A Great Week!

Top Row (L to R): Ezi, Chikuta, Chembo, John, Timothy & Joseph; Bottom Row (L to R): Doug, Allan, Abby, Paul & Limbi

What an awesome week! And what amazing students! We never expected to be training in Livingstone this summer, but the Lord set it up and are we glad he did!

Pastor Paul, a dear friend of Percy and Muyunda's, set up the training and recruited the students. Thanks, Paul! Graciously, Pastor Elvin and his wife, Ezi, of Greater Harvest Rhema Church, hosted our class. What a great couple! Like almost all Zambian pastors, they are tent-makers. And, amazingly, it turned out that Elvin was the customs agent Percy had previously hired to handle our shipment of supplies. God is good!

Our focus this past week was threefold: Abby targeted Pastoral Care & Family Systems, Eric focused on Empowerment, Skill Development & Holistic Ministry, and I taught Missionary God. All were eagerly received.

Comments by students at the end of training were encouraging. One said, "I had never been taught these things before. I will now put them into practice." Another commented, "Many of our members need encouragement and now I feel I can do so."

It's possible that we will work with these students again this summer. Abby received a call from Ezi yesterday who expressed their desire to see us again. We'd love to deepen our relationships with Paul, Elvin, Ezi and the other students.

By the way, we worshiped on Sunday with Pastor Elvin's congregation. I (Doug) was invited to preach. I focused on the Lord's Prayer and the sermon was entitled...Petitionary Prayer: A Catalyst for Mission.

Please pray that we will be used to help multiply healthy church planting and mission over the coming weeks!