunks.

p.s.s. Is Janet playing the game?

Upcoming preview: Tomorrow we are working with Seeds of Hope, and having dinner with couples from the community around the Ndola, Vineyard.